Hey fellow gamers, it's been awhile but I am back. I thought I would tell you how ecstatic I am to finally have the opportunity to play Tales Of Xillia for the PS3. This game was one of my most highly anticipated releases for 2013 and I finally got my hands on it. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of the Tales of series. They are colorful, quirky, and overall fantastical games. Even better is the battle system and it's constant evolution through the series. I expect nothing different from this game.
Anyway, I will write a review for this game when I complete it. I will try to update this blog and let you know my progress.
Showing posts with label PS3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PS3. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Quick Update
It's Tuesday night and I am beat. I think I am going to try and fully beat Tales of Graces f tonight. I honestly cannot wait for Xillia to be released in August. Why are these games so addicting? I hope they release a few for the Vita here in the West for us.
Anyway, I think I am going to finish this game so later guys.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
When is Owning a System Worth it?
While deciding on what Tuesday's classic game should be about, a thought popped in my head. When is it worth owning a specific system, or to phrase it more concisely, how do I know I got my worth out of a videogame system? This is a question that I think people really should contemplate. Why? Because systems are not cheap. Even a new PS3 or Xbox360 will cost you $199.99-$299.99. We also need to keep in mind that many games are released on multiple systems as well. That can easily diminish the value of owning two separate systems. Well, I am going to do my best to argue when a system is worth the value you paid for it.
1. You Completed at Least a Few Games
One way you know you got your value from the system is if you played and completed at least four games. I know, that isn't a lot of game to complete for an expensive piece of hardware. Let's be honest though, who has time to complete a full library of games? Think about it, many of us have work, school, and an active social life. It's not easy to balance those aspects of life while still indulging in your favorite hobby. A lot of the time, you only get around an hour or so to actually play. It's just not easy to do because games can be difficult and time consuming. Basically, I found that I got my worth out of my systems when I could at least finish four good games.
2. When System Exclusives are Great Games
All systems have their own exclusive games. Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo all have their own franchises that define their success and pleasurable returns. Xbox has Halo and Fable; Playstation has Uncharted and Ratchet and Clank; and Nintendo has the Legend of Zelda and Mario. As I am naming these franchises, I hope you are understanding the point I am making. The purchase of a console is worth it when the exclusive franchises are always great to play.
3. Ability to Play with Friends
What's the fun of videogames when you can't share an experiences with your amigos? Not a very fun one. I won't lie, I am a fan of single player games but I still enjoy indulging in a good game of Madden or Borderlands. Now, I understand there are online communities to find people and play co-op or versus, but it just doesn't feel the same when you are turning your friend's quarterback into mush. If I find that it is accessible and even easy to play online or on the same console as a buddy, that system is worth owning.
4. Accessibility and Ease to Play
Having the accessibility and ease to play a system is very important. When you need to type in numerous passwords and wait for numerous updates, you must begin to question was this system worth your time and money. I am not one to sit around for two hours and wait for a game or system to update. If updates are a reoccurring event that takes some time, then it might be a system you want to avoid. It's the same with passwords. I honestly--and I am sure many people feel the same--don't want to sit around and type in passwords to play a game. It's redundant and it's pointless. If any system makes you do that, take a pass on it. Luckily, most of the system updates for these consoles are quick and painless.
5. Cost
You knew this topic would come up. When it comes to buying anything, the cost matters. Why pay $500.00 for a new system when you could wait a year and possibly pay less? This question is relevant with all the new systems that came out and are coming out. Is it worth paying $300.00 for a Wii U when there are little titles to compensate the price tag? Is it worth dishing out for a PS4 when Sony is known to support their systems up to ten years? It's not an easy decision and it sometimes falls down to costs. Can you budget a new system or do you need to save up for it? Would it be okay to own an older system and wait for a price drop on the newer system, essentially spending more in the end but having the ability to save up for it? Do you just forget about it because it's too expensive for you? I can't answer this one for you, but it is something you need to think about.
Ranking the System by this Criteria
*For the purpose of this blog, I am ranking current systems that are in the market. I don't know much about the new systems like most, so that will be for a later date.
