It's been eleven years since the first Halo came into the world after a long string of versions and designs. Third person shooters and strategy games lined the road that lead to a game changing first person shooter, now known and, at times, revered by the gaming public. Me, I enjoy it. Even as it has changed, become the poster child for great online gaming, become the old favorite, and completely get put behind an overrated modern war shooter and all of its clones. But, the point is, Halo 4 is coming, and I just finished Reach (my first Halo completed on Normal difficulty sadly, but I did it), so I feel like talking about Halo.
Ten years ago, I was selling donuts for marching band and met one of my grandmothers neighbors who was chewing through the single player campaign again. He got me in for a bit of co-op, and I enjoyed what I played. He then invited me to one the lan gaming group he had on the weekends. I spent a many of sessions with these people, and cultivated some level of FPS gaming ability that I've been trying to improve on in recent years (with increasing the difficulty out of the easy mode that allowed me to see through several games). It took a long time until I actually got a chance to play through the campaign. When it finally happened, I was impressed, and I am still impressed. Great art design, and fairly strong story telling matched with strong game play made for a great experience. I still enjoy it when I return to it.
Unfortunately the magic was blurred with the sequel. Ambition and bizarre story decisions hurt Halo 2, but it seemed that the focus went into the multiplayer rather than the single player campaign. Also, the ending left a lot to be desired. They picked up the pieces with Halo 3, which I flew through in co-op in a single night (well almost...the person who bought the game was pretty ticked that an eighty dollar game was almost completed in a few hours.
But this was the last that I thought that I'd see of the series. What Bungie had delivered was a great trilogy of sci fi action games, changing the way that people approached the genre, and, unfortunately, made the style common in the gaming landscape. However, it was still the first, and it definitely deserves respect for that. When Bungie announced that they were releasing an expansion to Halo 3 called ODST, I bought in. Or, well, I played it co-op with the same roommate who had paid for my Halo needs in the past (well, I did buy that sweet Master Chief 360 controller). Following ODST, I was impressed that they could actually shift the way that their series was designed a bit. ODST was incredibly entertaining.
Now, Bungie has parted ways with the series, and has set sail for new shores with the Destiny franchise. In their absence, Halo Wars was released (which I haven't played yet), and the prequel Reach. I just finished Reach, which was a stunning game. There are so very few games that are so dismal in tone from the outset, especially war focused shooters like the Halo franchise has produced. I'm impressed that they would risk such a move.
But I do feel that Bungie created something very dense, ready for the creation of great stories. While the Halo games won't win awards for their storytelling, there is the potential there for something amazing. The lore is interesting, and is always growing. Given the work done on Reach, I think that the stories of the Halo universe are in good hands with 343i.
I am actually looking forward to Halo 4, and Bungie's Destiny franchise. These studios have done good stuff. Remember, I think of games as a source for having fun.I enjoy a good story, and stellar gameplay, but I can still dig a good shooter. And that exactly what I've always expected from the Halo franchise.
The Redeemer Saga...I'm going to enjoy it....
Just give Reach a try...bleak game...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Speculation Machine
E3 is coming up in about a month or so, and everyone is already screaming about the future. Who will live? Who fails? What technological masterpiece will represent the greater gamer population this time? Well, no one knows, and everyone with an opinion is posting it on the internet. And every time I see one of these articles, I can't help but read it and wonder what drug induced fanboy madness could generate such thoughts. The most recent of these was an article saying that Sony was this generations Sega, and that the PS4 will fail. While this isn't impossible, it most certainly isn't likely. Sony has held a huge place in gamers homes since the PS1 launched, and I don't see that changing. The PS3 was a harsh learning experience for Sony though. They had to see that having a colossal ego wasn't the route to take for getting a console off of the ground. Now they are doing fine, despite dumping millions of R&D dollars into a short lived motion control program (thank God that the Move is pretty much no more). Nintendo isn't in a much better place, though. As the Wii has wound down in sales and visibility in preparation for the release of the WiiU, they have released a follow up to the successful DS line with the 3DS, which had a harsh start to what has turned into a success, and there is unending doubt surrounding the WiiU. As a longtime Nintendo fan, I can't help but feel the same. The rumors of technology on par with the 360/PS3 don't do much to help Nintendo stay appealing to the so-called Core gamer. Sure, the tablet controller is an interesting interface and could do great things when applied well, but we don't see that yet. We know that games that have been announced for current consoles are due on the WiiU, but that's it. The lack of information doesn't lend itself to Nintendo's favor, so the outlook is bleak. But nothing is concrete. I will keep watching it, because it does look interesting.
Microsoft is the company who needs to watch themselves.
As with Nintendo, Sega, and Sony alike, there have been decisions made for each of these three companies that have ended up causing more harm than good. Nintendo stuck with cartridges, which made production costs high, and development difficult due to the complex architecture of the machine. Sega entered their third generation with a chain of failed products targeted at toppling the Nintendo giant, and ultimately drained finances from their company, and focused on a very small target audience: arcade gamers. Sony entered their third generation with a egotistical marketing campaign, paired with an expensive piece of hardware that was difficult to develop for, and had a small amount of interesting exclusive titles, and a collection of buggy ports from the 360. While Microsoft hasn't played its cards for the next generation, or even given a peek of their hand, there is much for them to look out for. One of these concepts is the idea of preventing used games from being played on a console.
