Rhythm Heaven Fever Review

Rhythm Heaven Fever (Review): Available on Nintendo Wii (Nintendo) - The Coast

As seen in The Coast, my review of Rhythm Heaven Fever wasn't exactly brimming with praise. I wanted to like the game, as the DS original was hilarious and fun, but sadly Fever was so frustrating and at times outright maddening, that I couldn't ignore the issues I had while playing.


It may be that I simply don't have the necessary internal tempo to truly enjoy this game, but I can't imagine I'm the only one who had issues with the punishing gameplay.

The ability to change the difficulty setting, like in other music games, probably would have improved the experience.

Allowing me to slowly get into the mechanics rather than being thrown through a rhythm gauntlet would definitely have changed my opinion of the game. If difficulty options were available, I'd be playing on Easy.

The sad thing is that there is potential here for a great deal of wacky fun. The characters and settings are brilliantly rendered in a minimalistic style that is both cartoonish and eye-popping. I love the overall feel of the game, including the music, which is catchy and creative.

But if it's no fun to play? I just can't recommend it, unless you are dripping with Rhythm or march to the beat of a 'better' drum than I do.

If you're still curious, the game retails for $29.99 - not bad considering the going rate for most games out there.

Despite the Wii coming to a close later this year, there are still a few games coming out that I'm shaking with anticipation for, mainly the Operation Rainfall games: Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower (which hasn't been confirmed for localization in North America yet). All three are Japanese RPG's, and they've been getting a lot of buzz from critics and fans alike.

Nice to see that the Wii has a little bit of life left before its successor shows up this holiday.

My Latest Obsession - Draw Something

Every now and then an iPhone game comes along that you just can't put down. Fruit Ninja, Angry Birds, etc.

The flavour of this month: Draw Something, developed by OMGPOP. Draw Something and OMGPOP were both reportedly bought by the social gaming empire Zynga, responsible for Farmville and the Bubonic Plague.

It's available on iOS and Android and will most likely be expanding to other platforms soon. 

The concept is simple and familiar: think Pictionary with a touch screen, powered by social media. It's brilliant. And I can't put it down.


You find people through Facebook or their Draw Something username or completely by random straight from the app, then you create a game. You're given the choice between three things to draw and earn coins if they're able to guess what it is, one coin for the easiest, two for the middle ground, and three coins for the hardest option. You can later spend those coins on add-ons to give yourself a leg up. You can also buy coins with real money, if money is truly no object to you. But it's much more rewarding to ear those coins in the game.

It goes back an forth between whoever you're playing with from drawing and guessing and it's truly a genuine, fun experience.

Some words are difficult to imagine as a picture, for example, how do you draw 'voice?' or 'ripple' (no I didn't say nipple) It leads to some really funny and clever drawings that are always unique.

The game narrows down your guess to so many letters, and if you're stuck you can use a bomb to eliminate some of them to improve your chances. However, once the bombs are gone you need to spend your coins to buy more, so only use them if it's absolutely necessary.

The only issue is, even when you have 20 games going at once, which I totally do, you can end up waiting a long time before somebody plays back. But sometimes it's good to put it down, come back later and BAM! 10 responses ready. Sweet.

I highly recommend Draw Something, it's addictive, hilarious and just plain fun. Can't go wrong.

Draw Something retails for .99 cents and there is also a lite version on the app store.

Happy drawing.

Cicrle Pad Pro

I finally got my hands on the Circle Pad Pro accessory for my 3DS.

I looked for it at every EB Games and GameStop (who are the exclusive retailers for the accessory) in the HRM and no dice. They kept telling me it was either sold out or dis-continued, some clerks also told me that it would be coming out packaged with certain games down the road, similar to the Wii's Classic Controller Pro.

I asked Nintendo about it and their spokesperson told me that it wasn't discontinued, and she was a little peeved that the retailer was telling me a different story.

So they sent me a review copy from their inventory, I'm hoping I can hold onto it instead of sending it back.

Why do I want to keep it? Because it is awesome at what it does despite its shortcomings.