**This is also my opinion so don't go crazy because I found one system to be better.
***I can only speak English and so Japanese only games are not included.
Nintendo 3DS/DS - 21/25
I am lumping both these systems together since the 3DS can play exactly like a DS. I am also not basing this on performance or graphics because that's not a deal breaker to me. There is a reason why these handheld devises sell so well. It's because they give you the best bang for your buck. That's why I am giving the 3DS/DS 4 points in cost. It is an affordable system with cheap games. The price of a 3DS XL is still a bit high, so it loses a point there. I have beaten plenty of quality titles on this system to proudly give it 5 points. I mean, they have Fire Emblem, Mario, and Legend of Zelda. It would be unfair to give this system less than 5 points in exclusive games based off of that statement. Playing with friends can be a hassle, so I am giving this one 3 points. First you have to find friends to play and then you have to deal with really poor internet connectivity. A lot of the older games needed a certain security protocol that no one really uses anymore. That means you had to manually change to it--I think it was WPA--and that's a big hassle if you don't know anything about computers. The same goes for the 3DS. If you want to play DS games online, you need to change what internet security you are using. Yuck! Luckily, newer games don't have this issue but that doesn't change the score. Lastly, the accessibility and ease get an obvious 3. It would have been perfect if not for the touch screen making some games difficult. I mean Kid Icarus: Uprising comes to mind with that. I rarely need to update my 3DS/DS and I never need to use a password. It does take some time to download updates though, so that hurts its cause. The 3DS/DS is a system worth owning if you enjoy playing videogames. It has a huge library and the system looks pretty nice too.
Xbox360 - 19/25
I know, an American ranking the Xbox360 high on the list. In all fairness though, this system was great. Game completion on this system received a 5. I probably have beaten over ten quality titles on this system alone. What really helped the Xbox in my ranking is that the exclusives were much better, and therefore, received a 4. With the front runners of the system being Halo and Fable, you can't really go wrong. It would have probably scored a perfect if Fable III and some Halo installments didn't suck. Playing Xbox with friends can be a hassle and received a 3. My biggest problem was the fee to play online. That doesn't make it easy to play with friends who don't live around the corner. Money is tight and that can be the difference between a new game or a year of multiplayer. Personally, it was not worth the price for me since I rarely played online unless it was Madden, Halo, or Borderlands. I don't play a single system everyday and I play multiplayer on a single system even less than that. You get my point. The accessibility/ease for this console received 4 points from me. I honestly never wait for this system to update and even having to do that is rare. I did take a point off for passwords. If you lose your password, you are in trouble. Lastly, the cost only received 2 points. Even for how old this system is, it's still expensive. A 250 GB Xbox360 will run you $299.99 compared to the Playstation 3's 500GB HDD for the same price. A 4GB is $199.99 and that's still expensive. The Xbox hurts itself in costs, but is overall a great system to own.
Playstation 3- 18/25
I am giving the PS3 only 18 points. I was able to finish more than four amazing games for this system, earning 5 points in that category. The system exclusives only received 3 points since none of them really stood out to me. Infamous is boring as all fuck and Uncharted is an okay game...not great. What saves this system are titles like Valkyria Chronicles and Demon Souls, since both are great system exclusives. Actually, two more categories received 3 points. Those would be accessibility/ease and the cost. The PS3 updates constantly, and some of the updates can be time consuming. That's annoying. What saves it is the fact you don't need to type in a password a bunch of times. At $299.99 for white bundle, the cost of the system is still high for its age. That's enough to buy a new Wii U. The bundle is good and the HDD is huge, so it's a saving grace for the system. The last category is the ability to play with friends, which got 4 points. Despite the lag you get sometimes, online is free to play. That is a big money saver and makes it easier to face your friends...if they own the system. The PS3 might have scored average from me, but it's still a good investment due to the longevity of Sony's systems.
Playstation Vita - 15/25
I want to start out by saying that I really enjoy my Vita. That being said, it is not the best system out right now, all though it's beginning to gain traction. For completion of games, I give it only 2 points. I have only finished one game on this system. I still have yet to finish Gravity Rush or even pick up Uncharted. The exclusives on this system are not really there besides Gravity Rush and AC: Liberation. You can't include Persona 4 Golden since that was a port of a Playstation 2 game. I know there are exclusives for this system but they are all in Japanese or not out yet, so I am only giving it 2 points in that category. The ability to play with friends is actually easy with this system. You can either go ad hoc or internet connection. I give it 4 points only because not many people own a Vita yet. Accessibility/ease get an easy 4 points. I never have to wait for my game to update or type in multiple passwords to access my stuff. I am able to transfer files between my PS3 and Vita with ease, all though that can take a bit when they are full games. Lastly, the cost gets a 3. What really kills the cost of this device is the price of memory cards. They are insanely expensive. It can cost you between $80.00-$99.99 for a 32 GB memory card. Yeah, that's insane. The cost of games are cheap though since they vary from $4.99-$39.99. The system is expensive though, costing $249.99 for just the wifi device. If you don't go for a bundle, the cost will bite you in the rear. I give it a 3 because the bundles and games are its saving grace.
