Substance TV – Video game reviews with substance

Let’s be honest, when it comes to video game reviews, there is a lot of crap. Whether it’s IGN or just some random guy from the internet, quality game reviews are hard to find. That’s the whole reason I started Substance TV. Since then, I’ve actively searched out to find other reviewers who put our quality reviews. Sadly I usually come up empty handed.

A few days ago, I received a message from a Youtube users who goes by the name of “TypingBlank”. He had posted a comment on my YouTube channel, and at the end he made a comment stating he did reviews as well. Yea sure, I had heard that before. But with a glimmer of hope, I clicked anyway. What I found was something amazing. Here was a guy who looked to be maybe in his late teens, but nothing about his reviews are juvenile or childish. He has come great production values which can be seen in his titling, animation, and video capture. Then there’s his voice over, which again, sounds professional, clean, and crisp. I could tell there was some real thought and scripting behind what he said. All in all, I was flat out shocked and impressed.

So, since Substance TV is a show dedicated to showing only the best in games, why not showcase the best in video game reviewers? He has reviews for some of the newer games released (inFamous, Dead Space, and Sonic Unleashed). So do yourself a favor and go check him out.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TypingBlank

After a long stint away, I’m back.

And my timing couldn’t have been more impeccable. King of Fighter XII (12) was just released. Well, it didn’t really have a solid release date as retailers just released when they felt like it, but that’s besides the point. KOF XII was one of those games on my “SO EXCITED FOR IT TO COME OUT I SURELY WILL SOIL MYSELF BEFORE ITS’ RELEASE!” list. The videos I saw looked amazing and worthy of my hard earned cash. I mean c’mon, a totally new KOF that went back to the roots with all new HD graphics and redrawn sprites, how could this go wrong? As is the case with many things in life, sometimes the anticipation is much sweeter then the actual product. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, news and reviews of the game have been widespread. I tend to take these reviews with a grain of salt, as most of them are written by brain dead human beings whose remedial English skills and limited grasp on thought make their writings about as painful as a belt sander applied directly to my face. Not to mention their bounty of bias, and you see why I don’t tend to believe them.

BUT

I did notice one thing. Whether it was the loftiest of these writers to the lowliest of trolls, one complaint stood above them all: poor net code which produces online lag. While opinions on game play, graphics, sound, and many other things may vary from person to person, lag is lag. And in my opinion, it’s plain stupid we are still dealing with this in 2009. I’d understand it if every other fighting game was littered with lag, but that’s not the case. Many other fighting games have an impeccable net code. One of the most important aspects of any fighting game today is the net code. I know, some of you may cry foul, but this is SNK we’re talking about here. This isn’t some game company from the depths of the Amazon jungle, they’ve been doing this thing we call making games for decades. Yet making a net code without lag is beyond their capabilities it would seem. Look at a company like ArcSys: a small company who’s not been around long compared to SNK, but their newest fighter Blaz Blue has a silky smooth net code with no discernible lag almost all the time. If they can do it, why in the name of Neo Geo can’t SNK do it? SNK could have worked these bugs out and given us the fans what we deserve. Instead, SNK released a game they knew was not ready, and use SNK loyalists as the stand in beta testers. If they would have charged say $30 for the game at this state, then fine, we’ll fiddle around with it as we understand this isn’t a full price game, but this is a new $60 title we’re talking about here.

Yes, SNK has quickly announced a patch is coming (it already is available for the PS3) for the Xbox 360, but that does not mean the problem will be fixed. It just means it may or may not. Personally, I’ll wait to purchase the game until I’m sure these issues have been resolved. For my gaming money, I’d much rather pay $15 for Marvel vs. Capcom 2 with the net code from Street Fighter II Turbo HD then pay $60 for what may always be a gimped game.

SNK touts this game as the rebirth or reboot of the series, but as it’s stands, it’s more of a regression.

Hey everyone, I’m back. Sorry I haven’t been around this last week, but some events have transpired in my life. I received a voice mail from a few friends last Monday morning (7/13/09). Both said they had some news about a friend of mine but would not tell me precisely what. After calling the first friend back, they gave me the news: my good friend, and old drummer of my band, had suddenly passed away. He was just 29. Needless to say, that changed my plans for last week drastically. I went to the funeral and burial on Saturday. It was good to see old faces and such a show of support and love. I caught up with our old guitarist over lunch with some friends. All in all it was a sad but also good day in some ways.

It was later found out that he died of a brain aneurysm. So although it was sudden, it wasn’t painful and it was quick. I found some small solace in that fact.

I know this is a site about video games, but it’s my only personal outlet to voice my opinions and thoughts for me and only me. I cover great games, so why not cover great people. I know that as I type this these are just simple words on a small website, but it’s the best I can do to honor this man. May you rest in peace Dale. You were a great man who I enjoyed hanging out with and will always remember playing bass as you laid down the beat. I’ll even remember watching you smoke each and every opponent in Super Punch Out.

See you on the other side buddy.

I’ve had this idea in my head for about two years. Worse even, I had this video 99% percent done. Then my Mac decieded not to power up one day. I pretty much said screw it and moved on, but the dream never died. Fast forward to today. I had some extra free time and went for it. The result is this video. The series is called Virtual Virtuality because it’s a stupid series with a stupid name. Enjoy!

BTW: Sorry I haven’t posted in a bit. My internet has been screwy and I may have to buy a new modem and router. For the time being it’s on the fritz.

In episode 5 of Substance TV, we covered the games of SNK. One of those gems was Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves. At the time, the only home consoles versions available were for the Sega Dreamcast (expensive) and the Neo Geo AES (very expensive). The Dreamcast port was good, but not as good as it could have been. That and these days it’s hard to find.

Seems our cries have been heard as SNK has released MOTW for both the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the form of a digital download. All for just ten smackers. Not too bad I say. And the port is very good. I dare to say it’s about as perfect of an arcade port as you can get. The game also has online play. Though it isn’t the best netcode so there are lag issues. So don’t expect to be able to have a zippy tournament match with you bud across the country. But for the price, you can’t beat it.

Well, what are you waiting for, go download it already.

BTW: King of Fighters 98 has also been released, and although I’ve not played it personally, I hear it’s a good port as well and the netcode is better then MOTW

Yet another celebrity death in recent memory. Pitchman Billy Mays passed away at the age of 50. I use the term celebrity loosely as I don’t think he qualifies as one, but for arguments sake let’s just say so. Before Billy passed on, he made maybe his most ambitious infomercial to date. Much controversy surrounds his newest “Kaboom!” infomercial. As such, the producers of the spot decided to pull it from the air just minutes after its’ first showing. The commercial vanished without a trace. Luckily for us, we at Substance TV got our hands on the master copy of the commercial. After viewing it myself half a dozen times, I can tell you this is some of Billy’s finest work. A true showing of his abilities and pitching prowess.

We wish you the best Billy.

[thanks to Jango for the clip]