Jerykk wrote on Mar 21, 2010, 20:50:

I can't just pretend it looks crappy because it's different... self-deception, while a human trait, is not my strong suit.

It's not just crappy because it's different. It looks like a mediocre cover-based shooter with extremely streamlined gameplay. You can watch videos of the demo on Youtube and judge for yourself. In terms of presentation, the game is top-notch. In terms of gameplay... not so much.

I can't just pretend it looks crappy because it's different... self-deception, while a human trait, is not my strong suit.

Ray Marden wrote on Mar 21, 2010, 08:31:
I live in the hell hole called Winter Springs - we're just north of Orlando.

My original post was actually in reference more to the weather than anything, but the Sanford hub does give us some momentary issues every two to three months.

I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Brighthouse. It actually makes Comcast's service in CA look good. I think the very best is the television service - audio not syncing up, non-HD menus, VOD requiring a box reset if not used within the last week, the menu lagging if not accessed in the last few hours, box resets when trying to access information too quickly, etc. And yes, we have experienced this in three different locatios with three different boxes.
Poor HD quality, limited free VOD selection, non-HD VOD, slow technicians, etc.
Wishing they'd work on their quality rather than spamming Brighthouse adds all day,
Ray

Jerykk wrote on Mar 21, 2010, 07:22:

Wanting game A does not effect the quality of game B what-so-ever. If it is a good 3rd person shooter than that is all that matters, it's a good game.

Except "good" is completely subjective. A big part of being "good" is meeting player's expectations. For example, if a game is called Splinter Cell and the series has focused on stealth in the last four games, I'm expecting the focus to remain on stealth in the fifth game. Stealth is the reason I play the game and I want each sequel to retain this focus while improving it. Changing the focus to action is not improving it. Chaos Theory was awesome because it kept the stealth and improved it, with more open-ended levels, fewer forced encounters and better AI. Conviction should have followed this route but instead they opted to turn the game into a shooter (with autoaim, no less).

Sequels must be judged by their predecessors. If not, there's no reason for them to exist. Sequels should take what their predecessors did and do it better. Removing features (like the ability to hide bodies, throw objects to distract enemies or sneak through levels without killing/incapacitating anyone) does not satisfy this requirement.

Wanting game A does not effect the quality of game B what-so-ever. If it is a good 3rd person shooter than that is all that matters, it's a good game.

spindoctor wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 16:22:

StingingVelvet wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 06:51:

The coop looks great indeed, and there is a mode with coop where you basically clear a map, outside of story, which should give it a lot of replay.

Yea co-op could just be the saving grace of the game. I read your thread on nvnews, so I'm sure you know about the realism mode bonus that will be unlocked through the uplay system. To me, that sounds like old school Splinter Cell and if it were playable in co-op, that would be awesome.

Jerykk wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 18:49:
It does if you want a stealth game like the previous Splinter Cells.

It's really nice to be able to actually defend yourself this time.

I can see it isn't as stealth oriented as before, but that doesn't mean it is a bad game.

StingingVelvet wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 06:51:

The coop looks great indeed, and there is a mode with coop where you basically clear a map, outside of story, which should give it a lot of replay.

Ray Marden wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 09:24:
Well, most of it is DRM bashing/general PC port disliking, but it is strange to talk about the good support of a company that prevents you from playing a product you've purchased and own simply because you aren't connected to the internet...

Heck, I live in Florida (under protest) and it isn't unheard of for something to go amiss and lose cable for a few hours. But as far as Ubi is concerned, I'm a pirate anyway so what does it care?
It's just a really ballsy, egotistical assumption. No internet = Pirate?
Missing the days of good games being made instead of platfom-specific games,
Ray

spindoctor wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 06:32:
Yea, seeing as how their DRM is working, I don't think the delay has anything to do with piracy or protecting console sales, as has been the trend in the past. They probably need more time to work on the game. I'm not totally convinced on whether to get this one or not. The 2 player co-op sounds fun though, so I just might go for it if another friend of mine does.

StingingVelvet wrote on Mar 20, 2010, 06:04:

As for the delay, who knows... the DRM works, so they can't say it is piracy concerns. Perhaps it's just a general last minute "oh crap" with some PC issues, as has happened before with secondary concern ports.