• 30Dec 09

  The Holiday Haul

  So, Christmas is over, and everyone has about a week of vacation left to enjoy what they got for Christmas. What did I get? Well, I am glad you asked.

  As many of you know, I bought a PS3, but I only had $200 saved up for one. As my Christmas present, my parents paid for the other $100. Well, then ended up spending over $200 on my sister, so they felt bad they only spent $100 on me. In the end, my dad offered to buy me another game. I couldn't refuse.

  So, from my Parents: Uncharted 2 for the PS3

  

  From my Sister: Rune Factory: Frontier for the Wii

  

  From my Grandparents: Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the DS

  

  From my Aunt: Electroplankton for the DS

  

  Uncle: A second PS3 controller

  

  ~Disclaimer: Unfortuneatley, my controller does not look like that.

  I haven't started the story mode of Uncharted 2 yet, but I played a couple of online matches, and it was sweet. I have put a pretty good dent in Infamous (which came with my PS3) and I like it alot so far. I have really just started Rune Factory, but I love, love, love it so far. Definetly gonna be playing that one for a while. As far as Spirit Tracks, that really wasn't high up on my list of games. I know its great, and I love Zelda games, but there are so many other games I want to play first, so that one might collect a little dust.

  Some of you may have never heard of Electroplankton. It was a luanch title (although you can hardly call it that) for the DS. It was really meant to showcase the touch screen abilities of Nintendo's "Dual Screen" system, but nevertheless, they sold it as a game for a short while. A very short while. So, after a long, long time of searching for it, I gave up. Luckily for me, my Aunt has skillz, and she dug it up on the interwebz for me. Oh yah, almost forgot, Electroplankton is an odd music creation game where you manipulate wild little plankton in eccentric evironments in order to create music. Sound weird? It is. But I can't wait to waste some time on that one.

  So, what do I do with the $50 I have from Christmas? I have a couple things I would like to do with it.

  1. Buy Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) and The World Ends With You (DS).

  

  I would play Valkyria Chronicles right away, and save TWEWY for when I finish Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. Valkyria and TWEWY are both games I want really bad, so since I can get both for $50, thats really appealing.

  2. Buy Demon's Souls (PS3).

  

  Another super hard RPG from Atlus, Demon's Souls looks absolutely amazing. I want that game very, very bad, but that would take all my money and then some.

  3. Buy a PS3 headset.

  

  I really don't like talking to people that much online...at all. People are inherently dumb, and there is nothing worse then listening to a nine year old curse at you. But I have some really good friends who own a PS3, so I would like to be able to talk to them. So, I dunno, maybe a headset (but not a madcatz one! Avoid this at all cost).

  4. Save it for an airsoft sniper rifle.

  

  I have really been getting into airsoft lately, it is alot of fun. I love the rifle I have, but a sniper rifle would be sweeeet. So I might start saving for one. The one I want runs about $120-$135, so it would take a while of saving.

  5. Get a PlayStation Store card and buy two downloadable games: Flower and Fat Princess.

  

  I played that Fat Princess demo and it was really fun (and crazy). Flower looks like alot of fun as well.

  There are alot of choices there, so at this point I am not sure which I am going to buy. What do you guys think? Thanks.

  Also, what all did you guys get for Christmas? I know more than half the people on my PS3 friends list got Uncharted 2 .

  Well, hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

  -Peace.

  (PS: For everyone reading this who has a PS3, you can now download the MAG public beta client under the "New Realeases" in the PlayStation store. The beta is active on the 4th. Can' wait!)

  • Posted Dec 30, 2009 10:42 am GMT
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• 22Dec 09

  Merry Christmas! , Rune Factory Frontier, Lucky Star, and other random updates.

  ~Merry Christmas!!!~

  (Ok, so its not Christmas yet, but it is only three days away, so I might as well!)

  Well, I keep coming up with ideas for blogs faster than I can write them, and when I sit down to write them, I never feel like it. So yah, I have been putting off blogging for a while. Well, now that I have time, I really don't feel like writing a serious article, so I am just going to do some updates and talk to you guys. Don't worry, my blog about MW2 I promised is still a comin'.

