THE BORE

General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:08:55 PM

Title: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:08:55 PM
Well - its that time again.

Another hyped PS3 title ships this week.

Do you bring to this thread;

- HATE

- HUGz

or

- JUGz

As you know I will post my impressions as soon as I pick it up mid week.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Van Cruncheon on September 10, 2007, 04:10:37 PM
indifference. i didn't enjoy the demo. however, people of taste -- maf and drohne -- did, so i imagine it won't be the debacle lair was.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:11:46 PM
I personally loved the demo...

I love how the game battles your instinct to want to button mash ala God of War......

I cant wait.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: BlueTsunami on September 10, 2007, 04:14:11 PM
I'm in it to see if that slow girl character gets fisted by da king
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:17:41 PM
BTW - JUGz is the option for people who do nothing but troll these threads...

Instead of trolling post pix of big jugz.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 10, 2007, 04:18:06 PM
I enjoyed the demo, hopefully the full version is just as fun. More than likely, my copy won't get here until next week, though.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Rman on September 10, 2007, 04:18:40 PM
I want to play the game.  I'll rent or buy used.  I had fun with the demo but I could not buy it at full price especially with higher caliber games on the horizon.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 10, 2007, 04:19:19 PM
I want to play the game.  I'll rent or buy used.  I had fun with the demo but I could not buy it at full price especially with higher caliber games on the horizon.

You can get it for $45 from FamilyVideo.com
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: BlueTsunami on September 10, 2007, 04:20:12 PM
But seriously, the length of the game sounds as though its not worth a purchase but a rental. I wouldn't buy Gears of War for the same reason...but its got Multiplayer going for it.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: TVC15 on September 10, 2007, 04:20:22 PM
I didn't like the demo, but it's getting good reviews.  I'll give it another shot since peeps say the demo was an old build.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 10, 2007, 04:23:09 PM
As I've gotten older, short games actually work better for me. I still buy ridiculously long JRPGs, but I rarely ever finish them.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: drohne on September 10, 2007, 04:25:06 PM
i've got it preordered, but i've resolved not to start playing it until i finish bioshock. so...probably never
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: demi on September 10, 2007, 04:26:53 PM
BTW - JUGz is the option for people who do nothing but troll these threads...

Instead of trolling post pix of big jugz.


(http://www.amazingtransilvania.ro/admin/products/0/463.jpg)

This game blows, just like this jug!
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:47:36 PM
those are the best jugz you got?

I guess that a decent shot for a bear ;)
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 04:48:29 PM
On the topic of short games - I love it for an action game as it supports many playthru's...

I remember action game greats like Contra - games so short you could beat  them over and over and over for score.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: y2kev on September 10, 2007, 06:37:32 PM
The demo was OK if you take out the QTE segments which are a plague on gaming.  I'll pick this up for two reasons:  I buy all sorts of shit and it can't be worse than Lair. 
lair  :shh
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 10, 2007, 06:57:01 PM
I'll buy it 'cause action-adventure is one of my favorite genres.  Graphics look pretty good and I also liked the animated short clips on PSN.  I hate the auto-blocking though and I'm not crazy about the way you seem to watch instead of control most of the combat.  I'm itching to buy a PS3 game since the last one I got was NG:Sigma, which really isn't that interesting if you've already beaten the original or NG:Black. 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 10, 2007, 07:15:37 PM
i'll be picking this up.  from what i've researched, it seems to be a pretty solid B to B+ game.  the demo was pretty good, i just hope they ironed out the framerate and screen tearing.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 10, 2007, 07:16:49 PM
i've got it preordered, but i've resolved not to start playing it until i finish bioshock. so...probably never

bioshock is a lot longer than you think... expect eternity.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 10, 2007, 07:18:34 PM
i've got it preordered, but i've resolved not to start playing it until i finish bioshock. so...probably never

bioshock is a lot longer than you think... expect eternity.

