all games are not created equal

Now that I've finished The Twin Snakes, here's an overall comparison.

The plot, characters, and level design are all almost identical, save for a few inconsequential points. The graphics are definitely prettier in TTS, though they're still not quite up to par with MGS2 or 3. In general, 3D graphics do not age well at all (while I believe that 2D sprites are eternal and can still look nice).

The last MGS game I played before this was MGS3 (haven't played 4 yet), so while the mechanics are still a step behind, it's not as bad as trying to play on the PS1. There are just some things you could do in MGS2 that become natural responses, like diving and shooting in first person and holding up guards. If you try those on the PS1, you're just going to get shot. These mechanical differences may make the game "easier," but I'd rather have smooth and easy over hard and frustrating.

It took me some time to get used to the Gamecube controller; the terrible shoulder and z buttons and the lack of analog buttons made the transition bumpy. I also never had an issue with the trademark MGS overhead camera until now, partially because I got used to being able to move it in MGS3. (And I miss actually being able to hide from guards with things like camouflage... the box never worked in TTS [on Hard].)

The areas are still very much the same, just with a few more details, some cosmetic, others to take advantage of your climbing and hanging abilities. None of it is necessary, but it makes life easier occasionally (there's a way to freeze and heat the key without having to backtrack).

The cinematics have a very actiony, Matrix-y style, which look cool, but many of them are just cheesy and ridiculous. Also, maybe I've been spoiled by more recent games, but I'd rather be in control and have the ability to do crazy things myself. Cutscenes just seem so very 1990's. The portions that really need spicing up don't get it, though; sitting on top of Metal Gear listening to Liquid pontificate still bored me.

TTS does a lot of things right, and in general just makes an awesome game even better. The original is starting to show its age, so if you haven't played MGS, look into The Twin Snakes. It would have been nice to have even more like new weapons (besides the M9 and PSG-1 T), items, and bonuses for collecting dog tags, but in a vacuum, TTS is an excellent version of the game. For those who have played the original, TTS keeps most of the charm, and the improvements to the gameplay make up for what's lost.

I recently got my hands on The Twin Snakes, and for the most part, it's better than the original; the graphics update really, really helps. I'm usually not one to care about graphics, but old 3D graphics do not age well at all. TTS updates the game mechanics so it's basically MGS2 transplanted into Shadow Moses; basically a recipe for awesome.

What bugs me though are two things: the voice acting and the music. TTS has mostly the same voice actors, but for whatever reason, Naomi and Mei Ling talk in American accents, and Naomi seems flat and lacks all emotion. At least Campbell pronounces "shaman" correctly this time.

As for the music, it's still mostly the same as the original,  but the boss battles don't use the original "Duel"! Whatever they use in TTS (I think it's boss specific, I recall the Mantis battle having some motifs of "Mantis' Hymn") is completely forgettable. I haven't finished it yet (just broke out of the cell), but so far the music has disappointed.

I had an itch to play through the original Final Fantasy Tactics again, so I thought I'd write up a comparison. Both games are extraordinarily addictive: I sunk about 30 hours into a new game of the original this weekend (with many more in the past), while FFTA2 has claimed over 90 hours of my life since it came out. They both have good music, graphics, and gameplay, but let's compare stories.

FFTA2 is a pretty typical tale of a boy who finds himself in a peculiar world and needs to figure out a way to get home. Along the way, he makes friends and realizes that while he would like to go home, it's more important to him to help those in need, even if that happens to be in Ivalice. Meanwhile, a criminal organization sets itself as the antagonist. The game's final battle is against a big demon Illua summons, and everything is set right in the end.

Final Fantasy Tactics, on the other hand, is a story of a man who just wants to do what's right and ends up caught in the political machinations of just about everyone. The two princes vie for power while the church positions itself to manipulate both of them. Meanwhile, Ramza uncovers the dark truth of the "Holy Stones" and the Lucavi's plot. Ramza saves the day, but not before tons of people die, and the church erases Ramza from history.

FFT's story had much more depth than FFTA2's. A2's most interesting stuff happens in the sidequests, but it's still nothing to be excited about. FFT wins this one without a doubt.

I'm making this comparison because I was thinking of games I've played for the 360 that weren't in the database before. Note that this is based on limited experience with both games, but I think the judgement is still justified. On the surface, the only similarities between the games are the system they're on and the fact that they have a colon in their titles, but a primary draw for both games are the same: the battle systems.

Dynasty Warriors: Gundam is the same as every other Dynasty Warriors game, except instead of being based on ancient Chinese history/literature, it's based on giant mecha. This is a plus, because Gundam is awesome. In theory, the idea of piloting a gundam and destroying hordes of Zakus sounds like loads of fun, especially with the wide selection of mobile suits you can use that the box claims. The truth is, though, the "game" consists of repeatedly pressing one button over and over while watching mobile suits explode (rather unspectacularly, too -- the graphics are in general pretty underwhelming). This may satisfy those who like Dynasty Warriors, but I grew bored within ten minutes. What's worse is that Gundam is somewhat of a niche interest itself, so to like this game, one has to be a fan of both franchises; only liking one will probably lead to disappointment.

On to Star Ocean: The Last Hope. Aside from the sci-fi setting, the game is in many ways a traditional fantasy RPG: combat consists of swords and bows and sorcery, because the primitive enemies are somehow immune to your advanced energy weapons. Whatev, I played Star Ocean 2, so I had already come to accept it, and it's more of a source of amusement than anything else. The combat itself is surprisingly addictive. Few RPGs have made me want to fight, especially something like Final Fantasy or Chrono Trigger where encounters can often be won by mashing A to just attack. Instead, Star Ocean's battles are real-time and action-oriented. You can move your characters freely and attack, perform counters, use magic, and chain some cool looking combos. The difficulty is balanced well (I'm playing on the Normal difficulty), since you have to pay attention to what's going on or you'll get hurt pretty quickly, but it's never frustrating (ok, maybe a bit if you get surrounded and dazed or something).

Oh yeah, and there's like characters and plot and item creation and stuff, but I'm still on disc 1. Once I complete the game, maybe I'll put up a comparison to a more fitting game. But that's the key here: I'm 6-ish hours into the game and can't wait to play some more, while DW:Gundam was returned long ago. If you want Gundam, stick to Federation vs. Zeon or Gundam vs. Zeta Gundam.

Perfect Dark innovated about a hundred times more than the Halo franchise ever did. Perfect Dark has dual-wielding of the same weapon, Halo has no dual-wielding. Perfect Dark has alternate modes for every weapon, some quite different from the main function, and Halo does not. Perfect Dark has many more unique and fun weapons, Halo has very few weapons. Perfect Dark has amazing in-game music, Halo only has a decent main theme. Perfect Dark has a fun, replayable solo campaign, Halo has the Library. Perfect Dark has Co-Op and Counter-Op two-player modes, Halo only has Co-Op. Perfect Dark has many more options for multiplayer such as customizable avatars and bots and fun levels, Halo has palette swaps and Blood Gulch. I still play Perfect Dark with my brother, and Halo sits in a stack gathering dust.

The only advantage Halo has is system link for up to 16 players, which is indeed amazingly fun.