LOTR: War in the North, A Quick Post

For my quick post, I figured I would mention a fun multiplayer game that got little attention, War in the North. Yes, that three player--four players would be too daring--orc killing game.
I have spent many hours with friends playing this linear hack-and-slash with friends and I can say it's always a good time. You have the choice of using a Ranger, Elf, or Dwarf to tackle enemies with your giant Eagle friend, Belran (sp?).
Try it! It's really cheap to pick up now!

My Most Anticipated Games of 2013: A Short Hand Guide

After a great 2012 videogame catalog, the new year is upon us to embrace the upcoming games and sequels that will take days away and expand our waists by at least a quarter inch. I hope your New Year's resolution wasn't to lose weight since these games will have you on your fanny for hours on end.
P.S. I am only putting the release dates for the United States of America. Sorry Europe!

Fire Emblem: Awakening; Nintendo 3DS --Feb.4, 2013

I know, I know, everyone and their best friend have this game on their list as one of the most anticipated games of the year. I mean, who couldn't? It has been awhile since a good Fire Emblem--see the version for the Wii--has come to the states and it definitely has been awhile since I have played one. Geez, the last one I played had been for the Gameboy Advance close to a decade ago. My opinion hence forth well be based on the demo--download and try it--I have played on my own 3DS. The graphics for this upcoming Fire Emblem look great. The colors resonate well with the type of fantasy game and the 3D images do not disappoint at all. The characters so far seem to have their own cliche JRPG personalities, but heck, isn't that why we love these types of games? The movement of the characters are smooth as well. I don't feel like I am waiting a life time to watch my character attack with his tome spell. If you really enjoy tactical JRPG's I think you are going to like this game. This is one game that will separate the Nintendo 3DS from the rest of its competition. I know where my $40.00 is going next week!

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen; Playstation 3, Xbox 360 --Apr.23, 2013

This gem was obviously going to end up on my list. If you have played the original masterpiece from Capcom, you will understand the excitement of this new add-on. For those that have not played the original masterpiece, this expansion will contain the original game to play your hearts content out. For previous owners, Capcom being Capcom, will try and justify the $30.00-$40.00 tag with unlimited ferrystones, 100,000 rift stones, and new armor. What does this new expansion have to offer both veterans and new comers to the series? Well, this expansion adds more items, weapons/armors, new looks, and a whole new place to explore since it was not apparent that this game already had an abundance of items and quests. Obviously, new comers may not noticed the added content but it seems like Capcom has listened to their fanbase and brought a means to teleport from place to place. THANK GOD. Traveling in this game could take awhile, especially when you encountered a Griffin or Chimera and felt obligated to obliterate them. Yes, I am aware that Capcom added more to the game besides what I have stated, but those are the most important features right now. I am really looking forward to this game to continue on my quest as the Arisen and journey to--spoilers--get my heart back yet again. It's definitely a game to pick up if you are new player or a veteran looking to expand from the original.

Soul Sacrifice; Playstation Vita --Apr. 30, 2013

Oh man does this game sound brutal. I mean spine tearing, eye poking, flesh ripping brutal. This game is like Mortal Kombat and Monster Hunter had a love child and shared it with the world. Well, not the world but with a select few of us that purchased the Playstation Vita. It is a game that the Playstation Vita needs to make it a competitor in this changing game market. This game will do that, or so we hope. Who would not want to sacrifice body parts or their comrades to take down giant creepy looking monsters? I know I do since I am ruthless in combat.

Just look how crazy this game looks. LOOK I TELL YOU! The designs of these monsters are absolutely crazy. I mean acid trip crazy. What is with the long necked face coming out of the water like a serpent? Where do they come up with these designs? Well, I will go more in-depth of this game when I finally have a chance to play a demo or the real game. If you are a fan of Monster Hunter games, this is one game I don't think anyone will want to miss. PREPARE TO HAVE YOUR SOUL SACRIFICED!


Phantasy Star Online 2; PC, Playstation Vita --TBA

Nothing says we have a love-hate relationship with Sega by stating this game will be released in the West but not giving us release dates for the good 'ol USA's and EU's PC version and even worse, not letting us know if the Playstation Vita version will be localized in the West. It will be a crying shame if it isn't, since the Playstation Vita could really use it over here. Man, has it been a long time since I could beat up holiday on rappy's--not sure if that should be a 's or ies--for rare loot or make my HUmar look like a BAMF.

GOSH DARN I AM EXPLODING WITH ENTHUSIASM FOR THIS GAME. The graphics look much improved from its ancestor--yes I am calling PSO that since it's around a decade old--and it looks like this game will bring long time fans back for another round. I just hope it gets localized for the Vita for some of us who cannot afford a new computer at the moment. Oh, did I mention it's free to play and YOU CAN FINALLY JUMP?



The Last of Us; Playstation 3 --May 7, 2013

Yes, I am actually looking forward to a survival-horror game. I know, it sounds unusual for me since I am not a big fan of them--see almost every zombie game ever made that bores me to tears--but this game really does look good. This game looks to change that dynamic or at least attempt to change the dynamic of typical survival-horror games. The Last of Us as it currently seems to be a Resident Evil meets 40 Days and has a swingers party with Metal Gear Solid. You fight off infected people and people who don't like you while being all stealthy like Snake. I don't have much else to say about this game currently, but I hope it doesn't fail and does not end up being another boring zombie hybrid.


