Fahrenheit (2005): PlayStation 2 and X Box.

There have been very few point and click titles available in recent years due to the restrictive nature of the gameplay therein, so it’s refreshing to play a title like Fahrenheit where there are a huge number of options open to the player. Each choice you make affects the outcome of the ever-twisting narrative. Right from the outset the first thing that grabs you about Fahrenheit is the cinematic presentation. There’s a palpable feeling that you’re playing an interactive movie playing as the three central protagonists as you influence the direction the story takes. Initially you play as murderer on the run, Lucas Kane before controlling the two detectives investigating his case. It’s this dual perspective on the same story that provides the game’s fundamental hook: participating in both sides of a game of cat and mouse. Tightening the noose around your own neck one minute then attempting to elude what you’ve previously caused to transpire is an intriguing gameplay mechanic and one that is both fun and involving.
Fahrenheit is a deep, enjoyable gaming experience while it lasts, which unfortunately is only about a week’s worth of gameplay. There’s little replayability when you realise that upon a second play through the decisions you make actually have little added impact on the course of the narrative. You’re free to play the final chapters differently to view the multiple endings after which Fahrenheit is virtually exhausted. Nevertheless, Fahrenheit remains a superlative point and click adventure and breathes new life into a stale genre. The analogue system beats using a conventional cursor and stands as one of Fahrenheit’s most effective innovations- simply move the right stick to perform actions. However, the bemani-style stick twiddling sections quickly become a tiresome chore whilst simultaneously ruining cut scenes. Despite Fahrenheit’s shortcomings, the sheer scale and ambition on show make it hard not to love it anyway.

King Kong (2005, Ubisoft) PS2, XBox, XBox 360, GameCube and PC. (also available on Nintendo DS, Gameboy Advance and PSP).

Peter Jackson knew which creative bods to go to and knew exactly what he wanted when it came to adapting the interactive iteration of his blockbuster movie. Which is why Kong is absolutely spot-on in terms of its presentation, atmosphere and unparalleled visuals. Without any hint of hyperbole, it’s true that graphically Kong blows away most games available on current hardware; they’re really that good. You’ll take great pleasure in admiring your celebrity-faced team’s fully realised AI too. On the whole your teammates are pretty intelligent and resourceful with the exception of Jimmy and Mr. Hayes, the latter squealing for help like a lost child at any given opportunity. It’s unintentionally hilarious at times.
This being a first-person action game devoid of any on-screen furniture, you’re fully immersed in Skull Island’s primitive jungle surroundings. This is further enhanced by the island’s own unique ecosystem that would have David Attenbrough getting hot under the collar. The accompanying soundscape is exceptional too.
Combat mainly involves chucking spears and pointy bones, which are found dotted around frequently. Guns are satisfyingly beefy to handle, but it’s spears that you’ll come to rely upon. You’ll need them to burn away obstructive thorn bushes and impale marauding monsters, which happens to be the game’s central objective. There’s are a lot of undergrowth to be burnt in order to progress and it’s not long before a slight feeling of repetition starts to creep in.
Sections that have you playing Kong are interspersed into the narrative and manage to stave off this repetition slightly. These mainly involve swinging around like a hairy, 25-foot Prince of Persia squishing tiny natives and kicking dino arse along the way. Overall, Kong the game is a satisfying journey, which despite its brevity is still one you’d be bananas not to embark upon.

Welcome!

heterogeneous adj 1 comprised of unrelated parts. 2 not of the same type.
shed n 1 a small building or lean-to of light construction used for storage, shelter etc. 2 you get the idea...

Welcome to the Heterogeneous Shed. This blog sets out not only to be the worst named but also the best for games, movies and that.

In case you're wondering about the name, it's an obscure reference to a note that I made in a Film Studies lecture about the movie My Own Private Idaho. There's a scene where a shed falls from the sky and shatters into splinters in the middle of the road. Apparently, the lecturer explained that this was a heterogeneous shed, whatever that means. I always thought it sounded like a good name for a band, but since I don't have one and never will as I'm unable to play even the triangle competently it'll do for a blog that no one will ever read.
Anyway, the aim of this blog is to post funny and informative articles on games, movies, music and other guff and gubbins. Reviews, comments and a bit of misty-eyed nostalgia will be the order of the day. Any comments good or bad welcome. Enjoy.