Some Good Things

Sunday, November 18, 2007

No Country For Old Men
There aren't very many perfectly crafted films. This is one. It's a brutal poem that is a thing of beauty from start to finish.

Assassin's Creed
If this is next-gen gaming, count me in. The presentation and execution of this game are breathtaking. Walking the streets of 12th century Damascus and Jerusalem is worth the price of admission alone. The story is interesting (a bit cliche, but that's hardly damning for a video game) and the gameplay is fun. Strangely, the weakest moments are the actual assassinations, which are basically cinematic set-pieces. Not bad, per se, but not what I was expecting after being brought up on the more thoughtful, puzzle-like killings of the Hitman series. Still, a real gem of a game. I eagerly anticipate the sequels.

Call of Duty 4
In contrast to the graceful beauty of Assassin's Creed, COD4 is a sledgehammer to the face. It is loud, chaotic, explosive, and a rocking good time. One of the keys to a good shooter is the presentation of the guns and their effect on the world around you. This game gets it very right. Like the other Call of Duty games, this one delivers every muzzle flash, bullet hit, and grenade blast with powerful authority. The game is very fun, but the thing I muttered most through the single player campaign (as large caliber automatic fire pounded all around me) was, "God DAMN, war sucks."

Labels: video games

posted by John Harper at 11:29 PM