Valve has been one of those companies that has never really been on my radar, since I switched back from PC's to consoles years ago. I missed the Half-Life hullabaloo, and competetitve games were never my forte, so I never really took notice of Team Fortress.
Now, naturally I love a good deal, so when The Orange Box came out, I certainly took notice, but still wasn't sold on a virtually unknown (to me) IP. When Music World went under, and I swarmed with the rest of the vultures to pick at its rotting corpse, I finally took the opportunity to pick it up (for something like, 30% off). It took some time before I finally opened it, but when I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Half-Life 2 and the subsequent episode 1 didn't really grab me, but I did play through them. I can see what the appeal is to people, I just don't get the hype, but I missed the hype on "teh haloz" too, so maybe its just me.
Portal was definitely a cool game, and for a week or two, it continually broke my brain. I never finished it, so I didn't find out about the song until much later, I think when I downloaded it from Rock Band. Subsequently, I've listened to it dozens, if not hundreds of times on youtube and love it. Almost enough to get me to go back and play it.
Almost.
But this post is about Left 4 Dead, and all of its Zombie-ey (what?) goodness. Left 4 Dead was something I was peripherally aware of for some time, and passively excited about for a while as well. It certainly sounded good in principle, 4 player, zombie survival co-op that was different every time you played through. What's not to get into? But I've been to that dance before (falling for publisher hype), so I was cynical. Then the demo came out, and I saw the potential for great times, BUT, I knew L4D was a game that had to be played a certain way to enjoy it. It would have to be with 4 people, preferably friends, with good communication and a high tolerance for zombiefication..
To be continued.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Open letter to Nintendo
Dear Nintendo:
RE: DSI
Hey Nintendo, how are you? Thanks for the new Smash Bros game last year. It's pretty sweet. Still haven't really made good use of my Wii Fit yet, but that's really my fault, not yours. I appreciate the effort you've put into recreating a lot of the classics for my DS though. Dragon Quest IV? Chrono Trigger? Ys I & 2? Ok, that last one I'd never heard of, but the idea is still the same. So, everything's good with me. Finished EO a while back, still struggling with Phantom Hourglass, and plugging along at DQIV.
So... I guess I'll come right out and ask. What the fuck is up with the DSI? I thought we were friends, you and I. We go back man. Like, way back. Remember when the NES first came out? I do. I was like, 5 or 6 and mom and dad bought one for "me". Sure, the only game they got for it was Lee Travinos golf, but that was ok! I still played it and loved it! Then when I got older, remember that? Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Nintendo Power? Yeah, I was still stepping out on you, going to the arcade after school, but I was young and didn't know any better. And those times I went to my cousins to play Sega? That was just sowing some wild oats, it didn't mean anything. Sure, I loved Alex in Wonderland, but did it compare to Mario? Of course not! And did Sega have the 20's, 40's and 100's in ones like you did? Of course not! Super Mario 3? Are you kidding me? The game that was so good that it spawned a movie!
The gameboy? I remember that birthday. I do, it was bittersweet. Dinner out with the family, nice trip to the city, the new mario game? True Grandma ruined it by being drunk and missing it, but at least I had that green and grey dot matrix screen to ease that pain. And Tetris with Travis's mom? I remember that vividly.
Then the SNES came out. Remember those times? Mom brought it home for the weekend from the video store and it didn't have to go back until Monday? Remember how I cut school that afternoon to stay home and play Super Mario World? Star worlds, Yoshis, Koopa Kids? I loved those things. Mario Kart? Fuck yeah!
Some might say the N64 was a bit of a misstep, but you tried your best with it, and I know that you had the best intentions! Is it your fault I had to look on wikipedia to remember any of the games? No! Just because I didn't like the Zelda games doesn't mean I stopped loving you!
Remember right before the gamecube came out? I was so hyped about I could barely contain my excitement. Sure, I had kind of fallen away from gaming then, but that was ok, because I still remembered you. Even Luigi's mansion looked good! And when that gamecube did release, I went out and got one, didn't I? Luigi's mansion, Mario Kart, Resident Evil. Red Faction II with all the guys from the warehouse? One of the highlights of the time.
You ruled the handhelds, and I know that. Game Gear? Hell No, but I'm sure I bought a Gameboy color, probably a gameboy mini, and of course the gameboy advance. When the SP came out, I upgraded, and I was only a little bit resentful that it was the first time a Nintendo handheld had a backlit screen.
What did you do then Nintendo? You released Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords adventure, promising hours of untold fun with my friends if we all had SP's and gameboy link cables. I trusted you Nintendo, and so I bought 3 more SP's and the link cables. Was it fun? Of course it was! The functionality between the two was incredible, and the technology, for the time, was mind-blowing, but where were the rest of the games Nintendo? I spent hundreds of dollars in getting this setup, for two games? And then you abandoned the idea!
