Monday Madness?
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This is going to be a big madness. Due to recent excitement, we’ve got to catch up three weeks worth.
GAME: Gamers With Jobs featured a game a while back called Ether Cannon. It’s Asteroids with pretty visuals, concussion visuals.
PICS: Ever heard of the website PostSecret? Gamers With Jobs (again) started the same thing with games. The Teamfortress 2 pyro is my favorite. Post 1. Post 2.
GAME: Luminara, a much better take on Asteroids—much better. Now with trippy visuals, excellent controls, and a catchy soundtrack.
GAME: Do you like the Civilization games? Then you’ll love this FREE, dumbed-down, web-based version. Call it Ikariam. I’ll be sharing the server I’m on eventually.
PICS: Somebody took some screencaps of Metroid Prime 3 and made them 3D. I’ve got some glasses and I’ll admit: awesome. Thanks, Kotaku.
GAME: Audiosurf has recently added some new features. Why do I keep coming back to this game? Oh, yeah, because of allowing me to use my own songs. I don’t have to pay for each and every new song. Zing?
VIDEO: I usually cannot stand watching sportcasters, but somebody at TNT is teh phunny.
GAME: Zombies. That’s all I’m going to say. The Last Stand gets a sequel.
GAME: 1up has the first footage of Gears of War 2. Can you say $60 expansion pack? Sure you can.
GAME: Make your own Ouendan (Elite Beat Agents) clone for the PC. They’ve got video. N-E-A-T.
PICS: Warning! LEGO! I have two excellent posts. These guys have skills we should all have: the Germinated Ruby and the works of Izzo.
Well, the post was not as large as I thought after I weeded out some links I’d like to dedicate time for their own posts.
A Reason for All the Perfect Scores?
I’ve not had one viable reason to trust the reviews from the big boys when it comes to GTAIV. Recently, I came across this: something from somebody I trust—a person who actually used to be with the big boys.
The story is what I came to see. And I’m having trouble putting my feelings for this game’s story into words right now. I’ll spare you the fumbling and just say that it’s probably the greatest game story of all time, both in content and how it’s integrated into the rest of the game.
I’m curious as to what others (even here) may say about the storyline. This statement comes from a guy who plays games for a living—a lot of games. If it’s a tale of redemption, I will be greatly impressed. However, if the story is so brilliant, how come almost none of the reviews mention how excellent plot is?
In [Nat's] Hands: FFVII:Crisis Core and Okami
I am torn. As hard as I try, I cannot play two games at once.
I’ve only played one Final Fantasy game all the way through. In fact, I played it to almost 100% completion. That’s not entirely true. In college, my PSOne was powered on for a single semester. It played one game the entire time: Final Fantasy VII. There were six of us who would play off the same saved game file. We did everything. Everything. It’s probably one of the fondest gaming memories I’ll ever have. Sometimes, we’ll still chat about it through email.
I’m not a big Final Fantasy fan. I’ve played the aforementioned title and I’ve played FFIX. See, it’s never really a final fantasy. They just keep making more. Actually, I’m more of a chrono-guy.
That’s my setup. Here’s my reveal.
On a whim (I allow myself two “whims” a year) I picked up FFVII: Crisis Core for the PSP. Simply put, this title is currently my PSP Game of the Year. I cannot get enough of it. It’s one of those titles that just hooks you and you never really know why. Maybe it’s the excellent story and presentation, maybe it’s the best cinematic cutscenes of any game I’ve seen, or maybe it’s all the great references to the original game? (Better yet, this game is a prequel and it still has future references).
This game has enveloped me so deep that I want Zack to be Cloud in the FFVII game. The character progression and growth is written in such a way that you don’t even realize it’s happening until you go remember back to where you started.
Now there is a fault. I hate, HATE, HATE the DMW. It’s basically a slot machine that you have no control over that interrupts combat sequences. It’ll occasionally level your character up and toss some bonuses your way. It’ll constantly break the flow of excitement during battle. Necessary? No.