That concpt excites me about Bioshock.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Gay Boy on September 10, 2007, 07:57:48 PM
hahahahah...lair sucked didnt it guys!?
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 10, 2007, 10:08:10 PM
8.0/10.0 from Gamespot, not bad.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 10, 2007, 10:14:39 PM
8.0/10.0 from Gamespot, not bad.

Let me check his review history first and whether he's fat or looks like a stupider version of Drinky. 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Bloodwake on September 11, 2007, 06:33:25 PM
rental confirmed.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: bud on September 11, 2007, 06:39:05 PM
the gaf thread for this game is so fucking distinguished mentally-challenged. that histoshura guy... :-\
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 11, 2007, 07:17:36 PM
^^ I havent even looked
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: bork on September 11, 2007, 09:02:53 PM
This game comes out today (or tomorrow for most people, I guess), right?  Play-Asia isn't getting it until next week; I hope plenty of people buy it and beat it before then so I can see if it's worth getting.  It's too bad they don't do rentals here.   :-\
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 11, 2007, 09:19:48 PM
My EB claims they will have it thursday - it seems to ship Wednesday for some reason....
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 11, 2007, 09:22:17 PM
More than likely, Family Video won't ship my copy until Thursday. I'm guessing I'll get it early next week.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 12, 2007, 01:39:39 PM
and so it begins.

I have been given the tipoff that I may be able to pick this up this-afternoon.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 12, 2007, 02:02:24 PM
I don't see why you wouldn't be able to. The Fry's ad in the Seattle PI lists Heavenly Sword as being in stock by noon today.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 12, 2007, 04:20:57 PM
DENIED - EB corporate sent an email to all of the store managers telling them to hold it till tomorrow.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mupepe on September 12, 2007, 04:38:46 PM
eh, i wasn't wowed by the demo.  i was really pumped for it when I saw videos of the game, but actually playing it wasn't as good as i thought it would be
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 01:24:57 PM
anyone get it, rent it, etc?  i want some impressions!

i'm on the fence about buying it... and i don't trust the impressions of people in the gaf thread at all.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 13, 2007, 01:31:45 PM
My copy shipped out from Family Video this morning ($45!), I'm sure Abrader will offer up impressions today.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 01:37:18 PM
awesome.  i shouldn't have slept on that $45 deal when you posted it.  now i'm scouring the net for a cheap price :(
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: demi on September 13, 2007, 01:38:28 PM
awesome.  i shouldn't have slept on that $45 deal when you posted it.  now i'm scouring the net for a cheap price :(

I'm sure you can find it for 45 on CAG's Trading Forum when everyone finishes their copy the first week :lol
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 01:42:21 PM
i should probably just wait this one out.  should be on the bargain shelf soon enough.  plus, skate is shipping today so that's going to take most of my gaming time until halo 3.  damnit, eternal sonata is coming out next week too.  rolling thunder here we come.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: demi on September 13, 2007, 01:45:30 PM
I'm getting Eternal Sonata fo sho, even though I'm only on second disc of Blue Dragon
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 01:51:59 PM
anyone get it, rent it, etc?  i want some impressions!

i'm on the fence about buying it... and i don't trust the impressions of people in the gaf thread at all.

Yeah, I'm waiting for the sfags here to tell me how it is.  It's kinda worrying when even Sony fans at gaf like TTP and Darkx10 claim that the game has low poly, tearing and framerate problems. 

awesome.  i shouldn't have slept on that $45 deal when you posted it.  now i'm scouring the net for a cheap price :(

I'm sure you can find it for 45 on CAG's Trading Forum when everyone finishes their copy the first week :lol

First week?  More like first day. 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 01:53:42 PM
I'm getting Eternal Sonata fo sho, even though I'm only on second disc of Blue Dragon

i still haven't gotten my copy of bru dragon :(

my MS buddy has been on vacation so i've been missing out on the goodness.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 02:33:59 PM
I just installed it and played it today. I also just got Motorstorm today but ill go into that in a moment.

