Yes ladies and Gentlemen, The King of Fighters 11 is out! In Japan!! No one cares but me!! In all honesty though, I look forward to watching some gameplay videos to see what they've done, and hope that the assholes at Sony don't prevent a U.S. PS2 release of the game (since Sony does in fact try to limit the amount of 2D games on their console, like it is some sort of crippling anathema.)
Half Life: The Lost Coast is out as well, but I don't think it will run too well on my machine. If only Kita were running well, I could get a serious look at it.
Chicago has won the World Series, and no one seems to know it. I've seen some quiet playoff seasons before, but this one was kinda sad. This is also the first time I've made a World Series prediction for a team back in preseason and have it come true. Go luck, since I don't think it was due to my own skills.
And finally, this. I don't know what to make of it. Is it even real?
Friday, October 28, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
R.I.P.
New York Giants owner Wellington Mara passed away at the age of 89. While I only recently knew of the many great things he did for the league, I have always known just how much he cared about his team, his players, and the fans. I can only hope that in the future the club is run with the same passion that Mara had.
Mr. Mara, your father was the one who "pulled football over New York", but it was you that kept it there for so many great years. Thanks.
Yesterday had some incredibly cold, nasty weather. It somewhat surprised me at first, to see such a sudden change in temperature. Then I looked at my watch, and realized that yes, it certainly was October 25th. Fall is waning, though it went by so fast that I don't think I saw it beginning.
Anyway, despite my love for the summer months, I find something appealing in those afternoons in late fall, where the sky is dark gray with clouds, leaves dot the grass and a strong wind is blowing the rest off of the trees. Not sure why I like this; I guess it evokes something poetic.
Gamers love to make fun of the Spike TV gaming awards, but this year even casual gamers can get in on the fun. Look at these nominations, and tell me how many of those titles are actaully out on shelves. Even better, you might like to know that some may not even be out by the time the show airs in November. Say it with me now: Payola baby.
Lastly, the NES turns 20 this year. Happy birthday buddy; like many a gamer, I wouldnt' have found my hobby if it wasnt' for you. Next year I'll buy you a drink when you turn 21.
Mr. Mara, your father was the one who "pulled football over New York", but it was you that kept it there for so many great years. Thanks.
Yesterday had some incredibly cold, nasty weather. It somewhat surprised me at first, to see such a sudden change in temperature. Then I looked at my watch, and realized that yes, it certainly was October 25th. Fall is waning, though it went by so fast that I don't think I saw it beginning.
Anyway, despite my love for the summer months, I find something appealing in those afternoons in late fall, where the sky is dark gray with clouds, leaves dot the grass and a strong wind is blowing the rest off of the trees. Not sure why I like this; I guess it evokes something poetic.
Gamers love to make fun of the Spike TV gaming awards, but this year even casual gamers can get in on the fun. Look at these nominations, and tell me how many of those titles are actaully out on shelves. Even better, you might like to know that some may not even be out by the time the show airs in November. Say it with me now: Payola baby.
Lastly, the NES turns 20 this year. Happy birthday buddy; like many a gamer, I wouldnt' have found my hobby if it wasnt' for you. Next year I'll buy you a drink when you turn 21.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Phew
Busy day today. We had people from ABET come to evaluate the computer science department (meaning asking students lots of questions), and I had to do some running around to get permission for a math class next spring. This is my first chance to sit down today, though after this post, my time sitting will also be time studying for an exam. Yes, it certainly is the start of a new week....
Anyway, I saw this news piece, and was reminded of how much I miss Calvin and Hobbes. Easily one of the most intelligent, funny, and sincere comics of our time. I didn't realize just how young Waterson is - I always thought the strip ended because he was simply too old, though I can understand his wanting to quit while he was ahead. With the current state of comics these days, it is one of the few that will be remembered in a positive light.
I started Shadow of the Colossus last night, though I only beat the first Colossi. More impressions as I get farther into it, but for now, I know this: I don't know if I can ever go back to collecting stupid coins or doodads in platformers or adventure games. Unless it is a Mario game, for he is the Godfather.
Anyway, I saw this news piece, and was reminded of how much I miss Calvin and Hobbes. Easily one of the most intelligent, funny, and sincere comics of our time. I didn't realize just how young Waterson is - I always thought the strip ended because he was simply too old, though I can understand his wanting to quit while he was ahead. With the current state of comics these days, it is one of the few that will be remembered in a positive light.
I started Shadow of the Colossus last night, though I only beat the first Colossi. More impressions as I get farther into it, but for now, I know this: I don't know if I can ever go back to collecting stupid coins or doodads in platformers or adventure games. Unless it is a Mario game, for he is the Godfather.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Done....
