Skyward Fire

Procrastination is a massive monster that will always eat up productivity in college life. My first semester was a disaster academia-wise, and I had promised myself that my second semester will be better. But my first cycle test series in the second semester ended up being disastrous like the first three cycle tests and finals in the first semester of the course. History repeats itself, and as a clear example, I delayed my assignments, I delayed class-work, I avoided attending classes, and everything else I shouldn’t have done, I did.

I was delusional all this while. At no point of time did I ever positively realize how important college life really is, or that these are the most important years of anyone’s lives. I want to be a game developer eventually, and I’ve wanted to make a career in video-games since junior high, but I haven’t exactly done much about the same. This is a field that has tremendous competition and one needs to be completely active doing something or the other to build up an impressive resume. As far as the Indian syllabus for Computer Science Engineering goes, there isn’t much hope for those who want to make a career in making videogames. There has to be a 110% effort from the enthusiast itself. I’ll personally be getting serious about the same once my first year in college ends properly.

Right now, the only focus has to be clearing all the subjects in the first semester, because I don’t want to waste time fighting summer exams any more. Honestly, there isn’t a plan for that in my mind right now. With too many things going on in college, I’ve hardly had time to concentrate on my studies. And there can’t be any delaying in the same. I have to cut down on my TV consumption, I must waste less time on the computer watching shit-listed movies and going over to Facebook. What’s even shameful is the fact that I know what is to be done, but I still don’t do it. For now, I have one aim in mind. I need to clear all the first year subjects and apply for a transfer to any Indian campus of BIT. Rest all can wait until that happens. Even if it doesn’t happen this particular year, I’ll go for it again in the next semester, or at the end of second year.

I’ve been wasting time, and sleeping way too much for my own good. I’m so lazy to even get some caffeine into my system. And the UAE weather doesn’t help much either. I absolutely loathe summer and the heat, and that bugs me like crazy.

Who else believes that the days are numbered for some of the current "hot" game series? We lost some from last decade when the 2000s came in. New gaming trends came along, new technologies came that led to social gaming going crazy (unfortunately). Some things just became stale, and new graphics and sequels failed to bring the sales.

So, just what’s on the way out and what’s on the way in? Try your luck at being the next great videogame prophet!

It was more than a year ago when Sony made it’s acquisition move over the UK-based company Evolution Studios that had the World Rally Championship franchise for the PS2 under it’s belt. It was the first Motorstorm game in the summer of 07, that pushed Sony to go ahead with the deal in hopes of establishing another (off-road) racing genre for it’s current generation console. Motorstorm, in itself, was a very attractive product, and it’s sequel is no less. You can check out the trailer here.

The game impresses on first run, and all the tracks look amazing and are dangerously addictive, with an opportunity to take up more than one route. The game has 16 tracks with 4 different lighting options, and every combination is of an awe-striking diverse design. They left no stone unturned when it came to perfecting the flaws present in the previous game, including major improvements within the vehicle classes.

Pacific Rift Boxart by radoxist

Some of the texture work, the lighting, the motion blur and the water & other dynamic natural elements are just too good. The intensity of geometry & physics within the game has been magnified with some astounding detailing. The sunlight is a subsequent improvement to the lighting, and it’s just as satisfying as the game itself. The track deformation sequences are sophisticated too. The frame rate is more stable than the prequel, and Evolution deserves due credit for that. Technically, the game is more sound than Pure. The vegetation’s interaction & animation deserves plus points too. You don’t have to install the game, but during load times which don’t span to much time, a whole lot of media is cached on the hard disk.

Compared to Motorstorm, it’s easier to choose & play from amongst so many new events. Though the core game play remains the name, not that I was expecting the slightest change. The offline split screen feature was also a stimuli for many gamers that went on to become a purchase decision factor. The multiplayer component allows you to pick a server from over five regions. Unlocking trophies for various achievement eventually unlocks some amazing extras. Somehow, voice chat seems like the gamers’ kryptonite, and there’s scope of improvement there. Since I noticed no lag issues during continuous multiplayer game play, I doubt the weak voice chat had anything to do with my connection. Also, the lack of static pointers is a bit disappointing. Though an update of the game is in the works, which is to supposedly fix issued related to backing up saved data and other stuff about which more information can be found out here.

A major add-on that is crucial in many races, is the brand new Sixaxis tilt. It’s very helpful when it comes to balancing your vehicle and cushioning the jumps without actually having to break the speed. While handling the quad bikes though, switching to analogue sticks is highly recommended. Getting hold of the various controller techniques might take some time initially to understand and get habituated to, but once you’re through that part, they come off as a breeze. The same goes for the various tracks which might seem a little extensive, but once you get the idea of the geography after some exploration, it all comes down as easy. The 5.1 surround support with artists like Death From Above 1979 & David Bowie is fascinating. These artists have hardly been previously featured in various racing games, thus adding to the beauty of Motorstorm: Pacific Rift.

There’s news on a PSP port of the game, and a sequel, which there’s no reason to doubt, since this is a franchise with a lot of room for improvement and there’s a whole lot to be worked upon.

Skyward Rating – 8/10

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