Home » News » Game On or Game Over: These are a few of our favourite things…
News

Game On or Game Over: These are a few of our favourite things…

Microsoft versus Sony, Battlefield versus Call of Duty, and Forza versus Gran Turismo. These are some of the rivalries that can get people talking about console wars. To promote solidarity, Stevivor.com and StickyTrigger.com have donated two stunningly brilliant (and good looking) writers to tackle some of gaming’s most controversial subjects. Game On or Game Over is your place to get inside the minds of Nicholas and Andy as they seek to find the true meaning of gaming. Both are award winning authors – although the awards haven’t been mailed yet, or created yet, they have won many! Trust us, we wouldn’t lie!

Andy: Hey Mr. Mazda! It occurred to me that the readers of Game On or Game Over may not really know much about us. What we like or dislike, what we play, and our general gaming habits. Let’s turn the focus to us and maybe share some memories of games gone by. I’m an Xbox 360 gamer almost exclusively, although I did get a Vita, but to be honest it was really just to be able to play Zen Pinball on the go (I love that game so much). My favourite question to ask gamers; If you could only play one game the rest of your life, what would it be? Mine answer to that question is; Fallout 3. It was really the first game that truly hooked me on the 360. The moment when you first come out of Vault 101 is easily one of my top video game moments ever. There’s so much to do and see in that game, it’s just amazing. So, let’s turn the question to you, what’s your answer?

Nicholas: Hi Andy! Sure, I think that’s a pretty good idea. As far as this generation of gaming goes, I’ve been pretty much an Xbox 360 gamer exclusively as well. I do own a Nintendo Wii and a PlayStation 3, but I’ve never finished a single game on the Wii and only two games on the PS3. I’m not an Xbox fanboy, but I do love the Xbox controller and Dashboard above the others, and that’s perhaps the main reason why I’ve kept it as my primary console.

GTA IV

Ha ha! Those questions are always so difficult to answer. Thinking about it though, I’d probably go with Grand Theft Auto IV. It was the first GTA game I ever owned and it’s the only game to this day that I’ve gone back and played multiple times once I finished it. Much like your choice with Fallout, it’s the fact that there’s so much to do and see that makes it so great. I’ve only finished the story once, but it’s the random stuff that I love to do – drifting cars around traffic, going on rampages, or just driving – there’s no game that’s offered such a great package since I think. Here’s another one for you – what would you consider your favourite franchise of this generation? Why?

Andy: Oh man, that’s a much more difficult question to answer than I thought it would be. There are many franchises that I’ve played this generation; Need for Speed, Call of Duty, Battlefield, Dead Space, Crysis, F.3.A.R., and Gears of War to name a few. After you asked me this question I thought about it, looked through my Xbox 360 Achievement list and looked through my game collection. I know I mentioned it before, but I think I’d have to go with Fallout. I know there were only two games released for the franchise this generation (Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas), but if I look at gameplay hours, and memories, it’s hands-down my top franchise of the last eight years. From a personal standpoint everything about that series was magical for me. It’s rare when you get a game where every element works for you, that was it for me.

Now, we reach the moment in this column where I make you fall off your chair, and subsequently not talk to me for a week – I played GTA IV for maybe 10 minutes a couple years ago and hated it. I know I am in the minority, but I just didn’t find anything appealing about that game – or franchise for that matter. Saying that though, it got me thinking about some other popular franchises I have either never played, or didn’t enjoy when I played them. The top of that list, based on popularity, is Bioshock. I played the first one for about 20 minutes and turned it off. Are there any popular franchises that you haven’t played, or didn’t enjoy what you have played of them?

Fallout 3

Nicholas: I think mine would have to be Mass Effect, without question. I’ve played some pretty awesome games across some great franchises over the past couple of years, but there hasn’t been a collection of games that have captured me and kept me wanting more, like the ME trilogy has. Everything from the combat to the storyline was absolutely and utterly epic, and what I loved was that each sequel was so much better than the game before it. I also don’t think I’ve ever been so connected to a character(s) like I did Shepard and the Normandy crew. Hell, even thinking about them now makes me want to play through the three again!