While I don't prefer used games, they are a necessary evil. The problem is tied to the cost of new games. When your console still plays DVD's and you are pushing a sixty dollar price tag without including instruction manuals (as EA has done), I don't see where the price of product can make any sense. Yes, it costs millions to make a game, and market it. But that sixty dollar price mark on war-shooter-game-eighty doesn't make me want to play it. Next, the push for digital distribution only doesn't help the collection mindset, which ultimately keeps a console in the gaming landscape for decades to come. Also, sequels have to make money, and those used copies of war-shooter-game-seventy-nine would definitely get people prepared to play the samey crap that major developers are pushing these days. All of these things have a place and its time to find a balance to them all. If you want to sell one of those irritating online pass things, give an incentive. Sure, Alice: Madness Returns isn't that great of a game (per reviewers), but the online pass includes a copy of the cult classic Alice. That's worth ten bucks the EA can make without breaking a sweat. It's an old game past its lifespan, and its a way to make quick money. But EA is essential the video game version of Satan, so this is a moot point.
But we have to wait for these things to happen, folks. No console is in trouble yet. There are things playing against everyone this generation. While this has been one of the most financially fruitful generations in gaming since its inception, its time is fading. The deck has been shuffled and the cards are still being dealt. No one is going to topple anyone until all the systems are on the market, and the bets are being made.
Microsoft is the company who needs to watch themselves.
As with Nintendo, Sega, and Sony alike, there have been decisions made for each of these three companies that have ended up causing more harm than good. Nintendo stuck with cartridges, which made production costs high, and development difficult due to the complex architecture of the machine. Sega entered their third generation with a chain of failed products targeted at toppling the Nintendo giant, and ultimately drained finances from their company, and focused on a very small target audience: arcade gamers. Sony entered their third generation with a egotistical marketing campaign, paired with an expensive piece of hardware that was difficult to develop for, and had a small amount of interesting exclusive titles, and a collection of buggy ports from the 360. While Microsoft hasn't played its cards for the next generation, or even given a peek of their hand, there is much for them to look out for. One of these concepts is the idea of preventing used games from being played on a console.
While I don't prefer used games, they are a necessary evil. The problem is tied to the cost of new games. When your console still plays DVD's and you are pushing a sixty dollar price tag without including instruction manuals (as EA has done), I don't see where the price of product can make any sense. Yes, it costs millions to make a game, and market it. But that sixty dollar price mark on war-shooter-game-eighty doesn't make me want to play it. Next, the push for digital distribution only doesn't help the collection mindset, which ultimately keeps a console in the gaming landscape for decades to come. Also, sequels have to make money, and those used copies of war-shooter-game-seventy-nine would definitely get people prepared to play the samey crap that major developers are pushing these days. All of these things have a place and its time to find a balance to them all. If you want to sell one of those irritating online pass things, give an incentive. Sure, Alice: Madness Returns isn't that great of a game (per reviewers), but the online pass includes a copy of the cult classic Alice. That's worth ten bucks the EA can make without breaking a sweat. It's an old game past its lifespan, and its a way to make quick money. But EA is essential the video game version of Satan, so this is a moot point.
But we have to wait for these things to happen, folks. No console is in trouble yet. There are things playing against everyone this generation. While this has been one of the most financially fruitful generations in gaming since its inception, its time is fading. The deck has been shuffled and the cards are still being dealt. No one is going to topple anyone until all the systems are on the market, and the bets are being made.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Ultima VII -- Here We Go
Those who have spoken with me about gaming in recent months know that I've taken an interest in the classic Ultima series from Origin Systems, and raped by EA. Well, I've picked up a couple of the games in various forms, and I'm going to take a crack at them. So far, I've picked up Ultima III: Exodus on the NES (CIB no less), Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar, and Ultima VII: The Black Gate and Serpent Isle on the PC. The only one I've been able to make any headway in is Ultima VII, and I think that is due to a mixture of things. One is that I am horrible at old RPG's. Another is that I suck at Western RPG's period. The most personal one is that I just can't figure out how to heal my characters in Ultima III on the NES. I'll figure it out eventually, but for now, Ultima VII.
The idea is to make a chronicle of my efforts in Britannia, taking down the Guardian and The Fellowship, and eventually heading off to Serpent Isle to bring back the serpents of balance. Yes, I know too much about the plots already, thanks to the fantastic Spoony Experiment retrospective, but I'm not counting that into my experience of the games. I feel like the game has to tell the story too, rather than what little I know from watching Spoony's videos.
So, I've made my first run at the game, which starts with a murder investigation. What is easily one of the most graphic images I've seen in a classic video game opens the story. So far, I've drawn a connection to The Fellowship, a creepy cult that has replaced the Virtues of the Avatar as Britannia's religion, and the dead blacksmiths issues with the local branch's leader. In my investigation, I recruited the blacksmith's son, Spark, who doesn't really have anything left in his home town. I assume I need to hire a boat to the mainland, seeing as the game starts on an island.
Obviously, I haven't gotten very far. So instead, it's time to look at a few other things. My purchase of the game was from GOG.Com. I was looking at the SNES version, but I gathered from a few reviews that such a review would be a horrible decision. Well, I've not completely discounted that move, given that it's not in front of me to make that move, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, GOG's version of the game is a very sweet purchase. Gamers who buy Ultima VII from GOG will be gifted with the original game, the Forge of Virtue, which sends the player on a quest to regain status in three virtues as well as destroy the remains of Exodus from Ultima III, Serpent Isle, which plays as Part II to the game, and The Silver Seed, the expansion to Serpent Isle. The Silver Seed is supposedly the first example (as far as I can tell...) of EA cutting the budgets necessary for Origin Systems to finish their work on these games. Such budget cuts would be the primary reason for such colossal messes as Ultima's VIII and IX, which were the primary reason for the series disappearing.