  So, I managed to talk my sister into giving me my Christmas gift from her early, and it was exactly what I thought it was going to be: "Rune Factory: Frontier". I loveee this game! If you hadn't heard of it, Rune Factory is the same idea as Harvest Moon. Haven't heard of Harvest Moon? Well...its a farming/life simulator...stop staring at me!!! Lol, I know it sounds dumb, but for anyone who has played one, you know how addicting it is. Rune Factory is no different. Well, in a way, it is. Its the same in that it is very addictive, but the feel of the game is different. About 1/3 of what characters say is voice acted, and voice acted well, the cutscenes are done in a superb anime-vibe and there is alot of great, subtle humor in the game. Example: You go up to a window, which is not see-through (obviously because the developers don't want to render what is outside the window). When you observe the window, your character says, "Why can't I see through this window?!?"..."Oh, I know, it must be because it is frosted glass!" Example 2: When you start the game and name your farm, Mist (your neighbor) says, "Wow, what a fitting name!". Your character responds, "Yah, I got the feeling you were gonna say that no matter what I named it..."Lolz, simple, but very amusing. The game loves to poke fun at itself.

  So, can Rune Factory top my favorite Harvets Moon ever, "Friends of Mineral Town" for the GBA? Maybe. There are alot of RPG elements infused into this game that Harvest Moon lacked, such as a level for every specific skill you have (a farming level, cooking level, forging level, fighting level, fishing level,and so on).This game is shaping up to be a real timer eater. I like it when my time is eaten.

  

  ~At least 80 hours of my life I will never get back right there

  Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. I don't want to talk to much about this game, because I am going to write a whole blog about it once I complete it. Suffice it to say, this game is outstanding. RPGs are probably...no, are my favorite genre of games, and I have played my fair share of them. This game stands out among the crowd.Saying it's the best RPG I have ever played would be saying quite alot. So is it the best RPG I have ever played? We will save that for later musings. ^__^

  I am pretty far into the game, so you shouldn't have to wait to long for that SMT specific blog. Then again, maybe you will. This game is very difficult, and the difficulty has only be ramping up now that I am about halfway through the fifth day (7 days being the end of the game for some reason I have yet to uncover). But, man, does this game give you an emotional attachement to characters. There is alot of text in this game, but its not because of the textthat it reminds me of a book. It reminds me of a book because of the emotional attachment it makes between you and the characters, because of the character development, and because of the intricate, wild, yet well formulated plot. Which leads me to my next point:

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*SPOILER ALERT*~*~*~*~*~*~*

  ---(FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN"T PLAYED OR HAVEN"T GOTTEN TO THE FIFTH DAY, SKIP AHEAD)---

  I can't believe it, I can't believe I killed Mari!!! Sure, she isn't a central character, but she was still important and likable. Who knew she would become so involved in the plot? And I could have so easily saved. her. V___V All I had to do was spend a little less time with Gin and Haru, and I would have had what she needed delivered to her! Now Kaido is depressed and Keisuke is all messed up, and Mari is gone forver. Bah, I still can't believe I got her killed....

  *~*~*~*~*~*~*~SPOILER ALERT END~*~*~*~*~*~*~

  I started playing Geometry Wars: Galaxies for my DS again as well. Fun game. After spending hours getting my hiney wooped by computers smarter than I am on Shin Megami Tensei, it felt good to mindlessly blast away at enemies on Geometry Wars. If anyone is looking for a great hand held arcade-like game, pick up either Big Bang Mini or Geometry Wars: Galaxies. There is not alot to Geometry Wars, but it is fun in its own right. Don't pay more than $20 for it though. I payed $30, and IMO, its not worth that much.

  Oh, and I just saw James Cameron's Avatar at the theater! Wow, awesome movie. Although there were a couple of hiccups here and there, all together it flowed well and the action was great. CGI was insane, and I couldn't believe the blue people weren't actually actors. Crazy stuff this technology is. So yah, if you haven't seen Avatar and are even a remote fan of action movies, then you gotta see it on the big screen! Not a big fan of action films? This is still one you don't wan't to miss, so rent it when it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Speaking of Blu-Ray, can't wait to see that movie in Blu-Ray *drools*.

  I recently started watching a new anime: Lucky Star. I can't quite describe this anime. Technicaly, its an anime with no plot that follows a couple characters in high school through everyday events, deriving its laughs from situational humor, randmomness, and anime referneces. In less technical talk: It is the most awesome, boringest, hilarious anime ever. If you don't have patience, this one isn't for you. Laughs are not constant, not even remotely. But when a joke does come, its down right hilarious. Usually you won't be in stitches, just a big smile. But it seems thats what this show wants to do, make you smile. And boy does it. I don't get half the anime references in that show, but when I do get one, its hilarious. I can't imagine how much more enjoyable this show would be if I got more of the references. This show caters to a perticular brand of humor though (mainly randomness), so its probably not for everyone. But when Konata actually said "screech" as she came to a halt, I knew this anime was for me. I have seen 18 episodes, and I can't eat them up fast enough. Oh yah, one last little note: there was even two different "Twenty-Four" references in the anime. Do the Japanese like that show or something? Anyways, great stuff.

