Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game (XBLA)

For those that don't know (probably most of us, women...), it all started with a comic book...   Needless to say more, right?  Boys' things...

Ok, so the comic books had some success (well, maybe more than "some") and someone decided to make not only a movie, but a game about it.

Both game and movie were released at the same time, a couple of weeks ago.  We haven't been to the movies yet (I'm trying to arrange for him to go with a friend... hehe) but he's been playing the game for a few days now and I have to say: this is not fun to watch...

Why do I dislike this game? Even if it's just to watch?
Let's start by the looks: it's pixels!  Ok, it's meant to look old-fashion, but it's really irritating!
And the sounds....  Oh, the sounds....
The soundtrack must have no more than 10 seconds (now put it to an hour worth of listening on repeat!).  Not only that, the sound is very electronic. I don't know really how to explain it, but it drives me crazy!

Pros: nothing.
Cons: looks bad, sound awful, silly story.

Wife score: 1/10

Lara Croft and The Gardian of Light (XBLA)

First off all: what's 'XBLA'? Xbox Live Arcade. Aka: games online for the Xbox.

Now, lets talk about this game.
The cool thing about it is the way the characters interact with each other. They depend on each others ability to go on through the game.

She throws a rope at certain spots that he can walk on to cross over long gaps and he throws spears on the walls that she can climb on to reach things up high and also to cross some gaps or obstacles.

But what I liked the most about this game were 2 things: the controls are not super sensitive (and you only use a couple of buttons!) and the whole game is fairly short (about 8 hours).

Pros: fun, short and easy to play.
Cons: not the kind of game I'd like to just watch.

Wife score: 8/10

What's the point?

Hey there!

So what am I doing here? What is this blog all about?
Let's start by saying that I'm not a gamer; never was. But I married a game-lover that got a job with video-games...

Diego, my dear husband, works for Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), with the online games for Xbox. That said, he "has" to play as many games (both from the Xbox and from the PlayStation) as he can to know what it's going on in the industry and to be able to share his opinions about what he thinks would be nice to have in a new game and what he thinks is not a good idea...

And what do I have to do with all that?!
First of all: he plays at home, so I pretty much have to watch him playing since he plays almost every night after work.
Second: most of these games have a multi-player mode that he wants to try.
Third: MGS  is trying to broaden its costumer base. Lets face it, who plays games? Yong men for the most part.  Since the Wii they realized that there are more people in the world!  Wow! 

Anyways, after 6 months of watching him playing a few hours a day I ended up getting used to the idea of it. Xbox games became my new "favorite" tv shows. We even canceled cable! 
And why does he want me to at least watch? To give him the perspective of a person that definitely doesn't care (not to mention the fear of that gigantic control with a gazillion buttons) about games.  And I really fit in this category!  It took me 4 months to give up and let him teach me how to turn the "thing" on and off... 
So now that I actually know how to use the control I started playing a few games with him (and for my surprise I found myself enjoying it the other day!).

My intention with this blog is to give a non-gamer point of view of some games.
I hope it gives some perspective to those like me, that had their loved ones "stolen" by the game industry, and maybe even helps you enjoy yourself more while they (or both of you!) play.

Thanks!