Well, this has been quite the week for the consoles, hm? I'm going to be a little lazy today and not attach links where I probably should. You're just going to have to take my word for it and the Google/ Bing it your own friggin' self. :D
My little freak out for this week? The fact that next year will see the birth of the successor to the...
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Top Five - Video Game Lessons Edition
A silly one: the top five lessons I've learned from video games!
5. Heal Death at the Local Inn -
Okay, it's a little exaggerated, but there is some truth to this. The more stress you have the weaker your immune system becomes. Sometimes, rest is the best medicine. And you thought staying at the inn was just to boost the in-game economy!
Okay, it's a little exaggerated, but there is some truth to this. The more stress you have the weaker your immune system becomes. Sometimes, rest is the best medicine. And you thought staying at the inn was just to boost the in-game economy!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Top Five - Video Game Power Couples Edition
Ah, video game couples! Like Hollywood couples but not entirely useless! Who gives a fuck about Brangelina when there's Meach? This top five is about my favorite couples in video game history: whether because their romances were truly touching or unintentionally funny, they all deserve a spot...
5. Mario and Peach -
This one has to make the list; not by default, but because it deserves it. You might think that this pairing is shallow and you'd be completely right. Of course nobody is expecting depth from a Super Mario story! Why would they? It's the gameplay that sells Mario titles (as it should be). But how many times has Mario saved Peach from doom even though we all know she doesn't put out for him? Yeah, this pairing has fueled some of the best video games ever made. See, you might argue that Super Mario is a game about stomping mushrooms and ridding the universe of some bad guy who has nothing better to do than try to outdo Godzilla as Japan's most well known anthropomorphic lizard...turtle...erm...thing... <_<
This one has to make the list; not by default, but because it deserves it. You might think that this pairing is shallow and you'd be completely right. Of course nobody is expecting depth from a Super Mario story! Why would they? It's the gameplay that sells Mario titles (as it should be). But how many times has Mario saved Peach from doom even though we all know she doesn't put out for him? Yeah, this pairing has fueled some of the best video games ever made. See, you might argue that Super Mario is a game about stomping mushrooms and ridding the universe of some bad guy who has nothing better to do than try to outdo Godzilla as Japan's most well known anthropomorphic lizard...turtle...erm...thing... <_<
Top Five - Video Game Songs Edition
A short, but good one: my top five songs in video games up to now. Believe me, it was hard choosing just five considering just how good gaming music is. Seriously, the official soundtrack for Jet Set Radio Future is better than 99% of everything playing on American radio today. But I digress! Let's talk favorite video game songs...
5. "Kingdom of Ixa'Taka" from Skies of Arcadia -
The entire soundtrack from Skies of Arcadia is fantastic, but if I had to pick one song from such long list, the theme to Ixa'Taka would definitely be it. I'm a huge fan of Mesoamerica; that's why my major is anthropology, so this theme is like a dream come true for me. Just like the highest rated comment on that video states, I used to linger in this area of the game for hours just to listen to the song. This song is fun, adventurous, mysterious, and fascinating all at once: it's a perfect example of the entire theme and style of Skies of Arcadia condensed to a single piece of music.
The entire soundtrack from Skies of Arcadia is fantastic, but if I had to pick one song from such long list, the theme to Ixa'Taka would definitely be it. I'm a huge fan of Mesoamerica; that's why my major is anthropology, so this theme is like a dream come true for me. Just like the highest rated comment on that video states, I used to linger in this area of the game for hours just to listen to the song. This song is fun, adventurous, mysterious, and fascinating all at once: it's a perfect example of the entire theme and style of Skies of Arcadia condensed to a single piece of music.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Top Five - "Favorite Worlds to Get Lost In" Edition
Something I think developers don't get is that the enjoyment of video games comes not just from the challenges and the fun, but also from entering a different world that could not otherwise be possible in real life. One thing that really kills games for me, for example, is backtracking: needless backtracking means less variety, less of a world to explore, less to get lost in. It's one the many reason why games like Metroid Prime, a first person adventure, seems lacking to me. So this article is to discuss good, well made, beautifully detailed worlds that create the necessary atmosphere to allow a player to walk into something completely different and all the while exciting.
Hope you enjoy!
5. The Old West from Red Dead Redemption -
I hate Rockstar. I will admit it right here and right now. I hate them because Grand Theft Auto is one of the most overrated P.o.S. game series ever created, and frankly only sold because of a ridiculous amount of violence. But for what it's worth, if it hadn't existed, I might have never gotten the chance to experience Red Dead Redemption. RDR is a huge leap forward for the company, because it implements things that should have been part of their work for years. But most importantly, it captures an amazing atmosphere, not holding back on the difficulties, size, and beauty of the Wild Wild West. It's an experience like no other in gaming, and that's what makes it so amazing. Using the sandbox style to do a mafia theme is not awful, but unimaginative. Using it to recreate the entire Old West (and parts of Mexico) is beyond fuckin' cool.
