Mid-week ramble: Duke Nukem Forever

Despite signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement sent from 2K in Australia almost two weeks ago, a review copy of Duke Nukem Forever hasn’t arrived at Game Junkie towers. I think that’s probably a bad sign, really.

I can read the non-arrival of Duke Nukem Forever one of two ways: it’s been delayed in the mail – a slight  possibility given the fragile structure of Christchurch’s infrastructure given the recent earthquake activity – or 2K has decided that there are enough bad reviews of the game already that it doesn’t want to open itself up to anymore by delivering review copies. I’m more inclined to think it’s the latter.

The only time I’ve spent with DNF (every time I see DNF my brain automatically thinks: Did Not Finish) so far was a two-level demo in Auckland a few weeks ago – and I wasn’t overly impressed when I saw it then. I just didn’t get excited about being able to pick up a turd from a toilet bowl and throw it around. The game play mechanics felt old and tired, as did the humour.

Look, a copy of the game may well still be winging its way to me as we speak and I will review it, but if one doesn’t turn up, honestly, I’m not going to go sit in the corner and cry about it. I’ve got much better games to be spending my precious time with, such as inFamous 2, Dirt 3 and Motorstorm Apocalypse (despite the fact that the racing takes place in a metropolis destroyed by a raging earthquake).

If the ground shakes while I’m playing Motorstorm Apocalypse I might just have to take a break: somethings can just be a little too close to home.

What a shit day yesterday was … and here’s an inFamous 2 video review

Well, to be honest, yesterday was just a shit day, thanks to the two big earthquakes that hit Christchurch – I see that they’ve now been upgraded from 5.5 and 6.0 to 5.7 and 6.3, respectively.

Frankly, my nerves – and those of my family – are frazzled and we seem constantly on edge for when the next one will come. It’s been a most stressful nine months, since September’s first quake, but at least I’ve still got my family and video games to keep me company. Video games could well be the rock that keeps my mind off the shifting ground.

Here’s the video review I did with Glenn “Wammo” Williams this morning on inFamous 2, the PlayStation 3 sequel to, well, inFamous. I’m liking it: McGrath, the dude who gained the ability to harness the power of electricity after the massive explosion in Empire City at the start of the first game, now has some upgraded powers but is facing off against armed guys called the militia and some rather nasty mutated creatures.

Check out the video review: I probably ramble a bit but that’s what I tend to do.  Feedback is always welcome so let me know what you think.

Hopefully today will be shake-free. Fingers crossed, eh?