Let's get this out of the way first nice and quick, like ripping off a bandaid - This accessory simply should not have to exist. Shipping the 3DS without a second analog stick was an enormous design flaw. Did Nintendo not see how it affected the original PSP or even with their original DS line? (although it wasn't as crucial back then)

The fact that we need a Circle Pad Pro accessory now shows the error in the 3DS' original design. Nintendo's audience will now be divided - those who have the circle pad pro and those who don't. splitting the market for games as well - those designed with dual analog control and those without.

And there may be those out there who will now wait for a 3DS refresh, with a second analog stick built in, before taking the plunge.

Ok there. Bad Nintendo. Remember this next time.

Anyways. The accessory itself, despite its girth, is surprisingly comfortable to hold and use. When I saw images of it online I was taken aback by its sheer size. However, now that I've held it and played it for long periods of time, it's actually more comfortable to use a 3DS with a Circle Pad Pro than without.

A lot of the comfort has to do with its ergonomic design. It lays in your hand just like a controller would.

The second circle pad and the shoulder buttons are placed nicely, and it improves the overall experience during games like Resident Evil: Revelations.



However, the accessory isn't without its faults. The device relies on its own AAA battery, it doesn't charge with the 3DS or anything fancy like that. It also won't fit on the 3DS charging cradle, so you need to take your 3DS out and put it back on after each play session in order to charge the handhelds admittedly small battery life (4-5 hours)


But the Circle Pad Pro does what it's supposed to do - It provides dual-analog gaming on the 3DS and it even makes long-term gaming more comfortable, while simultaneously eliminating any chance of putting it in your pocket.

Angry Birds Space A Hit!

The champion of the mobile format, Angry Birds, has been feeling a little stale lately. With the original and spin-offs including Rio and Seasons re-hashing a lot of the same elements we've come to love, it was time for a change. Enter Angry Birds Space.

Space adds completely new play styles while maintaining that classic Angry Birds experience. Physics and strategic firing of birds to topple those snorting pigs is still the primary goal here, but there is a huge emphasis on things like gravitational pull to take into consideration before flinging your heroes aloft.

The first few levels are incredibly simple to get people used to the new mechanics and environments. The birds themselves have changed in some ways to compensate for their space-faring adventure. I won't spoil too much, considering there are a lot of Angry Birds fanatics out there.

So far I've only played through the first chapter and it feels and plays great, no issues with freezing or crashing which is quite the accomplishment considering it's still version 1.0

The cartoonish visuals remain, along with the hilarious sound effects, but overall the game feels more polished. I'm playing on my iPhone 4, so I can only imagine what it's like on the shmancy new iPad.

This is probably the biggest release for the Angry Birds franchise since the series graced our iPhones all of those years ago, changing gaming-on-the-go forever.

Releasing on March 22nd for iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows and Mac OSX, Rovio (the developer) is poised to make another killing at the bank with it's addictive and popular franchise. For the iOS version, it retails for .99 cents on the app store.

What's almost more amazing is how Angry Birds has permeated popular culture. There are plush toys, t-shirts, a rumoured TV show, and the games continue to be at the top of the bestsellers list for months, even years. It could also be responsible for the rise of smartphones being seen as true mobile gaming platforms, to the detriment of Nintendo and Sony, as they continue to lose marketshare.

All this being said, fans and newcomers to Angry Birds will enjoy this refreshing take on flinging birds into pigs.

Spoiler Alert: Mass Effect 3 Ending Analyzed

Well, here we are, the finale to one of the greatest video games ever made. Although Bioware and EA will certainly continue the Mass Effect universe, thank the Goddess.

Mass Effect 3's polarizing ending has led to tens of thousands of fans signing petitions and even one over-zealous nut filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, OK buddy.

Those thousands of people, just didn't get it.

That's my honest opinion. The ending's grand design was totally lost on these people, maybe that is the fault of the developer, but the ending's philosophical and visceral finale was not as it seems.



