Saints Row The Third [PS3 & 360]

Steel Port for the taking! welcome back to Steel Port the home and city wide stronghold of the Saints. In Saints Row 2 the gang successfully annihilated their enemies that came in the form of gangs and police, with all of their rivals out of the way they have become superstars to the people of the city. Think sponsored energy drinks, clothing and jewellery lines and you have the picture. Right from the get go you find yourself in the middle of a bank robbery that goes wrong and you have to regain your image and power from an international  crime gang known as the Syndicate. Much like GTA and Scarface the story concentrates on your characters rise to power while of course all the chips are stacked against them.

Saints Row and Saints Row 2 offered huge expansive maps that gave the gamer a virtual playground to explore and a city full of inhabitants to terrorize, this latest chapter of the series follows the same formula except right away I noticed some changes. Terrorizing the public is actually encouraged and there are a number of stunts and tricks involving unsuspecting members of the public that will boost your experience points and respect on the street. It' starts off small like streaking through crowds of people but then elevates into various types of assault and hooliganism. That’s not to say its not fun! it’s all there for a reason and it can be a lot of fun driving the AI crazy.

Saints Row The Third is about a lot more than just mere pranks, after all the city needs to be reclaimed and its up to you to do it. As the leader of the Saints you are given a jaw dropping arsenal of weaponry and tools to get the job done. Strangely enough the developers decided to give players a lot of the high end gear early into the game instead of making you really work for it. In most games that would affect the games lifespan but not here, even when you do get a ridiculously powerful assault rifle or machine gun you can always upgrade it later when you have enough cash on hand. If you don’t want to use the obvious firearms stash you can go for something a bit more unique like a dildo, a chainsaw or if you don’t care about collateral damage a fully functional reaper drone unit – this rains down explosive damage on anyone or anything unlucky enough to be within range.

As with most sandbox games vehicles and cars play a big part in the game, obviously because without them getting around such a huge open world would take too long and kill the pace of the game. There are all manner of vehicles all over the gaming world and jacking them has never been as much fun, see a police car you want and with a few button pushes you will be kicking your way through the windscreen and sitting in the drivers seat in no time at all. The vehicles control better than they ever have in any SR game before, each car or truck etc moves and reacts as you would image it would, weight and speed are all carefully taken into consideration. If you don’t feel like using a set of wheels you can always go for air travel, there are plenty of planes and helicopters around just waiting to be stolen and as the game progresses all manner of futuristic jets and bikes start to show up.

The city itself is not as impressive as I’d hoped for, it looks good and a lot of the buildings are interactive serving as safe houses and stores but its a very flat location that really needed something other than skyscrapers and rows of houses, I get that Steel Port is that kind of town but something more bumpy or out of the way really would have enhanced the game. Instead you are seeing a stream of endless buildings and stores. The stores are there for a reason though, you can fully customize your character in all manner of outfits and trinkets available to the player, don’t have the cash for it? rob the store next door then speed off ..lose the pursuing cops and return to make your purchase. The shops were always one of the strong points of the game for me, what girl doesn’t love trying on an endless amount of clothes and jewellery even if its virtual? from suits and dresses to furry cat suits and dominatrix outfits SR3 has it all. It doesn’t just end there, you can ink your character up with tattoos and go for a little cosmetic surgery should the mood take you.

It’s easy to take a step back from a game like this and not play it on the grounds that it might be a little too crazy but if anything the game plays to suit your style, you don’t have to run around the streets beating someone to a bloody pulp with a dildo, you don’t have to surf a cop car naked ..but its fun if you decide to do it!. And that’s what SR3 delivers in the bucket loads, its ball outs unadulterated over the top fun that never really gets old. There may not be a lot to see in Steel Port as like I mentioned its kind of bland but there is a lot to do, pretty much every aspect of your character can be upgraded or modified. You can have plastic surgery at any time to change the look of your character, if you connect to the online community you can then download premade characters from other players. You can mod your cars with the obvious enhancements like rims/tinted glass and then there is the less obvious like armour and nitros. As you gain experience in the game you can spend your points on unlocking physical abilities like better strength/running/fighting styles and so on making it easier to dominate the streets.

If you don’t want to go it alone SR3 offers one  of the best and most fun co-op modes I’ve ever seen in a game. You can jump into a friends game and carry out random acts of insanity or violence like the good lord intended or you can help each other out in missions and mini games as maybe the developers intended?. Whatever your choice of action the co-op really stretches the lifespan and adds hours of playability to the game. I used the co-op quite a lot and never ran into any issues or glitches on either side of the connection.