  

  ~Lolz, Konata is hilarious ^o^

  So the last part of my blog got cut off last time, so lets try re-writing it.

  Only 3 days until I can play my PS3!!! Woot! I originally planned on playing Infamous first (which I already own) and then playing Uncharted 2 (which I am getting for Christmas), but I dunno, plans might change. I really want to Co-op on Uncharted 2 with DMLSLAT and LozzyRoxx, so I might end up playing uncharted 2 first. Who knows.

  After I complete Infamous and Uncharted 2, I am either going to buy Valkyria Chronicles or Demon's Souls. I am leaning towards Valkyria Chronicles because I miss good old Fire Emblem. But, at the same time, Demon's Souls is supposed to be amazing and very difficult. I wouldn't expect anything less from Atlus, so I really want that game badly as well. Once again, who knows. We will see what happens, since I also want to buy Flower and possibly Fat Princess of the PlayStation Store.

  Seems like I had moe to say...oh well, until next time!

  • Posted Dec 22, 2009 9:46 pm GMT
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• 13Dec 09

  My Choice for Game of The Year (and Runner-ups)

  ~Well, I haven't written a blog in a while. I started to write this about three days ago, but when I was halfway throughI left the computer for a break and my momclosed the window I was writing in. : / Oh well, Lets try this again.

  Its that time of year, game awards are being handed out, and the most prestigeous of all is on the line. "Game of The Year" (GOTY). Everyone has their opinions of who will win and why, so hereare mine, plus some of the games that were close, but not quite close enough, the Runner-Ups. I will Start with the Runner-Ups.

  Runner-Ups:

  Runner Up 1: Infamous:

  

  ~Face it, you will never be as cool as Cole

  I am sure I won't have many arguments here. Sucker Punch, the developers of Sly Cooper, are back at it again with yet another awesome game: Infamous. An open-world sandbox game with two storylines dependent upon the players moral choices, Infamous is big, engrossing, and unforgetable. The story is told through artsy comic-booklike cutscenes that are very unique. Solid controls and an awesome climbing system that makes spider-man games pea themselvescombined withan ever growing arsenal of electric powers rounds out this awesome package. This is what Prototype wishes it was. :p

  Runner-Up 2: Batman

  

  ~A Batman game thats good? Wow, thats a good idea..

  Batman: Arkham Asylum captures what it is to be Batman. Your not bullet-proof, shadows don't make you completely dissapear (You listening, Tom Clancy?), and stealth is the name of the game. Steath and gadgets. And puzzles. And fighting..ok, there is alot in this game. The stealth element is perfectly executed, from the tense mission and challenges, to the worried expressions of badies as they watch there fellow henchmen picked off. And when yourcover is broken, and awesome-but simple-combo based fighting system makes you look as skilled as any choreography in a big-budget batman movie. This, combined with a sick skill upgrading (a la an RPG), a sick time-attack tyoe mode, and sick puzzles, makes for an awesome game, even for people who aren't remotely fans of Batman...or super heros in general.

  Runner-Up 3: Little Big Planet

  

  ~Sackboy, Love him or your heartless

  Little Big Planet is quiet possibly the new face of Sony. Too bold of a statement, you say? Ok, here is this: Little Big Planet is Sony's Mario. This thing may be simple, but it has such undeniable charm, it will win your heart. Although the platforming is simple (hey, 2.5D is still more than Super Mario Bros can boast!), the gameplay is made fun by whimsical levels saturated with boisterous, unbounded creativity and amusing gameplay mechanics (not to mention the awesome physics engine). Even though the campaign is short, multiplayer is rowdy and hilarious; it has the potential to steal alot of your time. But what really makes this game is user-generated content and the endless levels of customizing. Beat the campaign and played-out multiplayer? Customize sack-boy beyond reason and play a plethora of levels created by other Little Big Planet users. None of them good enough for you? Make your own. The level designer is in-depth and complex, but well worth your time. If you have a PS3, don't miss this game.