Spoilers begin, be careful those who scroll beyond here:

The 'ending' we'll say, begins when Shepard make his way to London, after hauling fleets from all over the galaxy to Earth in order to re-take the planet, and connect the giant Crucible project to the Citadel, which turns out was the Catalyst (object needed to complete the project and defeat the Reapers) all along. A pretty good 'gasp' moment. The Citadel? The height of government and culture in the galaxy actually an integral part to its design. Wild.

The Reapers brought the Citadel to Earth to protect it, as that is where most of the living synthetic ships were, creating the perfect setting for a final stand. I love the incredible sense of drama this creates and the thousands of allied ships jump into view on one side, the giant Reapers on the other.



Shepard and his task force is able to punch through and make his way to London, where they are trying to get to what essentially mounts up to being a transportation beam up to the Citadel, which has all of its arms closed tight to prevent the Crucible from working, and any ships from docking. Those clever Reapers.

Shepard makes his way to the beam although not before getting knocked back by a Reaper laser, where most of his team is presumed dead.

This is where things get interesting, and where fans start to lose grasp on what's actually going on.

Shepard is not actually going up the beam to the Citadel.

What?

Nope. He's being indoctrinated. By the Reapers. They are controlling his mind, which they've done before on other characters like Saren from the first game and the Rachni Queen as well.

Which is why things seem so dream-like or un-real. Things aren't quite right when he makes it up there. The rooms he see's are similar to ones he's seen in previous parts of his life. The Collector Base, there are elements of Omega and the Citadel. It's all an attempt to control and warp Shepard's mind. Show him the familiar so it's believable. Similar to the Geth mission where Shepard enters the Geth Consensus, but more fleshed out.


Why else would Admiral Anders also have made it up the Citadel with him? Why did no one else? Why is the control room right next to where he beams up? It's all happening inside of Shepard's mind. And this fight is actually a fight to save his mind from being indoctrinated by the Reapers and becoming like Saren, The Illusive Man and others.

There are hints throughout that illustrate this, and I can't possibly go through them all, but if the player pays attention to the subtle things happening throughout the game, like the child he see's on Earth and in his dreams, it's a sign that the Reapers are attempting to control Shepard through emotions. It's been happening since he met Harbinger.

The duel of words that happens between Shepard, the Illusive Man, and Admiral Anders is all a trick by the Reaper indoctrination process.

The Illusive Man representing the Reapers and Anders representing Shepard's humanity. Depending on how you played through this part, you can see how this works. The Reapers are constantly trying to convince you that you don't need to destroy them all in order to save humanity, you can attempt to control them or join synthetic and organic DNA, bringing about the final stage of evolution, according to the Reapers. It's a trick.

This is the final test, and if you chose the correct path, the one on the right, and destroyed the conduit (the deceptively 'renegade' red one) Shepard's mind has defeated the indoctrination process. And instead sees images of the Reaper defeat with the a giant wave of energy, spreading all over the Galaxy. And the Normandy landing on a lush and strange environment, a sign of hope.

This is why the hologram on the Citadel looks so much like that child on Earth, he was never really there. Shepard was the only person who ever saw him, because he was already being indoctrinated, which can be a slow gradual process. The child was a way to play to Shepard's heartstrings and integrating him into the final test brings the whole process full circle.

What's not clear, and hopefully Bioware/EA will address this, is what happened in reality? Were the Reapers actually defeated, or did Shepard just prevent himself from becoming a Reaper slave? That is what is unclear.

But you can't always have a cut and dry ending that sums up absolutely everything. There is clearly going to more to the Mass Effect universe, and to cut and run like that would be a disservice to the fans.

Perhaps the developers should have made it more clear what was actually happening in that epic final scene, but slowly discovering the reality is what Mass Effect is all about. This is why I think the hubbub about the ending is pretty much an enormous misunderstanding.

I personally loved the ending, and I'm hoping EA/Bioware doesn't change this internal struggle, but shows more of what happens in reality.

This youtube video sums it all up beautifully, but I will digress I realized a lot of this before watching, but it puts it together so elegantly it's a must-watch.


