Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Time (lol) to get back in the saddle.
OK! So it's been a while (lol) since I raged at a game. Mostly because I've been engulfed in a game from the past (lol) that's been consuming a lot of my gaming time (lol). I recently (lol) bought a Nintendo 3DS to replace my old (lol) DS Lite... nothing was (lol) wrong with it, it was (doublelol) just pink. This game is The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time in 3D. (For those wondering what the lols were for, that was me keeping track. 8 references to time in the opening paragraph, but I'll stop now :P )
The Ocarina of Time remake had my attention the instant I saw the commercial on tv. After being sold out everywhere for several weeks, I finally got fed up and went across the boarder to the states to get a copy. For the last two weeks I've been frying my eyes with the 3D feature and confusing passersby by moving the 3DS when it came time to use a ranged weapon. Both of those features add a new spark to a game that pretty much MADE my childhood (alongside Megaman 64). The only negatives of the game that I can think of are these: The 3D feature is kinda tricky to get right, as it is with any game on the 3DS, but my biggest concern is how much it guzzles the battery. Option A is to get short, concentrated bursts of LoZ, or, Option B, turn the 3D off and play the game longer (while sparing yourself retinal damage). I'll go 3D sometimes but generally just enjoy the game as it is. My second discontent towards the game is moving the 3DS when you use a ranged weapon, however this feature can be turned off. It's not that I don't like it, it just takes the accuracy away as opposed to using the stick to aim.
Now, pros. The graphics received a MASSIVE update, it's basically like carrying a Gamecube in your pocket. Seeing the game I loved so much as a kid revitalized in that way was oh so satisfying! A few simple changes to the game making use of the dual screens also made the experience better. Now you have a larger map on display the entire time, which really makes navigating easier compared to using a mini-map. The item and gear pages don't take as long to access and manipulate, as you can just poke what you need and get back to the game. Also, in the style of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, the Iron Boots have been made into an item, not equipment. Also, instead of only 3 item slots to use on the go, you've been given 4: X and Y for two, and two on the touch screen. This is great for organizing what you use frequently, and what you should have on you but don't want to risk using accidentally. I think this system was very clever, and the touch screen features made a good game even better. One final comment: they've tweaked some of the cutscenes in the game to feature more close-up images, in an attempt to make use of the 3D feature. While this does sound a little lame, even with the 3D off, the revamped cutscenes are very cool indeed.
So, that's my little nerdgasm over Ocarina of Time's remake. Not much left else to say, except if Nintendo was planning to do the same thing for Majora's Mask, I would certainly not object.
The Ocarina of Time remake had my attention the instant I saw the commercial on tv. After being sold out everywhere for several weeks, I finally got fed up and went across the boarder to the states to get a copy. For the last two weeks I've been frying my eyes with the 3D feature and confusing passersby by moving the 3DS when it came time to use a ranged weapon. Both of those features add a new spark to a game that pretty much MADE my childhood (alongside Megaman 64). The only negatives of the game that I can think of are these: The 3D feature is kinda tricky to get right, as it is with any game on the 3DS, but my biggest concern is how much it guzzles the battery. Option A is to get short, concentrated bursts of LoZ, or, Option B, turn the 3D off and play the game longer (while sparing yourself retinal damage). I'll go 3D sometimes but generally just enjoy the game as it is. My second discontent towards the game is moving the 3DS when you use a ranged weapon, however this feature can be turned off. It's not that I don't like it, it just takes the accuracy away as opposed to using the stick to aim.
Now, pros. The graphics received a MASSIVE update, it's basically like carrying a Gamecube in your pocket. Seeing the game I loved so much as a kid revitalized in that way was oh so satisfying! A few simple changes to the game making use of the dual screens also made the experience better. Now you have a larger map on display the entire time, which really makes navigating easier compared to using a mini-map. The item and gear pages don't take as long to access and manipulate, as you can just poke what you need and get back to the game. Also, in the style of Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, the Iron Boots have been made into an item, not equipment. Also, instead of only 3 item slots to use on the go, you've been given 4: X and Y for two, and two on the touch screen. This is great for organizing what you use frequently, and what you should have on you but don't want to risk using accidentally. I think this system was very clever, and the touch screen features made a good game even better. One final comment: they've tweaked some of the cutscenes in the game to feature more close-up images, in an attempt to make use of the 3D feature. While this does sound a little lame, even with the 3D off, the revamped cutscenes are very cool indeed.
So, that's my little nerdgasm over Ocarina of Time's remake. Not much left else to say, except if Nintendo was planning to do the same thing for Majora's Mask, I would certainly not object.