On that note, I would love to see Lord British reclaim his franchise from EA and make a new entry in the series. With the success of such giants as The Elder Scrolls in the past decade, the time is right for the Avatar to return to the RPG landscape. The Elder Scrolls couldn't have even happened without the ground work provided by Origin Systems and the Wizardry series, which has also completely faded from view (though I've never played it). Or maybe I would just like to see more Wing Commander games.
That, however, is a discussion I'll save for another day.
Check back, as I indulge in a giant role playing quest that has nothing to do with Final Fantasy.
The idea is to make a chronicle of my efforts in Britannia, taking down the Guardian and The Fellowship, and eventually heading off to Serpent Isle to bring back the serpents of balance. Yes, I know too much about the plots already, thanks to the fantastic Spoony Experiment retrospective, but I'm not counting that into my experience of the games. I feel like the game has to tell the story too, rather than what little I know from watching Spoony's videos.
So, I've made my first run at the game, which starts with a murder investigation. What is easily one of the most graphic images I've seen in a classic video game opens the story. So far, I've drawn a connection to The Fellowship, a creepy cult that has replaced the Virtues of the Avatar as Britannia's religion, and the dead blacksmiths issues with the local branch's leader. In my investigation, I recruited the blacksmith's son, Spark, who doesn't really have anything left in his home town. I assume I need to hire a boat to the mainland, seeing as the game starts on an island.
Obviously, I haven't gotten very far. So instead, it's time to look at a few other things. My purchase of the game was from GOG.Com. I was looking at the SNES version, but I gathered from a few reviews that such a review would be a horrible decision. Well, I've not completely discounted that move, given that it's not in front of me to make that move, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. For now, GOG's version of the game is a very sweet purchase. Gamers who buy Ultima VII from GOG will be gifted with the original game, the Forge of Virtue, which sends the player on a quest to regain status in three virtues as well as destroy the remains of Exodus from Ultima III, Serpent Isle, which plays as Part II to the game, and The Silver Seed, the expansion to Serpent Isle. The Silver Seed is supposedly the first example (as far as I can tell...) of EA cutting the budgets necessary for Origin Systems to finish their work on these games. Such budget cuts would be the primary reason for such colossal messes as Ultima's VIII and IX, which were the primary reason for the series disappearing.
On that note, I would love to see Lord British reclaim his franchise from EA and make a new entry in the series. With the success of such giants as The Elder Scrolls in the past decade, the time is right for the Avatar to return to the RPG landscape. The Elder Scrolls couldn't have even happened without the ground work provided by Origin Systems and the Wizardry series, which has also completely faded from view (though I've never played it). Or maybe I would just like to see more Wing Commander games.
That, however, is a discussion I'll save for another day.
Check back, as I indulge in a giant role playing quest that has nothing to do with Final Fantasy.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Review
So, with 112 fragments collected, I've finally toppled the vile trio of Bahamuts that made up the ridiculous final boss. Now I'm ready to talk about the game in whole.
FF XIII made enough people upset with it's story, gameplay, etc. etc. whiny etc. that Square Enix felt the need to make a sequel as fast as they could instead of wrapping up production on the longer-in-the-works XIII Versus. While this is a questionable business move, the product of this decision is one of the more interesting works from the Final Fantasy series in recent years. Open progression, a multitude of little things to do, and consistent rewards for playing the game (IE, crystarium points given for finished quests), are just a few of the things that make this a more enjoyable experience than the often weak XIII.
But the story is the most important factor in the JRPG's quality. XIII-2 has a decent plot, but some of the most interesting character choices that I've seen in a very long time. Caius Ballad, ridiculously named and awkwardly dressed villain of the game, is the center of one of the most tragic narratives in the series, and with a small cast, the story carries itself well to the end. However, two things mar what is an otherwise fantastic tale. The first is tone. Having Mog fly around and cutesy things up to an annoying level breaks the bleak outlook on things in half. The other is the language explaining the time travel aspect of the game. I'm not convinced that anyone on the staff ever looked up the word "paradox" in the dictionary, because what the characters are saying when they say "paradox" doesn't make any sense. Sure the word is nice sounding, but it doesn't fit "random object found in a different place in time/space". Artefacts, yes. Fragments, yes. Paradox, no.
Getting around that little thing, the only other issues are some of the same that hit FFXIII. Getting stronger weapons is a miserable process, and so is obtaining enough materials to strengthen up the monsters collected by the player throughout. Gambling in the casino would be a nice diversion, but using it as a requirement for collecting more fragments is short sighted given the difficulty of making money on the slot machines. It should noted that I haven't played around with the chocobo racing yet. I will when I'm dabbling with the post game content, but I didn't want to put that much time in while pursuing the end of the game.
While XIII had a great soundtrack, XIII-2 is a bit of a mixed bag. About half of it is good. A quarter of it is pretty good music, but bizarrely out of place. The other quarter is J-Pop nonsense with horrible lyrics. Seeing as I got the collector's edition, I've still got to listen to the soundtrack to make a clear decision on whether the composer was drunk or just drawing at straws. In addition to the orchestral stuff, there are some slick fusion pieces, a distracting heavy metal chocobo theme, and some light jazz numbers. It's a bit reminiscent of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, but not as memorable in the long term.