I can't wait for the next chapter in this amazing universe. Well done Bioware.

Mass Effect 3 Continues to Impress

Note: I'll do my absolute hardest not to spoil any story elements, as I know how frustrating that can be.

I've been playing a lot of Mass Effect 3 lately, A LOT. We're talking multiple-hour long marathon sessions on a regular basis. I knew this was coming, just as surely as Command Shepard knew the Reapers were on their way to destroy us all. My only regret here is that it's taken time away from other games I'd like to try like Mario Party 9 (don't judge) and Journey, the latest PSN darling. But I'll have time for those soon.

 Mass Effect 3 has basically consumed my life since getting it earlier this month. Both the multiplayer and the single player campaign have me completely hooked. This isn't much of a surprise personally as ME1 and ME2 also had me utterly enthralled when they released.

But I'm terrified of how it ends. Everywhere I look I hear of people complaining about the ending. From my buddies who've already beaten it, to the masses (heh) on Twitter, and even EA/Bioware themselves saying they're 'looking into it.' That is really scary. I've been head-over-heels in love with this series since it came out in 2007. It was the reason I bought an Xbox before a PS3. Not Halo, not Fable - Mass fucking Effect.

The idea that this epic series ends on not only a flat note, but a terrible one has me shivering. I know, I know - It's just a game! And that's what I get for investing so much into it. But when a game is crafted as brilliantly as this one, it's hard to ignore such critiques of how all the cookies crumble.

That being said, the bulk of the actual game, what I've played so far, has been fantastic. It does stumble at times and there is the odd glitch, for example sometimes Shepard will talk to someone with his head pointed in the other direction, just looks odd. But in true Mass Effect fashion, the story and characters shine through. Although I do find I'm missing some of the amazing crew from Mass Effect 2, and the loyalty missions that went with them.

But one thing this part of the series has more than the two earlier games is an uncompromising sense of scale. Shepard has never faced odds quite this dire. The Reapers, the mysterious villains hinted at in the first two games, are here in full force, killing and harvesting millions of people as they go. Decisions you make not only save lives, but entire planets. It's quite something to witness. I would go into more detail but it's really something the player needs to experience first hand.


Multiplayer has also been a surprisingly fun way to take a break from the main story but still stay involved with the universe. Although sometimes when I get into it, I just want to quit and go back to the story. I don't know if I'll stick with it when I complete the game. And depending on the ending, I don't know if I'll replay the single player like I did with ME2.

But so far, pre-ending Mass Effect 3 has been an absolutely incredible experience, and I can't recommend the series enough. To me it is the crowning jewel of this console generation.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

Wow, Nintendo's been nice to me this month. Latest game they've sent me - Kid Icarus: Uprising for the 3DS.

The game came with lots of goodies, which I'll show off now before I give my impressions later this week.

Note the interesting packed in 3DS stand. Certainly comes in handy.

Consoles Are Here To Stay... For Now

There's been a lot of doom and gloom going around about the end of the console era. Pundits saying that the golden age of dedicated gaming machines has come and gone, this mostly being blamed on 'disruptive' technology like the iPad or new business models such as 'freemium.'

I say... hold your horses.

This has been the longest 'generation' of consoles since they've been coming out. Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have been sitting on their current machines because they can still do new things with them, and studios are finally capitalizing on their full potential.

From VGChartz, not 100% accurate

Certainly sales of the current generation of consoles (360, PS3, and Wii) have been shrinking for the last couple of years. Why? Because everyone already owns them. So of course sales are going to slow for a product which has been out for years after its release. Console makers don't release a new box every year like Apple does. I believe the next wave of consoles, starting with the Wii U this year, will bring some of that interest and marketshare back to the more traditional game-makers.

Nintendo and Sony have also been using this void to release new handhelds - 3DS and Vita to keep momentum going.

