So my lack of post this summer has been terrible, but I have had a lot going on so I apologize. It's not easy to balance blogging, actually playing video games, working, looking for good jobs, and having a summer of death. I will try to make more of an effort though, I promise.
Anyway, the games I have been playing are Tales of Xillia and Dragon's Crown. I would be lying if I said both games were not amazing. They may not be 10/10, but they are worth the money and a lot of fun to play. If you asked me which of the two I preferred, I would have to say Tales just because it offers more in terms of everything.
September looks to be a stellar month for Playstation. The new releases consist of Killzone: Mercenary, Valhalla Knights 3, Kingdom Hearts 1.5 ReMIX, and so on. Yeah, that's an incredible amount of games to come out in a month. I am sure a lot more indie games will be coming out on multiple systems too.
There's more going on in the gaming world, but I don't have enough research to really say anything on it.
Anyway, till later.
Showing posts with label sony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sony. Show all posts
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Tales of Xillia: I Finally got my Copy
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.
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.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Why I am Going with the PS4 First
With the advent of a new generation of consoles coming out, it's time to start throwing our lot with one company in the future. It is not a hidden fact that many of us can't afford to own all three consoles and so we are forced to make a choice. Considering the dominant side genres in my taste range are rpg's and adventure games, I will be casting my dice with Sony first. PlayStation has always been the system to go to if you wanted to play the best of these genres. I can't see this generation being any different in that regard. The Xbox has never really offered exclusives in those genres that would make it worth purchasing in the future. PlayStation is also cheaper than Xbox. That's a big deal when money is tight. I don't know about anyone else, but that is an extra game in my pocket. The Wii U is better priced, but it's not nearly as powerful. I think the biggest deterrent to the new Xbox right now for me the 24 hour check in. People, if you did not know, that takes up bandwidth. You might be paying almost an extra $100.00 a year for that. Yeah, I am poor, so no thank you. It also makes sense for me since I own a PS Vita. Now that Sony is asking the developers to make the games cross play compatible, I will finally get the full use of the Vita that was promised to us by Sony.
So yeah, I am going PS4 first.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Uncharted 3: My Rant
It's rare that I ever get really aggravated at a video game. There are moments where I might be frustrated by a single to a few scenes or may be some Dance Revolution button scheme, but I was blown away today by controls. That being said, Uncharted 3 has to have some of the worst controls I have ever had the misfortune of using. How can anyone play this game and say it's great when the controls are terrible? I will say that the story of the game is captivating, but the experience was ruined by loose controls. First of all, moving is a clumsy obstacle. Moving left or right is uncomfortable and riddled with pauses. Jumping is terrible and that makes jumping onto walls aggravating. I can't even go on. Thank god the story and the cinematic experience of the game were amazing or I would have told everyone to avoid the game.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Yesterday's E3 Showing: Sony vs. Microsoft
I have got to say, Sony smoked Microsoft. I didn't think it were possible, but I was wrong. Not only did Sony show that it was a more consumer friendly product, it made Microsoft look like the Sega of the past. For the younger viewers of my blog, Sega came out with consoles in the best and the last two did not do well at all. Here's what I thought of the Sony v. Microsoft viewing and why Sony smoked them.
Games
If you did not watch last night, Sony had a better variety of games for their new consoles. Microsoft did, but they looked stupid and were made by companies that generally make bad games. D4 was the only promising game for the new Xbox One and even then, it looked stupid. If it's anything like Deadly Premonition, it's going to suck. Sony came out swinging with a new Killzone, Destiny--a game by the awesome Bungie--, Elder Scrolls Online, and some more. Really, those three were good enough as it stands. Microsoft came swinging with a wiffle ball bat and got smoked.
Hardware
I won't lie, both systems had pretty impressive hardware. Honestly, they are close to modified personal computers for the poor man in terms of raw power. I think Sony might have a bit of an edge, but only time will tell when the systems come out. Also, the PS4 looks so much better than the Xbox One.
DRM
If you are not sure what that is, it's used for used games. Let's be honest, when you have an entire crowd going nuts because you said no to it, you won. Microsoft looked like an Oil Baron in front of Sony and this is one of the biggest reasons. No one likes when you try to screw the consumer. When I can't buy something from a competitor for cheaper, that's price fixing. In the states, that's supposed to be illegal. I say supposed to since the video game industry does it. Have you not noticed that all new games are $59.99 and new systems are about the same price? Anyway, this gives us more choices on how to spend our money and Microsoft dropped the ball.
Cost
Again, Sony knows we aren't made of money. The system will cost $100.00 less than the Xbox One and we can use used games. The games will all probably be the same flat cost on every system, so the only real win is the console cost.