I'm back! + a little chat about Minecraft.
I doubt anyone missed me, because only... 3 people ever read this blog while I posted actively. In case any of those 3 people did, I apologize for my absence. I'd say that I was too busy to post, but the truth of the matter is I kinda just forgot about this page entirely... anyhoo, I've recently created a Twitter account, hopefully I can make some friends on there, get some views, you know, yadda yadda.
Now, getting back to the heavily opinionated reviews on games I don't actually own, I'd like to pick at Minecraft (no pun intended) today.
Minecraft is a huge game, lots of things to do, challenges to face, interesting enemies, and just has a certain unique-ness about it. However, I think the price is a little steep. I mean, from the graphic quality of the game, how easily it is to get bored of it, and just the fact that most people (hopefully) have better things to do with their time, Notch is charging a little overboard for Minecraft. Terraria is $10 on Steam, I think Minecraft should be similar in price, maybe $15, but I wouldn't give Notch any more than $20.
Another thing that I don't like about Minecraft is how open it is to mods and other edits. I mean, seriously, Notch is charging way to much for a game, doesn't make it open source, but dangles it in our face, just like that? Seems a tad unfair to me, amigos.
Don't get me wrong, I do indeed love Minecraft. Notch is a great game developer, but still, certain little things about the game irk me.
While we're talking about mining games, let's shift topic to Terraria.
Terraria is about 20x more fun than Minecraft, and about 20x as stupid. Magic miners? This is what people come up with? Terraria is great fun, but the concept is iffy, at best. Also, the crafting costs in Minecraft are reasonable, especially because the items you're searching for are generally scarce. I would not say Terraria's crafting costs are reasonable. Maybe for simple little items, sure, like chairs and walls, housing goods. But when it comes to the armor and weapons, well think. 4 gold ore to 1 gold bar, 8 gold bars to one broadsword. Doesn't sound too bad, but gold can take a very long time to find in the game. Then just the helmet alone takes 25 bars.
Now, I don't want people to get the wrong ideas, I love both games. I'd buy both games if I had a credit card, but that's not the case, so I'll pass. Just, some things in each game irk me, I'm sure most other players would agree. That's all for this post, but I've got a great idea for the next one!
Now, getting back to the heavily opinionated reviews on games I don't actually own, I'd like to pick at Minecraft (no pun intended) today.
Minecraft is a huge game, lots of things to do, challenges to face, interesting enemies, and just has a certain unique-ness about it. However, I think the price is a little steep. I mean, from the graphic quality of the game, how easily it is to get bored of it, and just the fact that most people (hopefully) have better things to do with their time, Notch is charging a little overboard for Minecraft. Terraria is $10 on Steam, I think Minecraft should be similar in price, maybe $15, but I wouldn't give Notch any more than $20.
Another thing that I don't like about Minecraft is how open it is to mods and other edits. I mean, seriously, Notch is charging way to much for a game, doesn't make it open source, but dangles it in our face, just like that? Seems a tad unfair to me, amigos.
Don't get me wrong, I do indeed love Minecraft. Notch is a great game developer, but still, certain little things about the game irk me.
While we're talking about mining games, let's shift topic to Terraria.
Terraria is about 20x more fun than Minecraft, and about 20x as stupid. Magic miners? This is what people come up with? Terraria is great fun, but the concept is iffy, at best. Also, the crafting costs in Minecraft are reasonable, especially because the items you're searching for are generally scarce. I would not say Terraria's crafting costs are reasonable. Maybe for simple little items, sure, like chairs and walls, housing goods. But when it comes to the armor and weapons, well think. 4 gold ore to 1 gold bar, 8 gold bars to one broadsword. Doesn't sound too bad, but gold can take a very long time to find in the game. Then just the helmet alone takes 25 bars.
Now, I don't want people to get the wrong ideas, I love both games. I'd buy both games if I had a credit card, but that's not the case, so I'll pass. Just, some things in each game irk me, I'm sure most other players would agree. That's all for this post, but I've got a great idea for the next one!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Fellow golf game hater
I showed my newest post to my friend Tyler, as I always do, and I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one raging towards golf games. Thanks Tyler! ;D
If anyone actually reads this blog, they've probably realized that this is a filler post because I have nothing relevant on my mind. Well... pretty much.
WAIT: I've been loading my brain with E3 videos, trailers, reviews, all sorts of goodies. I'd like to express a few feelings to the things I saw.