Nintendo Wii U - ??/25
If you already have the Wii, you are better off waiting for more updates and games. This system only has a few titles, and most are already on other consoles like Batman. The game pad is attractive, but not enough to lure me in for a basic package at $299.99. I know little of the online but I have caught wind that there have been issues with it so far. It seems that there are a lack of online multiplayer games due to the shortage of actual games. Since this system has only been out for a little while, it might be best to wait a few months to see if Nintendo will get the ball rolling on this system or if it will fail.
As you can see I have listed in order what systems are worth getting. I hope this helps you in deciding if you want to pick up a console now or wait and see its overall future. Well, minus the PS3 and Xbox360 since they have been out awhile.
1. You Completed at Least a Few Games
One way you know you got your value from the system is if you played and completed at least four games. I know, that isn't a lot of game to complete for an expensive piece of hardware. Let's be honest though, who has time to complete a full library of games? Think about it, many of us have work, school, and an active social life. It's not easy to balance those aspects of life while still indulging in your favorite hobby. A lot of the time, you only get around an hour or so to actually play. It's just not easy to do because games can be difficult and time consuming. Basically, I found that I got my worth out of my systems when I could at least finish four good games.
2. When System Exclusives are Great Games
All systems have their own exclusive games. Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo all have their own franchises that define their success and pleasurable returns. Xbox has Halo and Fable; Playstation has Uncharted and Ratchet and Clank; and Nintendo has the Legend of Zelda and Mario. As I am naming these franchises, I hope you are understanding the point I am making. The purchase of a console is worth it when the exclusive franchises are always great to play.
3. Ability to Play with Friends
What's the fun of videogames when you can't share an experiences with your amigos? Not a very fun one. I won't lie, I am a fan of single player games but I still enjoy indulging in a good game of Madden or Borderlands. Now, I understand there are online communities to find people and play co-op or versus, but it just doesn't feel the same when you are turning your friend's quarterback into mush. If I find that it is accessible and even easy to play online or on the same console as a buddy, that system is worth owning.
4. Accessibility and Ease to Play
Having the accessibility and ease to play a system is very important. When you need to type in numerous passwords and wait for numerous updates, you must begin to question was this system worth your time and money. I am not one to sit around for two hours and wait for a game or system to update. If updates are a reoccurring event that takes some time, then it might be a system you want to avoid. It's the same with passwords. I honestly--and I am sure many people feel the same--don't want to sit around and type in passwords to play a game. It's redundant and it's pointless. If any system makes you do that, take a pass on it. Luckily, most of the system updates for these consoles are quick and painless.
5. Cost
You knew this topic would come up. When it comes to buying anything, the cost matters. Why pay $500.00 for a new system when you could wait a year and possibly pay less? This question is relevant with all the new systems that came out and are coming out. Is it worth paying $300.00 for a Wii U when there are little titles to compensate the price tag? Is it worth dishing out for a PS4 when Sony is known to support their systems up to ten years? It's not an easy decision and it sometimes falls down to costs. Can you budget a new system or do you need to save up for it? Would it be okay to own an older system and wait for a price drop on the newer system, essentially spending more in the end but having the ability to save up for it? Do you just forget about it because it's too expensive for you? I can't answer this one for you, but it is something you need to think about.
Ranking the System by this Criteria
*For the purpose of this blog, I am ranking current systems that are in the market. I don't know much about the new systems like most, so that will be for a later date.
