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Glockstar

08-15-2005, 09:40 AM

There's a ton of stuff coming out over these next few months...

* The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction
* Ultimate Spiderman
* Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
* X-Men Legends 2: Rise of Apocalypse
* City of Villians (PC)

...and there's already been some decent recent releases...

* Batman Begins
* The Fantastic Four

...you should be happy. Are you?

trebor

08-15-2005, 12:09 PM

Aside from City of Villains, I'm looking forward to every game you listed.

I have to say Activision has really outdone itself in the past few years with so many great Marvel licensed games. Though I voted for XMen Legends 2, I'm really excited to see how Ultimate Spidey turns out.

Rogue Bounty Hunter

08-15-2005, 12:31 PM

Glockstar

08-15-2005, 05:35 PM

...I'm really excited to see how Ultimate Spidey turns out.

That's the only game I'm not looking forward to. I had some interest in it for a while there - until I saw the latest trailer for it on the latest OXM Demo. I did not like the look of it (you know, as far as impressions of the gameplay), and I especially did not like the look of it with regards to graphics.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't be all that excited about XL2 if it weren't coming to the PSP. Based on my experiences with the games I have, or have had, for the system I expect the PSP version to be fully up to par with the consoles'. Just with different characters. From what I've read.

Speaking of reading, you see IGN's article from the July Comic-Con about the game?
If not, here...
http://comics.ign.com/articles/633/633072p1.html
...you should read it. ;)

Glockstar

08-15-2005, 06:09 PM

I'm happy for the Marvel Nemesis game. I have no idea of the complete roster, but at least Iron Man will be in the game (yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

I had Batman Begins, and though it was pretty easy and linear, it was pretty fun and probably the best Batman game this gen.

I hate to admit it... but I am seriously thinking about getting Marvel Nemesis myself. It weren't EA I'd be all over it. And yet still, even with the situation being what it is, it looks like MN is probably going to be the game that ends my boycott. Believe me, this is not a decision I make lightly. But just look at that box art...!

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/257961.jpg

:D

-

I'd read that there was a lot creative realitivity between Batman Begins and Splinter Cell - which made it sound really interesting. But then I also read that the game was seemingly dumbed down. Still, it sounds like a good rental.

A friend has been playing the heck out of the Fantastic Four game. He loves it. I...'d rather play something else tho'.

You guys seen either one of these movies? I know you've seen - and liked - Batman, RBH. I haven't seen either one. To tell you the truth, I have no desire to see FF. But I have been meaning to see Batman. The friend that I told you about that likes the FF game, I guess he loved the Batman movie - he's been imploring me to go see it.

Rogue Bounty Hunter

08-15-2005, 08:26 PM

I hate to admit it... but I am seriously thinking about getting Marvel Nemesis myself. It weren't EA I'd be all over it. And yet still, even with the situation being what it is, it looks like MN is probably going to be the game that ends my boycott. Believe me, this is not a decision I make lightly. But just look at that box art...!

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx_assets/product_images/257961.jpg

:D

That has to be the PSP version, because Captain America is on the cover. I read in one of the latest Game Informer that Cap is an exclusive character for the PSP :mad:
Nihilisic (the guys who were doing Starcraft: Ghost first) is developing MN, but I haven't played a game of theirs. The movies showing gameplay look fun, but I wonder if the game will have an arcade mode along with the story mode. I think MN comes out around the end of September.

I'd read that there was a lot creative realitivity between Batman Begins and Splinter Cell - which made it sound really interesting. But then I also read that the game was seemingly dumbed down. Still, it sounds like a good rental.

A friend has been playing the heck out of the Fantastic Four game. He loves it. I...'d rather play something else tho'.

You guys seen either one of these movies? I know you've seen - and liked - Batman, RBH. I haven't seen either one. To tell you the truth, I have no desire to see FF. But I have been meaning to see Batman. The friend that I told you about that likes the FF game, I guess he loved the Batman movie - he's been imploring me to go see it.

I never took the time to see Fantastic 4 in the movies, but I''ll probably get it on dvd when it releases, along with the Batman Begins dvd.

