i'm really starting to enjoy this game more and more as i progress. the things that annoyed me form the start still do - the battles still get repetitive. however my team is strong enough to power through all of the encounters, even boss battles, so it has gained sort of an elegiac pace, giving more time to enjoy the wonderful environments and saccharine storyline (which unfortunately is as dull as ever).
if i ever decide to play through a second time to unlock all achievements - which isn't possible in one playthrough, by the way - i'll definitely be skipping every cutscene. it'll probably take about half the time. honestly, at one point a cutscene was taking so long that my controller turned off and the screen dimmed.
Monday, 28 January 2008
wii hack update.
i'm not sure if this method is the same as the previous method i mentioned, but some guys managed to run unsigned code through a modified zelda: twilight princess saved game.
source: http://www.tehskeen.com/index.php#post24784
source: http://www.tehskeen.com/index.php#post24784
Monday, 21 January 2008
yet more uninformed rubbish.
this time from the telegraph. each and every person quoted in this article has obviously never taken the time to play the game and are basing their argument on sheer heresy.
we had it for the ps2 version, now we're getting it again for the re-release on wii/360. yes, it's none other than bully: scholarship edition.
source: here
we had it for the ps2 version, now we're getting it again for the re-release on wii/360. yes, it's none other than bully: scholarship edition.
source: here
Sunday, 20 January 2008
illness.
i've been off work since wednesday so i've had plenty time to play some games.
in crackdown i've collected 100/300 hidden orbs and 460/500 agility orbs, and popped my co-op cherry, as it were.
one thing that is annoying me right now is the plethora of DLC placeholders that have littered my sandbox since downloading an update. it seems that every time i approach an agility race it's one of the new ones that requires a purchase. it wouldn't be so annoying if it weren't for the fact the the radar constantly flashes and coerces you in their direction.
so why haven't i purchased the DLC yet? well, at present people who are good at taking care of their money are discriminated against by microsoft. that is, if you don't own a credit card, forget it. debit cards don't exist to them. sure, i could purchase a 'points card' online or in a shop, but that would be forgoing the point of offering these tidbits of functionality online with instant access.
kudos to sony for allowing me to use my Maestro card on their PSN service, which i have done so in the past (oh gripshift, how i miss thee). unfortunately Nintendo have the same attitude when it comes to virtual console; if you're not in huge amounts of debt to Visa, your money is no good to them.
in crackdown i've collected 100/300 hidden orbs and 460/500 agility orbs, and popped my co-op cherry, as it were.
one thing that is annoying me right now is the plethora of DLC placeholders that have littered my sandbox since downloading an update. it seems that every time i approach an agility race it's one of the new ones that requires a purchase. it wouldn't be so annoying if it weren't for the fact the the radar constantly flashes and coerces you in their direction.
so why haven't i purchased the DLC yet? well, at present people who are good at taking care of their money are discriminated against by microsoft. that is, if you don't own a credit card, forget it. debit cards don't exist to them. sure, i could purchase a 'points card' online or in a shop, but that would be forgoing the point of offering these tidbits of functionality online with instant access.
kudos to sony for allowing me to use my Maestro card on their PSN service, which i have done so in the past (oh gripshift, how i miss thee). unfortunately Nintendo have the same attitude when it comes to virtual console; if you're not in huge amounts of debt to Visa, your money is no good to them.
Friday, 18 January 2008
crackdown compelted.
well, completed as in all of the bosses and final crimes have been completed and the "trifecta" achievement has been gained. i still have all 500 agility orbs and 300 hidden orbs to find, not to mention all manner of co-op silliness to do.
this is the first game in a long, long time that i still want to play to completion after finishing the main narrative.
this is the first game in a long, long time that i still want to play to completion after finishing the main narrative.