If I was to rate this game, I’d give it a 10. The DMW (I keep wanting to say DMV) makes it an 8. Harsh? Yes. However, Square Enix have been making excellent games for almost 20 years. They should know better.
A week ago I picked up Okami for the Wii. Roger Ebert knows nothing when it comes to games—maybe even art. This game is art in motion, a moving picture worth ten thousand words, a watercolor that doesn’t fade, a…well, you get the idea. Be ready to read as well. A lot. However, it’s all excellent.
I’m only one hour in to the game and it’s been the most unique hour of gaming I’ve ever experienced. How do I describe it? You’re a goddess who has been reincarnated as a white wolf. You mist rid the land of darkness and bring it back to life. Your weapon: a brush.
Yep. You solve problems, rejuvenate nature, experience combat, and paint the town red with your trusty brush. It’s wonderful. This game was made for the Wiimote. The execs at Capcom must be prophets considering the game was made in 2006.
I’m told this game could net a person 40 hours of playtime. Excellent. This may be a game where I do it all. I really don’t have the patience for RPGs, but this may be my exception.
I just find it interesting that the only two games I’m playing right now are RPGs.
Oh, and Ikaruga.
Monday Madness…on a Tuesday?
A twelve hour workday yesterday wiped me out. Enjoy your weekly links week late. (This post is brought to you LEGO free).
I actually keep this bookmarked on my toolbar for when I need a quick laugh. It’s how Superman II should have ended.
Lastly, two amazingly addictive flash games:
- The Last Canopy, a flash shooter with an interesting charge mechanic: you suck the power out of your enemies and use it against them.
- Compulse, a game where you control falling balls through exits using excellent physics rules, snappy Asian music, and uh…just try it. It even saves your progress. “A game has been created in your honor.” Love it.
[Gamer Responsibility] Escape and the Pursuit of Life
If I may, allow me to break the fourth wall of buttonmashing for a moment.
As some of you may know, I am an associate pastor of a rural church. One of my primary responsibilities is working with young people. A goal of mine is to lead and encourage them to live in faith, morality, genuineness, and to make an impact. In speaking with young people (who may even be like some of our readers) I am always trying to get them to see what is really important in life. Often in this society—especially in America—we spend most of our lives trying to escape it. Video games, movies, music, books, sports, parties, technology, and other such forms of escapism are moderately not bad, but can consume a person’s life.
Sometimes people forget. Why are we here? Many people think it’s to try and be happy, maybe even by pursuing the escape of life. I don’t think that is the reason. I believe it to be all about the impact we make on those around us. If we build a better life for just ourself, does it make it worth it? How about if we build a better life for another person?
You may have heard of Dr. Randy Pausch and may have seen his “Last Lecture” video. This is a person who doesn’t have long to live but is making an impact on those around him. His escapism is his life. The following is a ten minute presentation he did on Oprah that sums up his initial talk. I believe he gets it. He’s not a gamer (that we know of—he is a geek, however), but he knows about gamer responsibility.
Escaping to the world of video games is not a bad thing. Living the world of video games can be another thing entirely. Who does it benefit?
A few years ago I spent over 2,500 hours in Guild Wars. I have nothing to show for it other than lack of sleep, mini-arguments with my wife, and times lost that I could have spent with my first child during his toddler years. My evenings and Saturdays were full getting ultra-rare intangibles. I learned from that experience, and now I spend most of my time with the two boys I have.
Yes, there are times that we spend playing video games. Other times we read, we draw, we paint, we tell funny stories, we watch birds in the back yard, we travel, we disagree, we agree, and we talk. We live. As a gamer my responsibility is to not always be one. Yes it is something that I like to do, but there are a plethora of things that are more important.
I chose this topic for my first posting on gamer responsibility because I think it goes beyond just playing games. It’s foundational for how we should look at them. It’s foundational for how we should play them. I know that many arguments can be made for being immersed in video game culture, and I’ve not addressed any of them. That’s not what this is about. All I ask is who does living a life of virtuality impact?