**This is also my opinion so don't go crazy because I found one system to be better.
***I can only speak English and so Japanese only games are not included.
Nintendo 3DS/DS - 21/25
I am lumping both these systems together since the 3DS can play exactly like a DS. I am also not basing this on performance or graphics because that's not a deal breaker to me. There is a reason why these handheld devises sell so well. It's because they give you the best bang for your buck. That's why I am giving the 3DS/DS 4 points in cost. It is an affordable system with cheap games. The price of a 3DS XL is still a bit high, so it loses a point there. I have beaten plenty of quality titles on this system to proudly give it 5 points. I mean, they have Fire Emblem, Mario, and Legend of Zelda. It would be unfair to give this system less than 5 points in exclusive games based off of that statement. Playing with friends can be a hassle, so I am giving this one 3 points. First you have to find friends to play and then you have to deal with really poor internet connectivity. A lot of the older games needed a certain security protocol that no one really uses anymore. That means you had to manually change to it--I think it was WPA--and that's a big hassle if you don't know anything about computers. The same goes for the 3DS. If you want to play DS games online, you need to change what internet security you are using. Yuck! Luckily, newer games don't have this issue but that doesn't change the score. Lastly, the accessibility and ease get an obvious 3. It would have been perfect if not for the touch screen making some games difficult. I mean Kid Icarus: Uprising comes to mind with that. I rarely need to update my 3DS/DS and I never need to use a password. It does take some time to download updates though, so that hurts its cause. The 3DS/DS is a system worth owning if you enjoy playing videogames. It has a huge library and the system looks pretty nice too.
Xbox360 - 19/25
I know, an American ranking the Xbox360 high on the list. In all fairness though, this system was great. Game completion on this system received a 5. I probably have beaten over ten quality titles on this system alone. What really helped the Xbox in my ranking is that the exclusives were much better, and therefore, received a 4. With the front runners of the system being Halo and Fable, you can't really go wrong. It would have probably scored a perfect if Fable III and some Halo installments didn't suck. Playing Xbox with friends can be a hassle and received a 3. My biggest problem was the fee to play online. That doesn't make it easy to play with friends who don't live around the corner. Money is tight and that can be the difference between a new game or a year of multiplayer. Personally, it was not worth the price for me since I rarely played online unless it was Madden, Halo, or Borderlands. I don't play a single system everyday and I play multiplayer on a single system even less than that. You get my point. The accessibility/ease for this console received 4 points from me. I honestly never wait for this system to update and even having to do that is rare. I did take a point off for passwords. If you lose your password, you are in trouble. Lastly, the cost only received 2 points. Even for how old this system is, it's still expensive. A 250 GB Xbox360 will run you $299.99 compared to the Playstation 3's 500GB HDD for the same price. A 4GB is $199.99 and that's still expensive. The Xbox hurts itself in costs, but is overall a great system to own.
Playstation 3- 18/25
I am giving the PS3 only 18 points. I was able to finish more than four amazing games for this system, earning 5 points in that category. The system exclusives only received 3 points since none of them really stood out to me. Infamous is boring as all fuck and Uncharted is an okay game...not great. What saves this system are titles like Valkyria Chronicles and Demon Souls, since both are great system exclusives. Actually, two more categories received 3 points. Those would be accessibility/ease and the cost. The PS3 updates constantly, and some of the updates can be time consuming. That's annoying. What saves it is the fact you don't need to type in a password a bunch of times. At $299.99 for white bundle, the cost of the system is still high for its age. That's enough to buy a new Wii U. The bundle is good and the HDD is huge, so it's a saving grace for the system. The last category is the ability to play with friends, which got 4 points. Despite the lag you get sometimes, online is free to play. That is a big money saver and makes it easier to face your friends...if they own the system. The PS3 might have scored average from me, but it's still a good investment due to the longevity of Sony's systems.
Playstation Vita - 15/25
I want to start out by saying that I really enjoy my Vita. That being said, it is not the best system out right now, all though it's beginning to gain traction. For completion of games, I give it only 2 points. I have only finished one game on this system. I still have yet to finish Gravity Rush or even pick up Uncharted. The exclusives on this system are not really there besides Gravity Rush and AC: Liberation. You can't include Persona 4 Golden since that was a port of a Playstation 2 game. I know there are exclusives for this system but they are all in Japanese or not out yet, so I am only giving it 2 points in that category. The ability to play with friends is actually easy with this system. You can either go ad hoc or internet connection. I give it 4 points only because not many people own a Vita yet. Accessibility/ease get an easy 4 points. I never have to wait for my game to update or type in multiple passwords to access my stuff. I am able to transfer files between my PS3 and Vita with ease, all though that can take a bit when they are full games. Lastly, the cost gets a 3. What really kills the cost of this device is the price of memory cards. They are insanely expensive. It can cost you between $80.00-$99.99 for a 32 GB memory card. Yeah, that's insane. The cost of games are cheap though since they vary from $4.99-$39.99. The system is expensive though, costing $249.99 for just the wifi device. If you don't go for a bundle, the cost will bite you in the rear. I give it a 3 because the bundles and games are its saving grace.