And yes the ominous threat of the iPad and .99 cent games are giving everyone the chills about the future of game consoles, but for the near future, I believe these boxes under our TVs will remain, providing top of the line gaming and new entertainment options. I don't just use my PS3 as a gaming machine, I also watch Netflix on it, play my Blu-rays on it and download new and amazing digital gaming experiences such as the recently released Journey.

Devices like the iPad may make some people reconsider spending money on a home console, but the lack of a dedicated controller and notable games like Mario, Halo and Uncharted will keep the consoles going.

I don't think it's as simple as one more market canibalizing another, if anything what we're seeing is an expansion of the overall video game market. And people who enjoy casual experiences on iPhones/iPads will be more willing to check out home consoles, because that barrier has been removed.

Also my lovely girlfriend made this point and wanted me to share it "Games on my phone are a distraction, when I'm bored they kill time. If somebody wants a true gaming experience they sit on the couch, turn on the TV, which is a much bigger screen by the way, and play for hours on end, you can't do that with a phone."

Send Cheryl to Space!

This has absolutely nothing to do with video games, but we need to send Cheryl Hann, from Picnicface, to space.

vote here: Race for Space

I interviewed Cheryl last year along with fellow comedy troupe member Bill Wood for a story in OpenFile and had an awesome time going around the city looking at places they used to perform, and where they filmed scenes for their show on the Comedy Network.



Cheryl is awesome and deserves this trip of a lifetime.

Let's blast her off into the cosmos.


Here's a video of our adventure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LAykt9_Ts_E

The Best Controller

When it comes right down to it, the controller is one of the most important pieces of technology for gamers, it is our interface into these different worlds that we get lost in. And if the controller isn't comfortable or is unresponsive, it completely takes you out of the experience, breaking the 4th wall. 

I miss you

Playing Mass Effect 3 last night, this became absolutely apparent. One of my Xbox 360 controller's left analog sticks is stuck slightly to the left. So if I were to put my controller down, Commander Shepard would start slowly walking to the left, almost creeping. Not a huge deal right? Well later on when I was in cover during a firefight, my Shep kept wanting to either move as far as he could to the left or get out of cover altogether, taking me out of the excitement and just feeling frustrated.

Luckily I have a second 360 controller, with no perma-left stick, and my saving of the galaxy is going much better now. But it made me realize how important these gamepads are.

You don't really notice them until they screw up, but they are essential.


Here's a list of some of my favourite controllers over the years, starting from the top:


Nintendo Gamecube - perhaps the most ergonomically correct thing that has ever fit into my hands, the Gamecube's controller (and the later wireless variant Wavebird) felt like it was taking a nap in my hands. The buttons were placed perfectly and I never had an issue with one breaking on me. 

Xbox 360 - I know that the start of this post was pretty much me complaining about a sticky stick, but when all things are working properly, the 360's controller makes an ideal companion to any gaming experience. Great weight, button placement and comfort.

Gameboy Advance SP - In my opinion, the best handheld for playing games on the go, back in the day. A simple, elegant clamshell design, Nintendo absolutely nailed it. Making it one of the most comfortable portable companions ever.

Less than honourable mentions:

Xbox - The original Xbox controller was a monster. You could barely fit it in your hands around the thing, let alone try to play a game. The hideous X staring at you in the face didn't make things any better.

Wii - ahhh the Wii remote. Pretty much the most important part of the console, and completely a hit or miss depending on the game. Not the most comfortable thing to hold when playing a typical action or platforming game. But when using it to play titles like Wii Sports it's so integral to the whole experience, you don't even know its there.

PlayStation - You've got to hand it to Sony for keeping things pretty consistent over the years. And despite it's ergonomic design, I've never quite been able to wrap my head around this thing. Maybe it's the shapes instead of letters, I don't know. Also the PS3 wireless controller feels way too light. I feel like it could fly out of my hand at any time.

What are some of your favourite controllers?
 

PS Vita - self contemplative debate

The PlayStation Vita. The latest gaming handheld from Sony.

Certainly looks like a pretty slick device with its vibrant OLED screen, dual analog sticks (my 3DS is jealous) and other wowzers features. On paper, it's the perfect handheld. So why don't I want it?

