Gaming with Maddie Series Part 1 - Wipeout The Game

It is always great when I can split some video game time with the family. This usually tends to be difficult when the types of games I play are less than family friendly such as Halo Reach(very soon I hope) or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The biggest enabler to supporting family video game time has been the Nintendo Wii.

Our Nintendo Wii was definitely not a planned purchase and really wasn't a purchase by us (Thank you Grandma!!) but has become a welcomed addition to our home entertainment setup. The Wii is a video game system that is family friendly and also provides the opportunity to play video games while getting off the couch (we have actually worked up a sweat on some of the games).

One of our most recent video game tries (via Gamefly) is 

Wipeout The Game by Activision (Wii).

Wipeout The Game is based on the ABC TV Show Wipeout. My wife and I have been long time watchers and yes we may have let Madison watch this once or chance ( I know we are terrible parents). There is nothing better than after a long day at work coming home to watch people go through an insane obstacle course and some how escape injury. Wipeout The Game allows you to join in the fun from the comfort of your couch (no post game neck brace required).

The controls are super simple - The Nunchuk joystick is used to move your character and the Wii Remote Controller "A" button is used to jump (also used to steady your character or climb over obstacles via shaking it). The Wii Remote Controller can also be used while waiting your turn to shoot various balls at the current player (Amanda doesn't think this is fair). Madison is able to play her own character by herself so it allows mommy and me to be competitors also.

The game itself provides various levels of difficulty with the obstacles changing based on the difficulty level. Some of the obstacles are definitely harder than others. This provides a fun game but can also be frustrating at times. 

The graphics are pretty standard for the Wii which is grainy and pixilated at times (I know, spoiled by my XBOX 360). The mechanics for the individual characters do not mirror real life (which is probably a good thing) so you end of with wet noodle characters during falls, bumps, and crushes. This actually leads to the "Wipeouts" being very comical.

The character selection is limited to the characters provided with some characters only being accessible as you progress in the game. I was really surprised the player is not able to use their Mii character but the characters provided are quite colorful and unique.

Overall the is a very fun game to play but not something I would purchase. This game really provides the feel of a game quickly thrown together as a tie in to the show. Maybe somewhere down the road we will see a better interation of the game but until then Wipeout The Game is worth a try and a quick laugh.

When game rentals go bad - Naval Assault: The Killing Tide

So I have been pretty busy with the move to VA but it looks like most of the unpacking is done and it's time to do some relaxing. For the most part my girls and I have shifted back into our regular routine of once Maddie goes to bed, wifey and I either play video games or catch up on our shows. With time to play video games this means time to start back up Gamefly.

So I pride myself with normally choosing games that are in line with the types of video games I like playing and usually I luck out actually liking most of the games I rent. Gamefly helps with that whole process because I can keep a steady flow of rental games coming for different gaming systems and genres.

Naval Assault: The Killing Tide by 505 Games (XBOX 36o)

So my most recent rental, Naval Assault, was a complete miss. I can't remember the last time I played a game that was so boring and frustrating. Naval Assault: The Killing Tide attempts to provide an alternate progression for World War II where Germany is not only successful in Europe but also drives Russia into submission thus bringing the war to America via their Naval Forces. Really good concept but terrible application.

The title implies big naval battles but really the only ship type you have access to is a submarine. As a submariner in real life I don't disagree with this except the whole submarine experience is watered down. Changing depth is limited to three depths (deep, periscope depth, and surface). Firing torpedoes is limited to firing the direction your submarine is pointed though the game allows you to nudge your torpedo after firing (very limited). You are also given assess to a deck gun when surfaced. The camera is probably the worst I've seen in any game. You would expect the camera to rotate 360 degrees but this is not the case. This makes it particularly difficult when expected to navigate a mine field where you can't move the camera to see the mines you are supposed to maneuver around.

The worst part of the game is the lack of action and the slow going lull between the spotty action you do get. I was able to play through the first couple of missions before finally calling it quicks. The actual game play controls are doable but the limited battle situations makes it difficult having the patience to wait through moving slowly and stealthily from one place to another or waiting for the ships that did detect you to go away (yeah the A.I. is really dumb). I have a hard spot wasting the limited game play time I allow myself sitting and doing nothing.

So I would definitely not recommend this game. I could see this game working really well on a hand held gaming system but on the XBOX 360 it seems like a complete waste. If you are really looking for a fun naval battle game try Battlestations: Pacific.

Down time for Geeky Dad - Modern Warfare 2

So for my first official blog post my thoughts are to touch on some familiar ground or in this case couch cushion and controller (and fine beer - sorry I was thirsty).


So with the big family move coming up I find myself busy but still looking for that opportunity to relax - what better way to relax than getting my butt kicked by kids on XBOX Live.

Usually I am jumping from game to game (and game system to game system) looking for my next big video game buy via Gamefly but I have found some comfort lately in some familiar online multiplayer gaming with

Modern Warfare 2 by Infinity Ward (XBOX 360)


(Never heard of Gamefly? Think of Netflix with video games - don't know what Netflix is? Then get click happy on these links, your missing out)

For those of you not familiar with Modern Warfare 2 by Infinity Ward your missing out on a solid FPS that is the winner of multiple Game of the Year awards.

You'll find the single player storyline is pretty decent but it is the online multiplayer content where this game really excels (I spent a week busting through the main story and haven't been back since). I spend at least a couple of nights a week for about an hour or so (remember responsible playing kids) getting my FPS fix. The game play is fun and engaging though the matchmaking sometimes can be a bit frustrating. Sometimes you find one team a little top heavy with experienced players while the other team is caught trying to escape a spawn point (I always think something is up when I'm pulling double digits for kills and single digits for deaths but hey I'm the slacker who just Prestiged for the first time).

The achievements and leveling/reward system (titles, cool equipment and weapons) also add to to the overall gaming experience. I primarily play most of my games on the XBOX 360 because of the achievement system (though exclusive game titles plays a lot into that too - sorry Blu-Ray Player um I mean PS3) though I am not exactly an achievement monger. I do find myself actually making an attempt to get some of the more obscure achievements or titles (hey what other game awards you the "WARGASM" or "MY LITTLE PWNY" title??) and definitely making the extra effort to use a weapon configuration or equipment just to get something cooler or better.

So if you haven't had a chance to try Modern Warfare 2 I highly recommend it or if you have it and just haven't picked it up in a while feel free to dust off that disc and play a match or two. Either way hope to see you out there in death match play land.