Playstation 3 2010 Buyers Guide

The Playstation 3 started out as a disappointment to many loyal Sony fans. With an enormous price tag and a lack of initial support there was little reason to desire this new piece of hardware. That was the past however and now with lots of games, a reasonable (though still high) price tag, and its handy ability to play Blu-ray the Playstation 3 is starting to move into our hearts and into our homes.

If you are tired of WWII shooters but not really loving this modern combat stuff maybe this is the game for you. The story of Resistance: Fall of man is told as an alternative to WWII where you fight aliens in 1940’s Europe. The guns resemble weapons from the time period but they have obvious upgrades and the pace is spectacular. This game does well in every category but it also has that nice layer of finish that really makes it step ahead of the rest. The first game allows you to play through the entire campaign with a friend via split screen and I highly recommend you take advantage of it. It’s an older game now with a sequel so this is an amazing title that wont break the bank. You should be about to find it around $20-30 new and even cheaper used.

Think back to when you were a teenager and thought that it would be fun to play Tomb Raider. Now replace the main character with someone who you can take serious and fix everything that was wrong with those games from the control interface to the jumping glitches. What you end up with is something close to but not quite as good as Uncharted. These two games will change how you view treasure hunting and they can only be played on the PS3. If you are new to this genre (or subgenre really) there is platforming, third person shooting (similar to the cover system used in Gears of War), and a story line that will keep you on the edge of you seat. If you have been waiting for a reason to by a PS3 this might just be it.

If you have already played and enjoyed the first two games then this is a no-brainer. Take the same style of combat, make everything better looking, and add lots of content and you have God of War 3. If you didn’t enjoy the first two games then don’t buy this one as nothing has really changed. If you are new to the series however you have two options. You can start with this title or try the HD collection, which includes the first to games at half the price. You not only save money and get to enjoy more content but it allows you to better follow the story which is actually really good for what is essentially a hack ‘n slash title mixed with puzzles. This game is not for the faint of heart however and is definitely not designed for children. If you can’t stand blood and lots of it, then do not play this game! The rest of you, enjoy!

The Ratchet and Clank series is nothing new on the Playstation and latest installments (under the name future) are not going to shock anyone. They gameplay is similar, the cut-scenes are still hilarious, and they keep making strange guns. That being said they are still amazing! I have enjoyed every mainstream title in the series and these two games are no exception. If you are getting tired of the series these probably won’t do much to change your attitude but if you are new then start here. The games make references to the past and honestly while the story is great it isn’t worth going back six games for. Add the fact that I have seen at least one of these titles for under $20 new and you really cant go wrong. If you are trying to play them in order then play Tools of Destruction before you play A Crack in Time.

Valkryia Chronicles is a wild card on this list in that I can’t actually recommend it because I haven’t yet had a chance to play it. As a result I struggled with whether or not to include it but from the little that I have seen it would be wrong not to. It’s an RPG with some major gameplay difference from your traditional turn based system. All I can say is that it’s at the top of my list and if you can’t figure out what else to ask for you might as well give it a try. I can’t stop hearing good things about it and with so many people having mixed feelings about Final Fantasy 13; this might be the way to go for that RPG lover in the family.

Xbox 360 2010 Buyers Guide

Do you get excited when you hear a shield charging? Is an animal the last thing you think of when you hear someone say Warthog? Chances are if you own an Xbox, you said yes to both of those questions with a big smile on your face. Halo has been a long-standing success on Microsoft’s home consoles and Halo Reach, the final installment under the leadership of Bungie isn’t going to do anything to hurt its reputation. The graphics are crisp and the gameplay is as fun as ever. Chances are if you have played the previous titles in the series this will already be at the top of your wish list this holiday season. If not this isn’t a bad place to start. Pick up a copy this season to see what a first person shooter on the Xbox is all about.

The tales series has had less success establishing a name for itself here in the states than rival competitors like Final Fantasy but without good reason. Like any other JRPG you fight lots of battles to level up your characters and continue the story arc but things here are a little bit different. Instead of completely random battles you can see and approach enemies in the wild. This allows you to avoid easy battles when backtracking or chain together huge ambushes for the fun of it. The combat system is also a little bit more interactive (think a combination of Final fantasy and Zelda) and while the field encounters can grow a little dull the boss battles are some of the most exciting I have seen. Where this game really sets itself apart though is its amazing story and ridiculous character development. There are few other games where I got as emotionally involved and it’s truly a testament to how real the characters feel. Even if you don’t love JRPGs this is a game to look into. It just might change how you feel about them.