Tales of Xillia; Playstation 3 -- Q3 Hopefully

Last but not the least, the last game I am really anticipating is the Tales of Xillia localization. This game is already out in Japan has received many positive reviews. It has been a very long time since I have played a Tales game--the last one I believe was on the Gamecube--but this game looks like it will end this generations consoles with a bang. I can be a bit of a sucker when it comes to these types of games for a variety of reasons. For one, the visuals for this game look amazing. They are so colorful and vibrant that I might actually lose my sight from staring too long. Second, the Tales series have been known to bring a unique gaming experience by the way battles play out. You would probably have to play one to understand, it really has been awhile since the last one I have played so I cannot really describe it well enough for people. After seeing that this game will be localized, I might have to pick up the Vesperia and Abyss 3DS to prepare myself for this game.


Well that sums up the games I am really looking forward to this year. I well aware that other games like Pokemon X/Y, Monster Hunter 3,545^2, and Luigi's Mansion will be coming out soon, but those games are not my most anticipated. I also am well aware that my list doesn't really have any Xbox360 games but that is due to the lack of games being announced for the system that are not multi-platformed. I know this isn't a definitive list of games and I am sure more games will be announced for this year as time moves forward, but as of today, these are my most anticipated games.

The Legend Continues...Quickly

I figured I would write a short post tonight. Yes, I am well aware that I wrote one earlier but nothing keeps the brain motivated and functioning like videogames and writing (sources are pending on that). I figured I would write a quick piece on a classic that received a lot of hate at first but became a staple in the household. That game would be The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

This N64 classic was once very hated by many and loved by few. I mean, the game was really messed up so it's kind of understandable. You have 3 days to stop Armageddon with the help of some annoying fairies. It didn't help that the main enemy was a lonely scary looking black person/chicken hybrid running around with an even scarier mask. I want whatever they took when making this game.
Enough about the negatives though. It was an overall enjoyable game that brought something new to the table in the Zelda universe. That would be changing attributes through the use of a mask. It was pretty cool to be able to change into a Deku kid or a Gordon, but to transform into masked deity Link was an awesome time. If you haven't had the opportunity to play this game, go do so now!

Dusting the Old Sega Saturn

Your parents were probably close my age when this came out

As this being my fist blog post about the videogame universe and the correlation with the name 6 Button Mashing Machine, I figured I would start by dusting the old Sega Saturn off and quickly replaying a few of my old games. I figured this would be a great way to test the waters of videogame blogging and working kinks out of my writing.

The first game I decided to pop into the tray was Sonic R, a Sonic racing game created in the mid-90's. WOW, my eyes were burning more than Sonic's feet tearing up the race track. I mean, talk about an unresponsive game with an epic cast of characters mixed into the bunch.

Who needs retinas?

Try leaning left or right with your character, you are going right into a wall or water. Jumping is no better either. The controls in this game dare you not to throw the controller across the room or into a television set. I do have to give it that this game does have some nostalgia behind it and some epic 90's J-Pop, but that is not enough to have me coming back to this game anytime soon.

The second game I decided was Mortal Kombat II. That's right, Mortal Kombat II. I bet many of you had no idea this game was ported onto the Sega Saturn all that time ago. Well, it was and it was epic. I have to say that the controls for this game were better due to the 6 button layout. It really made a difference on how it played. The graphics are as expected, something from the mid-90's in 2-D and with actual actors as the cast. I am sure most of you have had the opportunity to play Mortal Kombat II so there is no need to continue with this game.

Oh man, what system is without its collections of old games to sucker us old timers into nostalgia? Even Sega got in the foray in the 90's with the Sonic Jam collection for the Sega Saturn. This collection consisted of Sonic's 1-3 and Sonic and Knuckles. Who could not love such an epic game collection like this? Heck, I think the Sonic games were around 5 years old when this came out, but who cares? This game had a hidden gem that made it worth all the money that you would spend on it, the "Sonic World" bonus that was included. I forgot how much history Sonic the Hedgehog had in the 6 years since the first one. They had anime, other games not included in the collection pack, merchandise, music, and on and on. They had little perks to the world like finding Tails or Knuckles. It was one of the few games that make the Saturn notable.

I cannot talk about the Sega Saturn without talking about Guardian Heroes. It is a fun adventure/action/side-scrolling game that features a few characters. You just go about beating people up with some friends and take different paths to the end. I don't have much to say but if you have recently played Code of Princess for the Nintendo 3DS and enjoyed it, you would enjoy this too. You can actually find it in the Xbox360 market place for $10.00. Don't hesitate, go snag it and play it.

Despite all the games I own for the Sega Saturn, one I will miss. The Panzer Dragon games. I wanted to blog about these games last, but I cannot find them anywhere. They must have gotten lost when I moved all those years ago and now I will have to try to find them cheap online--never happening--and replay them.