If you are looking for a recommendation on whether or not to play this game, I say go for it. For all of its faults, it's one of my favorite games in the series since the Playstation era. A strong core plot can be found beneath the silly top half, and one of the best endings I've seen in the series as a whole are waiting to be seen by players who give the time. Having played XIII isn't required to enjoy this game, but it will give some clarity, as well as a couple of bonuses.I've logged 40 hours, so it's not very long, but it's worth the price to play it.
9/10
FF XIII made enough people upset with it's story, gameplay, etc. etc. whiny etc. that Square Enix felt the need to make a sequel as fast as they could instead of wrapping up production on the longer-in-the-works XIII Versus. While this is a questionable business move, the product of this decision is one of the more interesting works from the Final Fantasy series in recent years. Open progression, a multitude of little things to do, and consistent rewards for playing the game (IE, crystarium points given for finished quests), are just a few of the things that make this a more enjoyable experience than the often weak XIII.
But the story is the most important factor in the JRPG's quality. XIII-2 has a decent plot, but some of the most interesting character choices that I've seen in a very long time. Caius Ballad, ridiculously named and awkwardly dressed villain of the game, is the center of one of the most tragic narratives in the series, and with a small cast, the story carries itself well to the end. However, two things mar what is an otherwise fantastic tale. The first is tone. Having Mog fly around and cutesy things up to an annoying level breaks the bleak outlook on things in half. The other is the language explaining the time travel aspect of the game. I'm not convinced that anyone on the staff ever looked up the word "paradox" in the dictionary, because what the characters are saying when they say "paradox" doesn't make any sense. Sure the word is nice sounding, but it doesn't fit "random object found in a different place in time/space". Artefacts, yes. Fragments, yes. Paradox, no.
Getting around that little thing, the only other issues are some of the same that hit FFXIII. Getting stronger weapons is a miserable process, and so is obtaining enough materials to strengthen up the monsters collected by the player throughout. Gambling in the casino would be a nice diversion, but using it as a requirement for collecting more fragments is short sighted given the difficulty of making money on the slot machines. It should noted that I haven't played around with the chocobo racing yet. I will when I'm dabbling with the post game content, but I didn't want to put that much time in while pursuing the end of the game.
While XIII had a great soundtrack, XIII-2 is a bit of a mixed bag. About half of it is good. A quarter of it is pretty good music, but bizarrely out of place. The other quarter is J-Pop nonsense with horrible lyrics. Seeing as I got the collector's edition, I've still got to listen to the soundtrack to make a clear decision on whether the composer was drunk or just drawing at straws. In addition to the orchestral stuff, there are some slick fusion pieces, a distracting heavy metal chocobo theme, and some light jazz numbers. It's a bit reminiscent of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, but not as memorable in the long term.
If you are looking for a recommendation on whether or not to play this game, I say go for it. For all of its faults, it's one of my favorite games in the series since the Playstation era. A strong core plot can be found beneath the silly top half, and one of the best endings I've seen in the series as a whole are waiting to be seen by players who give the time. Having played XIII isn't required to enjoy this game, but it will give some clarity, as well as a couple of bonuses.I've logged 40 hours, so it's not very long, but it's worth the price to play it.
9/10
Friday, March 30, 2012
On Lost Games and D Review
Let's have a moment of silence for games lost to the ages due to bankrupt publishers, dead studios, and missing source code.
Or let's read on, because silence isn't exactly what a blog is about, now is it.
A couple of nights ago, I played through D for the Sega Saturn, a first person horror experience also released for the 3DO and Playstation. Developer Warp Studios closed up shop in the early 2000's after releasing D2. Whether the game is in demand by gamers now is in question, as the title, and others in its series, fetch between forty and sixty dollars on average in the aftermarket. Obviously, there is an interest, and some of it may have been sparked by the line of D reviews done by RetrowareTV series Happy Video Game Nerd.
Given the market for horror games, and indie titles as well, the time is right for this series to be revived on XBLA and PSN. A PSClassics release of D would be easy enough, but Enemy Zero and D2 would require ports from the original versions. A PC version of Enemy Zero exists, so there is that to help the process of porting the title if it ever happened.
Other titles aren't as fortunate.
The Panzer Dragoon series had a second chance on the X-BOX, and included a port of the original Saturn title, ported from the PC version. However, Zwei, and the incredibly expensive PD Saga still haven't seen new life. Zwei isn't impossible to find, but fetches a decent price. Saga however is rare. It's expensive. It's on a console that most people aren't interested in. But it was a title that could have sent ripples into the RPG genre had it been release on the Playstation. The original source code for this game has long since vanished, making a port almost impossible.
So, I know I've probably talked these series into the ground (and I still have D to dig into later on this post), but there is a reason. Games like D need to be remembered. Sure it's not perfect, but there is no other experience like it. Panzer Dragoon Saga hasn't been copied by anyone to date, and that is a concept that could be used for great inspiration in a title this generation. Or if nothing else, get these titles ported. Older games need to be kept alive, preserved, and as such, carried on as tradition in this art form. Film and music receive this treatment, so why won't games?
So before I move on, allow me to ask the question-- How does one go about staring the Criterion Collection for Video Games?
_______________________________________________________________________________
D.
Warp Games
Sega Saturn
I'm going to ignore the presence of the uncanny valley for the purpose of this review.