Ikaruga Pleases Me
Quite possibly the greatest shooter of all time is being released tomorrow on Xbox Live for 800 points. I’m seriously considering taking my first ever personal day just for a video game. It is the only game I have played consistently for almost three years.
This game is not for the faint of heart. The person in the video above has played it a lot more than I have, a lot more.
Monday Madness?
I know I’m a little early, but I don’t have much time. I’ll be disconnected the next two days attending a conference.
Saving other items for next week, I present you with only one item for this post, The Force Unleashed. There is no doubt that I will get this game. The big question is for what system?
All of them?
Monday Madness?
It’s Monday and it’s time to get mad. Well, not really. It’s great to be hydrated and back in the land of the living. wash your hands and don’t eat poop.
First, the University of Michigan has created the COM-BAT. What is it? It’s a six inch robotic spy plane shapes like a, well, you know, a bat. Pics and coolness.
I like LEGOs. I like Assassin’s Creed. Chocolate and peanut butter. Take a leap of faith.
Please try the demo to Trials 2. I bet you’ll buy the game. If anything, watch the video. It’s…neat. Physics.
Spirit, the Mars Rover left to die before it’s time? I don’t think many will disagree that these rovers were probably some of the greatest engineering ever done by and for NASA. Godspeed, Spirit.
Finally, a car maker does something cool for the gamer crowd. The Pontiac G8 meets Spy Hunter. I love the Peter Gunn theme.
Space Invaders Extreme
The first videogame I ever played was Space Invaders. It was simplistic and challenging. Well, now it looks like Space Invaders has met Lumines and you can color me intrigued. It’s out now in Japan an will be available stateside in June for $20 for the PSP and DS.
Giant Bomb mentioned it first. Head on over there for more info and a more detailed write up.
Achievement Unlocked [Bully:Scholarship Edition]
I never, ever thought I would be embarrassed to get an achievement.
It was just one dude. Only one.
GRID
There is no way this is actual gameplay footage. A new game just popped up on my radar.
Time to Purge (”The List”)
In light of all I’ve gone through and with giving up (actually, changing perspective) on “The List,” it’s now time for me to get rid of all the games I no longer want or need. What does that mean for you, oh, inquisitive reader? Simply put, you get first dibs.
Here’s how it works. I’m going to list all the game I want to get rid of. (All of them come in their cases). I could just take them in to Gamestop, but they are idiots (There’s a guy in our local store that deserves a plethora of posts. I feel sorry for uninformed customers.) and they would give me a pittance for the trade-in anyway. I will sell the game to you at half the price Gamestop sells it used (look it up on their site and email me the link). That way, you get a game cheaper than used list and I make more off it. Make sense? Let’s eliminate the used store middleman and save on their fees.
Just email me (agentgray at gmail) what you want and we can work all the other stuff. I’ll probably use Paypal and ship the mail via USPS (US or Canada) Here’s the games (with commentary):
Gamecube:
- Metroid Prime - It’s a little past it’s namesake, but an excellent game. Good for a single play through.
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - echoing what’s above
- SSX Tricky - I loved this game. One of the few I did everything with. Now? Meh.
- Pikmin - If you like telling flowers what to do, then this is for you.
- Mario Golf Toadstool Tour - I consider it to be the best sports game for the ‘cube.
- Super Monkey Ball - A party game before they were popular. You unlock the party game part.
- Prince of Persia The Sands of Time - I had a blast with this, the grandfather to Assassin’s Creed.
Xbox
- Lego Star Wars - I have the new version. No need here.
- Panzer Dragoon Orta - I guess this game may be rare? Good for a single play through.
- Psychonauts - Just a smidgen overrated, I think, but very funny. Might be a little rare in Xbox form.
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - A classic. Might be the best Star Wars story since Episode V.
Nintendo DS
- Dragon Quest Heroes Rocket Slime - a fun diversion that’s easy to play.
- Brain Age - my age dropped the more I tried to complete “The List”
- Contact - what a quirky game. Almost like a new Startropics.