Well for one, I already have a 3DS, which I do enjoy despite its relative limitations when compared to the Vita. The 3DS has essentially replaced my Wii for Nintendo games, as that console is all but on life support at this stage. I still intend to keep my Wii around for a few titles before the Wii U comes out, but I'm saddened by how quickly it was abandoned by Nintendo, considering how it dominated the market for years. But the 3DS is getting great content at a consistent pace and I'm just overall happy with it.

I'm still using my PS3 regularly, probably more than any other device I own. I watch blu-rays on it, netflix, and oh yeah, incredible games. PS3 is here to stay for a couple more years at least and that's fine by me. So I don't need a Vita to supplement my PlayStation experience, because I already have that.

I also have an iPhone, and although that device does not replace a dedicated gaming handheld by any means, it does take up valuable pocket space (could a Vita fit in a pocket? probably not). Am I going to cart around more than one device with me at a time? Well I know some people do it. Some people bring their iPad and Laptop wherever they go. Others dual-wield phones (blackberry and android for instance).

This issue could DEFINITELY be filed under first world problems. I just don't know if I want to bring all of this tech with me everywhere I go. On a flight - sure, I take maybe one flight every 2-3 years, so that justification is out. A road trip? No I like to talk to people and enjoy the experience. So I don't know if I would even take the Vita out of my home if I got it, essentially removing the whole point of a handheld, no?

And finally, the price. $250 for the wi-fi only unit. Not bad when you consider the price for other tech out there. But start throwing in things you need, like a memory card, which goes from $30 - $99 depending on the size. Plus games, screen protector, etc. This device adds up in cost pretty quickly. And where I already have a 3DS, an iPhone, and all of the home consoles, I just can't justify it. I'm not rolling around in money by any means, I'm a poor poor freelancer, but instead of spending my money on things like booze or weed, I buy video games, it's my addiction.

Given all of these factors, it seems like despite my love of video games, the PS Vita just isn't in the cards for me right now. Certainly a great handheld, and I don't think other people shouldn't get one, go ahead gobble them up! I just can't afford/justify it right now, which really sucks.

A PS Vita is not in my near future, unless I win the lottery, then I'd buy 12.

Mass Effect 3 Video Game, Accolades Trailer HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com

Mass Effect 3 Video Game, Accolades Trailer HD | Video Clip | Game Trailers & Videos | GameTrailers.com

Mass Effect 3 So Far

Let it be known that the Mass Effect series is one of my favourite video game franchises in recent memory. Bioware, a Canadian developer (whoop whoop) continues to impress in every way.

I bought an Xbox 360 a few years ago just so I could play the first Mass Effect because the idea of being able to become a part of and help shape your own space opera was too big to miss for me. Being a huge Star Trek nerd and all.

I just recently started playing Mass Effect 3, the latest in the 3-part opus, I love that word - opus. And even though I'm only a few hours in I can already tell that this will be the best part of the series, despite Mass Effect 2's near-perfection.


Can't wait to see how this series comes to an end.

Why I love the 3DS eShop

Online marketplaces are a really hard thing to nail down. They need to be simple, show off a lot of content, and have a sensical layout.

In this I believe the 3DS eShop does remarkably well, and it's probably one of the better but lesser-known/utilized features of the device. Frankly everyone should be on eShop buying up all of the amazing content available. 

First you'll need an actual 3DS (no duh..) and then connect it to the interwebs (o rly?) and one of the first icons/apps you'll find on the bottom screen is the eShop. Tap it and you're taken to one of the best examples of e-commerce.

To add money you need to pick up one of the prepaid points cards in stores or add money via credit card, pretty much how every other form of e-commerce is handled.

But the big winner here, the interface itself.

You don't see every single game that is available, or the top 25 bestseller games. Rather, it's broken down into easy to understand categories such as 'Mario games' where you will find, yep, all available Mario games in the eShop, whether they are classic games from the Gameboy days or newer digital releases.

