到場後看到的已經不是之前的白色很長的prototype, 而是跟官方圖片一模樣的鋼琴黑色版, 長度大概為一支筷子.

在場的除了是幫我安排測試的同事, 還有一位為公司設計Kinect專用遊戲的工程師. 開始前已經跟我說明是次除了測試公司遊戲以外, 也希望我能提供作為Kinect初心用家的第一印象. 故此, 特意要我自行摸索其介面的操作方法, 沒有作任何介紹.

第一個印象是以揮手來登入dashboard, 很親切. 正當我在決定應該用哪隻手揮動時, 工程師告知一定要用右手, 不知完成品會否提供左手選擇.

另外, 被安排站在電視前大概五, 六尺的距離, 再加上玩遊戲時身體可能會向左/右作幾個身位的移動, 其實Kinect對空間的要求比Wii還要大. 尤其在香港/日本的家居, 到時雖然不會出現控制器飛脫擊中電視的意外, 用家踢爆腳趾的事件可能出現得更多.

為了對應Kinect的無按鈕操作, 看到的是稍微改動了的Xbox dashboard. 至於實際操作方法, 我的感覺就有如「未來報告」裡面浮在玩家面前的虛擬介面. 把右手舉起, 畫面上的小手cursor就會相應移動. Movement detection比Wii做得還要好, 我把手停在一個地方不動, cursor果然一動不動. 起初我未攪清選擇了選項後如何確認, 試了把張開的手握成拳頭不行, 試了把手向前移也不行, 後來發現只需在選項上停留大概半秒cursor就會出現一個loading wheel, 數完一圈就等於確認. 在Avatar editor裡面玩了一下, 當畫面上顯示不了所有選項時, 那個用手大力一撥來看下一頁選項的動作, 就真的十分Minority Report. 可能你會問這是否只顧gimmick而弄到玩家未進入遊戲已經手累, 其實不會, 只要你不要當它是沒有Wii remote的Wii就好了.

我這樣說, 是因為整個試用過程我都沒有覺得自己被要求作一些機械式的動作, 好讓鏡頭能順利測定. 由於鏡頭是在你面前, 而非像Wii remote一般藏在一個搖控裡, 你不再需要特意瞄準, 可以專心投入遊戲. 亦不是好像Eye Toy那樣, 要時常注意自己在電視中的位置. 如果說Eye Toy是你對著一面鏡子進行遊戲的話, 那麼Kinect上你就是在一塊玻璃後面看著你的角色和你做出很接近一比一的動作. 最令我滿意的並非Kinect的原創性, 因為老實說除非你未接觸過Wii, 否則體感遊戲其實都是這個樣. 令我驚喜的是其動作測認技術, 真的很準. 試玩的遊戲我不能說太多, 但只能說一些小動作例如我把手放在面部擦汗, 甚至翹起雙手也能準確探測. 不用說也猜到有如此準繩度, 玩起遊戲來很自然, 真的只需作正常人體動作就可以. 另外一個好處是雙腳不再需要像被石英泥固定在地上, 遊戲過程其中一部份我是個足球守門員, 手足並用來進行遊戲真的很暢快. 一些遊戲例如Wii Fit, EA Active, 雖然已經作出最大努力為玩者減低遊戲控制器對身體的不便, 但相比起完全不需任何器具, 根本沒法比較.

Kinect沒錯是沖著Wii而來的, 而這個沖力很有可能把Wii活埋. 我對兩者的比較可以用Kindle vs iPad來形容, iPad懂發光, 有高階的聲畫表現, 可以讀取ebook/PDA檔.. 只是這些針對閱讀電子書的配置已經把最高級的Kindle型號比下來, 那麼還有其他功能例如App Store, 遊戲, Wifi/3G, 直接跟數碼相機連動等等功能, 還需要再花時間來說服消費者嗎? Kinect是把任天堂答應玩家的體感遊戲真正實現, 令Xbox 360如虎添翼. PS Move個人認為極其量只能爭個第二, 當然要留待有機會測試的日子.

雖然自己有信心體力應付,

雖然家人朋友個個支持,

但腦子仍然經常處於不敢怠慢的狀態, 整個人放鬆不能. 對上一次做事這麼上心可能是中五會考.

女友雖說過專心工作的男人最吸引, 但為什麼有時六點鍾跟她說太忙走不了, 會被咋型..

