• 14Aug 09

  A Bunch of Updates!

  First, I'd like to welcome the newest addition to my game collection, Okami for the Wii. Those that have followed my blog may know that Okami for the PS2 is one of my favorite games of all time, let alone last generation. I purchased the PS2 version first day back on September 19th 2006. I played the Wii version via Gamefly when it was released in April of 2008. With a lull in the game release schedule and a few Gamely dollars burning a hole in my pocket, I picked up the updated version to add to my collection. With the updated visuals and especially the widescreen support, the Wii version edges out the PS2 version and takes a place up at the top of my favorite games of all time.

  
  Some of the best gaming you will find anywhere.

  I'd also like to share with you a couple of scans Capcom sent to Okami fans in late 2008. This was a cover art replacement program because the original had a watermark from a non-Capcom website (tisk-tisk). I'd like to get these framed as they are just beautiful and really capture all that is great about the art and feel of Okami.

  
  Okami for the Wii alternate cover art.

  
  Okami for the Wii alternate cover art.

  Turning my attention to the PS3, there have been a few interesting updates both with the system and the PlayStation website. You've all heard about the rumored PS3 Slim so I won't talk about that, instead, I'll highlight the new PS Portable ID. Sony's answer to the Xbox Gamertag, the Portable ID shows your username and trophy progress. This is one of a bunch of new features added to the trophy section of the PlayStation website. See my most current ID below. Hopefully, GameSpot will add support for the Portable ID on the right sidebar just like the Xbox Gamertag.

  
  My PlayStation Portable ID.

  Speaking of Xbox, I earned a few new achievements this past week, representing an end-game of sorts to two completely different titles. The first achievement is the The Champ Is Here achievement from Fight Night Round 4 worth 40 GP. It was unlocked when I won my first title (defeating Mike Tyson no less). I had enough boxing by that point (over 50 fights) so I sent that game back after earning that little sliver of accomplishment. The second achievement is Epic Conclusion from Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planswalkers also worth 40 GP. It was earned by beating all incarnations of the Planeswalkers in the game. Not bad!

  
  The Champ Is Here and Epic Conclusion.

  Thanks for sticking through to the end of that long blog gentle readers. Hope all is well! Talk to you soon.

  • Posted Aug 14, 2009 7:28 pm GMT
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• 5Aug 09

  Hard-Earned Trophies Part 2

  Back on the hunt again, this time Killzone 2 was the game of choice for my "Hard-Earned Trophy". This past week, I had some free time to game and it so happened that Kilzone 2 has 4 trophies that need a weeks worth of dedication to earn. Every Sunday, 8pm Eastern, the Killzone 2 weekly multiplayer leaderboard stats reset. For the next 168 hours, you must compete with roughly 140,000 other people to be the cream of the crop in Killzone 2's multiplayer world.

  Trophies are earned for placing in the top 10, 6, 3 and 1% of the leaderboard (by users). This past week, I earned the Valor Citation trophy for placing in the top 10%.

  

  Along with this trophy, you get a few neat additions to your rank and username on the Killzone 2 leaderboards. My rank icon, located next to my username is now framed with a grey ribbon, indicating I have earned a top 10% ribbon. Also, your rank page shows the ribbon but larger with a text description of the honor.

  

  I poured about 10 hours of time into this trophy and if it wasn't for a week night get together with my buddies and a long weekend out of town, I probably could have reached the top 3%! Oh Well, there is always next week!

  ---------------------------------

  • Posted Aug 5, 2009 10:11 am GMT
  • Category: Games
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• 22Jul 09

  Hard-Earned Trophy and Obscure Game Spotlight

  Still going strong playing MLB '09: The Show and all my hard work has payed with a great trophy! Last night, I unlocked the bronze trophy "Shut 'em out" with a complete game from John Smoltz (5-1) as the Red Sox defeat the Orioles 4-0 at Camden Yards.

  

  There are two factors that make this trophy difficult to unlock. First, it must be a complete game shutout, not a combined effort including the bullpen. The cpu it quite good at fouling off tough pitches resulting in 7, 8 and 9 pitch at-bats which add up and deplete your starters energy. A low energy rating makes your starter more susceptible to laying in a meatball for the opposing batter. Secondly, this trophy must be done on the All-Star difficulty. At this difficulty level, it is not uncommon for the cpu to be able to string together a walk, SB and hit or jack one out of the park on a fastball that missed its location. Taking both those factors into account, I am proud of earning the "Shut 'em out" trophy.

  As for the second part of the above blog title, I'd like to draw some attention to the game Half-Minute Hero for the PSP. In this game, you play as four different characters with intertwined story arcs in a quest to save the world. The catch is that you have 30 seconds per quest to level up, accomplish whatever task is put forth to you and defeat the enemy. Watch some footage and you'll see what I mean.

  

  Any trophies and/or achievements you've recently unlocked and are proud of? Any low flying games you would like to spotlight for the GameSpot community?

  • Posted Jul 22, 2009 7:23 am GMT
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