Hanging on the iPhone: GTA: Chinatown Wars

Micro Reviews for micro games.

GTA: Chinatown Wars

The GTA series has come a long way since it's 2D top down origins on the PC, and with each step forward it can sometimes be hard to look back. However not all platforms were created equal, and the graphics, euphoria physics and scale of GTA IV isn't easily replicated on smaller screens. This is why Rockstar returned to the well for GTA:CTW, opting to present a more traditional GTA for it's debut on the DS. This was then ported to the PSP and given a touch up graphically to keep the title in line with the more powerful system. Now about 6 months after the original DS release the PSP version of the game has been ported to the iPhone.

Visually the game looks great, the extra power the iPhone and PSP have over the DS allows for more detailed textures, some quite nice lighting effects and an all round more engrossing experience. The level of detail is impressive given the top down perspective, billboards are readable for example, and the quasi cell shaded look the game sports doesn't feel like it's only purpose is to excuse the non photo-realistic graphics.
There are a few flaws however such as the picture in picture moments for certain actions looking really pixilated. But overall it's by no means an unattractive game.

Things start to get a little less polished as far is gameplay is concerned however. The obvious area the game suffers in is controls, it almost feels wrong pointing it out as the fact that the iPhone struggles as far as input for games goes is no secret. GTA is far from the worse handing game on the system, the virtual joystick is responsive, as are the buttons, but they simply don't make for a fun experience to use. Driving is a chore and requires the player to relearn how to control vehicles in games as the cars are way too sensitive to the button inputs and tend to swerve dramatically between lanes while you attempt to straighten them up, the game locks the cars onto a track to make things easier, but when you have to manoeuvre out of the way of another vehicle the swaying side to side beigns again while trying to reconnect with the 'track'. Combat is a similar problem, there is no manual lock on option and the fire button is so near the flying kick and jump button that on many occasions you'll end up breaking cover and rolling towards the enemy.

All in all GTA is a worth while purchase if you haven't played CTW before, and the fact that it comes at such an impressive reduction compared to the PSP and DS versions makes the fiddly controls a little easier to swallow. There's a lot of depth to the game with plenty of side missions and innovative use of the touch controls in places meaning there are literally hours of gameplay to be had from this little game.

Chinatown Wars is available for download now

BTP 5: Not On My iPhone!

SEX! Could that be seen as offensive by Apple executives? Well that's Beside The Point!

Sex it seems is a dirty word theres days, but then so is the word censorship according to an ongoing debate re-ignited but Apple's decision to remove around 5000 "sexually inappropriate" Apps from it's App store service. According to Mobilecrunch new guidelines mean that applications which could be deemed "sexually arousing" will not be accepted for the App store in the future causing a tempered backlash from users, App developers and the media.

Of these complaints the main charges are that Apple's new guidelines are hypercritical, over zealous and vague, all of which go along way to fuel opponents criticism of the move. According to reports there are 7 new guidelines that have been but in place for developers to follow when developing Apps for the App store which are (deep breath): No images of women in Bikini's, no images of men in bikinis, no skin, no silhouettes, no sexual connotations or innuendo (Inyourendo -sorry Apple), nothing that can be sexually arousing and a polite warning that no Apps that include any of the above will not make it to the store.

Perhaps in this age of information technology it is important to cut back just a little to protect the kids from inappropriate content but surely there are better ways of doing it? The simplest way is for phones to be registered to the user so that the phone will always know the age of the person using it and be able to block inappropriate content accordingly. After all isn't it the responsibility or, even more crucially, the preference of adults to determine what they find sexually arousing?

More mind blowing are reports that despite Apple's new guidelines the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Application still appears on the App store. Now, I may not be a PHD in pornography but doesn't that particular App exist solely for the displaying of women in swimsuits, something that Apple has told us is not acceptable on it's App store?

In the end this is more of a question of choice rather then content. After all, the disappearance of adult material from Apple's stores is no big loss, although it does seem a little unfair on developers who could stand to lose out. What concerns me me is the idea of Apple telling us what we should and shouldn't be viewing, since when did adults need to be protected from adult material? Seems silly. The argument for protecting children is important but some what blunted by the existence of parental controls in just about everything with an internet connection, which should negate any need to block content to a wider audience. Apple need to decide what their policy is and stick to it but it may already too late if users decide to opt for a more "grown up" platform for their App needs.

Building the future

Epson have been hosting a photography competition in assosciation with Wired over the past few months with various themes. The first was 'power' and was won by James Smith's photo entitled 'cables', the second was 'disruptive' and'barrier' by Paul Simpson bought home the prize. It is the final theme and the entries it received that I really want to look at today.

The theme was 'future', something very close to our hearts here at S&N, so obviously it seemed natural to have a closer look into the entries. What surprised me most of all was that the large majority of entrys were of architecture, not something that I naturaly think of when I hear the word future.

The two do go hand in hand however, after all the easiest way to define the future in visual formats is to change all the buildings radically, the floating saucer houses in the Jetsons being a good example. Our perceptions of how the future will look is always changing, the Blu Ray Terminator 2 has the films alternate ending set in the (at the time) distant future, the scene however looks extremely old fashioned because it features the now laughable round buildings with obscure angles and inexplicable protrusions, and of course, hoops. Obviously the future is never here, something that lingers intangibaly in the distance, so our perceptions of what is futuristic constantly changes. To some degree, in this country atleast, I feel we predict too much change in our future landscapes. I grew up in a Victorian house, one that many people had lived in before me, on a street made up entirely of those types of buildings. When I left a new family took up residence and the cycle began again. That house will be there another 50 years atleast I'd wager, and is in no danger of being replaced with a sleek space dome any time soon.