怎都好, 接下來是最後一星期的衝刺了.

facebook fan page

blog

OT下班後到女友家去, 她正在看這套電影看到一半我就途中加入. 根據hana說, 電影開頭女孩因為某些爭執把室友房間的一切東西扔掉, 然後被檢控並留有案底. 自此她就離開自己的城市, 到處定居並努力賺錢. 每賺到一百萬日圓她就會收拾行李並離開該地, 再尋找下一個落腳點. hana還說主角蒼井優在韓國很紅, 我則覺得她是我在銀幕上看到化妝最少的一個日本女演員, 感覺很不同(不說我差點認為她是韓國人). 至於漂亮方面, 個人認為還是下點妝會更好..

看了大概一個小時, 發現此電影跟Napoleon Dynamite和Little Miss Sunshine等電影的節奏相近 – 也是開頭緊湊, 然後中段放慢, 直到一個地步你會覺得正在看一個人每天的日記. 而且可能剛下班, 腦子還處於積極在找喳的摸式, 但又深知不斷舉手發問會令正在享受電影的女友不滿. 唯有儆醒自己一句「聽故不要駁故」然後打個呵欠說時間不早了, 先行離場.

各樣天時地利人和, 導致購買過程十分「順暢」

首先是自己過去一個月都OT頻頻, 平均一星期工作60小時. 額外的OT工錢打算買個玩具, 本來目標是iPad的. 多得iPhone 4宣佈短期內發售讓我打亂陣腳, NEX5就乘虛而入了.

然後是過去三個星期的禮拜六都全日用作參與好友的婚禮(一星期唯一的假期..結果是比上班還要辛苦, 因為要穿西裝而且一大清早便要出發和新郎去接新娘). 三個星期六晚上去的婚宴感覺有太強烈deja vu不說, 播slideshow環節讓我看到每對新人都有許多生活點滴照片分享, 自己跟女友其實不是從來不拍照, 但大家一早變懶惰用手機拍了. 我並非暗示好事將近, 但一想到自己的slideshow只有一堆320 x 240加上半張相都是noise的爛質素照片, 便決心把買DSLR的日期推前.

再來就是怪黃偉文＋陳奕迅了.

“升職那刻　新婚那朝 成為父母的一秒”

雖然以上事情還沒有發生, 但

“要拍照的事　可不少”

從第一次聽這首歌便很想買一部camcorder錄下一些今天覺得沒大不了但日後會慶幸的片段. NEX5的高清影像錄影能力說實話比拍照能力更吸引我, 所以從小dc升級的對象非此機莫屬.

同事們玩Sega Genesis的Mutant Hockey League, 懷緬一番.

面對最近十分繁忙的工作, 頭兒某天捧來一個大紙箱, 一看裡面是一套中古Sega Genesis (日稱Mega Drive, 又稱世嘉五代)加上Mega CD和大堆遊戲. 頭兒說他是自己掏腰包把整套買來放在公司裡舒緩工作壓力的. 效用果然是有的, 大家熟手地抬來一部大電視(當然不用LCD), 幾下手腳接好電線, 吃著午飯的我就看著兩位同事在他們兒時常玩的Mutant Hockey League上重拾刺激了. 後來更有同事把私伙的Genesis遊戲也帶回來分享, 而我後來也玩了原祖NBA JAM, 以前經常到朋友家玩的. 說起來我現在做的工作跟這遊戲的關係都可算根深柢固, 每次想起來都有點難以置信.

其實自那次之後, Genesis便進入封塵狀態了 -__-|| 工作實在做不完, deadline又不能一拖再拖, 變成吃飯不離工作了. 完事之後, 定必要在Genesis上大玩一場!

放在臺上的PC, 開機後除了很吵之外, 最重要是運作大概一小時後便會令房間溫度升至25以上. 一點都沒有誇張, 我用的9800GTS出了名是發熱能力超班. 如果不是自行裝了兩個case fan, 還有可能導致超溫而底板未免損壞而自動關機. 換來的就是額外的噪音了.

心想每天開電腦, 除了收發電郵/上網看看新聞, forum/開個itunes為ipod touch下載podcast之外真的沒有其他. 之前安裝了C&C4但受不了玩一個小時便開始出汗, 遊戲可以冬天再玩.. 但現在情況, 似乎一台bare bone機器便能應付我的需要. Mac Mini看來不錯, 夠小巧之餘就算整天開著亦不需要為散熱或噪音另外處理. 如果弄台Intel Core2的以後還能把玩xcode. 去Bestbuy看看價錢, basic model五百出頭不算貴, 心裡想著的卻是數數年頭Apple好像有一段時間沒發佈新Mini了, 現在買會不會幾個月後同價能購入新款?! 由於不是逼切需要, 所以不能套用早買早享受這個想法, 必須買得精明一點.