So the game so far is 'decent' at best. As far as fun factor goes, ill put it only sightly above LAIR (knowing how most of you feel about LAIR)

It does this bad split up the combat segments with these not very well tuned shooting segments. If you thought LAIR's controls were bad, you will think the shot 'aftertouch' bit is HORRIBLE...basically pushing square will fire cannon shots, crossbow bolts, etc...but if you press and hold square, you get a projectile cam view ride and the ability to tilt the sixaxis control to control the shots curve. Im expecting there to be enemies later in the game where you have to use this to place prescision shots hitting their weak-point etc...

The good:

+ fun dual stick combat
+ great animations, HAVOK implimentation, camera work, etc...
+ excellent counters and super moves

The bad:

- Mediocre graphics (from what I have seen so far playing up to the 4th 'stage')
- BAD, I mean BAD shadows - the shadow on her face from her hair looks like channel 00 TV noise....
- so far the combat stage areenas feel a bit like PS2 game detail stages...in fact this game feels like a PS2 game running on a computer with better textures and GPU based FX turned on
- vsynch tearing on some scenes like its bad on that stage where she defends the fort with the cannon.
- character animation framerate drop at times

These are just my initial impressions tho. AND I feel that the game could have been overshadoed by the fact that I also just got and played MotorStorm today. I had only played the demo before - and MotorStorm so far was way more fun than playing Heavenly Sword.

Ill post more as I play it more and form a more full opinion.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: demi on September 13, 2007, 02:37:57 PM
I'm getting Eternal Sonata fo sho, even though I'm only on second disc of Blue Dragon

i still haven't gotten my copy of bru dragon :(

my MS buddy has been on vacation so i've been missing out on the goodness.

MS didn't send me a copy either, guess my hookup fizzled quickly, lol
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 02:47:11 PM
Also for a game that is supposed to have a 'hott' lead character, she isnt very sexy in the game...:(
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 02:59:52 PM
thanks ab, sounds like a 7/10 experience at best.  shame that the vsync issues and tearing have not been cleared up.  i mean, it was pretty awful in the demo... did they really not have enough time to polish this up considering it is a 7-10 hour game?  wtf ninja theory.

Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 03:00:04 PM
Also for a game that is supposed to have a 'hott' lead character, she isnt very sexy in the game...:(


'cause you don't like Asians?  

Thanks for the impressions.  I'll most likely rent HS or pick it up when it's on sale.  I don't think I can pay full price for a game that even you think is mediocre.   ;)
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 03:00:59 PM
Also for a game that is supposed to have a 'hott' lead character, she isnt very sexy in the game...:(


'cause you don't like Asians? 

Thanks for the impressions.  I'll most likely rent HS or pick it up when it's on sale.  I don't think I can pay full price for a game that even you think is mediocre.   ;)

like i've said before, she reminds me of tera patrick (hot asian porn star) which is a good thing.  :drool
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:05:33 PM
conceptually the character is sexy - what i mean is that the way she moves/acts in the game isnt very sexxy...make sense?
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 03:08:11 PM
thanks ab, sounds like a 7/10 experience at best.  shame that the vsync issues and tearing have not been cleared up.  i mean, it was pretty awful in the demo... did they really not have enough time to polish this up considering it is a 7-10 hour game?  wtf ninja theory.



Part of the problem seems to be due to Ninja Theory being too ambitious in terms of scale.  They went for lots of enemies on screen instead of focusing on the finer details and framerate.  Many of the shadowing errors, tearing, framerate drops, etc are probably due to them pushing the PS3's hardware too much.  It sucks that Sony keep pressuring their developers to make games that prove the power of the Cell & Blu-ray instead of just letting them focus on making good games.  I just feel like something is not right about a game if all the developer can talk about is how the game wouldn't have been possible without Cell or Blu-ray. 
Also for a game that is supposed to have a 'hott' lead character, she isnt very sexy in the game...:(


'cause you don't like Asians? 