Ha ha ha! While I’ve certainly played my fair share of games across this current generation, there are so many that I’ve skipped – both accidentally and on purpose.  For example, here are just some franchises that I’ve never owned games from – Oblivion, Gears of War, Bioshock, Call of Duty, and even … (wait for it) … Fallout! One game that really stands out for me though is Dishonored. I remember hearing great things about it. I remember being excited from the fact you could play the game without killing anyone. But when I couldn’t even sneak past the first two guards without being detected, it all pretty much fell apart. The first-person perspective just didn’t work for me and unfortunately, it’s tainted my interest for all other first-person games (I’ve been putting off Bioshock Infinite because I’m worried it will play like Dishonored. Here’s another hard-ball for you – what would you consider the ‘worst’ game you’ve played this generation – and more importantly, why?

Mass Effect 3

Andy: I’m not sure we can be friends anymore with that Fallout comment. I will pretend you never said that, you’re safer that way. Oddly enough, I am very, very late to the Mass Effect bandwagon. I actually finally started playing it recently, so I am still playing the original game but am very much loving it. I did start Dishonored, and enjoyed what I played, but at the same time it never amazed me like it did others. I am an Achievement junkie, so I have been known to play some pretty suspect games purely for achievements. Whenever the topic of ‘worst game’ comes up there are two that immediately come to mind. I’d be surprised if you’ve heard of either to be honest. The first is a game called Infernal, and the second would be Dead to Rights: Retribution. There are so many things about each that make them bad, that would be a whole separate article. Terrible controls, bad story, and more – in fact, neither lasted very long in my Xbox. So, we’ve talked a little about our personal favourite specific games – how about genres? I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this question, but when you’re in a gaming rut, what’s your go-to genre that you’ll play every time?

Nicholas: It might surprise you that I’m going to say this, but my go-to genre is actually puzzle games. Alright, I lie – it’s racers. Ha ha ha! I know some people only see these games as going around circles over and over, but to me, as a car enthusiast, it’s so much more. With so much variety – whether it’s the arcade titles like Need For Speed, the simulators like Forza Motorsport, or the officially-licensed ones like F1 2012 or MotoGP 2013, I never tire of taking to the tracks (or the streets) and reminding myself of why I love cars as much as I do. The roar of the engine, finding that perfect racing line and setting that fast lap time, and being able to take a position because you were able to out-brake your opponent … yeah, I love it! How about for yourself?

F1 2012 03

Andy: Ok, I almost fainted when you said puzzle games. I too love a good racing game, but as much as I enjoy them, they aren’t my go-to genre. If I had to pick one, and since I brought it up I kind of am obligated, I’d have to pick a post-apocalyptic style of game. I’m not talking just Fallout, but games like Rage, Metro, State of Decay, and even The Last of Us. I love it when the atmosphere is as much of a character as the actual character. Metro does that very well. Plus, I really enjoy tight resource management and having to scavenge for stuff to keep me alive.  The tension in those type of games just gets me hooked and wanting more, and when a good soundtrack is incorporated, it’s pure gold.

So, enough of this gen – that’s old news and the new shiny games are coming out. Personally, as expected, I’m really looking forward to Need for Speed Rivals that we talked about before. I’m excited to play Battlefield 4 and take Baxy and Jiggsy’s tags. (They are actually mine already, but I’m letting those two keep them warm for me.) But what really has me excited as a gamer, is the new fresh IP’s. Games like Watchdogs, Titanfall, Destiny, The Evil Within, and games we haven’t even heard about yet. I think the last two to three years of this generation had too many sequels/prequels, so I’m excited. How about you, what’s on-tap that has you jumping up and down throwing money at the screen?

Nicholas: You’re definitely right about there being a lack of new IPs being released over the last few years. I wonder how many developers knew that the next generation of consoles was on the horizon and were intentionally waiting to release any new franchises on the new systems, rather than the current ones?

Forza Motorsport 5

Regarding upcoming games though, the first (and obvious) answer has to be Forza Motorsport 5 – it looks amazing and it’s pretty much the main reason why I’m so keen to pick up the Xbox One on launch. The Crew also looks promising and I’m really excited to see how a game of that size will work. Apart from those two however, there really isn’t anything coming out with the next generation consoles that I’d say I’m super-excited for. I might consider purchasing a Wii U next year when the new Super Mario, Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros., instalments are released, but again, nothing that I’m anxiously waiting for. Guess I’ll just need to check each one out a little more!

Tune in next time for the next instalment of Game On or Game Over. If you have any ideas for our next article, feel free to contact Andy or Nicholas on Twitter! A special thank-you to @Will87lesgoPens for the suggestion for this week’s article!

Tags

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

About the author

Nicholas Simonovski

Events and Racing Editor at Stevivor.com. Proud RX8 owner, Strange Music fan and Joe Rogan follower. Living life one cheat meal at a time.