最後都是決定先平價買部舊款的, 幾個月後如果覺得真正好用再投資一部高spec的, 說到底其實就是過了暑期再說. 幾個身為蘋果用家的網友們也推斷新款Mini應該會年內推出. 經過幾天的ebay shopping, 以兩百塊的合理價錢買了一部PPC G4 1.5Ghz + 1Gb Ram的初代Mini. 雖然年資不少而且dvd rom開始運作不靈, 但賣家一直妥善使用所以性能是不錯的. 賣家把Mini包裝送出前format並重灌了隨機附送的Panther (10.3). 問朋友借了隻花豹安裝, 想不到頭一次接觸Mac desktop便學到不少技能..

由於dvd rom老化緣故, 機器不讓我讀取10.5的dvd. 轉戰術, 方便地借用Xbox360的外置HD DVD drive, usb一接再放入dvd, desktop上看到DVD-Rom icon, 成了! 但準備安裝時卻發現OSX 10.3不支援以usb連接的外置裝置來安裝OS.. 再轉戰術, 網上速成學會了將10.5的安裝dvd備份到外置硬盤內, 再以firewire連接Mini發功. 也不成.. 同樣得到Cannot be installed to this volume的error, 這個我解釋不了, 網上明明說10.3雖不支援用usb外置來安裝OS, 但以firewire是可以的. 怎麼辦呢? 如果拿去換dvd drive那我真的不如開始便買新的. 終於再一輪學習後, 召喚每天懶洋洋躺在我房沙發, 偶爾才播播youtube的小白. Firewire線把兩部蘋果接上, 10.5 installation dvd放入小白, Mini關機後按緊command+T key開機, 看吧! 會心一擊 – Target drive installation!!

果然, 化身成為一部外置硬盤的Mini成功成為OS Installation的target volume. 我由得兩部mac機自行溝通, 終於能大覺睡去.

之後其實有小插曲, 就是從10.3直接升級上10.5後感覺不順, 照理上應該優化不少的. 連只有512mb Ram的小白都比它暢順, 不對路, Firefox跟Safari更是頻頻crash! Software update還對我說no available update, 從幾年前的dvd安裝後有可能不需要download大堆更新嗎? 唯有再次使出大技, 這次從頭安裝. 感覺終於良好, available updates接二連三, 也沒再出現任何crash了 :) 終於準備好迎接今年盛夏嘍!

Or if you wish to read a “lite” version that contains no pictures, here it is:

VD-W3 Review

From VDIGI Electronics, the company that brought us the VD-W2 Wii VGA cable, this time they surprised us once again with another breakthrough – VD-W3, the world’s first ever Wii upscaler that brings graphics output to a whooping 1080p from the current max of 480p.
Right now, the Nintendo Wii system offers users the Wii component cable for purchase, which cost about $29.99USD and allows user to enable 480p mode display on their Wii. Back in 2004 this would have been sufficient, when HDTVs were beginning to come into people’s homes and most people were still gaming in 480i or even S-video display. Nowadays the two major high definition enabled consoles offer up to 1080p resolution, which is widely supported in any recent HDTVs. Is 480p really enough for the Wii? Is the Wii really limited to output of last-gen HD graphics?

Well, maybe not anymore with the help of VD-W3.
The VD-W3 is not exactly just “a high-def cable” for the Wii. It is an upscale converter that scales progressive 480 line up to 1080 lines output. Why not just make a True HD component cable or a HDMI convertor for Wii, wouldn’t it be simpler? Yes it would – if only the Wii hardware is configured to output a 1080p video source. Maybe some day in the future there will be an upgrade for Wii to output 1080p, there is no word yet. Currently the Wii is maxed out at outputing 480p video, and that is why the VD-W3 comes in handy. As an upscale converter, the VD-W3 provides the hardware to boost your 480p video to a 1080p source, to be displayed on your HDTV via HDMI connection or on a PC monitor via DVI connection.