Batman Begins would definitely be a good rental. It's about 8 hours long (maybe less). It was dumbed down for the masses, which is unfortunate because the game had a lot of potential. If EA decides to make a movie-less Batman, they should use a next-gen version of the game engine, but make it more challenging. If I didn't trade my version to GR, I would have kept Batman Begins.

Gadfly2317

08-16-2005, 06:12 AM

I guess I don't know those. The adaptation I'm totally looking forward to is "V For Vendetta" which is an adaptation of the Alan Moore graphic novel. I think "graphic novel" must be the snooty term for "literary comic."

Anyway, I downloaded a trailer for the movie and its looking really cool. Its set in an alternate present/future were a nazi-like fascism prevailed in England; the character "V" is referred to by the ruling elite as a "terrorist." V was the by-product of genetic death camp experiments.

It's got Natalie Portman in it, if that matters. I'm totally hot for Natalie, so I'm really happy she's in a movie I want to see--at least, I hope it turns out as cool as the source material, and not all crappy like the new Star Wars movie.

Also, though it's not a comic book, Philip K. Dick's novel "A Scanner Darkly" has been filmed and is coming out sometime in the next 6 months. Best Sci-fi novel ever written, and also the best drug novel ever written, it is directed by Richard Linklater and has Robert Downey Jr., Keanu Reeves, and Wynonna Ryder in it. The movie is "animated" sort of; it uses the same technique as was used in his philosophy film "Waking Life" where they film the actors and then animate/touch-up/alter the film somehow. Take a look: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/ascannerdarkly.html

trebor

08-16-2005, 08:47 AM

That's the only game I'm not looking forward to. I had some interest in it for a while there - until I saw the latest trailer for it on the latest OXM Demo. I did not like the look of it (you know, as far as impressions of the gameplay), and I especially did not like the look of it with regards to graphics.

I dig the cel-shaded look. What I'm mostly concerned about is if they fix the terrible camera and a few of the other problems that were in the Spiderman 2 game.

To be honest with you, I wouldn't be all that excited about XL2 if it weren't coming to the PSP. Based on my experiences with the games I have, or have had, for the system I expect the PSP version to be fully up to par with the consoles'. Just with different characters. From what I've read.

I could see the PSP version being pretty dang cool. From what I know of XL2 is that they have already fixed one of the issues I had with the first XL and that was of forced single-player missions in a game that should have been multiplayer all the way through. I'm really looking forward to XL2.

You guys seen either one of these movies? I know you've seen - and liked - Batman, RBH. I haven't seen either one. To tell you the truth, I have no desire to see FF. But I have been meaning to see Batman. The friend that I told you about that likes the FF game, I guess he loved the Batman movie - he's been imploring me to go see it.

I saw Batman Begins, and I have to say, it's good. Very good. Maybe even great. A lot of people are stating that they think it's the best Batman movie ever, but I don't agree with that. I think it's probably tied with the first Tim Burton Batman movie in terms of greatness - which is quite a compliment really, since I think the original Batman movie is superb.

FF just looked too terrible to see in theaters - I'll probably rent it someday.

Rogue Bounty Hunter

08-16-2005, 12:18 PM

I saw Batman Begins, and I have to say, it's good. Very good. Maybe even great. A lot of people are stating that they think it's the best Batman movie ever, but I don't agree with that. I think it's probably tied with the first Tim Burton Batman movie in terms of greatness - which is quite a compliment really, since I think the original Batman movie is superb.

FF just looked too terrible to see in theaters - I'll probably rent it someday.

I always considered Batman Returns as the best Batman movie. I thought the first Batman was up there with it, but when I picked both of them up on DVD a couple months ago, that all changed. The first Batman seemed too goofy for me. The Joker isn't the one that makes it goofy, I think it's the constant music playing during the movie that does it. In comparison, I think Returns and Begins are tied for the best Batman movies.

Another comic book game that's pretty good is The Punisher. It's kind of repetitive after so many hours, but solid overall and should be around $20 now.

Glockstar

08-16-2005, 03:48 PM

That has to be the PSP version, because Captain America is on the cover. I read in one of the latest Game Informer that Cap is an exclusive character for the PSP.

:D Oh yeah.