Hope you enjoy!
I hate Rockstar. I will admit it right here and right now. I hate them because Grand Theft Auto is one of the most overrated P.o.S. game series ever created, and frankly only sold because of a ridiculous amount of violence. But for what it's worth, if it hadn't existed, I might have never gotten the chance to experience Red Dead Redemption. RDR is a huge leap forward for the company, because it implements things that should have been part of their work for years. But most importantly, it captures an amazing atmosphere, not holding back on the difficulties, size, and beauty of the Wild Wild West. It's an experience like no other in gaming, and that's what makes it so amazing. Using the sandbox style to do a mafia theme is not awful, but unimaginative. Using it to recreate the entire Old West (and parts of Mexico) is beyond fuckin' cool.
Top Five - Most Anticipated Edition
A very personal top five (as will my next article be); more or less, these are my top five most anticipated games currently on the release horizon.
Hope you like!
5. Deus Ex Human Revolution -
Time to admit something: I have never played the original Deus Ex and I never played Invisible War either. I know, I know: I bow my head down in shame at this fact. But the truth is that I have never been much of a PC gamer; unfortunately, I grew up a bit poor so I didn't really have funds to afford a really good gaming PC. It hasn't been until lately, thanks to a decent laptop and a boyfriend who is a PC-building-genius that I've been able to really get into it. I feel like I sort of missed out on a lot of really great games because of it, and unfortunately, the original Deus Ex is part of that list. There's very few older PC games that I can go back to today (like Grim Fandago). There was, of course, Invisible War, which was on the original Xbox, but I heard pretty lackluster stories about it and I decided to save my money for other games instead. So that's my life story! Back on topic: as soon as I heard that there was going to be a new Deus Ex I decided to keep up with it. I watched the gameplay trailer recently and it really got me.
Hope you like!
Time to admit something: I have never played the original Deus Ex and I never played Invisible War either. I know, I know: I bow my head down in shame at this fact. But the truth is that I have never been much of a PC gamer; unfortunately, I grew up a bit poor so I didn't really have funds to afford a really good gaming PC. It hasn't been until lately, thanks to a decent laptop and a boyfriend who is a PC-building-genius that I've been able to really get into it. I feel like I sort of missed out on a lot of really great games because of it, and unfortunately, the original Deus Ex is part of that list. There's very few older PC games that I can go back to today (like Grim Fandago). There was, of course, Invisible War, which was on the original Xbox, but I heard pretty lackluster stories about it and I decided to save my money for other games instead. So that's my life story! Back on topic: as soon as I heard that there was going to be a new Deus Ex I decided to keep up with it. I watched the gameplay trailer recently and it really got me.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Frazzled Friday
You know that point when your body hates you so much for something you did to it that you think you're that much closer to death? Yeah, that's me right now but how have you been?
Spring and its pollen is in the air, do you feel it? Finals are ruining the minds of young people, kids are on spring break, and we shall be celebrating one of the most colorful undead holidays of the year: Zombie Jesus Day! Do you have any plans to sneak out and find all the hidden candy at the parks to overeat and spew out just as many colors? Oh. Well then, me neither. >_> ... <_<
Spring and its pollen is in the air, do you feel it? Finals are ruining the minds of young people, kids are on spring break, and we shall be celebrating one of the most colorful undead holidays of the year: Zombie Jesus Day! Do you have any plans to sneak out and find all the hidden candy at the parks to overeat and spew out just as many colors? Oh. Well then, me neither. >_> ... <_<
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Top Five - Most Underrated Sequels Edition
Sequels. That's pretty much what a lot of developers in the gaming industry feed from, and can you really blame them? If I made millions of dollars from a game and had a clamoring fanbase begging me to take its money, I'm sure I'd happily oblige too. The problem is that sequels can pretty much go either way: they can be better than the original games or much, much worse. But what about those sequels that are legitimately good yet get a bad reputation? This blog entry is to discuss these games: the most underrated sequels of all time.
Here I go!
5. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance -
This is one is definitely an underrated sequel-ish. It's kind of hard to classify this one, which is why it's not higher on the list, but it still deserves a spot. As a standalone game it's actually excellent, with only minor gripes here and there. Sure, the story won't win any accolades and the characters are very light in comparison to what Final Fantasy has become...but it works. Tactics Advance is actually a lot of fun and it's very well designed. The class system is excellent, often allowing for a mind boggling amount of customization of skills. The strategy involved in it is great and deep, and the overall package is just beautifully polished. It's a bit of an underrated gem for the Gameboy Advance, Final Fantasy Tactics name brand aside, often eclipsed by the fame of other excellent GBA games (like Metroid Fusion and Golden Sun). But don't let that fool you into thinking that it's anything if not excellent. If you are at all into strategy games, give this one a try; even by today's standards, its colorful graphics and art design still hold up really well and the gameplay doesn't disappoint.