I read through almost all available reviews on the VD-W3 prior to writing my own, and have been using this device for a few months. As the first ever 1080p upscaler for Wii in the world, it obviously received all types of attention and hype before the public was able to get their hands on it. What I observed however, is that it was the same hype and expectation that brought a lot of people to making the conclusion that the VD-W3 “does not deliver true HD” or “lacks in comparison to a native HDMI output”. That is why I started my review off with the explanation that the VD-W3 is an upscaler, not a magic cable that adds an 1080p output option in the Wii hardware. The Wii will still output a 480p source due to its hardware settings, but via VD-W3 the video signal is enhanced because it turns 480p lines to 1080p. How are the lines being multiplied and how it compares to a native 1080p source output are things that are out of scope in my review and will not be covered. I am simply writing a review for a video upscaler that upgrades my Wii graphics, not doing an invalid comparison between consoles and their capabilities.

For those who decides that he or she has done enough reading, here’s my quick and short verdict: VD-W3 provides a satisfying graphical boost, both in 2D and 3D situations, it delivers what it promises which is currently the best available video output on the Wii.

For those who has a few more minutes, or looks for more convincing, I have captured the following screenshots that compare side-to-side the 480p output via the Nintendo Wii component cable versus the 1080p output via the VD-W3. The TV used for testing is a 32-inch Samsung LCD HDTV (model LN32B460) and I apologize for having only a Panasonic DC (FX01) + tripod for capturing the screens. Fortunately with the games I tested (Zelda Twilight Princess, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, Dragon Ball Z) I believe I was able to capture the difference between the two output sources with these screens.

The main improvements that the VD-W3 offers, in my opinion, can be summed up with three points: 1) Adds more depth in 3D environments with more solid-looking polygons. 2) Offers a wider range of colors and increases distinction between colors in both 2D and 3D environments. and 3) Reduce noise in video output and corrects screen contrast, provides a picture that is more pleasant to the eyes.

(Screenshots are in small sizes for the sake of convenience to put two together side by side on one screen, please email me if you wish to see the original size shots)
Let’s look at Zelda: Twilight Princess first. This game is one of the best looking Wii titles of all time, and from the 480p screenshot one can say that the polygons are solid enough, and colors seem to be output properly. I was not aware of the level of improvement until I put the 1080p screenshot next to the 480p one, notice how the green in the game is now actually green, and in various shades too. The shadows in the scene also appear darker. From the clothing on characters and the horse I can tell that it was more than just adding more temperature to the graphics, but there just seems to be more colors available for display at 1080p.
This one supports my first point of improvement which is to add more depth to 3D environments. First look at all the areas in the picture that are supposed to be dark, then take a look at the areas that are supposed to be bright. It is obvious that VD-W3 allows better depth perception and users can actually see what time of the day it is in Zelda’s world. It is hard to believe that the two screens are taken at the same point in the game, when the 480p output screenshot looks like it was taken on a cloudy day and the 1080p output one looks like the sun is shining brightly in the sky.

Next we look at the color range improvements. As you can see in this screenshot, 2D graphics are just as sharp when displayed in 480p. The difference that is apparent when comparing it to the 1080p output, however, is that the picture is no longer too bright to a point that color changes are becoming blurry (No video settings on the TV have been changed throughout all tests). The overall color palette is more coordinated and there is no longer too much “white” in the picture. Just look at Princess Peach’s colors as well as the “Press 2″ word.
Looking closer, I never knew Mario’s hat isn’t even really red on 480p until I compared it with 1080p! Mario’s hair also seems to be fading a bit on 480p display. This might not seem major, but when everything is in motion, more vibrant colors means the world especially in 2D environments.

Remember the brightness problem I mentioned earlier? This comparison explains why it is important if you want to experience all the tiny details in a game. Would you be able to easily spot the circular patterns in the blue sky background in 480p display? The formulas and writings in slightly darker shade of blue can still vaguely show on the left screenshot, but I bet you will miss seeing all the pretty circles shown in the right screenshot. Also as for colors, look at the S box on top of Mario.
Super Paper Mario was a better game to compare colors and contrast, so I only have this one screenshot comparison for Dragonball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 2. The game is already very colorful in 480p, but subtle differences can still be spotted in the hairs of all the Saiyans.

Super Mario Galaxy combines both colorful graphics and 3D environment, perfect example to show off all three points I have for VD-W3. First check out the added shades of grey underneath the letters, making them more “pop out” from the screen. Secondly, the contrast correction. 480p output suffers from an “over exposure” problem in my previous comparisons but in this one, it suffers from the same “cloudy day” syndrome seen in Twilight Princess. Finally the apparent noise reduction, it seems that a filter has been removed in the 1080p output

Richer colors in 1080p output, the black star creature is actually black and the Princess has better blonde in her hair color.

