Nothing really witty, this is an attempt to break my writers block for this website and inform at the same time.
Biohazard 5/Resident Evil 5′s “Versus” downloadable content came out today. You can’t spell ignorant without IGN is a little hard on it:
Versus includes two modes, Slayers and Survivors, with free-for-all and 2-on-2 team options. Both game types are modified versions of Mercenaries Mode, already included on the retail disc. Neither seems particularly well thought out and both use the same maps and scoring system as in Mercs Mode.
Slayers has players trying to earn as many points in Mercenaries Mode with three others vying for points as well. You rack up points, smash time bonuses to extend the playtime for everyone, and discover combo bonuses, just like in Mercenaries, but there is a twist. And that twist is the other players. Your opponents can shoot you. Damage costs you points and death costs you even more. Fortunately, you can do the same to them. Survivors Mode also has zombie enemies, but you score bonus points for shooting the other players.
and:
Despite its problems, Versus Mode could have been a lot better if Capcom put any creative thought behind its design. For example, if I’m in the lead in Slayers, it would be beneficial for me to prevent other players from smashing a time bonus. After all, if time runs out soon, I win. But the scoring is still geared towards Mercenaries Mode. It’s not just that I want to be in the lead, but I still am trying to reach the same scoring milestones as in the single-player version. It’s just that I have some other players getting in my way. Doing something, anything, to make this more than just Mercenaries with four people would have helped. Adding rounds like a more traditional multiplayer game or altering the entire scoring system or adjusting how the time bonuses work or changing the levels or balancing the characters–anything at all would have been a plus. But Versus is little more than an overpriced add-on.
While, I do agree that it’s Mercenaries with Friend Fire set to ON mode that doesn’t make it a bad thing. Team Slayer can be a fun little romp when it equates to “Two Teams playing Mercenaries” and people aren’t stepping on each others toes (AKA: shooting each other). Survivor is also neat in theory, but it’ll probably get old after a while.
My quick review: It has achievements and unlike most other DLC it isn’t the standard $10 price. Could it have been on the disc? Yes. Could it have been free? Yes. Should you buy it? That’s really up to you. I, as an achievement whore, bought it despite feeling dirty and knowing it was a half-baked mode. But, over all… it can be fun when it clicks. But I think Mercenaries could be the workhorse DLC engine for Capcom (not that I condone this).
Add in previous series main characters (with some new unique attacks), add in levels. Add in some weapons. Add in customization options. Versus proves four player Mercenaries is possible, so patching that in (FREE) would make that mode really more fun than it already is.
Give us the Samurai Edge/new weapons in story mode. Give us new levels, flesh out Jill/Josh’s side-story. There are many many possiblities for new DLC that is better thought out if Capcom would think things through.
I’d caution that if you don’t really want the achievements and aren’t keen on the Versus mode, that you DO NOT BUY it and tell Capcom to shove it and think of better DLC. But it’s your cash, and I can’t stop you.
While I’m writing: Playstation.Blog has information on Wipeout HD’s 1.30 patch coming tomorrow. It adds in emblems for online races, some other stuff and notably the ability to join races in progress (but you can not actually join until the race in progress is over. You can watch the other players racing).
It’s a little late (in like… six months late) but it’s better late than never. The main problem with Wipeout HD (other than it’s balls hard difficulty), is that the online is dead unless you want to play against players that will stomp your ass dry before you even “GO!”