- Hotel Dusk Room 215 - one of the best uses of the DS ever, an interactive book.
- Metroid Prime Hunters - cramp inducing? At least for this lefty.
- Meteos - From what I understand it may be rare now. A fun puzzle game.
- Electroplankton - I love this quirky off the cuff stuff. NOt really a game, but interesting. Rare.
Xbox 360
- PocketBike Racer - I will give this away. The King creeps me out.
- Lost Planet - the constant falling down lost me on this.
- Dead Rising - A frustrated love? The timer, the inmates (that keep coming back), the bad survivor AI, and weird save system. I need to move on.
Nintendo Wii
- Zack & Wiki - I had fun with this quirky adventure game. Hilarious unintended Wiimote motions too.
- MLB Power Pros - I wish I had the time. I really do, but this is the most interesting, time consuming baseball game on any console. Stat tracking is amazing.
There you go. There are some more titles I may add to this, but I am very close to completing them. Plus, I have some PC titles, but I need to make sure license keys and stuff are OK.
All Good Things…Must Come to An End
It’s over.
After almost five months, I just cannot do it. I’m not going to be able to complete “The List.” It’s just gotten to be too painful.
A couple of days ago, Jason from Unfethered Blather (Not reading it? You should be.) left a comment here that summed up perfectly one of the feelings I have evolved towards in completing my games.
I am trying to either finish all of my games or at least play enough of every game that I can honestly feel like I’ve gotten something out of it.
I went back to my chart and calculated based upon reviews and FAQs how much time out would take me to complete “The List.” It came to roughly two and one half months—straight through. I then figured for the insane normalcy that is my life and it came to almost a year and a month just to finish them. Uh, I think it just became a job. What Jason said should probably be true. In the back of my mind all this time I had been doing a quick assessment of what games I had gotten enough playtime and enjoyment out of. That led to two things:
- I had a lot of games I that I had gotten enough enjoyment from playing. They had to go.
- I am not a responsible gamer. Some games I paid a premium for and not played a whole lot.
The second item is something that I want to focus on over the next couple of weeks. Being a person with a limited budget, how can I be a more responsible gamer. What are some guidelines I can follow so I don’t just blow good, hard-earned money on crap? There’s just too much to choose from in the digital entertainment industry, and it’s probably high time I start being “adult” about it. I’m actually thinking of starting a series called, appropriately enough, “Being A Responsible Gamer.” I’ve certainly thought about it enough over the last five months.
All too often, I think gamers in general, are the worst fad followers in the world. We move from game to game and release to release. Of course, it’s no help that the developers and retail industry make it possible to purchase games before they are released. No, don’t get it on release day. Get the satisfaction that you get it ASAP. Very rarely, if ever, have you known a game not to be available. Most are very easy to find. (Yes, there are some exceptions. I recently tried to find Puzzle Quest for the DS as a birthday gift.)
I would like to address issues of money, time, quantity, morality (yes, there is such a thing), kids, and even quality in the upcoming weeks. Now, it’s just time for a gaming clearance at our household. “The List” will still be around, it’ll just be much smaller.
[Wii] Okami Goodness?
I know of one reader here that goes crazy anytime Okami is mentioned. It’s sort of a “painter’s” RPG. Well, that’s not a really good description but it’s a game that’s been on my radar for a while. It came out earlier for the PS2, but Capcom is making a Wii port. It seems only obvious to do with the Wii controls. I think it’s beauty in videogame form. Roger Ebert has no clue what he’s talking about.
Thanks to Kotaku for the heads up.
All Good Things…Part 2
Four months ago, I gave myself the herculean task of completing every videogame I own. It’s been many things: daunting, rewarding, and even downright boring in some parts. Most games started off great and some have just come to a complete stop. It’s painful completing some of them. My vow was to not get any new games until this list was complete and I broke it in the middle of January. It looks like I have five games to add to this list. However, I did want to share with you my progress since October. Now, realize that I started every game over from scratch. You can see my progress below. (Click on it for a larger image).
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