This one shows off the smoothing of 3D polygons that a lot of us have been waiting to see in a graphics enhancement by VD-W3. All the “dog-teeth” are showing in 480p, resulting in many dots on screen. In 1080p the dots are gone, and the anti-alising on the graphics is very apparent. Not to mention the color enhancement which is my favorite feature in VD-W3.

Just for fun I captured screenshots for a classic console game I happen to have on my Wii. Not much difference there

Overall, I am satisfactory with VD-W3′s performance. What is even better about this upscaler is 1) It does not require external power connection like most powerful upscalers and 2) It not only does 1080p, but also does practically any HD resolution including PC monitor sizes: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050 (at refresh rate 59.94Hz). For the suggested price of $59.99USD on the VDIGI website you get a combination of 1080p upscaler/HDMI output converter/VGA Cable for your Wii. It is a must buy if you wish to bring your Wii gaming experience to a higher visual standard.

For detailed product technical information as well as ordering inquiries please visit www.vdigi.com

Author’s email: nam@fattygrunt.com

See what I did there? I just sugar-coated my excuses. Anyhow, definitely would write more often again now. But I’m gonna just warm up with a photo this time. Until then!

先說我使用經驗最多的360吧, 我從做part time時已經主要在這個平台做測試的工作, 其間有些日子也會在不自願的情況下轉到PS3去.

Xbox360開發機有分兩種, programmer專用的dev kit還有比較普遍也比較便宜的test kit. 我的經驗主要在test kit方面, 所以對dev kit的特點也不能說得太清楚. 很多人在雜誌看到360的開發機圖片, 大部份應該都是dev kit. 原因是test kits很多時候外表是與retail版沒兩樣. 當然開機後進入了開發OS這點是最大不同, 但雜誌很少會公開這些畫面.

Test kit

外表

[images from oldengineer.com]

Test kit一定是白色, 一定有HDD(但不一定是那種巨大的白色HDD, 也有像坊間販賣的銀色), 機身後面必備HDMI output(幾年前可能仍是天大的秘密), disk tray一定是premium的銀色, serial code上印有Xbox360 Development kit字樣. 兩年前剛開始工作時, 連手制也是用prototype的, 即是那個guide button並非銀色中間一個綠色的X, 而是整個白色.

功能

最主要功能當然是能讀取開發中的燒錄媒體, 或者透過lan直接安裝到HDD上運作. 同時debug資料也是如此傳回開發server/PC中以作紀錄/分析用.

能隨意轉換主機區碼, 也能透過開發OS快速「申請」金XBL戶口, 並擁有無限的MS Points. 聽起來十分完美, 但且聽我說完..

不能讀取完成版遊戲, 可以進入dashboard但不能登入XBL, 登入的服務叫Partner Net是遊戲公司內部的一個環境. 裡面.. 什麼都沒有, 也不是完全沒有, 但起碼正常XBL的demo/影片不會在此出現. 唯一的好處是有時可以下載到其他遊戲公司開發完畢但未正式放上LIVE的XBLA遊戲. 最新例子是After Burner Climax, 而且是完全版. 曾經有段時間我早上特別早到達公司, 因為之前要送女友上班, 那段日子在我的test kit上打爆了不少XBLA名作.

Dev kit

外表

多數是黑色, 也有白色的. 之前Microsoft曾經展露過最新的dev kit設計是黑色的主機配上金屬藍的HDD, 很帥但在我公司從未見過. 幾乎一定有大容量特製HDD, 如果你覺得家中的360火牛體積太大, 我告訴你配有特製HDD的test/dev kits使用的火牛比正常的還要長1/3.

功能

我知道的不多, 但與開發PC的互動會更全面, 不用把整個開發遊戲放上去, 基本上跟XNA Creator’s Club運作方法差不多, 在PC上能execute的就能立刻傳到kit上運作. 也能在kit上進行Debug.

總結

當然大家若是對開發360遊戲有特別熱衷但又不在業界工作, 這世上永遠都有ebay為你服務. 但其實微軟設立XNA Creator’s Club不就是讓大家使用自己的主機一嘗用C#寫遊戲的滋味嗎?

還有一點值得一提, 就是大家從遊戲雜誌或者網上看到一些開發中遊戲的截圖, 看起來十分「味精」. 貼圖特別的仔細, 多邊形多麼的紮實, 鋸齒又自動的消失等等. PC遊戲我不敢說, 但360遊戲的截圖我在親眼看過1080p的raw screencap後(test kit和dev kit都能用PC上特定軟件來抓圖/影片), 可以跟大家說真的是那麼漂亮的. 我也解釋不了為什麼會跟實際畫面有一定差別, 不過真的是不用加工已經看起來十分順眼.