Personally I don’t love first person shooters on a consol. Call me old fashioned but when it comes to my shooters I prefer a keyboard and mouse. That being said I completely changed my opinion after playing both the first and second Gears of War titles. These games are unique in that you move in a third person view but shoot in first person. It sounds like it wouldn’t work well but because you use a well thought-out cover system is actually streamlines the control experience and makes you wonder why more titles haven’t adopted it. Be warned though that this isn’t the type of game where you run up the middle with guns blazing. You will need to move strategically behind cover to advance. If that doesn’t sound fun to you then maybe this isn’t the game for you. For everyone else though the third and final title will be out early next year so it is a great time to pick up the first two games and catch up on the story. You can find both games for around $20 each making them great gifts if you are running low on cash!

If you are like everyone else in America than you are over vampires and into zombies. I’m not sure what will come next (werewolves?) but for now the most fun you can have is cutting down the undead. With that in mind you might want to take a look at Left 4 Dead and its sequel Left 4 Dead 2. While being first person shooters at heart they are different in that your enemy isn’t shooting back. Instead it runs straight for you in large masses of nails and teeth. This doesn’t mean they are easy games but it does mean that people who don’t like aiming a gun with a controller won’t have to worry. Just pick the shotgun and move forward; you will hit something, trust me! These games are fun by yourself but better when played with a friend. There is a hug online community following both games but the split screen co-op mode is fun too. I suggest playing them at night with the lights out and a friend who scares easy, you wont regret it!

Have you ever wanted to play a game so bad it hurt? Are you the kind of person who laughs to the point of tears when something so simple just can’t be accomplished? If you are then you need to take a look at Resident Evil 5. If you like good games than please skip this title but if you and a friend are interested in experiencing something bad and laughing at its shortcomings than buy this game. I wouldn’t suggest buying this game for more than $20 though or you will feel cheated but you should find a bunch of stores trying to unload it this holiday season. Only play this game with a friend in co-op because the laughter will be contagious and by the end you will love the experience. I warn you though, it took my friend and I over an hour just to get the stupid thing set up and between us we have probably played thousands of games. Consider yourself warned. It has a lot of painful flaws, but if you know that going into things you might just love it.

There are many more titles for the 360 but most aren’t exclusive to the system, such as Call of Duty, and will be handled in a different review. Before my box gets flooded with messages about how Left 4 Dead and RE5 aren’t exclusive I will say that I put them in this guide because they belong here. Yes Left 4 Dead can be played on the computer but I don’t recommend it. Personally I like to make gaming a social experience and being able to play co-op from the same sofa with a friend is better in my opinion than playing it over the Internet with strangers. If you don’t care than play whatever is cheapest. Also the main hilarity of RE5 came from an interface system worse than the new Alone in the Dark’s item swap menu. The inability to rearrange weapons and the fact that a rocket launcher takes the same amount of cargo space as an egg (and I mean one egg since you can’t even stack them!) makes me a crack a cynical smile. I don’t know if this problem exists on other systems so I can’t recommend it for those. But if it works well on other systems than you might have an entirely new reason to play it. It’s really up to you.

Hope that this has been a help. As always please leave any feedback you have below and I will be sure to get back to you. If there is a game missing that you think should have made the cut let me know, but please avoid multisystem titles. You will find those later on. Have fun shopping and good luck out there!

Nintendo Wii 2010 Buyer's Guide

The Wii has seen its ups and downs but this year there is plenty to be excited about. With several new titles and lots of diversity there should be something for everyone on your holiday list.

Donkey Kong Country Returns is a side-scrolling throwback to the glory days of the Super Nintendo. The graphics as some of the best on the system just like the original Donkey Kong Games and the gameplay is as unforgiving as ever. Don’t be intimidated by this though as there is an option to skip levels that are too hairy and the added ability of a second player makes things that much more fun! This is a great gift for anyone who likes 2D platformers or someone who is looking for a challenge.

Kirby’s Epic Yarn seems to have been made for all of those fans who love 2D platforming but don’t want to throw their Wii motes at the TV after dying every thirty seconds in DK Country Returns. It is probably the most beautiful game I have seen to date but it doesn’t present much of a challenge. The cute style graphics might also put off the more “macho” gamer or boys who still think that girls have cooties. However for anyone else who loves this style gameplay and doesn’t need to have a difficult adventure to enjoy it should really pick up this game.

Super Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 are the best the Wii has to offer. They are fun, they are diverse, and they are extremely addicting. They are 3D platforming titles that anyone from your children to your grandmother will enjoy. Keep in mind that they can get challenging toward the end but they really are a nice middle ground between the first two games on this list. If the person you are buying for doesn’t have either go with the first title. The gameplay is basically the same and you can save lots of money. Plus if they like it, you know what to get them for their next big event! As an added note the box will say it is for two players but it is not. If you have more than one child and you want them to play together scroll down to New Super Mario Brothers and put this game out of your mind.

Monster Hunter is not for everyone. It is hard, it is frustrating, and you need to spend hundreds of hours playing it in order to do anything. That being said it provides a high level of accomplishment when you beat it and is a great way to spend time with friends. The game is difficult to describe so check out my full review for more details.