To me technology defines the future, and I have no doubt that a lot of other people feel the same way. Tech is constantly changing, already a model of the iPhone has become old tech, as have many consoles, TVs and every computer component released in the last seven minutes. Maybe then technology actually defines the past?

My 2009

I'm being very careful about this!

For a start I'm doing this on my iPhone, so apologies for any typos! 2009. 2009! 2009? What can I say? Not a very eventful year for me. Let's see, January I acquired Fallout 3 for the 360. Brilliant game, with amazing DLC later on in the year. I somehow feel that thus game was a huge influence on the slightly disappointing Terminator: Salvation. Huge wastelands, small human colonies, feeling of lonliness, and of course, big robots trying to smash you up! Much like Transformers: ROTF (and that's not me rolling on the floor!)
Much the same as the first Michael Bay robot party, Transformers: ROTF was overly long and not much substance. But what's so bad about enjoying Megan Fox on screen and seeing giant robots beat the bolts out of each other? It's an 80's childs dream!
La Roux tried to capture the 80's Nintendo sound and give it some lyrics! The bonus of this is that it really worked. Great little pop tunes that do the job.
My main jobs this year were being a Modern Warfare soldier and an assassin, not to mention bring locked up in Arkam with The Joker trying to knock me out! For me, Batman: AA, COD: MW, and Assassins Creed II were by far the most enjoyable and addictive games. I haven't enjoyed games like this for a long time. Batman broke the mold of having rubbish comic book games, Ubisoft listened to us and face us a better creed with more variety in missions, and a deeper story, whilst Infinity Ward prove to us yet again, that they are the kings if COD and no one should mess with them! Maybe a few too many challenges, and story not brilliant, but still it came out on top.

To be honest, I really can't think of any decent films I've seen this year. In fact I really don't think there has been much to get meviff the sofa and to the cinema. Had I managed to fit in Avatar, I'm sure it would have come out on top!

And finally music. Two bands have peaked my interest. Muse made a brilliant album, and even proved with Undisclosed Desires that they have the capacity to go electro if they wanted. I even saw them at The O2, and even though I was seated, I still had a he'll of a time. Matt, Chris and Dom know how to make a show spectacular! (proper review if that show soon!)
The other band that have tickled the ear drums ate Them Crooked Vultures. An amazing supergroup who actually know the definition of rock! Dome people may just write it off as another QOTSA album, however, once you delve deep into it, you forget it's Josh Holme on guitar and vocals, and just have to air drum along with the Devil, Dave Grohl! John Paul Jones just follows the trend and joins in the fun really. But if you are going to have a bassist in your band, it may as well ve Led Zeps (also a proper review coming soon)

So that's my 2009! Not much to say other than hope you had a great Christmas and here's to a brilliant 2010!!

-Mike-

May I have this dance...?

Well,

I doubt I can do any better than introducing this blog to than what Jimi has, and I won't even attempt to. I'm here to just introduce myself to you. Obviously you can look at my profile, and see what I have said about my ego, but it was all very brief.

Hello, my name is Michael/Mike/Mikey. I live in Lowestoft - the hub for all new things in technology and music....(why does sarcasm never come across in text???) I am a Year 7 instructor at a local Middle School where I teach Music and Art.

I live with my girlfriend, who puts up with me and my hobbies (obsessions) rather well! Lets list these obsessions shall we?

First and foremost - Music. I love music. I write, play, record and to a certain extent produce a lot of my own music. I play guitar, bass, piano/keyboards, drums, and give a fair go at singing. But I would never have gotten to this stage without my inspirations (also an obsession)...RADIOHEAD! What can I say? I love them, I love how they are consistently different, and yet they constantly deliver! I have a collection at home with all but 1 of their UK releases, CD's, Vinyls, books, DVD's...the list is endless!!

But of course other acts make me raise any eyebrow (or two) are The Prodigy, Muse, Aphex Twin, Coldplay, Scott Matthews, Ash, The Beastie Boys. But to be honest I'm pretty much game for anything!

I am a huge Apple fan. I started off with a 2002 eMac and an iPod Video. Obviouslt this has changed. I am sitting in front of my MacBook, after having recently given up my iPod Nano, making way for my 16GB iPhone 3GS! Its programs like Cubase, Sound Studio, and Final Vinyl that help me with all my Music editing.

And last but not least, you will almost definitely catch playing on XBOX Live (Noel Tidybeard add me!) Batman was awsome, Mass Effect is awsome, Modern Warfare is crowded...but awsome, but what has me addicted at the moment is Assassains Creed 2. Its soooo much better than the first. Although the missions are basically hurdling over rooftops and lunging your blades into unsuspecting victims, AC2 has much more depth to it.

But more about that and things alike soon...

So, thats me in a relatively large nutshell. What I write is not gospel. Debate and disagree if you like. This is about personal opinions and freedom of speech.

I look forward to rambling on some more in the very near future!

--Mike--