Nintendo Wii U - ??/25
If you already have the Wii, you are better off waiting for more updates and games. This system only has a few titles, and most are already on other consoles like Batman. The game pad is attractive, but not enough to lure me in for a basic package at $299.99. I know little of the online but I have caught wind that there have been issues with it so far. It seems that there are a lack of online multiplayer games due to the shortage of actual games. Since this system has only been out for a little while, it might be best to wait a few months to see if Nintendo will get the ball rolling on this system or if it will fail.
As you can see I have listed in order what systems are worth getting. I hope this helps you in deciding if you want to pick up a console now or wait and see its overall future. Well, minus the PS3 and Xbox360 since they have been out awhile.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
I Am Going to Need a Bigger Memory Card
As I sit at my desk, drinking my coffee, and looking at future game releases, I realized that I am going to need a much bigger memory card for my 3DS and Vita. It was inevitable that I would run into this problem, considering the amount of downloadable games that are in both respective shops. For the Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Oracles' series will be coming to the eShop. I mentioned these games in a previous post in one of my classic game days. You know I can't just buy one and not the other. Yes, they may be two in the same game, but they still are different. There is also a deal going on with Nintendo that you can download a free game onto your XL if you purchase the new Pokemon game or Luigi's Mansion game. Yeah, I am totally digging that deal. The Playstation Vita is no stranger to downloadable releases. Heck, the Playstation Plus subscription nets you free games once a month, including titles like Gravity Rush and Ninja Gaiden--ended last month--that take up a good amount of space. You can't forget that with the Vita, the only way to play PSP games is to directly download them.
Also thinking about it too, it adds to your convenience. Who wants to lug around a bunch of game cards all the time? I don't always want to carry a suitcase with games in it. So the added convenience of having the game as an app is right there. Really, I just need bigger memory cards to get me through this year. It would be nice if they made bigger memory cards though...32gbs is not enough!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Final Fantasy X-2?
A remake for Final Fantasy X and X-2 will be released for the Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita respectively. I find it fitting for Final Fantasy X to be released because of how awesome the original game was. It was one of my personal favorites in a long list of games. I don't understand why X-2 is being remade as well. I was never a fan of the original. To me, it sort of ruined a perfectly great story and an overall cheap game. I did play X-2 almost 10 years ago, so my opinion of it might change. As long as I don't have to pay extra for it--which is the rumor going around for the PSVita version--I will give it another go when the time comes.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Quick News: PS2 Emulator for PS3
According to a few news websites, the PS3 is capable of emulating PS2 games. I am not linking any websites because I am not going to even give the slightest chance of legal problems for that. ANYWAY. So yes, apparently the PS3 can play PS2 games. Is this important? For many of us with a large library with a broken PS2, yes, yes it is. Hopefully the individuals working on the emulator will find a way to get it fully functional. I think this is great, I don't want to buy the same game twice.
What question does this whole thing beg then? If it was possible to do emulations of these slim models, why did Sony lie and say they couldn't? Why would they not try to profit from this? We are surely going to find out in the upcoming weeks as this situation develops.
What question does this whole thing beg then? If it was possible to do emulations of these slim models, why did Sony lie and say they couldn't? Why would they not try to profit from this? We are surely going to find out in the upcoming weeks as this situation develops.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Thursday's Classic Game
Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV: Wall of Fire
I am sure many of you are familiar with Dynasty Warriors. I am sure many of you are familiar with the story that goes along with the game. Well, before there were Dynasty Warriors games, there was Romance of the Three Kingdoms. These games similar to the Dynasty Warriors Empire games. You take control of a kingdom and try to conquer a waring China. It is a tactical strategy game that thrust you into conquering your neighbors will taking care of your own cities. Think of it as the original Total War. I will be fair, I am a little under the weather so my post will be weak today. You can pick up this classic in the Playstation store. Go, do it right now.
