Nick: Videogames have been so underwhelming lately. I think it might be because of the huge leaps in technology. The differences between PSOne and the next gen consoles are so huge, I don't think that they are ever going to make those huge strides again.

Andrew: I disagree with that last remark, but I agree that the technology could be part of why games are becoming more mediocre. I think a lot of companies focus too much on the technology and not enough on the game.

Nick: Other than the vehicles, what's the difference between GoldenEye and Halo? The graphics.

Andrew: The AI. That much is obvious. You never had a team of Russians work together to flank you like the grunts and elites did in Halo.

Nick: True. Well, how about with the mulitiplayer?

Andrew: Multiplayer then? Well okay, where do I start? First off, the weapon balance is way more fleshed out in Halo. In GoldenEye, what was the difference between an AK-47 and every other gun? They mostly fired the same way. A few of them had really effective scopes but for the most part, if you had one gun with a lot of ammo and auto-fire, you were set. Who needs all the guns in that game? If anything, Perfect Dark is even a good example of how the same team made a more advanced game. Look at the multiplayer in that one with the sim-bots. Plus how can you beat a gun that draws in players in need of a weapon, only to have it explode the moment they pick it up because it was a trap all along?

Nick: What system did Perfect Dark come out on?

Andrew: N64.

Nick: Can you do that stuff in Halo?

Andrew: What stuff? The exploding gun thing?

Nick: Yeah... do you see where this going, and how you are proving my point for me? You know how you hack things in Splinter Cell's versus mode and directly effect the map?

Andrew: Yeah.

Nick: Well why haven't we seen ideas like that in a FPS yet? Think about the limitless possibilities there. And I'm not just talking about opening a gate like Halo 2's Zanzibar or something either. Deus Ex is the only FPS that has really played with that sort of thing. Oh, and my beloved System Shock 2, which came before it's time.

Nick: Anyway, I am a jaded gamer because the games of today play the same way as the last generation. Of course there are exceptions. Sid Meier's Pirates is almost identical to the original (graphics have been updated of course) and it got 9+ reviews from nearly every magazine, web site, etc. That is so ridiculous.

Andrew: I agree. That kinda thing is getting out of hand. Madden comes out each year with better graphics and a roster change. How does it score? Usually very highly. I know the game may play great and all, but how different is it from the one that came out in 2001 or even 1998? We're playing a game from the 90's with today's graphics, really.

Andrew: And if you comment on my Tekken 5 review, you can lick my balls. That game is fun, goddammit, and we don't get fighting games of that caliber every year.

Nick: Madden is crap, I play ESPN.

Andrew: But it DOES score 9s and 10s every year, right?

Nick: Not 10's, but yes.

Andrew: And that's garbage.

Nick: I really think its funny that people play Madden and say how great it is just because of the name.

Andrew: Its kinda like releasing a new "Ocean's 11" movie each year with the same actors and the same "heist" plotline, but with newer special effects or something.

Nick: I disagree, when ever you group that kind of cast it's bound to be decent. Plus, Brad Pitt is sooo dreamy.

Andrew: Well whatever. Personally I wasn't blown away by either, but that's another conversation.

Nick: At least admit that Brad Pitt is sexy.

Andrew: Well yeah, he's hunkalicious. If I ever caught "the gay", I'd hump his buttocks for sure.

Nick: Well we agree on something...

Andrew: *sigh* Yeah I guess so...

Nick: But back on topic, how friggin great is Chaos Theory?.

Andrew: I think its clearly the current Game of the Year.

Nick: I think I am gonna turn it on later just to look at it.

Andrew: I thought about it earlier and think it may be the best game of this generation.

Nick: We knew that co-op would kick ass. But what really amazed me was how much better the single-player and versus improved.

Andrew: Right. They really capitalized on what made those modes great.

Nick: It's not like playing Halo 2 where the single-player is 8ish, and the multiplayer carries the game. Every mode in Chaos Theory is a 10.

Andrew: I really like how they are all connected via storyline too. The co-op and single-player stories even directly intertwine which is something you don't see a lot of. Where's the story for a lot of the FPS multiplayer modes out there?

Nick: Where's the story for single-player modes in FPS games out there?

Andrew: Weak argument. Lots of them have great stories. Half-Life 2, Halo 2, Doom 3, etc. Breakdown was probably the best of them all.

Nick: Okay, now tell me how many FPS's have been released in the last 3 years.

Andrew: Too many to count.

Nick: So where are the fucking stories? You named a handful of games in the biggest genre in videogames. I say you have a weak argument.

Andrew: Well if all you've played lately is TimeSplitters, then yeah.

Nick: Aliens are invading the earth? Oh, I have never heard that one before.

Andrew: Yeah, I get the point about the aliens invading earth, but that story is almost as old as man. People LOVE that story for some reason. It gives you a reason to unite and share hatred for a common enemy without being a racist.

Nick: When there is a funeral, families unite, but that doesn't mean I want old Aunt Ruth to kick the bucket. I guess I am just sick of the whole kill or be killed mentality.

Andrew: I can understand that. Personally, I would really like to see more emphasis placed on making me believe I'm in the game. Sell me on the story and the setting. Like Doom 3 for example. They are off to a great start there. The gameplay can be repetitive, but I'll be damned if that isn't the most believable place I have played in this year.

Nick: I agree the environment is believable, but the story is getting old.... it's like watching "Rocky 5."

Andrew: Yeah, I hear that. But how else could the atmosphere be pulled off so effectively? I mean what could be more bad-ass than monsters from hell? You can't fuck with that.

Nick: Totally agree, but Doom is the only game out that can stand on those legs. If they are from hell they are obviously evil. You can't tell me those sissy ass little aliens from Halo actually want to fight.

Andrew: Well the Elites and Brutes obviously do. Grunts and Jackals are another story.

Nick: You know the ones I mean... Those little guys that run scared and cry out to mommy, it's like beating on a 10 year old.

Andrew: Ha ha! Yeah. At times you even feel bad for them. But isn't that part of the charm in Halo? I know I always liked Halo 1 so much because the aliens were so mysterious. The little guys were mostly cowards, while the bigger ones were total warriors. Best of all, you could only understand certain things they said. It's not like the new one where the elites say stupid shit like, "Glory will be mine!" in plain English. I'm starting to veer off into another conversation entirely, but in short, I like the little cowards in Halo. No other game has them.

Nick: You obviously have been beaten and are resorting to changing the subject. You are my puppet... dance as I pull your strings.

Andrew: Your mom gives good head.

Nick: Eh, what are you gonna do?

Well folks that's it for now. Check in next week to see if Andrew has to resort to cheap shots after receiving another pummeling by his mentally, physically, and sexually superior daddy. Peace out homies.