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.

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!