Captain America is there replacing Wolverine. It sucks to lose Wolverine! But if I had to pick (just) between the two, I'd pick Cap. But why couldn't they have nixed somebody else? Like even Spiderman. (I don't know, maybe it's because Wolvie has no ranged attacks.(?))

The videos I've seen are sweet. The best one, imo, was Iron Man vs Venom - sheesh, what a knockdown-drag-out affair that was, eh?! The second best also involved Iron Man (versus the Imperfect Solara)... coincidence? ;)

-

I dig the cel-shaded look. What I'm mostly concerned about is if they fix the terrible camera and a few of the other problems that were in the Spiderman 2 game.

I don't mind cel-shaded graphics, but I do not like US's. I especially don't like the way they've drawn Venom.

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2005/226/reviews/928335_20050815_screen002.jpg

But I don't mean to dissuade you. I hope you get it (so that way you can tell me how it is :D ), and what's more I hope you I like it.

-

I always considered Batman Returns as the best Batman movie. ... I think Returns and Begins are tied for the best Batman movies.

I think [Batman Begins is] probably tied with the first Tim Burton Batman movie in terms of greatness - which is quite a compliment really, since I think the original Batman movie is superb.

Regarding the two Tim Burton Batmans, I'm with Hunter. Actually, I don't particularly care for the first one at all.

But still, the fact that you're both saying what you're saying... well, that's really saying something, isn't it? Then I will definitely see it.

Gadfly2317

08-16-2005, 04:45 PM

trebor

08-17-2005, 07:02 AM

trebor

08-17-2005, 07:06 AM

I always considered Batman Returns as the best Batman movie. I thought the first Batman was up there with it, but when I picked both of them up on DVD a couple months ago, that all changed. The first Batman seemed too goofy for me. The Joker isn't the one that makes it goofy, I think it's the constant music playing during the movie that does it. In comparison, I think Returns and Begins are tied for the best Batman movies.

Regarding the two Tim Burton Batmans, I'm with Hunter. Actually, I don't particularly care for the first one at all.

But still, the fact that you're both saying what you're saying... well, that's really saying something, isn't it? Then I will definitely see it.

Batman Returns is the second Tim Burton Batman movie, is it not? I seem to remember that I thought the ending of it bordered on absurd - even for a comic movie - and I didn't like it. Although, you two are making me want to go back and give it a second look. If anything, it's a way to see Michelle Pfifer in her prime wearing a skin-tight cat suit.

Plus, it does have Danny Devitto, which is never a bad thing.

Rogue Bounty Hunter

08-17-2005, 07:38 AM

:D Oh yeah.

Captain America is there replacing Wolverine. It sucks to lose Wolverine! But if I had to pick (just) between the two, I'd pick Cap. But why couldn't they have nixed somebody else? Like even Spiderman. (I don't know, maybe it's because Wolvie has no ranged attacks.(?))

The videos I've seen are sweet. The best one, imo, was Iron Man vs Venom - sheesh, what a knockdown-drag-out affair that was, eh?! The second best also involved Iron Man (versus the Imperfect Solara)... coincidence? ;)

If I had a choice, I would pick Cap as well. Wolvering has been on enough fighting games, and he always felt overpowering or button-mashy, so I rarely used him. I hope that Cap ends up on the consoles as an unlockable character, but I kind of doubt it.

I've watched a few vids, and it seems that Venom is pretty powerful, beating Ironman and Spidey. I also watched Phoenix and an Imperfect fighting, and a diferent Imperfect beating the crap out of Wolverine. Those vids are what sold me on the game.

Batman Returns is the second Tim Burton Batman movie, is it not? I seem to remember that I thought the ending of it bordered on absurd - even for a comic movie - and I didn't like it. Although, you two are making me want to go back and give it a second look. If anything, it's a way to see Michelle Pfifer in her prime wearing a skin-tight cat suit.

Plus, it does have Danny Devitto, which is never a bad thing.

Yes, I believe it was another Tim Burton Batman. I didn't like it at the end where Batman (Keaton) took off his mask, why do they always have to take off their masks for people? Overall, both of those Burton movies were a whole lot better than the other Batman movies that ran the franchise in the ground. Batman nipples? ugh!

Treb, did you see the Killer 7 price drop in the bargain hunter's thread?