D was released at the tail end of the FMV game trend, and was the first game to use CGI for everything in the game. It plays like Myst, in that the solving of puzzles allows progress through the game. Tonally, it's more in line with The Shining, using a very deliberate pace to tell the story. The voice acting is limited, and still weak, but it doesn't ruin the experience. Neither does the early CG video. The story is decent, and only made fluid by the game itself. Laura Harris has to enter a creepy hospital/castle to find out why her father is killing patients, experiencing bizarre hallucinations, and solving puzzles along the way. Nothing about the game is challenging beyond a couple of a questionable puzzle decisions and the QTE with the knight about 2/3 through the game.Well, there is the two hour time limit you have in which to complete the entire game, but that can be handled with patience on the part of the gamer. Still, D deserves to be played. Seek it out, and experience one of the most unique games you could ever play.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Short but sweet, just like the game. Alright, Script Frenzy starts in two days. I will be writing for a concept I'm calling Memphistopheles for right now. Also, I need to figure out how Criterion got started.
Or let's read on, because silence isn't exactly what a blog is about, now is it.
A couple of nights ago, I played through D for the Sega Saturn, a first person horror experience also released for the 3DO and Playstation. Developer Warp Studios closed up shop in the early 2000's after releasing D2. Whether the game is in demand by gamers now is in question, as the title, and others in its series, fetch between forty and sixty dollars on average in the aftermarket. Obviously, there is an interest, and some of it may have been sparked by the line of D reviews done by RetrowareTV series Happy Video Game Nerd.
Given the market for horror games, and indie titles as well, the time is right for this series to be revived on XBLA and PSN. A PSClassics release of D would be easy enough, but Enemy Zero and D2 would require ports from the original versions. A PC version of Enemy Zero exists, so there is that to help the process of porting the title if it ever happened.
Other titles aren't as fortunate.
The Panzer Dragoon series had a second chance on the X-BOX, and included a port of the original Saturn title, ported from the PC version. However, Zwei, and the incredibly expensive PD Saga still haven't seen new life. Zwei isn't impossible to find, but fetches a decent price. Saga however is rare. It's expensive. It's on a console that most people aren't interested in. But it was a title that could have sent ripples into the RPG genre had it been release on the Playstation. The original source code for this game has long since vanished, making a port almost impossible.
So, I know I've probably talked these series into the ground (and I still have D to dig into later on this post), but there is a reason. Games like D need to be remembered. Sure it's not perfect, but there is no other experience like it. Panzer Dragoon Saga hasn't been copied by anyone to date, and that is a concept that could be used for great inspiration in a title this generation. Or if nothing else, get these titles ported. Older games need to be kept alive, preserved, and as such, carried on as tradition in this art form. Film and music receive this treatment, so why won't games?
So before I move on, allow me to ask the question-- How does one go about staring the Criterion Collection for Video Games?
_______________________________________________________________________________
D.
Warp Games
Sega Saturn
I'm going to ignore the presence of the uncanny valley for the purpose of this review.
D was released at the tail end of the FMV game trend, and was the first game to use CGI for everything in the game. It plays like Myst, in that the solving of puzzles allows progress through the game. Tonally, it's more in line with The Shining, using a very deliberate pace to tell the story. The voice acting is limited, and still weak, but it doesn't ruin the experience. Neither does the early CG video. The story is decent, and only made fluid by the game itself. Laura Harris has to enter a creepy hospital/castle to find out why her father is killing patients, experiencing bizarre hallucinations, and solving puzzles along the way. Nothing about the game is challenging beyond a couple of a questionable puzzle decisions and the QTE with the knight about 2/3 through the game.Well, there is the two hour time limit you have in which to complete the entire game, but that can be handled with patience on the part of the gamer. Still, D deserves to be played. Seek it out, and experience one of the most unique games you could ever play.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Short but sweet, just like the game. Alright, Script Frenzy starts in two days. I will be writing for a concept I'm calling Memphistopheles for right now. Also, I need to figure out how Criterion got started.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Collection Post
I've recently been on quite the collecting frenzy. In two weeks time, I've added quite a bit to my collection, mostly pertaining to my list of "epic collection" pieces. I guess you could just go ahead and call this a "Recent Acquisitions" post, but more, I'm going to ruminate on my ideas about collecting video games, collectors, the retro market, and possibly just the art form itself.
But let's begin with my recent additions to the library.
Bust a Move 2 Arcade Edition -- PS1 Long Box
Wing Commander --Sega CD
Ecco: The Tides of Time -- Sega CD
Resident Evil -- PS1 Long Box
Virtua Fighter 3TB -- Dreamcast JP import
Enemy Zero -- Saturn
Silpheed -- Sega CD
Blood Stone 007 -- XBOX360
Kings Knight --NES loose
James Bond 007-- Game Boy
The World is Not Enough -- PS1
Great Football ---SMS in box
Great Baseball -- SMS in box
The Ninja -- SMS in box
Vortex -- SNES in box
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 -- Saturn
Skeleton Warrior -- Saturn
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei -- Saturn
phew...that took too long.
Now, for those who are disgusted with how much money I could spend on video games, allow me to inform you that that haul didn't cost as much as it could have, and my lovely Jo is the person who paid for some of it. I may have seventy dollars in that haul. I think Jo has seventy five in it. Now, when you pull out the fact that PDIIZ was forty dollars, and that a RE Long Box usually fetches fifty dollars online, I've done very well. But let's not spend too much time focusing on the financial investment involved. Nor the fact that my lovely fiance was also the person who added the modded Saturn to the collection in the past few weeks as well. And a Nook, which I should also make a post about...