SR3 is also one of the best games for DLC with extra content seemingly flowing from the developers on what feels like a monthly basis. I’ve bought most of the first wave and it really did add  lot to a game that in my eyes already had everything. The DLC scenarios are just as wacky and zany as the main game, in the main game its all about your rise to power while the DLC is all about having a blast.

Visually the game looks quite lush, its not the most stunning game out there but it does have a nice modern look and feel to it, compared to the first two SR games its a huge improvement. The sound isn’t bad, everything sounds like it should from engine revs to clips of various handguns and rifles being unloaded. The music in the game is solid and features bands like The Deftones/Amon Amarth/Otep/Mastadon/Job for a Cowboy ..but who are they? Metal. If you want something a little less brutal there is always Feeder/Motley Crue/run DMC and Bush to name a few, whatever your taste its got a great selection.

I find it very hard to say anything negative about SR3 because there is just so much in the game and everything seems to go together perfectly, it provided me hours of non stop fun and it seemed to go from strength to strength as the story progressed. The missions didn’t feel too repetitive but maybe could have done with being a little more challenging. There are gang members from the various factions you’ll face on most street corners and even something as simple as fighting to take back turf is enjoyable and doesn’t get old when you consider the different ways to dispose of them.

You don’t have to be looking for a filler before Grand Theft Auto 5 to buy Saints Row The Third, its one of the best sandbox titles available to date and for the price offers almost twice as much gaming content than anything else in the same category. I’d highly recommend the various DLC packs too,  they aren’t too expensive and add some fun extras to the experience. It’s easy to peg SR3 as just another GTA clone laced with immaturity and pranks but its a lot more than that, underneath all the craziness its a solidly built game with more than enough missions/collectibles and mini games to meet the demands of any gamer. I’m giving Saints Row the Third a well deserved 9 out of 10 – its losing marks for the rather flat landscape, but other than that its perfect.

SAW II: Flesh and Blood (PS3 & 360)

I know what you are already thinking, after the ordeal of the first game why on earth would anyone play another one of them? well to put it simply I had to see what it was like. SAW suffered from sloppy controls and utterly ridiculous fighting abilities, by the time you hit a button a random psychopath has caved your head in with a baseball bat ..lovely. So is SAW II as bad as the first? and has it got any redeeming features? – keep reading to find out!

As per usual with SAW once the game begins you are already given an awkward choice, you either stay there and get crushed or willingly put yourself through hell as you try to survive a set amount of tests and endless traps by the infamous Jigsaw killer. So on with the show, SAW II picks up right after the first game so you can actually play one and then go straight into the next one. Again the player is given a speedy introduction to the character, I don’t want to spoil any of the story or character evolution. From the get go the game did feel almost identical to the first one, it was after all a rushed title with not too much time put into the development, all that aside it still stands on its own two feet quite well. You play a SAW game to experience a complete and utter barrage of hair pulling and mind melting  scenarios that will have you swearing like a sailor in the first hour alone.

The character controls a lot better, thank god for that. The overall controls are a lot more responsive now so instead of frantically bashing buttons to get him to do anything you just have to be good with your timing. The broken mechanics of the first game was one of the main reasons so many people avoided it, it’s clear there has been a huge overhaul and its certainly for the better. That doesn’t mean the game is a walk in the park, apart from the various traps there are victims of Jigsaws games lining up to take you down in the hopes it will earn them their freedom, so head on a swivel seems to be the best option. The tools and weapons are pretty much the same and are all used for causing serious hurt and death to whoever is unlucky enough to cross your path. To top up your health you have to find and use syringes, they are dotted around different rooms on the map and are essential in making it to the finishing credits.

As for the traps and puzzles, they seem to be a lot harder than the first game, you can’t just start randomly press buttons and hope it works. The logic that goes into some of the more intelligent traps is mind numbing, and of course when you mess it up the person on the other end of the trap meets a very ghastly end. Save points can be found scattered around the map and even if you think you don’t need to save its always worthwhile, I found myself wishing I’d saved so many times. Another thing I found with the puzzles is that though they might appear to be easily solved that’s not always the case, many of the puzzles seemed to have more than one stage so just as I was pausing to have a breather more terror ensued.

As with the first game I really enjoyed SAW II, I bring to my gaming experience my love of the films so I’m already happy that the games even exist. That’s not to say I didn’t find any problems with the game, constant circuit board puzzles to open door after door got old quick, one or two puzzles seemed almost identical to past traps in the previous game, the floor puzzle with the flickering pictures must have showed up 5 or 6 times.