Gadfly2317

08-17-2005, 07:47 AM

Batman Returns is the second Tim Burton Batman movie, is it not? I seem to remember that I thought the ending of it bordered on absurd - even for a comic movie - and I didn't like it. Although, you two are making me want to go back and give it a second look. If anything, it's a way to see Michelle Pfifer in her prime wearing a skin-tight cat suit.

Plus, it does have Danny Devitto, which is never a bad thing.

And it has Pee Wee Herman in it (the Penguins father.) Paul Reubens rules! He was great in Blow.

Speaking of Blow. . . there's finally going to be a strategy game where you run your own cocaine cartel called Snow http://www.dignews.com/news.php?story_id=10114. It'll be the first "story driven empire building game for the xbox." Fortunately, as is usually the case, it will be on PC too.

I feel bad for to continue being off topic here :(

Rogue Bounty Hunter

08-17-2005, 08:01 AM

And it has Pee Wee Herman in it (the Penguins father.) Paul Reubens rules! He was great in Blow.

I had no idea that was Mr. Connect the dots, la, la, la, la. Wasn't he in some super hero movie with Sean Connery?

Glockstar

08-17-2005, 04:11 PM

I had no idea that was Mr. Connect the dots, la, la, la, la. Wasn't he in some super hero movie with Sean Connery?

No, methinks you are confusing Mystery Men with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

-

Although, you two are making me want to go back and give it a second look. If anything, it's a way to see Michelle Pfifer in her prime wearing a skin-tight cat suit.

Oh. Yeah.

-

I feel bad for to continue being off topic here

Ah hey, don't worry about it. It's just that... I have no idea what you are talking about.

Glockstar

09-26-2005, 03:44 PM

Well, in just a couple of days they'll all be out (all of the console games I mean)...

And IGN has done a neat little article comparing the latest three...

Marvel Videogame Battle!
Marvel Nemesis vs. X-Men Legends II vs. Ultimate Spider-Man.
Which should you buy this weekend?

September 23, 2005 - An unprecedented event has occurred for comics fans. Three Marvel-licensed videogames have come out in the same week. What is a comics fan with only $50 to do? Despite your mother's insistence that you save that cash for college, it's obvious you're only going to be getting one of these games this week. But which should it be: Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects, Ultimate Spider-Man or X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse.

You can browse through IGN's reviews all you want, but that may not prove enough to pick one game from the trio with confidence. That's where IGN Comics comes in. We're not going to quibble about gameplay or debate which system is the best. All we care about is determining which of these three is the best comic-book game available.
We'll compare all three games in half-dozen categories to determine which is the best for a true comic geek. As Aunt May is fond of saying, "Let's get it on!"

TALE OF THE TAPE

- - - - - - - - - Marvel Nemesis - - - - - - Ultimate Spider-Man - - - - - - X-Men Legends II
Available on: Cube, PS2, Xbox - - - - - - - - Cube, PS2, Xbox, PC - - - - - Cube, PS2, Xbox, PC
Rating: T - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - T
Genre: Fighting - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Action - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RPG
# of Players: 1-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1-4
Star Creator: Mark Millar - - - - - - Brian Bendis & Mark Bagley - - - - - - - - None

THE CATEGORIES

Roster: Winner = X-Men Legends II
Story: Ultimate Spider-Man
Authenticity: Ultimate Spider-Man
Voice-Acting: Ultimate Spider-Man
Geek-Factor: X-Men Legends II
Bonuses: X-Men Legends II

FINAL VERDICT

Best Marvel Game: X-Men Legends II

"It comes down to two fantastic comic-book games in the end. You can just go ahead and toss Marvel Nemesis out. No, seriously, toss it out. The tough choice is which of the final two you should choose. Remember, we're not talking about gameplay, which looks best on your HDTV or how long it will stay in your system. This is simply a battle to see which best uses its material and will provide the greatest joy to a comic-book fan.

As you can see from the categories we set up, USM and XML 2 are neck-and-neck. Neither really falters in any of the categories, it just happens that they are stronger in some areas than others. Some might discount X-Men Legends II, because it's not as flashy and isn't written by Brian Michael Bendis. But it's not that simple.