For a long time now, my list of top 5 favorite games ever has looked like this
1. Soul Calibur
2. Ocarina of Time
3. Half Life Duology
4. Deus Ex
5. The Fallout Duology
After tonight, however, there's been a change.
1. Soul Calibur
2. Ocarina of Time
3. Half Life Duology
4. Deus Ex
5. Ico
Yeah, it was that good.
1. Soul Calibur
2. Ocarina of Time
3. Half Life Duology
4. Deus Ex
5. The Fallout Duology
After tonight, however, there's been a change.
1. Soul Calibur
2. Ocarina of Time
3. Half Life Duology
4. Deus Ex
5. Ico
Yeah, it was that good.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Business
So I went to mall today to take care of some business and buy some things I needed/wanted. Unfortunately I realized that most of said things cost far more than I expected them to, and thus I refrained from purchase (I'll just make do as always). I did get a new phone however, since my old one's screen has been dead for quite some time. Its simple little guy, nothing flashy, but that's all I really need. I had to get a new contract as well, but I was intending to do so anyway; my original plan was under my parent's name, which meant I wasn't authorized to make any changes to it or utilize any upgrades. This will be much easier in the future.
I also made the mistake of walking into Power Gamer, a local owned game store full of games both old and new, import and domestic. I like to support this business as much as I can, and so I often buy stuff from them even if I can get the same thing at EB (which usually dosen't happen, since the stuff I get at PG is often on the obscure end of the spectrum.) Anyway, they were the only store in the area to have a particular, brand new game I've been pining for, and it was only $40 versus the standard $50. Thus, being the consumer whore that I am, I walked out with a copy of Shadow of the Colossus. I don't regret my choice; anything made by the people behind Ico is worth looking at (and I haven't even finished Ico: that's how good it is), and from what I'm hearing, word of mouth is rapidly spreading, and the title is selling out in a lot of populated areas. If it becomes one of those rare gems that no one can find after a year, I'll be even happier with my choice.
An old co-worker of mine from Wal-Mart, who also happens to be a good friend, has had a chance to try out the Xbox 360 demo kiosk they just got. His initial reactions are not too positive. The two demos they had were for King Kong and Kameo, and while they played well enough, he said that both games sported a terrible amount of jaggies nad graphical glitches. I'll have to see it myself before I pass any sort of judgement, but if this is true let's hope that these are simply early builds being presented and that this is not foreshadowing of the upcoming launch. Right now the pessimist inside is saying that the latter could be the case; reports on a lot of multiplatform ports (like American Wasteland and Madden '06) are saying that the 360 adds little if any graphical upgrades. If that's the case, then we may have a next generation launch that doesn't really usher in the next generation. And if that's the case, then a lot of people may end up waiting for the Playstation 3's release to get their first taste of the future. We'll see come November....
I also made the mistake of walking into Power Gamer, a local owned game store full of games both old and new, import and domestic. I like to support this business as much as I can, and so I often buy stuff from them even if I can get the same thing at EB (which usually dosen't happen, since the stuff I get at PG is often on the obscure end of the spectrum.) Anyway, they were the only store in the area to have a particular, brand new game I've been pining for, and it was only $40 versus the standard $50. Thus, being the consumer whore that I am, I walked out with a copy of Shadow of the Colossus. I don't regret my choice; anything made by the people behind Ico is worth looking at (and I haven't even finished Ico: that's how good it is), and from what I'm hearing, word of mouth is rapidly spreading, and the title is selling out in a lot of populated areas. If it becomes one of those rare gems that no one can find after a year, I'll be even happier with my choice.
An old co-worker of mine from Wal-Mart, who also happens to be a good friend, has had a chance to try out the Xbox 360 demo kiosk they just got. His initial reactions are not too positive. The two demos they had were for King Kong and Kameo, and while they played well enough, he said that both games sported a terrible amount of jaggies nad graphical glitches. I'll have to see it myself before I pass any sort of judgement, but if this is true let's hope that these are simply early builds being presented and that this is not foreshadowing of the upcoming launch. Right now the pessimist inside is saying that the latter could be the case; reports on a lot of multiplatform ports (like American Wasteland and Madden '06) are saying that the 360 adds little if any graphical upgrades. If that's the case, then we may have a next generation launch that doesn't really usher in the next generation. And if that's the case, then a lot of people may end up waiting for the Playstation 3's release to get their first taste of the future. We'll see come November....
Thursday, October 20, 2005
THAW ing it up
So the reviews for Tony Hawk's American Wasteland are out, and the general consensus seems to be "the series is getting old, but this is still better than the two Underground games that preceded it." For one, this makes me feel better, since I had a bad feeling about the Underground duology and thus never played them. However, I also wonder why, if American Wasteland is so much better, both Undergrounds scored in the upper 9.0 range on most every review site. This isn't the first time I've seen reviews mention dissapointment with an old game that received fabulous scores. Perhaps we should haev a month waiting period so the hype cools down and games can be rated for what they're worth. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it also seems to be the only way.