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| Yes, command that poorly pixilated army |
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Valkyria Chronicles
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| This tank really is a beast in this game |
Sorry for the long absence guys. It was a busy weekend. I worked and played with my new PS3. Let me tell you it is worth every penny. I decided to pick up a copy of Valkyria Chronicles too. I have got to say, this isn't a game you should miss.
This game takes in a World War II looking universe. Gallia is being invaded by The Empire-the resemblance to Nazi Germany is uncanny--and you must defend this small kingdom. You take control of a small militia under the command of Welkin who was studying to be a botanist before the war. I have not gotten far enough yet myself so there is most definitely more to the story.
The game plays like a cross between a tactical RPG and a third-person shooter. You move the character like Star Wars Battlefront but you get a limited amount of movement points. You also control a tank and 5 unique units. These units are scout, shock trooper, lancer, engineer, and sniper. It's important to diversify your squad if you want win.
One aspect I find to be a key element is the leveling system. You gain experience by winning skirmishes and spend those points to train your troops. The way it works in this game is that it levels a unit type opposed to a specific character. It's a great system that makes leveling up seem less tedious and time consuming. You can also "level" your gear by purchasing upgrades from the R & D Shop. It's important to do this if you want to survive the upcoming battles.
This game takes in a World War II looking universe. Gallia is being invaded by The Empire-the resemblance to Nazi Germany is uncanny--and you must defend this small kingdom. You take control of a small militia under the command of Welkin who was studying to be a botanist before the war. I have not gotten far enough yet myself so there is most definitely more to the story.
The game plays like a cross between a tactical RPG and a third-person shooter. You move the character like Star Wars Battlefront but you get a limited amount of movement points. You also control a tank and 5 unique units. These units are scout, shock trooper, lancer, engineer, and sniper. It's important to diversify your squad if you want win.
One aspect I find to be a key element is the leveling system. You gain experience by winning skirmishes and spend those points to train your troops. The way it works in this game is that it levels a unit type opposed to a specific character. It's a great system that makes leveling up seem less tedious and time consuming. You can also "level" your gear by purchasing upgrades from the R & D Shop. It's important to do this if you want to survive the upcoming battles.
When it comes to presentation, this game is unique. I really do enjoy the art style. It has a special feel to it that I honestly can't describe in words. The story really does sound like a typical World War II story with all its references to the history of that war.
I could talk about this game more but I suggest that you give it a try. It will be worth your time.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Four Games That I Think You Should Play
With all the games out in the market today, it is always a tough choice when it comes to where your money will be well spent. I am here to make that choice for you. This list will get you through the month of February and possibly longer if you shoot for the stars and try and beat them all. I
1. Final Fantasy IX - If you have not had the opportunity to play this Final Fantasy yet, you are really missing out. As a kid, this was my favorite Final Fantasy game and one of my favorite games of all time. Heck, it still is one of my favorite games to play. FFIX is one of the few games that have managed to stick around and still be as great as it was in 2000. Yikes, the game is almost thirteen years old and I would still play this game over most games that come out today. The characters and the story may be right out of a classic JRPG portfolio and yet it still remains intensely satisfying to play. The characters really do draw you into their fantastic journey and their personal dilemmas. Right now you can add this game to your collection for $4.99 through the Playstation Network. Not only are you getting a great game for cheap, you can even carry it around with you if you own a PSP or Playstation Vita! Let's pray that they eventually make a graphically updated version of this game in the near future. GO BUY IT NOW.
2. Code of Princess - I am sure many of you might have seen this game in the Nintendo eShop or in your local videogame stores if they still supply it, but this is one game that has definitely been looked over by many. It is actually a really fun beat-em-up game that you can play solo or with friends. If it were not for this game, I probably would have lost my marbles when Hurricane Sandy hit and took away our power for almost three weeks. Anyway, the cast of characters are interesting and cooky. It also has a killer soundtrack and awesome visuals. The controls are easy to figure out and the game play can be rather smooth with most of the characters having a unique move set. It's a fun game to pick up from time-to-time so get your hands on a copy before it's to late!
3. Lord of the Rings: War in the North - I am well aware that I mentioned this game a few post back, but it is just that fun of a game. LOTR: War in the North is a western type of RPG that allows up to three people to complete the main game and collect goods. This game demands team work or you will be stuck with really terrible equipment. Despite the games short comings like the occasional glitching, I can still play this game with friends for hours. Give it a shot, it can't be more than $20.00 at Gamestop right now.