With Zombies all over television these days (thank you AMC) you are likely to have a friend who is looking for a great way to waste a few undead. Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles retells the story of some of the past games in the series but it does it as a first person rail shooter. This means that your character moves for you and you simply blast your way through hundreds of ghouls trying to rip you apart. The mood is an amazing and the gameplay is top notch. Of all the rail shooters on the system this is the best! Make sure you pick up a Perfect Shot gun accessory to go with it. It’s only about $10 and it makes the game a thousand times better!

Yes it’s Mario again but if you don’t like platforming Italians than I’m not sure why you bought this system? The difference here is that this game is meant to be played with friends. Up to four characters can play at once and the more you have the better. The game can be played alone but without the interaction of the additional characters its far too easy and can become a little boring.

Whether its for an older gamer who wants to revisit his or her roots or you want to show you kids where it all began Super Mario All Stars is a great collection to put on your self. The package comes with four games inside and will only run you $30 new. It’s a pretty good deal but not much has change since the original so if you remember them well or you still own you Super Nintendo don’t buy into the hype.

Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what to buy. Yes there are other games out there that are worth your money but these are the games that most people should be buying. If you have a question about a specific game you are considering please drop a note below and I will try to answer it as soon as possible. Please check back later as I will be posting other guides in the following days. 

Holidays Buyers Guides 2010

It’s that time of year again. Everywhere you go store are putting up decorations, playing holiday music, and advertising mega sales. Schools are running clothes and food drives and children are writing letters to Santa. It should be a time of rest and relaxation spent with friends and family but for some of us its not.

The pressure of finding the perfects gifts and then coming up with a way to pay for them isn’t always an easy task especially if you are close to someone who loves video games. My parents used to have the most difficult time figuring out which games to get and for what system. They couldn’t figure out why some were so much more expensive than others and questions such as “well he asked for the second one, does he want the third one too?” and “I thought we already bought him controller for some system,” were common affair. They tried hard but with some many options it was often more stressful for them than fun.

That is where I come in. With the holiday shopping season officially kicking off this Friday I would like to start presenting you with options that might make your shopping experience a little bit easier. These aren’t going to be full reviews but I assure you that I won’t list any games that aren’t worth playing for one reason or another. Good luck out there!

Weekly Wrap Up

Sorry I haven’t posted anything the last few days. It was just one of those weeks where everything sort of happened at the same time. A short review would be that I had several exams, two all nighters, I built a table, I slept on the sidewalk one night where I woke up to the noise from two drunken guys and a horse, and most recently I had a pretty serious electrical shock this afternoon that would have killed me if I hadn’t been sitting with my one leg off the ground. But onto the important stuff, mainly gaming.

Square Enix has released another free to play Facebook app titled “Chocobo’s Crystal Tower.” In this game you play the role of a farmer on a Chocobo ranch. You feed them, you groom them, you breed them, you battle them, and when they get old you release them into the wild where they live peacefully ever after. It’s not exactly in real time but this game moves slowly. Your Chocobos will take days to grow up and spend hours on a single quest (excluding the beginning tutorial levels). This makes it a great game to check in on every once and a while between real matters of importance. If you like Chocobos and have friends willing to play it with you then its actually pretty fun and just like FF: KC it’s free, so give it a shot.

A quick note about both FF: KC and Chocobo’s Crystal is that they don’t run smoothly with Safari. They did last week but now they have problems loading from it. I recommend using Firefox for both of these apps or you could become frustrated by how often they crash. I have also heard that Google Chrome works well but I have not tested this myself.

Rumors this week suggest that we might see a much-desired sequel to the original Psychonauts. As of right now, nothing is official but Tim Schafer has gone on the record as saying he is ready and willing. At this point he just needs developer to pick up the title and it will be set in motion. This would be a major release and possibly one of the best games made for this generation of consoles. For more details on the series look below for my full review of the first title.  

Donkey Kong Country Returns is now in its final form and it looks like Nintendo is once again trying to cater to everyone. The game is supposed to be unforgiving, something that I can’t wait to experience, but at the same time it features an easy cheat similar to the one found in recent Mario titles. If a player dies in the same level several times they have the option of skipping it all together thanks to a Super Kong who does it for them. This feature is only available in single player.

I’m sorry to say that throughout the next few weeks I might be scattered with my reviews. Please continue to check back as I will post things as much as I can and will resume with full force as the semester draws to a close.

Mario Kart DS Review (DS)

I really doubt that anyone reading this blog has never heard of Mario Kart but if you haven’t then it’s a kart racing game filled with characters from the Nintendo universe. Add child friendly weapons such as banana peals and turtle shells and you’ve got a pretty good idea of what this game has to offer.

           

Story:                        These games don’t really have stories. If you want one I can make one up for you. Someday Mario wants to marry Peach but she keeps getting stolen and stuff never works out. So this is like his fourth bachelor party and they are going kart racing because its more fun than getting drunk and his female friends wanted to come along too. Does that make sense? Not really but it’s a racing game, its not about the story.