  Runner-Up 4: Demon's Souls

  

  ~You will look like him by the time your done with this game

  Demon's Souls is a punishingly hard, highly satisfying, way huge RPG. But, would you expect anything else From Atlus? Oh, and my love of Atlus has nothing at all to do with this game making it in the runner-up section. There have been alot of good RPGs on consoles lately, and suprisingly alot of good western RPGs. Elder Scrols: Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Dragon Age: Origins are all great games. But lets face it, no one does RPGS like the Japs, and since its Atlus, you can expect three things: Its long, its really difficult, and it has an awesome story-line. Now, some of you western gamers (oh wait...I am a western gamer...) don't care for super hard games, but the Japs know how its done. This is no Assasin's Creed 2, its gonna take a while to beat. But don't worry, your gonna have alot of stuff to do during your stay. Life-like, voice acted characters and a vast land to explore in a non-linear fashion mean you will keep coming back.

  Runner-Up 5:Killzone 2

  

  ~What Halo wishes it was, and what Halo will never be

  After the first Killzone game was met with lackluster response, Sony knew they would have to up the ante next time around in order to beat Halo. Boy, did they do it. Killzone 2 has amazing, drool inducing graphics, a kickin'campaign, and a social-life destroying online multiplayer. Like I said, the campaign is cool, but online is where its at. Awesome levels (with many more available through DLC), crazy cool weapons, an array of game types, andtons of ranks to climb all add up to an awesome experience. The dark, gritty, almost deisel-punk look of the game is oh-so right, and the sound is brutal. Overal, this game is brutal. Notridiculously bloody to a comical extent, like Gears of War, but just plain brutal in the way the weapons work (one gun impales people, sticking them to nearby walls before detonating inside its victim), the animations whenenemies die (blood is overly thick and quite abundant), and the superb sound thatimmerses you in the game(hyper-believable guns sounds and the quite audible indicator that your enemies make when downed). Best shooter ever? No, probably not. Bestfuturistic shooter you can buy this generation? Most certainly.

  P.S.: The inventor of Halo was having a vivid dream that he was playing what he wished Halo was. It was amazing,just like he had envisionedHalobefore it wasactually time to design it. With a start, he woke-up. He lookeddown and noticed a PS3 controller in his hands. Upon looking up,he realized Killzone 2was on the TV screen. He had been playing what he wished Halo was! It just went by a different name, "Killzone 2".

  Ok, now for what you all have been waiting for with baited breath (lol), my pick for Game of The Year.

  VXLBeast's Pick for "Game of The Year" goes to:

  Drake's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

  

  ~Keep hanging Drake, we want Uncharted 3!!!

  Was there really any competition? Ok, so there was alot of competition. But Uncharted 2 is really a diamond among rubies, saphires, and emeralds. Uncharted 2 achieves a new level of video games immersion, pulling you into the action like no other gamebefore it. It is hard to focus on any single part, as the game is overall so outstanding. The awesome platforming sections, the intense gun fights, the great camera that stays trueeven in tricky hand to hand combat, the mind-bending puzzles, the superb voice acting and dialogue, theawesome story that can pull off being serious and hilarious and realistic and outrageous and light-hearted and emotional without breaking a sweat, the splendid graphics (easily the best of anyconsole game so far) with vivid, disturbingly real environments and near photorealistic character animation, the awesome cover system,and the addicting and enthralling online play, to name a few. It seems like every singleaspect of this game was executed with unheard of precision. All the cool stuff that shows up in othervideo gamesas cut scenes you actuallyplay in this game.One personwrote a blog about his impressions of the game.He was so mesmerized by every apsect of it that it made him ponder about the day that video games could become the standard media,advancing to the pointwhere they wereconsidered interactive movie experiences more than time-wasters for kids. Some of have even gone so far as to call it the downright best game ever made? So, does it threaten the throne of Legend ofZelda: Ocarina of Time? Although I don't believe Zelda's crown has been taken yet, it is interesting to see that it is possible to get close.

  And so, for those reasons and much, much more, Drake's Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is my pick for "Game of The Year". Go out an pick up a copy today, and happy gaming to you!

  P.S: You will notice I mentioned nothing of Modern Warfare2, or Modern Warfare 1.5 as I call it. I wrote a large paragraph explainging why I didn't even give it a runner up award, but decided to remove it because it didn't fit very well with the subject matter. Stay tuned and I willre-post that paragraph as a seperate blog.

  As always, thanks for reading!

  • Posted Dec 13, 2009 5:32 pm GMT
  • Category: Editorial
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