In the end you really won’t play the game unless you are a fan of the movies or the previous game, no one wanted to be in the same room as me when I played because they could feel the frustration I was going through. It was a real test of temper and patience, there weren’t as many broken elements this time around and visually there was a bit of improvement in graphics and sound. To make the game last longer there are collectables such as tape recorders and billy puppets hidden off the beaten track. Instead of the usual constant same same corridors there are wider open rooms and areas full of traps that just look so much better than the first game.

Thrown in for good measure are shoot outs with various characters, arsonists bent on turning you into a fireball, psychopaths with long spikes protruding from their explosive vests and a lot more. If you are a fan of the films or liked the original game I’d say go ahead and give it a try, but only if you are ready for skull shattering traps and patience testing puzzles that would drive even the most level headed gamer completely insane. I’m giving SAW II Flesh and Blood 6 out of 10, its a lot better than the first one but there is still room for some serious improvement.

What I’m Listening To: August 2012

Music plays a big part in my life and over the last few months I have been listening to a lot of new and old material from some of my favourite bands, mostly Metal.

“Human Remains” – HELL

The debut album by NWOBHM band HELL is quite simply perfect. The vocals and presentation are all top notch delivering thrills and chills in a way that no other band ever could. HELL are a band I’d seriously recommend for Metal lovers everywhere, you will be kicking yourself wondering why you waited so long to discover such a brilliant band. 

My favourite track off the CD would be “plague & fyre” a powerful song about England’s darker days, “the oppressors” and “let battle commence” are worth a notable mention too. For their time HELL were years ahead of everyone else in terms of music creativity and genius, on first listen to Human Remains it’s clear that even now they are still way ahead of the competition. [10/10]

HELL recently played Dublin [©LisaTiffanyPhotography-HELL]

“Relapse” – Ministry

This is Ministry’s newest album since The Last Sucker back in 2007, Al seems to have lost none of the spark which made Ministry such a powerhouse to begin with. His views certainly haven’t changed, the distain for the political wrongness in the world has always fuelled their work. This time around he seems to be addressing more recent events like the occupy movement, that’s not to say the drugs and addiction aren’t part of the mix, as the title suggests it’s still a big part of the lethal concoction that Ministry deal so well to its legions of fans and willing listeners.

Tracks like “99 percenters”, “ghouldiggers” and of course “relapse” all have an instant click quality about them however the remaining tracks take a few listens to sink in, I’ve always found Ministry's previous material to work the same way but to me that’s always been a bonus because it’s always kept me coming back for one more fix time and time again. [9/10]

“Antennas To Hell” – Slipknot

Unfortunately this release wasn’t a studio album full of new material, rather it’s a carefully selected compilation of Slipknots greatest tracks and fan favourites. For good measure they included a second CD which features their entire set from  2009’s Download Festival in the UK. Since I already had the previous CD releases from the band I listened to the 2nd Disc a lot more.

Slipknot themselves are adamant in the idea that its a showcase of where they came from, their struggles and victories since they originally joined in the mid nineties. While I do wish they would release a new album I have to say there is a lot of value to be had in Antennas to Hell, the tracks that were selected are some of their best work hands down and its a great addition to any fans collection. To be honest I’d buy it for the bonus CD alone. [8/10]

“Born Villain” – Marilyn Manson

I was wary when Manson’s newest album was released, he pretty much owned the 90’s with albums like Antichrist Superstar and Holy Wood. His more recent releases have seen a drop in quality, the usual mix of violence, sex drugs and rock n roll were there but were hidden under layers of personal pain and suffering that many just wanted to avoid. Born Villain is more than a revisit to the older days its a perfect comeback from a band that still has more than enough in them to keep making great music. It’s a lot heavier and more aggressive than the likes of The High End of Low, tracks like “hey, cruel world” and the excellent cover of “your’e so vain” really stand out and call for repetitive listening.

Manson has always been an artist that most people have gotten the wrong idea about yet he has always possessed a unique way of providing social commentary in his work, in this comeback album he seems to be returning to that complex way of making music. It may not be another Antichrist Superstar but it will provide Manson fans the closure they needed after The High End of Low and Eat Me Drink Me made so many doubt that they still had what it takes. Legal battles and personal relationship nightmares behind him Manson is back on track, the only downer is the artwork, considering his older albums its rather lacking in personal artistic originality. [9/10]

“Avengers Assemble” – Various Artists

I used to be a real sucker for soundtracks that were as the label states “inspired by the film”. I haven’t actually seen The Avengers movie so I don’t know how much of the music features in the finished picture. I didn’t have high expectations for the soundtrack and to a lot of people it seems overly mediocre, however its the gems like “live to rise” by Soundgarden and “I’m alive” by Shinedown that really made it stand out to me. Even Bush makes an appearance with the fantastic sounding “into the blue”.