4. Medieval II: Total War - This game, that's all I can start with right now. This game was a huge improvement of Rome Total War that came out almost a decade ago. For those that have never played a Total War game, you really are missing out. This is a military/political/society simulator that demands hours of game play to conquer most of Europe. You can go into battle and control units and defeat your enemies or simulate it and focus on maintaining your city-states. This game will demand at least half a day from you if you choose to try and beat it in one run. As long as you have a decent computer, you will be able to run this hidden gem on your computer.
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| It wouldn't be Final Fantasy without a dragon destroying something |
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| Air guitar anyone? |
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| Belran really was the best part of this game |
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| Battles are this intense |
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Real Quick Night Post
I figured I would give my Nintendo 3DS a rest today after dominating armies in Fire Emblem: Awakening and talk on a few subjects to close out the night for everyone. I think I will number these subjects tonight for you to find what you want to read and agree with or rage at the keyboard with. Yeah, I will do a little table of contents.
1. PS3 and why it is still worth purchasing the bundles
2. Shinning Force II and the quick rage quick
1. Who would have guessed Sony would give us such epic bundles at the supposed end of the PlayStation 3's lifecycle? I think everyone should be raising their hands on this one. Is this a sign that Sony is milking whatever they can for this system? Yes and no. Are any of these bundles worth purchasing? Ahh, yeah. How can it not be worth it to pick up one of these awesome bundles when they come to market, especially if you don't own a PS3 like I do. The new bundle coming out in March features a red PS3 and a God of War compilation as I pointed out in a previous post. It looks brutal and I know where my $300.00 from my already depleted (thank you Sony and Nintendo) account is going. With an amazing library that has become affordable and future games coming for this system still, it is almost a steal. Sony is also known for not letting their consoles die, look at the PS2 that finally ceased to be marketed. I think the bundles and the gaming speaks for itself (Tales series, God of War series, Kingdom Hearts series, etc).
2. I had to pull myself away from Fire Emblem today. How did I do that? By playing a game I have not played since the early 1990's when I was a weeee little lad. Yeah, that game was Shinning Force II and yes, I raged quick faster than a duck quacked. Talk about a game that is hard. Right off the bat I was getting my butt handed to be by some ghost. How did I ever beat this game when I was younger and less aware of how to win games? If the game had any calming quality for me, it was the old school castle atmosphere and the fantastic sound track.
1. PS3 and why it is still worth purchasing the bundles
2. Shinning Force II and the quick rage quick
1. Who would have guessed Sony would give us such epic bundles at the supposed end of the PlayStation 3's lifecycle? I think everyone should be raising their hands on this one. Is this a sign that Sony is milking whatever they can for this system? Yes and no. Are any of these bundles worth purchasing? Ahh, yeah. How can it not be worth it to pick up one of these awesome bundles when they come to market, especially if you don't own a PS3 like I do. The new bundle coming out in March features a red PS3 and a God of War compilation as I pointed out in a previous post. It looks brutal and I know where my $300.00 from my already depleted (thank you Sony and Nintendo) account is going. With an amazing library that has become affordable and future games coming for this system still, it is almost a steal. Sony is also known for not letting their consoles die, look at the PS2 that finally ceased to be marketed. I think the bundles and the gaming speaks for itself (Tales series, God of War series, Kingdom Hearts series, etc).
2. I had to pull myself away from Fire Emblem today. How did I do that? By playing a game I have not played since the early 1990's when I was a weeee little lad. Yeah, that game was Shinning Force II and yes, I raged quick faster than a duck quacked. Talk about a game that is hard. Right off the bat I was getting my butt handed to be by some ghost. How did I ever beat this game when I was younger and less aware of how to win games? If the game had any calming quality for me, it was the old school castle atmosphere and the fantastic sound track.
Friday, February 1, 2013
PS3 God of War Bundle out March 13
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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.
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
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen; Playstation 3, Xbox 360 --Apr.23, 2013
Soul Sacrifice; Playstation Vita --Apr. 30, 2013
Phantasy Star Online 2; PC, Playstation Vita --TBA
The Last of Us; Playstation 3 --May 7, 2013
Tales of Xillia; Playstation 3 -- Q3 Hopefully
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.
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