So we both moved on from there, didn't we? I started playing the XBox, andyou gave up on the SP's. I knew we were growing apart, but didn't know what to do about it. The Xbox just had more to offer me at the time. I didn't like it anymore than you did, but we had both just changed too much.
But then you got me back. The DS came out and rekindled our relationship. It might have took a while for you to find your footing, but you got there, and I love my DS. The DS Phat wasn't pretty, but it served a purpose, and when it got stolen from my car (did you have anything to do with that Nintendo? Was that your way of getting me to switch to the lite?, what did I do? I went out and bought 2 DS Lites, one for me, and one for Charity. And yes, she hates games, but she didn't mind Nintendogs one bit! And of course there was the wifi connectivity. Maybe we didn't play any Lego Star Wars, but we could have!
And now what have you gone and done Nintendo? You've developed the DSI. When we went from the SP to the DS, it was a huge jump. And from the Phat to lite, it was a smaller jump, but still an improvement. But this Nintendo? A DS that plays Mp3's and has a camera? For what? I have a phone that does that, and probably better! Is it because I have a PSP too now? I don't even use the PSP to play music, and the novelty of the movies on it wore off quickly. And if that wasn't bad enough, you're planning on releasing DSi specific games, to force my hand? Is this how it ends Nintendo? With the DS fading off into the sunset, and our relationship coming to an end?
At least we had a good run. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, and we've certainly weathered a few storms together, but I guess we just have different views on life now. I just want to be able to keep buying games for a system that I enjoy, and that is still relevant, and you want to keep making small iterations on your hardware. I don't think I'll buy a DSi, and when the upgraded Wii comes out, I don't think I'll get that either. You've watched me slip away more and more, turning to the welcoming embrace of Microsoft, and done nothing compelling to get me to stay. You've got your soccer moms, your uneducated children, your grandparents, and I guess that's what enough for you. You probably won't remember me when I'm gone, but I'll certainly remember you.
Wii want to play? Not anymore we don't.
RE: DSI
Hey Nintendo, how are you? Thanks for the new Smash Bros game last year. It's pretty sweet. Still haven't really made good use of my Wii Fit yet, but that's really my fault, not yours. I appreciate the effort you've put into recreating a lot of the classics for my DS though. Dragon Quest IV? Chrono Trigger? Ys I & 2? Ok, that last one I'd never heard of, but the idea is still the same. So, everything's good with me. Finished EO a while back, still struggling with Phantom Hourglass, and plugging along at DQIV.
So... I guess I'll come right out and ask. What the fuck is up with the DSI? I thought we were friends, you and I. We go back man. Like, way back. Remember when the NES first came out? I do. I was like, 5 or 6 and mom and dad bought one for "me". Sure, the only game they got for it was Lee Travinos golf, but that was ok! I still played it and loved it! Then when I got older, remember that? Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Nintendo Power? Yeah, I was still stepping out on you, going to the arcade after school, but I was young and didn't know any better. And those times I went to my cousins to play Sega? That was just sowing some wild oats, it didn't mean anything. Sure, I loved Alex in Wonderland, but did it compare to Mario? Of course not! And did Sega have the 20's, 40's and 100's in ones like you did? Of course not! Super Mario 3? Are you kidding me? The game that was so good that it spawned a movie!
The gameboy? I remember that birthday. I do, it was bittersweet. Dinner out with the family, nice trip to the city, the new mario game? True Grandma ruined it by being drunk and missing it, but at least I had that green and grey dot matrix screen to ease that pain. And Tetris with Travis's mom? I remember that vividly.
Then the SNES came out. Remember those times? Mom brought it home for the weekend from the video store and it didn't have to go back until Monday? Remember how I cut school that afternoon to stay home and play Super Mario World? Star worlds, Yoshis, Koopa Kids? I loved those things. Mario Kart? Fuck yeah!
Some might say the N64 was a bit of a misstep, but you tried your best with it, and I know that you had the best intentions! Is it your fault I had to look on wikipedia to remember any of the games? No! Just because I didn't like the Zelda games doesn't mean I stopped loving you!
Remember right before the gamecube came out? I was so hyped about I could barely contain my excitement. Sure, I had kind of fallen away from gaming then, but that was ok, because I still remembered you. Even Luigi's mansion looked good! And when that gamecube did release, I went out and got one, didn't I? Luigi's mansion, Mario Kart, Resident Evil. Red Faction II with all the guys from the warehouse? One of the highlights of the time.