Thanks for the impressions.  I'll most likely rent HS or pick it up when it's on sale.  I don't think I can pay full price for a game that even you think is mediocre.   ;)

like i've said before, she reminds me of tera patrick (hot asian porn star) which is a good thing.  :drool

Are you sure you're not thinking of Ninja Gaiden?  Nariko doesn't have 40Fs.   
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:09:47 PM
The hardware does not feel pushed at all in this game.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 03:11:26 PM
The hardware does not feel pushed at all in this game.


Framerate should be much higher then.  Even people who liked it said that the game has problems keeping the framerate at 30/s. 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 03:12:41 PM
Are you sure you're not thinking of Ninja Gaiden?  Nariko doesn't have 40Fs.   


no, she unfortunately does not have the Fs... :(  but the face is pretty spot-on.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:13:31 PM
Right - thats whats lame - the system doesnt feel pushed at all and there is nothing massive going on - yet the framerate still studders at parts.

It just feels like the game could have been made better.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:15:10 PM
I hate when people get all like this...

http://opa-ages.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1179&st=0&gopid=16674&#entry16674
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 13, 2007, 03:16:12 PM
Right - thats whats lame - the system doesnt feel pushed at all and there is nothing massive going on - yet the framerate still studders at parts.

It just feels like the game could have been made better.


That's what you get with a relatively unproven developer.

I'm still looking forward to trying out the full version, though, since I liked the demo and honestly didn't find anything wrong with it other than a lack of jumping.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:17:51 PM
See I REALLY liked the demo too - I think like me you will feel ok about it till you get to those in between fighting shooting stages.

Again these are EARLY impressions from one brief sitdown on the game.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: hyp on September 13, 2007, 03:19:14 PM
That's what you get with a relatively unproven developer.

I'm still looking forward to trying out the full version, though, since I liked the demo and honestly didn't find anything wrong with it other than a luck of jumping.

it's funny, most people rag on ninja theory for "kung fu chaos".  but i actually liked that game.  it was well polished and fun in a multiplayer setting.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 13, 2007, 03:22:12 PM
That's what you get with a relatively unproven developer.

I'm still looking forward to trying out the full version, though, since I liked the demo and honestly didn't find anything wrong with it other than a luck of jumping.

it's funny, most people rag on ninja theory for "kung fu chaos".  but i actually liked that game.  it was well polished and fun in a multiplayer setting.

Kung Fu Chaos was alright for what it was. That's why I said "relatively unproven."
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 03:24:59 PM
its really fokkin annoying that you cant aim fast enough with the little monkey girls bow gun :(
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 13, 2007, 03:26:15 PM
its really fokkin annoying that you cant aim fast enough with the little monkey girls bow gun :(


One of the guys on Kotaku live demoed one of the shooting levels over the Summer, he got the hang of it pretty quick and had no problems.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 03:37:54 PM
I wish they would at least let us choose between Analog and Sixaxis.  Sixaxis has so far added nothing positive to any PS3 game.   I tried really hard to use Sixaxis for my FT shooting in NBA2k7 but the sensitivity is garbage.  The WII's waggling is 10x better than the Sixaxis.  It's a shame that Sony is forcing down our throats a poorly implemented copycat feature. 

See I REALLY liked the demo too - I think like me you will feel ok about it till you get to those in between fighting shooting stages.

Again these are EARLY impressions from one brief sitdown on the game.



TTP from GAF said that the demo portion was the best part HS, in terms of framerate and gameplay, which is kinda worrying for anyone who's on the fence.

What went on in that OA thread?  They won't let guests read.  Also, why are there two OAs? 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Mr. Gundam on September 13, 2007, 03:39:14 PM
I wish they would at least let us choose between Analog and Sixaxis.  Sixaxis has so far added nothing positive to any PS3 game.   I tried really hard to use Sixaxis for my FT shooting in NBA2k7 but the sensitivity is garbage.  The WII's waggling is 10x better than the Sixaxis.  It's a shame that Sony is forcing down our throats a poorly implemented copycat feature. 