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
probably the most ignorant article in history.
honestly, this article couldn't be more full of factual errors, ignorant opinion masquerading as truth, unresearched tripe and hysterical fundamentalism. i'm simply in awe that someone could be this stupid.
source: read at your own risk
source: read at your own risk
Monday, 14 January 2008
no more heroes in 'actually very good' shocker.
apparently no more heroes received a very respectable 9/10 in this month's EDGE. a new must-have game for the wii!?
blue dragon impressions.
i plugged around 4 hours into blue dragon over the weekend, so here's what i think of it so far.
the presentation of the game is fantastic. at first i didn't like the character design at all: rotund heads, small eyes and plain colours, but to see them move and talk rubs off on you. and speaking of talking, the english voice acting isn't actually that terrible, and the option to turn it off actually appears when you start a new game. kudos!
the battle system is a take on the good ol' final fantasy turn-based system (even pre-ATB) with a few gimmicks tacked on. when casting magic a bar appears; hold down A and let go in the orange sweet-spot to consume less MP. this adds a layer of skill to the simple menu mashing, as well as a genius layer of tactics: the bar also shows when your spell will be cast in the order of each player or enemy's turn.
battles are initiated on the field by touching an enemy just as in eternal sonata, although BD also implements an arc by pressing the right trigger where you can choose to attack an enemy. this also allows you to target more than one enemy; some combinations of enemies trigger "monster battles" where the enemies will attack each other. often you will find yourself luring monsters into your arc to make them fight each other, which does break the monotony somewhat.
the story so far is one of the most outlandish since xenogears; nothing makes sense, random events occur that aren't explained (for now at least), and the characters don't seem fazed by it at all. just the way i like it, actually.
the presentation of the game is fantastic. at first i didn't like the character design at all: rotund heads, small eyes and plain colours, but to see them move and talk rubs off on you. and speaking of talking, the english voice acting isn't actually that terrible, and the option to turn it off actually appears when you start a new game. kudos!
the battle system is a take on the good ol' final fantasy turn-based system (even pre-ATB) with a few gimmicks tacked on. when casting magic a bar appears; hold down A and let go in the orange sweet-spot to consume less MP. this adds a layer of skill to the simple menu mashing, as well as a genius layer of tactics: the bar also shows when your spell will be cast in the order of each player or enemy's turn.
battles are initiated on the field by touching an enemy just as in eternal sonata, although BD also implements an arc by pressing the right trigger where you can choose to attack an enemy. this also allows you to target more than one enemy; some combinations of enemies trigger "monster battles" where the enemies will attack each other. often you will find yourself luring monsters into your arc to make them fight each other, which does break the monotony somewhat.
the story so far is one of the most outlandish since xenogears; nothing makes sense, random events occur that aren't explained (for now at least), and the characters don't seem fazed by it at all. just the way i like it, actually.
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
my anticipated games of 2008.
grand theft auto iv: goes without saying really. still haven't decided which platform to get it for, but apparently 360 will be getting its own exclusive content, which could sway me.
no more heroes: more wacky cel-shading from the makers of killer7, on another nintendo console.
prototype: free-running action that looks like a cross between crackdown, assassin's creed and hulk.
mirror's edge: first person action/shooter free running japery, could be '09 though as it's in early development.
fracture: terrain-deformation gimmick that is said to be tons of fun by those who've played a dev demo.
metal gear solid 4: guns of the patriots: another obvious choice, could turn around the fortunes of the old black dust-monolith.
final fantasy xiii: after the phenomenal ffxii, it should be interesting to see if square-enix are happy to rest on their laurels or come up with some more innovations in the genre.
the last remnant: more square-enix tomfoolery, this time with the unreal engine underneath it. interesting.
lost odyssey: mistwalker's serious rpg compared to blue dragon. initial reception hasn't been great, but i have faith.
mario kart wii: a great mario kart game on the wii with online play would be an absolute treat.
resident evil 5: if it can match the greatness of the fourth iteration, we're in for an absolute treat.
no more heroes: more wacky cel-shading from the makers of killer7, on another nintendo console.
prototype: free-running action that looks like a cross between crackdown, assassin's creed and hulk.
mirror's edge: first person action/shooter free running japery, could be '09 though as it's in early development.
fracture: terrain-deformation gimmick that is said to be tons of fun by those who've played a dev demo.
metal gear solid 4: guns of the patriots: another obvious choice, could turn around the fortunes of the old black dust-monolith.
final fantasy xiii: after the phenomenal ffxii, it should be interesting to see if square-enix are happy to rest on their laurels or come up with some more innovations in the genre.
the last remnant: more square-enix tomfoolery, this time with the unreal engine underneath it. interesting.
lost odyssey: mistwalker's serious rpg compared to blue dragon. initial reception hasn't been great, but i have faith.