I just read an article in USA Today about how the gender gap in colleges is continuing to grow, with women becoming the clear majority on college campuses. I won't go too far into my views on gender equality, but I will say that a generation of poorly educated and unprepared men would be harmful for everyone. Whether it be today or 100 years ago, it seems that the world can only give attention to one gender. Does it really have to be that way?
I just read an article in USA Today about how the gender gap in colleges is continuing to grow, with women becoming the clear majority on college campuses. I won't go too far into my views on gender equality, but I will say that a generation of poorly educated and unprepared men would be harmful for everyone. Whether it be today or 100 years ago, it seems that the world can only give attention to one gender. Does it really have to be that way?
DQ 8
So yeah, when I said update on Dragon Quest 8 that night, I meant Wed. night. Actually, I just got real busy and never had a chance to do it. So let us begin now, shall we?
Simply put, Dragon Quest VIII represents what the RPG genre should have been during the PS2 generation. No crazy FMV's to worry about, no agnsty teens and convoluted plots. Its just classic RPG gameplay with the option for some interesting customizations (looks like Enix borrowed a few good ideas from American RPGs). It is also a simple but enjoyable story that tries to entertain rather than confuse.
What is most important however, is the gameworld. Traditional RPG overworlds are strange, pseudo representations of the continent you're traveling. You cross small patches of forest and plains, get into a random battle (which is rendered completely differently), and your character model is the size of a town. This was acceptable back in the days of the NES, but in modern times it would be nice to actaully explore the world. You can do that in DQ 8. Its kinda like an MMO; if you see a path, you can walk it. See a forest, and you can actually go through it (with all the trees and whatnot rendered in full). Have you ever seen an anime where the characters are traversing some random lush countryside, getting into random adventures? DQ 8 is the closest thing to that in the game world, and it's just great. It seems you'll spend as much time exploring as your will completing quests.
Then there is the attention to detail. The cell shaded, Akira Toriyama designed characters look great, and everywhere you visit is full of detail, be it the random plates and cups in the bar or the erratic patches of moss growing in a cave. These little details immerse the player into the world, rather than making them guess what makes one area different than another. The whole game feels natural.
Oh, and the voices; all crazy European accents. Its all well done, and very different than what gamers are used to.
So yes everyone, I am excited about a game from Square Enix. I think I might preorder it. I guess that's because this one is coming from the Enix side rather than the cancer that Square has become. If you can get your hands on the demo I highly reccomend it, and if you can't, you'll just have to wait until the end of November to buy it.
I don't have a picture to link to right now, but see if you can find a picture of the Xbox 360 power supply. Thing is almost as big as a Gamecube. Not a huge deal if it all just goes behind the entertainment set, but now I wonder: can it be used as a backup generator?
Simply put, Dragon Quest VIII represents what the RPG genre should have been during the PS2 generation. No crazy FMV's to worry about, no agnsty teens and convoluted plots. Its just classic RPG gameplay with the option for some interesting customizations (looks like Enix borrowed a few good ideas from American RPGs). It is also a simple but enjoyable story that tries to entertain rather than confuse.
What is most important however, is the gameworld. Traditional RPG overworlds are strange, pseudo representations of the continent you're traveling. You cross small patches of forest and plains, get into a random battle (which is rendered completely differently), and your character model is the size of a town. This was acceptable back in the days of the NES, but in modern times it would be nice to actaully explore the world. You can do that in DQ 8. Its kinda like an MMO; if you see a path, you can walk it. See a forest, and you can actually go through it (with all the trees and whatnot rendered in full). Have you ever seen an anime where the characters are traversing some random lush countryside, getting into random adventures? DQ 8 is the closest thing to that in the game world, and it's just great. It seems you'll spend as much time exploring as your will completing quests.
Then there is the attention to detail. The cell shaded, Akira Toriyama designed characters look great, and everywhere you visit is full of detail, be it the random plates and cups in the bar or the erratic patches of moss growing in a cave. These little details immerse the player into the world, rather than making them guess what makes one area different than another. The whole game feels natural.
Oh, and the voices; all crazy European accents. Its all well done, and very different than what gamers are used to.
So yes everyone, I am excited about a game from Square Enix. I think I might preorder it. I guess that's because this one is coming from the Enix side rather than the cancer that Square has become. If you can get your hands on the demo I highly reccomend it, and if you can't, you'll just have to wait until the end of November to buy it.
I don't have a picture to link to right now, but see if you can find a picture of the Xbox 360 power supply. Thing is almost as big as a Gamecube. Not a huge deal if it all just goes behind the entertainment set, but now I wonder: can it be used as a backup generator?
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