In the end, Sony won the day. They just put a great showing out and that does make me happy. As someone who owns both companies products, I feel like this new generation will have me leaning towards the PS4. I don't think--after this showing--Microsoft will survive in the game department if they don't change their strategy. They will be like the Sega of the past if they don't get it together.
P.S. LET HALO DIE ALREADY. YOU GUYS ARE RUINING A GREAT FRANCHISE WITH ALL THESE INSTALLMENTS. JUST STOP!
-- From a Halo fan
Games
If you did not watch last night, Sony had a better variety of games for their new consoles. Microsoft did, but they looked stupid and were made by companies that generally make bad games. D4 was the only promising game for the new Xbox One and even then, it looked stupid. If it's anything like Deadly Premonition, it's going to suck. Sony came out swinging with a new Killzone, Destiny--a game by the awesome Bungie--, Elder Scrolls Online, and some more. Really, those three were good enough as it stands. Microsoft came swinging with a wiffle ball bat and got smoked.
Hardware
I won't lie, both systems had pretty impressive hardware. Honestly, they are close to modified personal computers for the poor man in terms of raw power. I think Sony might have a bit of an edge, but only time will tell when the systems come out. Also, the PS4 looks so much better than the Xbox One.
DRM
If you are not sure what that is, it's used for used games. Let's be honest, when you have an entire crowd going nuts because you said no to it, you won. Microsoft looked like an Oil Baron in front of Sony and this is one of the biggest reasons. No one likes when you try to screw the consumer. When I can't buy something from a competitor for cheaper, that's price fixing. In the states, that's supposed to be illegal. I say supposed to since the video game industry does it. Have you not noticed that all new games are $59.99 and new systems are about the same price? Anyway, this gives us more choices on how to spend our money and Microsoft dropped the ball.
Cost
Again, Sony knows we aren't made of money. The system will cost $100.00 less than the Xbox One and we can use used games. The games will all probably be the same flat cost on every system, so the only real win is the console cost.
In the end, Sony won the day. They just put a great showing out and that does make me happy. As someone who owns both companies products, I feel like this new generation will have me leaning towards the PS4. I don't think--after this showing--Microsoft will survive in the game department if they don't change their strategy. They will be like the Sega of the past if they don't get it together.
P.S. LET HALO DIE ALREADY. YOU GUYS ARE RUINING A GREAT FRANCHISE WITH ALL THESE INSTALLMENTS. JUST STOP!
-- From a Halo fan
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Tales of Symphonia Unisonant Pack Confirmed for the PS3
That's right, for all the Tales loving fans out there, one of the best games in the series is being remade for the Playstation 3. It was both confirmed at the Tales Festival and to be localized in the West! That means we will have an opportunity to play this great game again in HD with the added bonus of Dawn of the New World. This is great news for new fans to the series and to those that never had the chance play this spectacular game. I can't tell you how excited I am, even if it's a remake of two classic games.
The release of this remastered game tells me two things. First, it tells me that Namco Bandai actually cares about their fans in the West and listens to us in generally. They realize that people over here actually enjoy playing there fantastic games and that makes them willing to localize it for us. Two, it tells me that the fan base for the Tales games are continuously growing in the western world. It really should be no surprise since the popularity of videogames has exploded--it still begs the question why it still is a stigma to many--and more and more people are playing them. Despite how niche the rpg genre is in generally, it still has a huge following of loyal fans willing and ready to play and even Namco Bandai knows that they should capitalize on the situation.
I really am excited for this game though. It's been too long since I have had the chance to play Tales of Symphonia and I will finally get the chance to try Dawn of the New World. For newcomers to the Tales series, not many make it out here, so it's kind of a big deal. After the break, you can find the trailer for this game.
The release of this remastered game tells me two things. First, it tells me that Namco Bandai actually cares about their fans in the West and listens to us in generally. They realize that people over here actually enjoy playing there fantastic games and that makes them willing to localize it for us. Two, it tells me that the fan base for the Tales games are continuously growing in the western world. It really should be no surprise since the popularity of videogames has exploded--it still begs the question why it still is a stigma to many--and more and more people are playing them. Despite how niche the rpg genre is in generally, it still has a huge following of loyal fans willing and ready to play and even Namco Bandai knows that they should capitalize on the situation.