But if you are still reading this ridiculousness, then you should note that there is no real trend to my collecting, aside from my bizarre penchant for failed video game consoles. There are a couple of things that I look for when I go out hunting for games. One is long box titles for the Sega CD, Saturn, and PS1. Another is 32X games, which I seek a full library of. Old RPG's that don't cost a small fortune, good deals, and cheap games. Then there is the "Epic List". While, per the name, this should be a list of games with brilliant stories and fantastic design, it is but a list of very specific games and prints that I want to have in my library at all times.
Ultima IV NES CIB (maps etc)
Final Fantasy NES CIB (maps, etc)
Vandal Hearts PS1 (CIB)
Gun Nac NES (doesn't matter)
Xenogears (PS1,CIB, print doesn't matter)
Snatcher (SEGA CD, CIB)
Panzer Dragoon (cib, Saturn)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (CIB Saturn)
Lunar 2 (Sega CD, CIB)\
Super Mario Bros. 3 NES CIB
32X Library (9/38 so far), CIB not necessary, but nice.
Castlevania franchise (CIB not required for Cartridge games)
NES Star Wars Games (Loose or CIB, though CIB would be nice.)
Zillion (SMS, boxed at least.)
Resident Evil Code Veronica X (GameCube, CIB)
Dark Wizard (SEGA CD, CIB)
Might and Magic (Genesis, CIB)
Vay (Sega CD, CIB)
Earthbound (SNES, any, don't spend a fortune though)
D (PS1 or Saturn, CIB, Long Box...although I don't think there was a Jewel Case Reprint)
D2 (DC, CIB)
Sonic 1 and 3 CIB (not expensive at all. More of a waiting game at PNT)
Myst PS1 CIB
Shenmue 2 (DC Euro Import or XBOX CIB)
Popful Mail (Sega CD CIB)
Shining Force CD (Sega CD CIB)
Secret of Mana (SNES, loose is fine)
Resident Evil Long Box PS1
Panzer Dragoon 2 Zwei (Saturn)
Enemy Zero (Saturn)
That is copied straight from the notepad file I have it in, so please ignore the format. And as you'll see, this list makes no real sense. Some of these games are recommendations that I take very seriously. Some of these games are classics, cult classics, or just unique enough to make a part of the collection.The unique stuff is the most fun. Games like D and Enemy Zero will never find a wide enough audience to warrant a remake of any kind, so Panzer Dragoon is a fantastic rail shooter, and that's one of my favorite genres. The most expensive game on the list belongs to that franchise. Some would question why would I specifically need a Long Box variant of Resident Evil when there are other versions with more replay value. To that I just say, look at the long box variant art work, the inlay design, and even the booklet. There is a lot to appreciate. It's just a shame that none of the best games in the Playstation library were ever released in the long box format. I would have loved to have seen what Square would have done with the Final Fantasy artwork had the style continued. Cover art seems to be part of what a lot of collectors are impressed by, which is why there are places like The Cover Project and Game Rave online.
But then there are the obsessive Library collectors, who don't even play the things that they collect. I've read about a collector who has a compete collection of PS2 games, all sealed. What is the point of collecting if you don't play the games collected? But that is just a small note. The increase of collectors, mostly library collectors, has caused aftermarket sellers to raise the price of games higher than they should be. Namely the Saturn games I collected have skyrocketed in recent years for no other reason than that retro games are in demand now. This is due in part to people buying the games, and of course, supply and demand dictates that the price should go up. But sadly, that means that these games are becoming more expensive because someone ultimately wants to make more money off of new collectors.
This is why I found myself in the shop of a reseller at a flea market on Saturday, disgusted by the prices of some of the most common games in the retro market. This guy had Tetris carts marked for twenty bucks, and no, it wasn't the Tengen unlicensed cart either. Nor should Mario 3 be twenty five dollars loose. No one should ever spend $2500.00 on sealed Saturn games. Where did this mindset come from other than that there are people who want to make money on the stupid anyway? There isn't a precedence for this, I shouldn't have to spend twenty dollars on a copy of MK3 on the Saturn when there is a trilogy set on X-Box Live Arcade for ten bucks. It was a common title on the console, with Digital Press rarity rating of 2.
This has turned into more of a rant than anything, but then again, I'm tired. I just got off work, and I'm ready for some sleep. Tomorrow I will play some games, and hopefully make it through work without as much chaos as I witnessed tonight. However, the hunt will continue, and I will be gaming. But seriously, I need to get some videos online, and talk to people with some actual game footage. If anyone actually reads this and knows of a cheap shelving solution, please drop it in the comments, because there is a lot of overflow that I keep having to flex around on my shelves. Perhaps I can just start with a collection video and go from there. But I'd have to find people who'd care enough to watch. Anyway, gamers, keep playing.
But let's begin with my recent additions to the library.
Bust a Move 2 Arcade Edition -- PS1 Long Box
Wing Commander --Sega CD
Ecco: The Tides of Time -- Sega CD
Resident Evil -- PS1 Long Box
Virtua Fighter 3TB -- Dreamcast JP import
Enemy Zero -- Saturn
Silpheed -- Sega CD
Blood Stone 007 -- XBOX360
Kings Knight --NES loose
James Bond 007-- Game Boy
The World is Not Enough -- PS1
Great Football ---SMS in box
Great Baseball -- SMS in box
The Ninja -- SMS in box
Vortex -- SNES in box
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 -- Saturn
Skeleton Warrior -- Saturn
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei -- Saturn
phew...that took too long.