Gameplay:                         Just like every Mario Kart title before this one, the gameplay is why you will enjoy it. As you go through the levels you will have many obstacles thrown at you and enemy fire to avoid all while trying to win a race. Depending on the character you choose you will have different abilities that match well with your style of gameplay. For example if you can’t avoid hitting things you might want a character with fast acceleration but if you are an excellent driver then go for top speed. The controls are very tight and rival the Gamecube version of the game. Obviously you have a D-pad instead of a joystick but the levels are also easier to compensate.

Art Style:                         For a DS game it actually looks pretty good. The problem here is that the system can’t handle as many on-screen items meaning that the level will look rather linear and boring compared to other titles in the series. This might not bother the children out there but if you have been playing since SNES then this might get to you. It bothered me.

Difference:                        The game is a lot of fun while it lasted but I beat the whole thing in a few hours. I never lost a race and didn’t really enjoy the experience like I did on other systems. I guess the reason for me is because I like these games almost exclusively for multiplayer and I prefer to play with friends on a TV then try to mess with the online options.

Buy it?                        Probably not. If you are going on a short plane ride but need something to do or if you see a good deal on it come black Friday and have always wondered that its not a bad game its just really short. I give it a 7.5/10. It doesn’t really do anything wrong there just isn’t enough of it to warrant the price. If I were you I would find a used GameCube and copy of Double Dash. If you search online you can probably find both for the same price as this game alone. They won’t be portable but the single player will be better and you add a better multiplayer component as well.

Knights of the Crystals: Is it worth your time?

If you are like me in anyway you love video games but sometimes you just don’t have the time for them. My favorite tend to be JRPGs which can take a huge commitment of time and honestly aren’t always an option during the school year. The answer to this need might just have been answered in Final Fantasy: Knights of the Crystals.

It is a free game for Facebook, which means you shouldn’t waste your time right? That’s the way I usually feel but this one was made by Square Enix and patterned after Final Fantasy so I thought I would give it a try. Turns out that it’s actually pretty enjoyable. You battle monsters, level up you character, assign stats, collect valuables, and change job classes. It’s by no means a replacement for a real game but it’s definitely a fun way to distress for a few minutes at a time. Once your character has some levels under his/her belt you can even battle other people PVP style to gain new items otherwise unobtainable. If you join a guild or start one with friends you can bring them into boss fights with you and exchange items.

It’s nothing fancy but neither was Pong and I think you would be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy it. Give it a try. It’s free and it will take you 15 minutes a day. Just make sure you do it with friends. Otherwise other guilds will steal all of your money making buying new weapons annoying. 

*EDIT* As an added note. If anyone who knows me wants to try this game out let me know and I'll send you an invite. That allows you to join my guild which provides you with a certain level of protection not otherwise found. Apparently you can't change guilds after joining (something I hope they change after beta) so if you're at all considering this make sure you let me know.

The Walking Dead Series Premiere

*Warning contains spoilers of the first episode

I find that in my life there are few things I am passionate about. The Walking Dead series on AMC manages to combine both my love of Zombies and my goals of survival in a way that feels real.

Most Zombie literature and cinema fall into the trap of horror. They focus on cheap scares and gore in order to bring in uneducated audiences. I can’t blame them. My love of zombies is rooted in these types of entertainment but I am often left wanting more. I wanted this so more that I have even started writing my own story about how things would happen. The difference is that my goal is not to show fear it is to show hope.  

In The Walking Dead we see just that. Most have died and few are left but there is hope. These are real people living in a doomed world but they continue on. Yes they are people who have advantages. The main character is a police officer and with that comes certain benefits that the average person might not hold but he is no super hero. At one point in the first episode he almost kills himself. Instead of some gun-blazing terminator we get a real man with real human emotions. It shows his desperation and it shows his struggle.

There is another scene where a man fights in his heart between killing the shell of his dead wife and letting her walk in eternal hell. He knows that the right thing is to release her but he doesn’t have it in him to do it. All the while he is trying to suppress his own sadness to keep his son alive. I have never had to go through something this horrible but I can relate to it on a smaller scale when I was forced to choose what was best for a family pet. The actor so accurately captures the struggle that I actually found myself trying to comfort and encourage the onscreen actor.

Maybe Zombies isn’t your thing. Maybe you can’t handle gore. This show does include both of those things but it isn’t really the focus. The focus is on the human struggle for survival and finding the strength it takes to continue on. My opinion of the show may change in weeks to come but I highly recommend that you give it a chance. It comes on AMC on Sunday nights at 10:00 and it’s one of the few reasons I still turn on my television. I hope they continue the great work.

Goodbye Old Friend

Today we say goodbye to another childhood hero of mine. Yesterday Takeshi Shudo was rushed to the hospital after suffering a hemorrhage. He was only 61 years old and when I looked up the type of hemorrhage he had things actually looked like they were in his favor. Unfortunately things don’t always go as planned and it was time for him to go.