You ruled the handhelds, and I know that. Game Gear? Hell No, but I'm sure I bought a Gameboy color, probably a gameboy mini, and of course the gameboy advance. When the SP came out, I upgraded, and I was only a little bit resentful that it was the first time a Nintendo handheld had a backlit screen.
What did you do then Nintendo? You released Crystal Chronicles and Four Swords adventure, promising hours of untold fun with my friends if we all had SP's and gameboy link cables. I trusted you Nintendo, and so I bought 3 more SP's and the link cables. Was it fun? Of course it was! The functionality between the two was incredible, and the technology, for the time, was mind-blowing, but where were the rest of the games Nintendo? I spent hundreds of dollars in getting this setup, for two games? And then you abandoned the idea!
So we both moved on from there, didn't we? I started playing the XBox, andyou gave up on the SP's. I knew we were growing apart, but didn't know what to do about it. The Xbox just had more to offer me at the time. I didn't like it anymore than you did, but we had both just changed too much.
But then you got me back. The DS came out and rekindled our relationship. It might have took a while for you to find your footing, but you got there, and I love my DS. The DS Phat wasn't pretty, but it served a purpose, and when it got stolen from my car (did you have anything to do with that Nintendo? Was that your way of getting me to switch to the lite?, what did I do? I went out and bought 2 DS Lites, one for me, and one for Charity. And yes, she hates games, but she didn't mind Nintendogs one bit! And of course there was the wifi connectivity. Maybe we didn't play any Lego Star Wars, but we could have!
And now what have you gone and done Nintendo? You've developed the DSI. When we went from the SP to the DS, it was a huge jump. And from the Phat to lite, it was a smaller jump, but still an improvement. But this Nintendo? A DS that plays Mp3's and has a camera? For what? I have a phone that does that, and probably better! Is it because I have a PSP too now? I don't even use the PSP to play music, and the novelty of the movies on it wore off quickly. And if that wasn't bad enough, you're planning on releasing DSi specific games, to force my hand? Is this how it ends Nintendo? With the DS fading off into the sunset, and our relationship coming to an end?
At least we had a good run. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, and we've certainly weathered a few storms together, but I guess we just have different views on life now. I just want to be able to keep buying games for a system that I enjoy, and that is still relevant, and you want to keep making small iterations on your hardware. I don't think I'll buy a DSi, and when the upgraded Wii comes out, I don't think I'll get that either. You've watched me slip away more and more, turning to the welcoming embrace of Microsoft, and done nothing compelling to get me to stay. You've got your soccer moms, your uneducated children, your grandparents, and I guess that's what enough for you. You probably won't remember me when I'm gone, but I'll certainly remember you.
Wii want to play? Not anymore we don't.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
DEALS!!!!
Just found Alone In The Dark for 360 for $9.89 @ EB Games downtown. Its in the flyer so presumably its on sale at all locations. Can't wait until I finish Bioshock so I can try it!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A new reader!
There was a picture here, but it was removed out of respect to a co-worker.
I'll keep it down as long as he keeps reading.
;0
I'll keep it down as long as he keeps reading.
;0
In your FACE Tao Tzu
Now I can blog mobiley, and as such, will do so consistently. The downside is that I will blog about more mundane things. Check back and comment often!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Dragon Quest IV - Part 1
I originally played Dragon Quest IV on the NES and I fucking LOVED it. I thought that the fact that the game was broken up into chapters, and that each chapter had its own unique flavour and elements was way ahead of its time. I've known about DQIV for the DS for some time but never got around to buying it, but eventually J3nn bought it for me, and I've been playing it off and on for a while.
Here are some things I've learned from DQIV on my second go 'round.
1) Nostalgia is misleading.
Its still a great game, but the highlights that I fondly reminisce on are shorter, and less impactful than I thought they were. Maybe its because I'm not 14 anymore, and maybe its because I've been spoiled by RPGs like Oblivion or Fallout 3, but its not as great as I remember.
2) Translation is terrible.
I'm currently looking for a character named "Tom Foolery" who is a comedian. If this were an isolated character, I'd get over it, but the naming conventions in this game are all around terrible. On top of that, each chapters characters are modeled after foreign (to northa america) culture, such as Russian, Scottish, irish and french, and the game goes to great pains to illustrate their accents. Its the worst.
3) Playing 2 years of Etrian Oddysey ruined me.
Etrian was a very strategic game. There were many levels of strategy in each battle, there were elemental strengths and weaknesses to consider, there were dozens of skills, and hundreds of party/skill combinations. DQIV, because each character is pre-made and has specific spells and abilities they are able to unlock, takes away a lot of the strategy required and breaks it down to "if you have this equipment and are this level, you should be able to beat these guys". Its not to say that DQIV isn't challenging, but it doesn't require the same depth of strategy that EO has.