While Ultimate Spider-Man has a fresh and exciting look to it, snappy dialogue and a great story, X-Men fans will go into utter geek overload playing Legends II. While it can be a little frustrating to have your geeky hand held through some of the more obvious info on the X-Universe (yes, we already know what the effin' Savage Lands is, dammit!), there's a ton of extras to geek out on. The number of total costumes is staggering, the amount of enemies and allies is astonishing. It a lot of fun to see what parts of X-History have been used to create a brand new story.

You really can't go wrong with either game. However, you can get away with a weekend rental of USM and earn a full helping of comic-book geekiness. Purchase XML II and you'll nab yourself some long-term play with loads of references only a comic-book fan can appreciate."

--by Hilary Goldstein
http://comics.ign.com/articles/653/653429p1.html

It would appear that I will be following Miss Goldsteins reccomendations to the letter: I'm skipping MN, will only be "renting" USM, and I'm buying XML II (but for my PSP). But my decision is not based solely on this article; MN isn't getting good reviews from anybody; I bought the last Spider-Man game and didn't like it; I didn't buy the last X-Men game and I kind of regret that I missed out on it.

What are your final verdicts?

Rogue Bounty Hunter

09-26-2005, 07:44 PM

What are your final verdicts?

Well, unlike Goldstein, I tossed XML II and USM out immediately. After 20 hours of XML I, I just got so sick and tired of things in the game. I don't think they changed enough things in part II to make a difference, so there was no reason for me to look forward to this one. As far as USM, well, the best Spidey games I've played were on the PS1. Every Spidey game since has felt too familiar, especially those movie games. This latest one does two things wrong: the graphics (It just looks awful to me), and (correct me if I'm wrong) not being able to play as Venom whenever I would want. Those two things, and the fact that I'm tired of Spidey games in general, are why I passed on USM.

Marvel Nemesis definitely isn't a great game (has some good parts, and overall entertaining and frustrating at times), but I think it has more potential than the other two, especially if there is a sequel. If EA and Nihilistic would have decided if they wanted the game to be a fighting game OR a beat 'em up, then it would have turned out better. I enjoy most of the beat 'em up sections, though I still haven't unlocked Stark. The boss fights have been brutal, but they seem to be getting easier with more game time.

Brendon

09-26-2005, 09:47 PM

Doh! I need to learn to read. . .I thought it was comic book film adapatations, not games based on comics!

The only comic I'd like to see turned into a game is maybe Johnen Vasquez's "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac." The "V for Vendetta" comic adaptation would make a pretty cool game, though if politicians are freaked about a little hanky-panky, I wonder what they'd make of you playing as V who is a "terrorist."

It's probably a lot easier to come up with a game-concept based on a superhero though---guy with magical powers fights villains who also have magical powers. I wish someone would make a game with Jesus or Samson in it. Or O.J. OJ vs JC. Whatever. I'm going to go paint the wall again with some fresh blood, before it dries and the monster comes through.
You're a Vasguez fan Gadfly? Good to know you have good taste in comics.

Personally, I have two thoughts on these matters

1)EA should just give up, Marvel Nemesis sucks ass and Marvel should just give the licence back to Capcom come renewal time.

2)Marvel have way too big a slice of the comicbookgame pie and more companies should be looking into it. I really, really wanted that Red Star game Acclaim were working on but it looks to have gone the way of the dodo.

trebor

09-27-2005, 06:48 AM

Treb, did you see the Killer 7 price drop in the bargain hunter's thread?

Incidentally, I ended up buying Killer 7, but haven't started it yet. This is another reason why I'm waiting to buy US and XML2.

trebor

09-27-2005, 06:54 AM

What are your final verdicts?

I think I'll be buying Ultimate Spidey and XML2, but not for a while.

Ultimate Spidey is the one I want the most out of the two, but based on the reviews it probably isn't worth $50 - especially when reviewers suggest renting it instead.

As far as XML2, I loved playing XML1, but as with most things Cube oriented, the GC version is getting the shaft. I'm finding it really hard to justify buying XML2 for the Cube at full price knowing that the PS2/Xbox versions have online multiplayer and are the same price.

I wish they would make XML2 for the DS and include online play, then it would be a no-brainer.