Now, for those who are disgusted with how much money I could spend on video games, allow me to inform you that that haul didn't cost as much as it could have, and my lovely Jo is the person who paid for some of it. I may have seventy dollars in that haul. I think Jo has seventy five in it. Now, when you pull out the fact that PDIIZ was forty dollars, and that a RE Long Box usually fetches fifty dollars online, I've done very well. But let's not spend too much time focusing on the financial investment involved. Nor the fact that my lovely fiance was also the person who added the modded Saturn to the collection in the past few weeks as well. And a Nook, which I should also make a post about...
But if you are still reading this ridiculousness, then you should note that there is no real trend to my collecting, aside from my bizarre penchant for failed video game consoles. There are a couple of things that I look for when I go out hunting for games. One is long box titles for the Sega CD, Saturn, and PS1. Another is 32X games, which I seek a full library of. Old RPG's that don't cost a small fortune, good deals, and cheap games. Then there is the "Epic List". While, per the name, this should be a list of games with brilliant stories and fantastic design, it is but a list of very specific games and prints that I want to have in my library at all times.
Ultima IV NES CIB (maps etc)
Final Fantasy NES CIB (maps, etc)
Vandal Hearts PS1 (CIB)
Gun Nac NES (doesn't matter)
Xenogears (PS1,CIB, print doesn't matter)
Snatcher (SEGA CD, CIB)
Panzer Dragoon (cib, Saturn)
Panzer Dragoon Saga (CIB Saturn)
Lunar 2 (Sega CD, CIB)\
Super Mario Bros. 3 NES CIB
32X Library (9/38 so far), CIB not necessary, but nice.
Castlevania franchise (CIB not required for Cartridge games)
NES Star Wars Games (Loose or CIB, though CIB would be nice.)
Zillion (SMS, boxed at least.)
Resident Evil Code Veronica X (GameCube, CIB)
Dark Wizard (SEGA CD, CIB)
Might and Magic (Genesis, CIB)
Vay (Sega CD, CIB)
Earthbound (SNES, any, don't spend a fortune though)
D (PS1 or Saturn, CIB, Long Box...although I don't think there was a Jewel Case Reprint)
D2 (DC, CIB)
Sonic 1 and 3 CIB (not expensive at all. More of a waiting game at PNT)
Myst PS1 CIB
Shenmue 2 (DC Euro Import or XBOX CIB)
Popful Mail (Sega CD CIB)
Shining Force CD (Sega CD CIB)
Secret of Mana (SNES, loose is fine)
Resident Evil Long Box PS1
Panzer Dragoon 2 Zwei (Saturn)
Enemy Zero (Saturn)
That is copied straight from the notepad file I have it in, so please ignore the format. And as you'll see, this list makes no real sense. Some of these games are recommendations that I take very seriously. Some of these games are classics, cult classics, or just unique enough to make a part of the collection.The unique stuff is the most fun. Games like D and Enemy Zero will never find a wide enough audience to warrant a remake of any kind, so Panzer Dragoon is a fantastic rail shooter, and that's one of my favorite genres. The most expensive game on the list belongs to that franchise. Some would question why would I specifically need a Long Box variant of Resident Evil when there are other versions with more replay value. To that I just say, look at the long box variant art work, the inlay design, and even the booklet. There is a lot to appreciate. It's just a shame that none of the best games in the Playstation library were ever released in the long box format. I would have loved to have seen what Square would have done with the Final Fantasy artwork had the style continued. Cover art seems to be part of what a lot of collectors are impressed by, which is why there are places like The Cover Project and Game Rave online.
But then there are the obsessive Library collectors, who don't even play the things that they collect. I've read about a collector who has a compete collection of PS2 games, all sealed. What is the point of collecting if you don't play the games collected? But that is just a small note. The increase of collectors, mostly library collectors, has caused aftermarket sellers to raise the price of games higher than they should be. Namely the Saturn games I collected have skyrocketed in recent years for no other reason than that retro games are in demand now. This is due in part to people buying the games, and of course, supply and demand dictates that the price should go up. But sadly, that means that these games are becoming more expensive because someone ultimately wants to make more money off of new collectors.
This is why I found myself in the shop of a reseller at a flea market on Saturday, disgusted by the prices of some of the most common games in the retro market. This guy had Tetris carts marked for twenty bucks, and no, it wasn't the Tengen unlicensed cart either. Nor should Mario 3 be twenty five dollars loose. No one should ever spend $2500.00 on sealed Saturn games. Where did this mindset come from other than that there are people who want to make money on the stupid anyway? There isn't a precedence for this, I shouldn't have to spend twenty dollars on a copy of MK3 on the Saturn when there is a trilogy set on X-Box Live Arcade for ten bucks. It was a common title on the console, with Digital Press rarity rating of 2.
This has turned into more of a rant than anything, but then again, I'm tired. I just got off work, and I'm ready for some sleep. Tomorrow I will play some games, and hopefully make it through work without as much chaos as I witnessed tonight. However, the hunt will continue, and I will be gaming. But seriously, I need to get some videos online, and talk to people with some actual game footage. If anyone actually reads this and knows of a cheap shelving solution, please drop it in the comments, because there is a lot of overflow that I keep having to flex around on my shelves. Perhaps I can just start with a collection video and go from there. But I'd have to find people who'd care enough to watch. Anyway, gamers, keep playing.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Final Fantasy XIII-2, Writing, and Some Other Nonsense
Around twenty hours and thirty fragments into Final Fantasy XIII-2, I realized how much I miss the Chrono franchise. Sure, the Final Fantasy series still holds my attention far more than most RPG's, but the magic isn't quite as strong. At least, not until XIII-2.