All in all, these gripes aside, its still worth playing through, and I am still enjoying it.
See ya tomorrow!
Here are some things I've learned from DQIV on my second go 'round.
1) Nostalgia is misleading.
Its still a great game, but the highlights that I fondly reminisce on are shorter, and less impactful than I thought they were. Maybe its because I'm not 14 anymore, and maybe its because I've been spoiled by RPGs like Oblivion or Fallout 3, but its not as great as I remember.
2) Translation is terrible.
I'm currently looking for a character named "Tom Foolery" who is a comedian. If this were an isolated character, I'd get over it, but the naming conventions in this game are all around terrible. On top of that, each chapters characters are modeled after foreign (to northa america) culture, such as Russian, Scottish, irish and french, and the game goes to great pains to illustrate their accents. Its the worst.
3) Playing 2 years of Etrian Oddysey ruined me.
Etrian was a very strategic game. There were many levels of strategy in each battle, there were elemental strengths and weaknesses to consider, there were dozens of skills, and hundreds of party/skill combinations. DQIV, because each character is pre-made and has specific spells and abilities they are able to unlock, takes away a lot of the strategy required and breaks it down to "if you have this equipment and are this level, you should be able to beat these guys". Its not to say that DQIV isn't challenging, but it doesn't require the same depth of strategy that EO has.
All in all, these gripes aside, its still worth playing through, and I am still enjoying it.
See ya tomorrow!
Lack of initiative
(me) "As much as I love Penny Arcade, I also kind of hate them a little bit"
(jenn) "Oh? Why?"
(me) "Well, they get paid to talk about games, which is one of my favourite things to do. When I talk about games, I get blank stares from the girl at stupid future shop. She shouldn't have asked me about Final Fantasy if she didn't care!!"
(jenn) "Well, why don't you blog more? You might not get paid for it, but if you get some readers, at least you'll get something out of it."
(me) "Because aside from you and Joey, no-one reads my stupid blog, and I'm too lazy to try to promote it."
(jenn) "Well, if you write in it more, more people will find it, and it should self-perpetuate."
(me) "Yeah, maybe I'll make an effort to blog more"
I'm paraphrasing most of the conversation, but this is the gist of a conversation Jenn and I had. The thing about the girl at Future Shop is true. I bought Final Fantasy III for the Ds and she exclaimed that she didn't know Final Fantasy was on any other systems than Sony. I started to explain to her that FFIII was originally only released in Japan, and that FFI and FFII were ports from the original NES, now available on PSP. I started to explain that FFIV on the DS was originally FFII on the SNES and that I was hoping FFV comes out soon, because it was my favourite (and the last one I played), but I lost her somewhere around the first sentence I said, and there was a line forming behind me, so we got the fuck out of there. I did rant for abou 10 minutes to Jenn about it. Why would she bring it up if she didn't care?!?!?
Anyways, the point is, I will now update my blog once a day, at minimum, as to what I have going on in my gaming life, and occasionally funny or interesting anecdotes about my life.
Probably not that last one.
(jenn) "Oh? Why?"
(me) "Well, they get paid to talk about games, which is one of my favourite things to do. When I talk about games, I get blank stares from the girl at stupid future shop. She shouldn't have asked me about Final Fantasy if she didn't care!!"
(jenn) "Well, why don't you blog more? You might not get paid for it, but if you get some readers, at least you'll get something out of it."
(me) "Because aside from you and Joey, no-one reads my stupid blog, and I'm too lazy to try to promote it."
(jenn) "Well, if you write in it more, more people will find it, and it should self-perpetuate."
(me) "Yeah, maybe I'll make an effort to blog more"
I'm paraphrasing most of the conversation, but this is the gist of a conversation Jenn and I had. The thing about the girl at Future Shop is true. I bought Final Fantasy III for the Ds and she exclaimed that she didn't know Final Fantasy was on any other systems than Sony. I started to explain to her that FFIII was originally only released in Japan, and that FFI and FFII were ports from the original NES, now available on PSP. I started to explain that FFIV on the DS was originally FFII on the SNES and that I was hoping FFV comes out soon, because it was my favourite (and the last one I played), but I lost her somewhere around the first sentence I said, and there was a line forming behind me, so we got the fuck out of there. I did rant for abou 10 minutes to Jenn about it. Why would she bring it up if she didn't care?!?!?
Anyways, the point is, I will now update my blog once a day, at minimum, as to what I have going on in my gaming life, and occasionally funny or interesting anecdotes about my life.
Probably not that last one.
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