I never knew much about Mr. Shudo. As a child, all I knew about him was that he was in some way responsible for my favorite escape from life. Mr. Shudo was the Chief writer for the original Pokemon series and the first three Pokemon films. He didn’t remain as such until the end of his life but he was always involved in the project in some ways and without his original work there would be no Pokemon.

That might not mean much to many people. I myself have not really watched the show for many years but it was from the shows that the video games were made. For many reasons these games will always hold a special place in my heart. They aren’t necessarily the best games ever made. The story line hasn’t changed all that much and sometimes they even get repetitive at times. I could go my whole life never seeing another Zubat but like all things we must make allowances for the bad if we can ever enjoy the good and these games were good. They were there for me when I felt alone and then when I made close friends we were able to play the games together.

There are even certain Pokemon that hold sentimental attachment for me and while that might seem strange I will always love these fictional creatures. They are a part of my life and a part of me. So thank you Takeshi Shudo for your loving gift. You may be gone now but you left us with amazing memories. I will continue to honor you by playing your games and maybe even someday passing them on to my children. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

All of the fans you never got to meet

Super Mario Sunshine Review (GameCube)

This game takes the simple idea of Mario in 3D and tries a slightly less traditional storyline. It also adds some new gameplay mechanics that could really make or break this game for you.

           

Story:                        I don’t want to give things away but basically you are on vacation but something goes horribly wrong. This beautiful little village is covered in oil and Mario is being blamed! It’s up to you to help the townspeople and prove Mario’s innocents. 

Gameplay:                         The traditional Mario style gameplay is here and it controls how you would expect it too. If you played Mario 64 not a lot has changed but they did add something new. You now have this jet pack that seems silly at first but actually works pretty well. I actually hated this feature so much that I didn’t play the game for years after it came out because of it. Just give it a chance. It’s really not all that bad.

Art Style:                         It looks like a Gamecube game and nothing is perfect. The island motif is nice at first but after a while everything starts to look the same. I preferred the varied environments of 64 personally but it doesn’t really kill the game. What does cause concern though are the camera angles. Normally this isn’t a problem but there are “special levels” where you aren’t able to use the jet pack. They are typically much more difficult and actually my favorite part of the game. The camera however doesn’t work well in these levels and you find yourself playing blind at times where you have to make jump based on an assumed distance rather than visually.

Difference:                        The game is a lot of fun but can be frustrating at times because of the camera angles. I would have to say it is the most difficult of the 3D Mario titles. To me this is a selling point but to others it may be a deterrent.

Buy it?                        Maybe. This game got a lot of mixed feedback from fans because of its difficulty and style. As a result you can find it cheaply but you might also have some issues with its jet pack system. Honestly with two Galaxy games to play you could probably skip this one but if you are looking for some more Mario action then definitely give it a try. I give it an 8/10.

Frogger: He’s Back! (PC, PS)

If you have ever played the original or are even familiar with video games than you know what to expect. You are a frog and your job is to make it from one destination to another without dying.

           

Story:                        You’re a frog. That’s about it. What more do you need?           

Gameplay:                         Take the original design of making it across the road and expand on it beyond imagination. The first few levels are a throwback to this old style but pretty soon you will be hopping around swamps, through caves, and running from bulls!

Art Style:                         The game was very pretty for its time. The colors were bright and the locations were varied. The problem is that this game came out around the beginning of the PS era so everything looks choppy and boxy.

Difference:                        It’s an interesting take on a classic that manages to improve the gameplay rather than hurt it.

Buy it?                        Maybe. This game is old and it didn’t age well. At times the game can be frustrating because the lack of smooth gameplay can result in cheap deaths. The game is about a 6/10 but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it. If you’re looking for something to play this winter and you’ve only got about $3 in your pocket this might be something you want to give a shot. I enjoyed it despite its obvious shortcomings. 

Final Fantasy America (meaning easy)

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest was originally released on the Super Nintendo to try to encourage new people to get into JRPG’s. The game was much easier than your typical RPG and the back of the box even claimed it to be the first RPG for the entry-level player.

The game only allowed you to play as two characters at one time and the combat was significantly less complex than other games in the series. Instead of random battles there were visible monsters that could be approached and fought or avoided all together. Even weapons were “uninspired” as you went from sword to bigger sword without any real choices.

Now that the game her been put up for download as a Wii Ware title everyone is bashing it again for not being hard enough. I don’t understand why it is so “cool” to hate this game. What were you people expecting? It says it’s easy on the box. That’s why I played it! I was a little kid at the time and wanted something that would take less time that a full-fledged Final Fantasy so I picked it up used for a few dollars.