In the HS demo, if you went into the option screen, you could turn off the Aftertouch motion control crap. I'd think this was still available in the final build.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: demi on September 13, 2007, 03:39:56 PM
forgotten-gamer.com sez: this game sucks, it's not that good. no ur a stupid head, this will sell more tha bioshock. stupid head.

hans-age sez: this game is amazing, just wow. i like movies. yay sony. so amazing. wow. i don't know how long i can keep up this charade. it's just so great. wow. amazing. sony.
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: Smooth Groove on September 13, 2007, 03:40:02 PM
I wish they would at least let us choose between Analog and Sixaxis.  Sixaxis has so far added nothing positive to any PS3 game.   I tried really hard to use Sixaxis for my FT shooting in NBA2k7 but the sensitivity is garbage.  The WII's waggling is 10x better than the Sixaxis.  It's a shame that Sony is forcing down our throats a poorly implemented copycat feature. 

In the HS demo, if you went into the option screen, you could turn off the Aftertouch motion control crap. I'd think this was still available in the final build.

That's good to hear.  Sixaxis is useless.  
forgotten-gamer.com sez: this game sucks, it's not that good. no ur a stupid head, this will sell more tha bioshock. stupid head.

hans-age sez: this game is amazing, just wow. i like movies. yay sony. so amazing. wow. i don't know how long i can keep up this charade. it's just so great. wow. amazing. sony.

So the OA, that Abrader linked to, is just like FG-OA except that every member is a SFAG?  Hilarious.  Why won't hans-age let guests browse their forums? 
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 04:05:12 PM
I wish they would at least let us choose between Analog and Sixaxis.  Sixaxis has so far added nothing positive to any PS3 game.   I tried really hard to use Sixaxis for my FT shooting in NBA2k7 but the sensitivity is garbage.  The WII's waggling is 10x better than the Sixaxis.  It's a shame that Sony is forcing down our throats a poorly implemented copycat feature. 

In the HS demo, if you went into the option screen, you could turn off the Aftertouch motion control crap. I'd think this was still available in the final build.
It is
Title: Re: Heavenly Sword thread of HATE, HUGz and JUGz
Post by: abrader on September 13, 2007, 07:22:21 PM
ok I have now completed all of the stages of chapter 1 and chapter 2.

The game does get better as far as sucking you into the pace of the story and the characters.

An interesting note is that you can select from many European voice tracks - I am currently listening to everything in Dutch ;) they also have like German, Fench Italian, etc... No Japaneese.

The core gameplay is fun and a new twist for tese types of games. the three stances, combined with three types of attacks, blocks and counters is brill.

Something I noticed was that after you unsheathe and start fighting with the heavenly sword, the game shows some odd character animation bugs, especially during combos.

If you hold L1 you are in the light stance, you swing your pieces of the HS around on long chains ala Kratos except you dont do alot of damage...when in this stance and not pressing attacks, you can block ranged enemy attacks such as arrows.

if you dont hold a trigger you are in a normal stance and do medium damage, can block melee attacks by standing still, and have medium counters.

Holding right triggger puts you in fierce stance - you slowly swing the heavenly sword around 2 handed style but do alot of cleaving damage...when in this stance you can block heavy enemy attacks....

so fo course the new twist is switching stances as needed.

I still dont like those shooting parts - but I havent see too many of them.

My opinion on the GFX has gone up slightly - id say they are now a "mixed bag" instead of mediocre. The cutscenes are in game engine stuff and as such things like the character faxes look great - some of the clothing textures can look bad at times.

The biggest crime of the GFX IMO is the flickering $0.05 shadows....beautiful scenes are ruined by these flickering beasts.....