I think with this kind of line up you either love or hate it. It’s easily accessible to most listeners and definitely radio friendly, as with most soundtracks that’s exactly what the record company looks for so its no surprise that so many people are at odds with the soundtrack. [8/10]

And the rest:

“Dead End Kings” – Katatonia   [9th album from doom kings Katatonia, some great tracks on there but I always find with doom Metal it can be a little heavy going with constant listening.]

“Harakira” – Serj Tankian     [Serj’s 3rd album seems a lot more loose than his previous work, its catchy but I still prefer his days with System of a Down.] 

“Band Of Brothers” – Hellyeah     [The songs don’t have a lot of meaning to them but that doesn’t hold it back from being a hard rocking album. The title track Band of Brothers is the ultimate stomp your feet and put your fist in the air kind of song.]

“Fight Like A Girl” – Emilie Autumn     [She’s always had a unique approach to both making and performing music, this album is no different and perhaps one of her best to date.]

“L’Enfant Sauvage” – Gojira     [5th album by French Metal band Gojira, its a pretty much flawless CD with great vocals and killer guitar work.]

“Holiday At Lake Bodom” – Children Of Bodom     [More of a compilation than a new album, the new cover of “shipping up to boston” is one of my favourite tracks on there.]

“Opus Eponymous” – Ghost     [The debut album by Swedish Metal band Ghost is quite simple brilliant, its a hauntingly beautiful album for someone looking for something a little different than mainstream Metal.]

“Blood Of The Saints” – Engel     [Another Swedish band this time with a 3rd album, not as catchy as their previous 2 albums but great all the same.]  

“Dark Adrenaline” – Lacuna Coil     [Like most Coil albums this one instantly jumped out at me, it’s not as heavy as some of their other albums but songs like “give me something more” and the fantastic REM cover “losing my religion” put it up there with some of my favourite albums of the year.]

“Bye Bye Lullaby” – The Murder Of My Sweet     [Sweden again with yet another female fronted band, there are some guest appearances from members of bands like InFlames/Soilwork and Opeth. While there are a lot of similar styled bands out there TMOMS seem to have a fresher approach to gothic and melodic music.]

Photography 2012–Highlights

I’ve been shooting a lot of events and gigs this year so I thought I would arrange some of them in an easy to read and accessible list, to view one of them just click on the link, it’s that simple. I’ll add to the list as I shoot more shows/etc.

Music Photography

HELL / Elm Street / Twisted Wrath / RBOTN / Bakken

Trash Talk / Wounds / Loose Nut

Sepultura / Pagan Riot

Iced Earth / Absolva

Dead Aeon / Shattered Skies / Aeternum Vale / Taibshe / Eazy Tyger / Aesect / Hostile Ground

Belt Buckle Overdrive / Wolf Regime / Pagan Riot

Snowblind / Kerouac / Taibshe / Faith In The Autumn / The Forbidden Itch

Venus DeVilo / Beau Peekaboo / CJ Skyes / Sinestro

Xeronun / The Lizzy Experience / Venus DeVilo

Music Promo & Portraits

Events

Dublin Zombie Walk

Dublin Zombie Walk (promo work)

Bray Air Spectacular

Bavaria Dublin City Races

Dublin Offline Conference

American Pie: Reunion

Air Corps 90th Anniversary

Easter Rising Commemoration

Irish Model Convention

Acta / Sopa Ireland

Copyright © 2012 LisaTiffanyPhotography All rights reserved.

Playing Catch Up: Gaming [ps3]

I have been ridiculously busy over the last few months (year?) and haven’t posted since February. I’ve been working on countless shows and gigs shooting all kinds of bands and events all over Dublin and elsewhere. As for gaming the summer has made it take a serious backseat but with the coming winter months down the line I’ll be getting back into gaming soon. And because as everybody knows the games companies always try to flaunt and flog their biggest titles for Christmas I’ll be adding a bunch more titles to my collection. 

I’m looking at the list of games I’ve reviewed versus those that I’ve actually played and so far the ones that have been played and lack a review would be the following:

Batman Arkham City
Assassins Creed Revelations
The Sims 3 Pets
Battlefield 3
Modern Warfare 3
Skyrim
SAW 2
SSX
Saints Row  The Third
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare
Fallout New Vegas: Old World Blues / Honest Hearts / Lonesome Road

Along with those I should be buying the following when they are released and reviews should hopefully follow:

Grand Theft Auto 5
Borderlands 2
Hitman Absolution
Aliens Colonial Marines
Assassins Creed 3
Far Cry 3
Metro: Last Light
Sniper 2: Ghost Warrior