A) Halo CE Anniversary: I'd sell my kidney for that game if I needed to.
B) Halo 4: I haven't a clue what the hell their fighting... but I'd sorta like to find out.
C) Assassin's Creed: Revelations: CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF. Don't stretch this out, man.
D) SoulCalibur V: It's the same f**king game we played on our Dreamcasts about 20 years ago. CUT IT OUT.
If anyone actually reads this blog, they've probably realized that this is a filler post because I have nothing relevant on my mind. Well... pretty much.
WAIT: I've been loading my brain with E3 videos, trailers, reviews, all sorts of goodies. I'd like to express a few feelings to the things I saw.
A) Halo CE Anniversary: I'd sell my kidney for that game if I needed to.
B) Halo 4: I haven't a clue what the hell their fighting... but I'd sorta like to find out.
C) Assassin's Creed: Revelations: CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF. Don't stretch this out, man.
D) SoulCalibur V: It's the same f**king game we played on our Dreamcasts about 20 years ago. CUT IT OUT.
Friday, June 3, 2011
GOLF GAMES
A recent conversation with a friend (and by recent I really mean it. This happened a few seconds ago) has reminded me something that I had ommitted from my sports game post: golf games. I understand people are lazy and would rather sit on their ass and munch chips than actually do anything regarding physical fitness, but GOLF GAMES? Golf is not hard, if anything it's relaxing and classy. Unless you get a bunch of rednecks on the golf course. Why don't they put that in golf games? That'd be slightly more realistic.
Golf games make everything to easy for you. They tell you the slope of the course, the mph of the wind, some games even give you a preview shot to show u where the ball will go!! Doesn't that sort of take the entire point out of playing the game, if u already know how it's gonna end up?
Golf games make everything to easy for you. They tell you the slope of the course, the mph of the wind, some games even give you a preview shot to show u where the ball will go!! Doesn't that sort of take the entire point out of playing the game, if u already know how it's gonna end up?
Sports video games.
Has anyone else ever noticed that sports games, like football, basketball, baseball, soccer, etc., are released every year? Each year, the "revamped" game comes out claiming to be better than the last one. These games start off for sale from $40.00-$60.00, and people are clamouring to waste their money on them. For anyone reading this, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against people who do this. I just think you're morons. Here's another question: Has anyone ever noticed that bargain bins at games stores usually consist 70% or more of sports games from '02 and up? Ever notice you can pick up most of them, including the 2010 versions of most sport games, for about $10.00? A year after launch! And even worse, I've seen older games for as low as $0.99. Call of Duty pumps out games every year, and even they still fetch a pretty penny, even that World of War piece of crap.
So my advice to all those stupid jocks who are too lazy to actually be jocks and just do it from your couch: Wait a damn year. I mean, I know the games suck, but if you're gonna buy the latest crappy game anyway, you might as well wait until the price goes down. Would you rather toss up $60.00 for a game you'll be bored with within a year, or $10.00? Think about that one.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Anime North 2011
I return to the real world with news regarding this year's Anime North, an anime convention in Toronto, Ontario over the last weekend of May. Like last year, the convention was packed with people, most of which had on crazy costumes or silly accessories and whatnot. The panels this year were packed with nerds beyond nerd-dom. It was actually pretty dreadful in some of them. I swear I could smell the pot off the fat bald dude in the first row in the original character making. Wonder when was the last time he got laid.
However, the greatest part of Anime North was deffinately the pictures, and I got lots of'em. I'll be uploading them onto my facebook account, but there's a chance of uploading them here, too. Crazy pictures, loads of costumes. Got plenty of hugs too. In fact, me and my pal who went with me started a small faction known as the Free Hug Brigade. Simple: Find a person, give'em hugs, walk away. Simple, yet awesome.
Anywayz, believe it or not I do have a life and have a little bit of work to get done, so I'm going to have to end this post on a positive note, which is something I don't like doing. Oh hey, there's the negative again! Score ^^ Bye for now.
However, the greatest part of Anime North was deffinately the pictures, and I got lots of'em. I'll be uploading them onto my facebook account, but there's a chance of uploading them here, too. Crazy pictures, loads of costumes. Got plenty of hugs too. In fact, me and my pal who went with me started a small faction known as the Free Hug Brigade. Simple: Find a person, give'em hugs, walk away. Simple, yet awesome.
Anywayz, believe it or not I do have a life and have a little bit of work to get done, so I'm going to have to end this post on a positive note, which is something I don't like doing. Oh hey, there's the negative again! Score ^^ Bye for now.
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