Everything about this game screams out for me to dump an inconceivable amount of time into the game. It's too bad that the story, protagonists, and framework of the game kind of hurt it. Serah is an idiot, with ridiculous dialogue. Noel has an interesting past, and is a character I like to follow, but his ramblings about time are repetitive and don't drive the narrative. With all of the melodrama spread like fine butter over this story, it's a surprise to see that there was real potential here.
The antagonist, Caius Ballad (whose name is just as ridiculous as his giant winged sword), actually walks around with the real tragedy of the game. I won't ruin anything, but the things that happen around him are actually compelling, and could have made for one of the best stories in the franchise. There just isn't enough drive to the plot. However, I also think that if they locked the focus on the plot, it would have detracted from the gameplay. There could be a balance to be struck, with a longer story arc than exists, but it's not here just yet. I'm looking forward to the next two chapters, and the finale, because the game is actually quite good. Sure, it's not FFVI or even IX, but it's a sight better than X-XII, and pushes beyond the weaknesses of its immediate predecessors.
But there are other things going on in the world beyond this game. By the way, the Collector's Edition version is spectacular. The packaging is lovely, the art book a nice little addition, and the four disc soundtrack stealing the show. While I wish they'd kept the artwork from the announcement photo, it's not a hideous design. The soundtrack itself is...well...schizophrenic. The orchestral bits are pretty good, and there are some other moments that are alright, but all of the battle music is awful. Death metal fused J-Rock doesn't fill with me excitement when I'm cutting down giant monsters.
I just jumped back on the game for a second there didn't I? Okay, let's just move on.
Instead of working on my short story, Dead City Center, or editing my novel, currently titled either Crusader, Weakness, or something else...I'm writing this blog and playing this game. The short story I'm working on right now is a great little oddity, and an absolute blast to think about, but a nightmare to structure and write. I will be finishing, and then editing it. I want publication. A portfolio. I want work.
And as for work, I'm still at CVS, I'm working very hard, yes, and it sucks away a lot of time. I do like being at home more though, and life has improved in that regard. Spending more time with Jo just sweetens everything about my existence. Getting off work means more than it ever has.
So, here's the coming soon.
--Finish Dead City Center
--Edit more of Weakness
--Create a cover and Ad Campaign for the novel.
--Begin the kickstarter program
--Find a publisher for Dead City Center
--Beg some media types to do a story on the novel and its kickstarter.
Now, I do fully realize that no one will care about this beast of a book just yet. This will take a lot of work, and I hope that my friends will spread the word. Just a little share on their facebook page will be all that it takes.
And I pray that it helps with the stuff that is tabbed on my browser right now.
Let's see what happens folks...
Recent Library Additions:
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition (XBOX 360)
Sonic and Knuckles (CIB, Genesis)
Mortal Kombat II (32X)
Everything about this game screams out for me to dump an inconceivable amount of time into the game. It's too bad that the story, protagonists, and framework of the game kind of hurt it. Serah is an idiot, with ridiculous dialogue. Noel has an interesting past, and is a character I like to follow, but his ramblings about time are repetitive and don't drive the narrative. With all of the melodrama spread like fine butter over this story, it's a surprise to see that there was real potential here.
The antagonist, Caius Ballad (whose name is just as ridiculous as his giant winged sword), actually walks around with the real tragedy of the game. I won't ruin anything, but the things that happen around him are actually compelling, and could have made for one of the best stories in the franchise. There just isn't enough drive to the plot. However, I also think that if they locked the focus on the plot, it would have detracted from the gameplay. There could be a balance to be struck, with a longer story arc than exists, but it's not here just yet. I'm looking forward to the next two chapters, and the finale, because the game is actually quite good. Sure, it's not FFVI or even IX, but it's a sight better than X-XII, and pushes beyond the weaknesses of its immediate predecessors.
But there are other things going on in the world beyond this game. By the way, the Collector's Edition version is spectacular. The packaging is lovely, the art book a nice little addition, and the four disc soundtrack stealing the show. While I wish they'd kept the artwork from the announcement photo, it's not a hideous design. The soundtrack itself is...well...schizophrenic. The orchestral bits are pretty good, and there are some other moments that are alright, but all of the battle music is awful. Death metal fused J-Rock doesn't fill with me excitement when I'm cutting down giant monsters.
I just jumped back on the game for a second there didn't I? Okay, let's just move on.
Instead of working on my short story, Dead City Center, or editing my novel, currently titled either Crusader, Weakness, or something else...I'm writing this blog and playing this game. The short story I'm working on right now is a great little oddity, and an absolute blast to think about, but a nightmare to structure and write. I will be finishing, and then editing it. I want publication. A portfolio. I want work.
And as for work, I'm still at CVS, I'm working very hard, yes, and it sucks away a lot of time. I do like being at home more though, and life has improved in that regard. Spending more time with Jo just sweetens everything about my existence. Getting off work means more than it ever has.
So, here's the coming soon.
--Finish Dead City Center
--Edit more of Weakness
--Create a cover and Ad Campaign for the novel.
--Begin the kickstarter program
--Find a publisher for Dead City Center
--Beg some media types to do a story on the novel and its kickstarter.
Now, I do fully realize that no one will care about this beast of a book just yet. This will take a lot of work, and I hope that my friends will spread the word. Just a little share on their facebook page will be all that it takes.
And I pray that it helps with the stuff that is tabbed on my browser right now.
Let's see what happens folks...
Recent Library Additions:
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Collector's Edition (XBOX 360)
Sonic and Knuckles (CIB, Genesis)
Mortal Kombat II (32X)
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