Here I go!
This is one is definitely an underrated sequel-ish. It's kind of hard to classify this one, which is why it's not higher on the list, but it still deserves a spot. As a standalone game it's actually excellent, with only minor gripes here and there. Sure, the story won't win any accolades and the characters are very light in comparison to what Final Fantasy has become...but it works. Tactics Advance is actually a lot of fun and it's very well designed. The class system is excellent, often allowing for a mind boggling amount of customization of skills. The strategy involved in it is great and deep, and the overall package is just beautifully polished. It's a bit of an underrated gem for the Gameboy Advance, Final Fantasy Tactics name brand aside, often eclipsed by the fame of other excellent GBA games (like Metroid Fusion and Golden Sun). But don't let that fool you into thinking that it's anything if not excellent. If you are at all into strategy games, give this one a try; even by today's standards, its colorful graphics and art design still hold up really well and the gameplay doesn't disappoint.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Top Five - Overrated Games Edition (Volume II)
I've already done this one, but as I wrote the original list, about a million more overrated games came to mind. I figured it was worth a shot, so prepare to NERDRAGE as I go down my list of most overrated games ever for the second time (especially if you're a Playstation fan).
5. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune -
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has to be the most visually stunning game I have yet played. Everything about its presentation is flawless, from the animation of characters to the cinematic story telling. But that is also the reason why it makes it to this list. Take a moment and strip all the glitter off of Uncharted, and not just the first game, but the entire series; there isn't much left. The first Uncharted is a wildly overrated game that has, in a sense, become the new Final Fantasy VII. The graphics are so impressive that reviewers and gamers sometimes forget that the core gameplay is bland and even downright bad at times. Seriously, try platforming and watch Nathan jump from one platform to the next: the animations are all horribly canned and he basically auto-jumps, going as far as magically turning in mid-air to make absolutely sure you don't fail. It's painfully automatic. The battle system is improved in the second game, but it's still not quite on the level of some of the best over-the-shoulder shooting this generation has seen (Mass Effect 2 and Gears of War come to mind). But the improvements only help to show the problems of the original, because the shooting system in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is just wonky in general and more loose than a Lohan vagina.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has to be the most visually stunning game I have yet played. Everything about its presentation is flawless, from the animation of characters to the cinematic story telling. But that is also the reason why it makes it to this list. Take a moment and strip all the glitter off of Uncharted, and not just the first game, but the entire series; there isn't much left. The first Uncharted is a wildly overrated game that has, in a sense, become the new Final Fantasy VII. The graphics are so impressive that reviewers and gamers sometimes forget that the core gameplay is bland and even downright bad at times. Seriously, try platforming and watch Nathan jump from one platform to the next: the animations are all horribly canned and he basically auto-jumps, going as far as magically turning in mid-air to make absolutely sure you don't fail. It's painfully automatic. The battle system is improved in the second game, but it's still not quite on the level of some of the best over-the-shoulder shooting this generation has seen (Mass Effect 2 and Gears of War come to mind). But the improvements only help to show the problems of the original, because the shooting system in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is just wonky in general and more loose than a Lohan vagina.
Top Five - "Most Influential Modern Games" Edition
It's pretty easy to think of influential video games; most of the list would be composed of much older, 2D games that paved the way for the future. I figured that since we all know what those games are it would be more interesting to do a top five about the most influential games of modern times. So here goes nothing.
5. Resident Evil 4 (Various Platforms) -
This one makes the list without breaking a sweat. As much as I personally dislike it (because I'm old enough to remember the original Resident Evil games), I won't deny its quality and innovation. Capcom did something pretty incredible with Resident Evil 4 and it becomes more obvious with the passing years: the controller set-up and over-the-shoulder shooting has basically been ripped verbatim from this game for several of today's best. Uncharted, Gears of War, Dead Space, and even my beloved Mass Effect owe a great debt to Capcom's work with this one. It may not be my type of game, but you should give it a try anyway, at least to better understand how the gaming industry got a little bit further to where it is now.
This one makes the list without breaking a sweat. As much as I personally dislike it (because I'm old enough to remember the original Resident Evil games), I won't deny its quality and innovation. Capcom did something pretty incredible with Resident Evil 4 and it becomes more obvious with the passing years: the controller set-up and over-the-shoulder shooting has basically been ripped verbatim from this game for several of today's best. Uncharted, Gears of War, Dead Space, and even my beloved Mass Effect owe a great debt to Capcom's work with this one. It may not be my type of game, but you should give it a try anyway, at least to better understand how the gaming industry got a little bit further to where it is now.
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