You can also search for bestsellers, or 3D games to take advantage of the 3DS screen, or digital games that were on the DSi. There is a lot of content, and a lot of it is quite good, but it's always good to educate yourself and find out which games are fantastic and which ones are just a waste of time/money.

It's hard to explain why it's such an awesome experience, but basically I love how the games and apps are categorized, with unique and appealing images for each one. And it changes frequently depending on the available games. Sometimes I go on the eShop just to see the different sections there are.

The only issue I have with the store is that once you click download you need to wait until the game is finished downloading before you can go back and peruse some more, but it's not a huge deal as it normally doesn't take very long to download depending on your wi-fi network. Hopefully Nintendo will also address this in a future software update.

Some of the standout titles available on the eShop are Pushmo, VVVVVV, Let's Golf 3D, Mutant Mudds, Cave Story 3D, and more. The classic games will definitely bring that warm nostalgic feelings from yesteryear.

But if you have a 3DS or might pick one up (which I suggest you do, great little handheld) definitely check out the eShop, so much great content.

Latest Nintendo Game

Got this today from Nintendo for review.

Will be interesting to see if the franchise still holds up. Used to be one of my favourite party games when I was younger.

'The new iPad' a game console?

Not so much.

Apple recently launched their latest drool-worthy piece of tech, the (new) iPad, and despite its beautiful new screen and bumped up graphics - a game console this is not.

And I'll tell you the main reason why.

Games, or lack there of.

But wait Colin, aren't there hundreds of bajillions of games on the App store?

Yes there are, but are any of them the AAA high quality games we've come to love and expect from our consoles like Mass Effect? Not even close.

Don't get me wrong, some iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch games are fun, mostly unique puzzle games or quirky strategy games. The most popular still being Angry Birds. But It will be a long time before we see a GOOD first person shooter or a compelling RPG that stands the test of time on this format.

One of the main things holding these games back from coming to the iPad is the lack of a dedicated controller, or tactile control buttons.

A touch screen is great for swiping motions, and touch controls, but it gets cramped and awkward the second you use this thing to try to steer a car or move a character + camera around in a 3D space, it just feels cramped and counter-intuitive.

Certainly some games excel in this format, Fruit Ninja for instance has taken off on this platform for its addictive swiping gameplay. Great for a quick break in between commercials of your favourite show, but this is not an all-nighter, 100 hour game.

The iPad is an all-in-one device, so it's great for email, social media, web browsing, casual games, reading etc. But it isn't necessarily perfect at any of these. Choosing not to specialize in a single category, Apple wants the iPad to dominate the music, book, game, movie and every other business with one fell swoop.

Before they can conquer the video game market they'll need to figure out how to make full-fledged gaming experiences not feel cramped and limited to the touch screen, and they'll also need to bring some of the core, AAA experiences that are found on home and portable consoles now, to the App store.

Until then, the iPad isn't a game console, it just plays games too.

Day 1

Hi there guys,

Colin Chisholm here.

You may know me as the guy who wrote this: Silicon Hali, as seen in The Coast

I also write for OpenFile Halifax and
The Halifax Weekly News

Truth be told my passion is video games, in case you didn't guess that already.

This blog will be completely dedicated to the world of video games from a Halifax perspective, which we all know is a pretty unique one.

I'll be updating this frequently with reviews of games from a bunch of different platforms including PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS, Mac, PC, iPhone, etc.

I'll also be updating you guys on the latest news about the world of video games: new releases, rumours about the next wave of consoles, Halifax-specific developers and more.

And I may just throw in some personal opinion as well, to keep things nice and bloggy.

My twitter feed will be on the blog, but feel free to follow me as well to become part of the conversation.

Also if you have any ideas, suggestions, or topics you'd like me to cover or look into please let me know in the comments or through twitter.

And please encourage me to keep this thing going. I've tried and failed (swing and a miss) on a few blogs already. But I'm hoping, since this is focused specifically on video games I'll be able to keep this thing going.

Anyways, stay tuned for updates. BRB!