mario kart wii: a great mario kart game on the wii with online play would be an absolute treat.
resident evil 5: if it can match the greatness of the fourth iteration, we're in for an absolute treat.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
hdmi goodness.
i'm looking forward to finally getting some use out of my neglected, dust ridden PS3. part of the reason (read: excuse) that i haven't used it much is that i'm using the SD cable that came with it on my crappy 19" monitor/TV. the 360 has a VGA cable and actually looks not too bad, but there is no equivalent for the PS3, or at least last I checked there wasn't.
fortunately my parents have bought me a new tv as a housewarming/wedding gift for moving into my new house, which should hopefully be soon. it's a 37" behemoth, and i've already bought the hdmi cables to use the ps3 with it (fortunately the 360 came with a component lead in the box). i can't wait to see the difference in motorstorm and... that... one free blue-ray james bond disc. hmm.
fortunately my parents have bought me a new tv as a housewarming/wedding gift for moving into my new house, which should hopefully be soon. it's a 37" behemoth, and i've already bought the hdmi cables to use the ps3 with it (fortunately the 360 came with a component lead in the box). i can't wait to see the difference in motorstorm and... that... one free blue-ray james bond disc. hmm.
Monday, 7 January 2008
crackdown is fun.
this weekend was mostly spent playing crackdown. for the most part i was just bounding around collecting agility orbs and taking part in agility races. now and again i would segue into the actual missions, but it's just so much fun running around exploring the city.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Friday, 4 January 2008
hidden picross.
turns out i haven't quite finished picross yet, there's a hidden 11th board unlocked once you complete all the free mode boards. i don't know whether to be happy or sad.
Thursday, 3 January 2008
eternal sonata update.
here is a summary of my thoughts on eternal sonata.
battles: not random thankfully, but still dull and repetitive. every battle can be won with the same moves with very little variation. new abilities are awarded through random levelling up. stats are boosted with the usual weapon/armour/accessory upgrades from chests found in the field. items become completely useless when you unlock viola's heal arrow ability. dungeons are choose-a-corridor-fight-the-enemies-beat-the-boss.
characters: there's hardly a likeable fellow in the whole bunch. every character/town/locale has a music theory related name, so no marks for originality there. every jrpg/anime stereotype is present - weepy girl, boyish girl, effeminate guy, moody guy, tough guy etc. plot is straightforward, predictable and so generic it hurts, even when you take into account the chopin's dream angle. the only customizable parts of a character is there equipment and abilities.
voice acting: completely terrible.
gameplay: strangely compelling. i genuinely want to finish the game even thoguh the flaws are starting to grate. the atmosphere of the game and the rich graphics are just about enough to keep me interested, and i'm naively expecting it to get at least a little bit challenging soon - i haven't even seen a game over screen yet.
battles: not random thankfully, but still dull and repetitive. every battle can be won with the same moves with very little variation. new abilities are awarded through random levelling up. stats are boosted with the usual weapon/armour/accessory upgrades from chests found in the field. items become completely useless when you unlock viola's heal arrow ability. dungeons are choose-a-corridor-fight-the-enemies-beat-the-boss.
characters: there's hardly a likeable fellow in the whole bunch. every character/town/locale has a music theory related name, so no marks for originality there. every jrpg/anime stereotype is present - weepy girl, boyish girl, effeminate guy, moody guy, tough guy etc. plot is straightforward, predictable and so generic it hurts, even when you take into account the chopin's dream angle. the only customizable parts of a character is there equipment and abilities.
voice acting: completely terrible.
gameplay: strangely compelling. i genuinely want to finish the game even thoguh the flaws are starting to grate. the atmosphere of the game and the rich graphics are just about enough to keep me interested, and i'm naively expecting it to get at least a little bit challenging soon - i haven't even seen a game over screen yet.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
picross ds.
i have now officially finished ever puzzle on the cartridge. yes, even all of the 'free mode' puzzles. i'm a masochist.
i thought i could finally put the game to rest until i found out there are puzzles that can be downloaded via wifi, including all of the original mario's picross puzzles - which i have already completed and sold on.
i thought i could finally put the game to rest until i found out there are puzzles that can be downloaded via wifi, including all of the original mario's picross puzzles - which i have already completed and sold on.
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