I really am excited for this game though. It's been too long since I have had the chance to play Tales of Symphonia and I will finally get the chance to try Dawn of the New World. For newcomers to the Tales series, not many make it out here, so it's kind of a big deal. After the break, you can find the trailer for this game.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Guest Writer: My Problem with the Industry
My name is Tom Butto, and this is my first post on this blog. Matt has
been kind enough to let me contribute, and I thank him for how wonderful
of a person he is on a daily basis. Matt and I have been friends since
high school, and we have many things in common. We both like sports,
trolling, drinking beer, and of course, video games. You put the both of
us in front of a video game we both like, and we will play that game
for hours upon hours without stopping. That’s how we are; we are bingers,
especially when it comes to video games. We love video games, we love to
play video games, we love to beat each other in Madden or The Show, we
have been playing the same Madden franchise in Madden 2011, and during
the Halo 3 days, we loved to jump in a Hog and trash talk people while
mowing them down with machine gun bullets and some sweet driving. I have
never had a problem with video games, or the video game industry, until
now.
I have a problem because the video game industry is killing itself. Facebook, mobile phone games, free-to-play are threatening the industry because they are as popular as ever, and yet the video game industry and the companies who make the console, I’m looking at Microsoft, seem like they are trying to distance themselves from their consumers. They are becoming greedier as the years go on, and seemingly keep shooting themselves in the foot. With the announcement of the new Xbox One, this was the final straw for me. The system has to be connected to the Internet at all times? Game prices are going to go up? If you borrow a game from a friend, it will cost you five dollars? This is all ridiculous. They want people to only buy new games, and subscribe to Xbox Live, which costs people more money. Either these people who came up with all these ideas for the new Xbox are so disillusioned and detached from society because of how successful the Xbox 360 was, or they simply don’t care. Last time I checked, people are still struggling to make ends meet. People do not have money to have subscriptions to Xbox Live, and pay 70 or 80 dollars for a video game.
Add this to downloadable content getting more and more ridiculous, and I want the video game industry to fail. I want people to stop buying video games and consoles when the new generation of systems comes out. Or at the very least, people stop buying the Xbox One, because the PlayStation 4 seems fine from what I have heard. Maybe if people go on a little unofficial boycott, the suits at these companies will have to change some ideas and actually look like they care about their customers. Because at this rate, you will have to pay an entry fee to get into a video game store, and have to put a strand of your hair in your console so they know your DNA and where you are at all times. Maybe if the industry collapses on itself, real, innovative ideas will come to the forefront. Until then, I will be content playing my Xbox 360, working on the fifth or sixth season of our Madden franchise.
I have a problem because the video game industry is killing itself. Facebook, mobile phone games, free-to-play are threatening the industry because they are as popular as ever, and yet the video game industry and the companies who make the console, I’m looking at Microsoft, seem like they are trying to distance themselves from their consumers. They are becoming greedier as the years go on, and seemingly keep shooting themselves in the foot. With the announcement of the new Xbox One, this was the final straw for me. The system has to be connected to the Internet at all times? Game prices are going to go up? If you borrow a game from a friend, it will cost you five dollars? This is all ridiculous. They want people to only buy new games, and subscribe to Xbox Live, which costs people more money. Either these people who came up with all these ideas for the new Xbox are so disillusioned and detached from society because of how successful the Xbox 360 was, or they simply don’t care. Last time I checked, people are still struggling to make ends meet. People do not have money to have subscriptions to Xbox Live, and pay 70 or 80 dollars for a video game.
Add this to downloadable content getting more and more ridiculous, and I want the video game industry to fail. I want people to stop buying video games and consoles when the new generation of systems comes out. Or at the very least, people stop buying the Xbox One, because the PlayStation 4 seems fine from what I have heard. Maybe if people go on a little unofficial boycott, the suits at these companies will have to change some ideas and actually look like they care about their customers. Because at this rate, you will have to pay an entry fee to get into a video game store, and have to put a strand of your hair in your console so they know your DNA and where you are at all times. Maybe if the industry collapses on itself, real, innovative ideas will come to the forefront. Until then, I will be content playing my Xbox 360, working on the fifth or sixth season of our Madden franchise.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Date Set for Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5
According to the Playstation Blog, you will finally be able to own this updated masterpiece September 10, 2013. For anyone that cares enough, if you pre-order this game soon, you will get a limited edition art book. A really cool item to keep on your coffee table to impress your friends with...or have them question your maturity in my case. This is a must have for both collectors and fans. It was a great game for its time and a unique one at that. For anyone who has not played this game in the past, this is the perfect opportunity to see what all the hype of these games are about.