It wasn’t the best game I ever played. The story was uninspired and the combat was less intense but it was still fun! If you enjoy the remakes on the DS and have already beat everything else you want to play you should give it a try. You might not like it, but I think you will. Just go into it knowing that it will be easy and you will enjoy the ride. If nothing else you will get to experience a part of gaming history and finally be able to develop your own thoughts on the game. 

Dark Cloud Review (Ps2)

If you like Zelda style combat, hours of dungeon crawling, and realistic equipment management this might be the game for you! This game was seriously under appreciated as a classic and should be owned by anyone who likes this style gameplay.

           

Story:                        The story here is an interesting and rewarding one. Without giving anything away (I want you to enjoy the ride) everything in several towns disappears and is trapped by an evil power. Your job is to save the towns and rebuild them to perfection!              

Gameplay:                         The combat is repetitive at times but with the addition of multiple characters later in the game things never get too stale. A nice addition to the combat is that weapons take damage so maintaining them is a must or you might lose them!

                                    The real fun here though takes place outside of combat. Once you find all of the objects stolen from a town you must rebuild it. At first I just placed things the way I wanted to see them. This is especially necessary in the beginning when you are just trying to see how things work and need resources. But over time I realized that different characters have preferences based either on their likes (such as a view of water) or the way things used to be (like my house used to be near my friends.) You need to make everyone happy in order to progress forward and it is quite rewarding.

Art Style:                         Everything in the game is attractive to the eye. This is a game from last generation but it has aged well and won’t be giving you any headaches. The environments are also varied so by the time the vastness of the desert starts to get to you it’s time to move to the forest or the countryside.

Difference:                        Lots of games have combat but none have such a rewarding and creative design system. Combine that with the ability to switch characters on the fly and enjoyable mini games (I fished for hours) and you have a great game that feels unique.

Buy it?                        Yes! This game went greatest hits so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a cheap copy (Amazon has it for $4). Don’t let this low price tag fool you. This game packs some serious fun and you get way more than you pay for. The core game will run you about 25 hours but if you enjoy the combat enough there is a bonus dungeon at the end of the game that will easily double figure. It doesn’t serve much of a purpose other than to get a special weapon but if you enjoy the combat as much as I did you’ll find this bonus content enjoyable. If not then enjoy the story and forget about this post game content.

Sharpen Those Chisels

Disclaimer: Woodworking carries innate dangers including loss of limb and life. Articles in the blog are meant to aid people already familiar with the field and not to replace books or formal advising. If you choose to use any information found here, you are responsible for your own safety. By continuing to read you release anyone affiliated with this blog including myself of liability. If you aren’t sure what you are doing, don’t do it!

So something that has been bothering me lately is watching people use wood chisels. There seem be two extremes of people and neither know what they are doing. When you first buy wood chisels they are not sharp. They might look like it, they might cut your finger, but they are not ready to cut wood. I see people constantly hammering the back of them to make a cut while I am just sliding it through the wood with my hands.

            The other extreme are the people who know they aren’t sharp so they take them to a grind wheel. In fact this is the way many books might tell you to do it but it is the wrong way. It is much more dangerous, you take off more metal than you need to, you can ruin the temper of the metal, and its not as nice a finish.

            What you should do is buy a few different grit sharpening stone and a little bit of machining oil. The stones are pretty inexpensive and if you care for them properly one set will last you for the rest of you life. Put a little oil on the lowest grit stone and put the flat of the chisel on the stone. Rub it on a circular motion covering the entire surface of the stone. Work you way up to a higher grit and buff the blade when you are done. The cutting edge should cut through the wood now with ease. BE CAREFUL! The chisel is very sharp at this point and if you hit your hand it won’t stop until it hits bone. Keep the blade covered to protect yourself and the cutting edge you just created. If you need to re-sharpen your chisel, you only need to spend a few minutes on the highest grit and then rebuff it. If you follow these instructions you will be able to use your chisels to their full potential and create better projects in less time.

The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Review (GameCube)

Zelda is the ruler against which all adventure games are measured. You will traverse fields, caves and dungeons to help good conquer evil. The series has been around since the original Nintendo (NES) and with few exceptions (The Adventure of Link!) it has been one of the most consistently amazing series ever made. That said lets see how this version did on the GameCube.

           

Story:                        If you have played any Zelda games before you have a good idea of what to expect. If you haven’t then go buy The Ocarina of Time, you can find it on the N64 or the GameCube. There is also a new version coming out on the 3DS. If you are waiting for that, then I guess you can play this in the mean time, but just play it and play it soon. It will be expensive for a used game but its worth more than anything new coming out now.

Gameplay:                         This is Zelda. You play as an elf boy who wields a sword. Throughout the game you will also get series staples such as bombs, a boomerang, and arrows to help you on you quest. The combat is simple, but can create some intense battles. There will be puzzles to solve throughout the game, most of which are easy excluding a final task that will make you quite frustrated for about 2 hours, but its worth it.