當然有些遊戲儘管截圖有多漂亮也無藥醫

Call of Duty Classic (XBLA)

我都不知道為何我會有veteran難度全破的能耐, 只記得有太多次我氣得退出遊戲回到360的dashboard, 然後差點在菜單中選擇’Delete Game’.

Veteran難度屈機, 相信大家已經聽過我說無數次了. 正如我說, 我也不知道自己為何有如此被虐傾向.. 明明玩到完全不像一個以玩遊戲來放鬆身心的情況, 卻不玩不行. 雷射眼AI+每版只有一條能源(第一代沒有Halo式自動補血)也沒有補血包+checkpoints saving經常出錯.

強橫的AI經常暗算我, 我走快兩步也立刻會被遠距離以輕機槍headshot. 最後, 我沒辦法了, 你做初一..

是的, 如果角度拿的恰當的話, 就算這樣面對敵人他們也不會有任何反應. 到遊戲後段我靠這個技巧射了不少手挣和鞋頭, 涯過了不少難關.

遊戲中最難一段一定非Pavlov’s House莫屬. 在這關首先要功進充滿敵人的大樓, 占據後還要在援軍到達前死守大樓長達四分鐘. 花了幾晚4am才睡覺的時間也過不了. 雖然經過無數次嘗試, 從開頭到守大樓一段已經沒太大問題, 但那四分鐘的死守時間簡直是噩夢: 不能從聲音判斷敵人從那兒攻進來, 聽到槍聲時未轉身已經倒下. 結果讓我找到一個死位, 我就在那個位置趴下, 緊張地四處張望, 敵人們仍然會知道我的位置, 但他們不能從樓上/樓下找到空瞭攻擊, 就算接近我的藏身位置後他們也只會在牆的另一面靜待. 這時我的隊友就逐一把他們解決掉. 四分鐘當中只有一兩個敵人真正能找到我, 當然我開槍比他們快. 四分鐘倒數過後, 竟然沒有checkpoint! 我只好再等, 待我的援軍把敵方死剩的清掉我才敢出來. Call of Duty系列本身是讓玩家投身戰爭英雄的角色中, 但在這一版, 我是充份投入懦夫的角色.

過了這版以後(看gamefaqs的攻略也公認這是全遊戲難度最高一版), 往後的幾版都相對輕鬆, 甚至還讓我開坦克, 總算有點安慰. Veteran全破得到War Hero成就後, 把難度調回Easy再把剩下幾個成就拿下. 什麼整版只準用手槍, 不許使用checkpoint等條件在Easy難度下完全不是問題, 經過之前的洗禮我感覺有如進入God mode. 總結: 全200成就分達成, 以後COD系列只會玩normal難度. 家中還有World of War未開封, 所以Modern Warfare 2不用預我在LIVE玩了.

Mirror’s Edge

大半年前玩了2/3卡關, 放下一直到現在.

自完成了COD Classic後, 每天午飯時間就是玩這個來送飯. 結果用了三日也把ME破關了(正常難度). 很好玩, 但真的很短, 一共九版平均15分鐘就能玩過一版. 網上看到的Time Attack影片高手們每版只需用上五分鐘左右, 豈不一小時就爆機?! 不過我從來不是一個對遊戲長度不滿的人, 只要過程愉快我玩得過癮, 一個小時爆機我也不會大喊退錢. 反而又長又臭的遊戲我就很不得放上ebay換錢.

要說的有一點, 就是可以搶走敵人武器的設定對平衡度的影響比想像中大. 遊戲主旨是尋找又快又不讓敵人追到的路線, 所以敵人分佈得不多, 除了向你作出緩慢的攻擊外就沒有太多攻守意識. 一旦搶到一個敵人的槍, 就幾乎肯定可以清場. 整個與敵人追逐的逃跑過程, 一眾level designer的心血就這樣浪費了. 最後boss一戰也有點只顧令玩家有電影感而一切從簡..

近年玩遊戲有個新習慣, 就是破關後會把credits看完. 原來DICE讓員工把家人親友的名子也加入credits list內, 真好.

Ridge Racer 6

玩過Mirror’s Edge, 順手開始玩這個.. 純粹想懷舊原作感覺, 但到了第六代整個操作感覺都變了, 很著重drifting令人想起Outrun 2 SP. 不過遊戲氣氛仍然健在, 包括那個老土的DJ