Art Style:                         This is what killed the game with the masses. At the time, Nintendo tried a new art style called cell shading. It made the game look childish and cartoony but underneath the paint this game has the same elements that made all of the Zelda titles great. If the art really throws you that much, then you can’t call yourself a fan of the series. No I didn’t like it, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the game on opening day.

Difference:                        There isn’t really anything earth shattering here. You have played this before in different forms with different puzzles but it will pick up and play like you expect. That is by no means a bad thing! Just like Mario, little changes in the core game structure between titles but each is worthy of our time and money. If you have one of the best formulas in the world, why mess with it?

Buy it?                        Yes! You can get a used copy on Amazon for around $15 and it’s a steal. The game isn’t as long as some other titles, but you’ll be paying about fifty cents an hours to enjoy something truly amazing. If you can get past the art, and you should, then you will love this game. I give it a 9/10. It’s not perfect but it was amazing at the time and if your playing on a budget, this one is worth giving a look.

Pikmin and Pikmin 2 Review (GameCube)

Pikmin is a cross between an RTS game and a gardening adventure. As a space traveler, your space ship crashes into an “adorably hostile” planet. You must collect your things, but you only have limited days to do it. With the aid of little aliens called Pikmin, you just might rebuild in time!

           

Story:                        Neither game has much of a focus on the story. You know why you are on the planet, you know why you want to leave the planet, but everything else is basically a mystery. Little updates throughout the games come in the form of a travelers log and actually add to thinks quite nicely. Ultimately there isn’t much to the story but it works because it’s all the story that would occur if this was a real life event.

Gameplay:                         The gameplay is pretty unique to my knowledge. You pull these little plant people from the ground and they do your bidding. Both games have lots of puzzles and the different types of Pikmin (3 in the first game 5 in the second) aid in your quest. The puzzles are a little more diverse in the second game as a result of the two new Pikmin.

                                    There is a multiplayer aspect here but it was obviously an after thought and not something your friends will want play. I personally enjoyed it, but then I had played through the single player game and understood what was happening. If you are lucky enough to have a friend who has also played through this game, try it with them and you might have a great time.

Art Style:                         The game is cute, whimsical, and just a pleasure to experience. While the style does change slightly between the first and second game, they ultimate follow the same idea which is to include lots of bright colors and a varied terrain.

Difference:                        If you like the idea of trying a puzzle game with RTS elements this might be the game for you. Don’t misunderstand me when I say RTS. There will be no resource collecting or building in this game, but everything takes place indirectly through commands you give to your Pikimin. That being said the game is a blast and if you are at all curious, this is something like you have never tried before.

Buy it?                        Yes! These two titles are some of the best the Gamecube had to offer and the first title at least should be easy to find. A “remake” came out for the Wii with different controls recently and while I haven’t played that version, I am sure it would be a fun alternative if you can’t find the originals. I rated these two games together because they are basically the same. I would give both games an 8.5/10. Like most games I will review, they aren’t for everyone, but everyone should give them a try!

Super Paper Mario Wii Review (Wii)

Super Paper Mario is the latest console title in a long running Mario RPG line. As far as the series goes, this is definitely the best not including the recent handhelds. It mixes platforming, with a story and puzzles that make wining actually feel rewarding.

           

Story:                        The main difference between the regular Super Mario line and the RPG line is the story. With the exclusion of perhaps Mario Sunshine, the basic goal has always been to save your princess. You get an intro, a final scene, and a whole lot of gameplay in between. With Paper Mario you are going to get a real story worth reading, at least until about hour 30. The game is funny and it will make you laugh, but by the end of the game, all you want to do is play not read.

Gameplay:                         The gameplay here is the real reason to pick this game up. Nintendo has been interested in all forms of 3D for years and this game shows it. The game takes play on two different planes. Most of it plays like a 2D platformer, but with the push of a button you can temporarily switch to “3D” and solve puzzles that before couldn’t be solved. If you have ever done any drafting you will know what I mean. A line in one plane can be a wall or a door in another. Sometimes secrets can be hidden behind rocks or walls. It takes a little getting used to but it is amazing fun!

Art Style:                         The art here is beautiful. Everything looks like a cross between your typical Mario games and a story book. It’s interesting to look at, and really works with the type of humor and story found here.

Difference:                        You have never played anything quite like this game. Even of you have played the Paper Mario titles of the past; the switching view element adds a whole new twist that everyone should experience.

Buy it?                        Yes! This game is unique, funny, and challenging. The only major problem with the title is that it is just too long. Without giving away anything there are about 8 major zones. I had fun up until zone 6 and after that there was just too much reading. I still enjoyed the game but my need to be a completionist killed the ending for me. If you don’t mind not finishing, you’ll still enjoy around 30 hours of gameplay doing something fun and unusual. I give it an 8/10 because of the length of dialogue. If they ended things sooner it would have be a 9/10. Either way, it’s a great game and one that you need to own if you have a Wii.

Tony Hawks Project 8 Review (PS2 also for PS3, Xbox, 360, PSP)

Tony Hawk has been the name in skateboarding for years. Part of the reason I wanted a PS2 was for Tony Hawk 3. I Played games 1-4 and Underground but I felt like the series had run its course. Then I found a copy of Project 8 for two dollars and decided to give it a shot. Did I make the right decision?

           

Story:                        There is more of a story here than in the past games. The first Tony Hawk title basically let you pick a rider, beat the levels, and get experience. Now you are this young talent trying to make your way up the ranks. The only problem is that I don’t care. I bought this game to skate, not to talk about it. The story adds nothing, and it actually detracts from the game.

Gameplay:                         The reason I bought this game was completely for the gameplay, so how did it fair? Honestly, I feel like the controls are less tight than they used to be and the missions aren’t really any fun. Maybe I am the minority here but I used to like the trick attacks, and collecting the hard to reach items. Now everything is about upsetting the cops, “tagging your turf,” or vandalizing the neighborhood. If I wanted to do that stuff I would play a game that does it well like GTA, not some game that pretends but never really crosses the line.

Art Style:                         The game looks dirty. Everything has the grainy look about it and the colors are uninspired. I think it is going after that punk sketch art that has become so popular on T-shirts but it makes the whole thing look unappealing.

Difference:                        This game is the same game you played before but with less enjoyable missions, lacking controls, and a new coat of paint applied by someone without any artist understanding.

Buy it?                        Not unless you hate yourself quite a bit. I paid $2 for my copy. It only took me 3 hours to beat every mission, and I’m not entirely sure I can say I ever experience fun. I guess if you are trying to kill an afternoon and like this style of play then for the price go for it, but if you already own any of the prior games, just replay those instead. I give it a 4/10. Just to give that a reference point since this isn’t my style of game, I would have given the first game in the series an 8/10.  So there you have it, play games 1-4 and then move on with your life, you’ll be happy you did.

The Third Birthday

If you read my last post “My Fantasy” you know that Final Fantasy and Resident Evil are two of my favorite game series. What if these two series then were to get together and have a baby? What would that look like and would it get their good attributes or end up with every recessive gaming disease known to man? If you want to know then take a quick look back to the Playstation days to a game called Parasite Eve.

            Parasite Eve was a survival horror RPG made my Square Soft and it is one of my favorite games of all time. I won’t do a full review on it now, but basically the game was short (about seven hours), fast paced (new guns/powers every half hour) and full of surprises! It had a great story arc and even mixed in a little bit of science to make it seem more plausible.

            The game had a sequel, which was more gun based but still quite enjoyable. The story didn’t seem over though and I wanted to know more. Then Square announced that they would have a third game on the PSP and I got pretty excited, until they decided a better home for it would be on cell phones; more specifically, Japanese cell phones. I gave up on the title until this past E3 when out of nowhere “The Third Birthday” showed up on the PSP and there was Aya running and gunning across the screen.

            The game looks to be far more of a shooter now than and RPG but a new video was released today to the public and I am more excited than ever before. The creatures you fight look amazing and the game play looks fast paced. Head over to YouTube and take a look if you’re interested, this could turn out to be one of my favorite games of 2011. 

My Fantasy

As a short follow up to Team ICO, I was thinking about what I would like to see remade.  I’m not looking for a port here; I’ve played all of these games, but if they were redone with “real” PS3 quality graphics, I would be willing to pay good money to see two collections: Final Fantasy “The Transitional Years: Including 7, 8 & 9” and Resident Evil “The Zombie Years: Including 2, 3, & Code Veronica.” If game one was to be included in the Resident Evil collection I wouldn’t be mad but the GameCube version was amazing and if I only get three games, I would rather see a new version of Code Veronica. Considering however that the first Resident Evil game is about six hours long I think all four should be included.

Team ICO

When I first got wind of a Team ICO collection similar to that for GOW (thanks walmart for letting secrets slip) I was got pretty excited. I have always wanted to play ICO and thought that a remastered version that was easily accessible would be great to have out there.

            Now though that official details are out I am less excited. It comes as a two pack: ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. I guess I already knew that but something about seeing the lousy cover art with both little pictures on it killed my spirts.

            To begins with I already own Shadow of the Colossus. It was good, I honestly didn’t appreciate it as much as everyone else (I attribute it to my state of mind at the time I played it) but I already own it. I don’t want another copy, even if it comes with something I do want. I would rather just buy a remade version of ICO $30 than both at $40. I might even be alright with just the one at $40 because I’m not going to use the second game and it messes up my box art.

            I know that it makes little sense to some people, and I guess there are those who have played neither game, but most people are buying this for ICO and the cover kills the whole experience. The first this I am doing if I buy this game is making a custom cover to resemble the original ICO cover, and by original I mean the PAL version.