Personally, I think it's great that an updated version of this classic is coming out. Many of the younger generations or people who were not really into gaming in the early 2000's really missed out on a gem. Now, they will have a chance to play and live through Sora's tale as he tackles adventures in Disney worlds with his companions, Donald and Goofy, while looking for King Mickey. You encounter various characters from Disney and Final Fantasy during the course of the game. You even team up with some of them while in their worlds! I am not going to spoil the game so I am stopping there. Will I purchase this item? I think I will. I wish they packaged both 1 and 2 together but I will take what they give.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Ys: Memories of Celceta and Why I am Excited
Ys: Memories of Celceta is a re-imaging of the two Ys: IV games, Dawn of Ys and Mask of the Sun set to be released in September. If you are unfamiliar with either of these games, don't worry since both versions never made it out West and both versions came out in the early 1990's. Thanks to XSEED, we will now have the opportunity to play Falcom's retelling of these tales. The basic premise of the story follows Adol Christin and his exploration of the Celceta forest.
I will leave this post with some images of the game for you guys to look at.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Summer 2013 of Gaming
It's a beautiful, allergenic May with summer being around the corner. This summer will mark the last push of this era's consoles before the new ones kick into full steam. We will most likely see the end of the Nintendo Wii and DS's game lineup as Nintendo moves forward with the Wii U and 3DS. We will see Sony and Xbox push an avalanche of big titles before their new systems come out for the holiday season. It's going to be a hectic and awesome summer of gaming. My intention over the next few blog post is to blog about my expectations of Summer 2013 in gaming.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Soul Sacrifice Demo: My Impressions
I was left with a choice in this game. Do I sacrifice or save this tainted wizards life? I had made my choice and sacrificed him to gain new destructive powers. I was ready to continue to the next mission, no matter how brutal the next encounter will be on my character. I was armed with mostly ice spells and healing spells to tear my opponents up. I knew the next battle would be brutal.
It actually was pretty hard. It took me a solid 17 minutes to take down the Giant Harpy. Oh yeah, this giant harpy had a fat woman's face. No, this was not part of the main stories harpy either but a trials boss. I had used up a lot of my spells before this beast went down. I was basically clinging on to life thanks to my A.I. allies. Things definitely got harder after that because I had to take down a Cerberus and it's tough. I had to use up all my magic, burn my skin for a really powerful spell. and sacrifice an ally just to beat this monster. If the rest of the game pans out like this, I am going to be in for a fun nightmare.
My overall impression of the game has been positive. I am enjoying the Monster Hunter-esqe feel to the game without it actually being Monster Hunter. I am loving the fast pace, magic slaughter-fest this game brings to the Vita. I like that I can choose to go all ice or fire based magic but still use the similar basic magic as other elemental wizards. The magic is pretty unique and if timed perfectly, can be pretty devastating to the monsters. I also like the aesthetics in this game. The colors--even though a darker tone--are very vivid and the costumes are fashionable for a videogame. I can even tell the difference between my character and another person's character during battle. The worlds are beautifully crafted and the enemies are fearsome looking. I find the detail in this game to be A+ material for a handheld. Finally, the controls respond well. I honestly had no problems attacking or moving my character around. I just wish they would add a jump button to this game. Here is hoping for one in a future update
This game has so far reeled me in. I am enjoying this more than most games I have played in recent memory. I find it to be a great alternative to Monster Hunter if you are into faster moving battles. The full game comes out April 30th so be prepared to be sacrificed!
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.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Wait What?
As I try and gather an idea to blog about today, I came across a peculiar sequel to a game. One is actually being made for a game called, Conception: Please have my Baby. I had to stop for a second and read the title again. I was not mistaken. Why do games like this exist? What makes it worse is that Conception's sequel will also be released on the Nintendo 3DS. Yes, that's right. A handheld owned by a company that generally releases family friendly games.
This was the only video I could find after typing in the title for the game. I saw more real births then I needed today. I couldn't stomach anymore so this is all you are getting.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Dynasty Warriors 8
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| I am feeling fabulous! |
Dynasty Warriors 8 will make its debut July 16th in the West according to Push Square and will feature a slew of new characters and modes. We will also see the return of free mode, which was probably the best part of the game for some of us. It will feature "what if" scenarios to spice up a story we are all to familiar with and bring a more enjoyable story overall. I hope it's really spiced up. I am pleased to know that the series will return to English dialect because I hate reading when I am mindlessly playing videogames. I am also excited to play as the new characters appearing in the game. These characters include Zhang Bao, Guan Xing, Wen Yang, and a few others. This will probably be the largest Dynasty Warriors game to date in terms of character numbers. I mean honestly, there are a lot of characters to play as in this game. I am looking forward to this new installment and pray that we get a physical copy here in the states.
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
An End of an Era: Sony to Reveal New Playstation
Sony will reveal information about the new Playstation today. What might they tell us? I am hoping it will be that new controller that is floating around the internet. Although it's following the pattern of the previous systems, there looks to be a screen on it and a speaker (Look at the holes on the controller). I wonder if it will be similar to the Wii's remote and make noises during game play. I also wonder what the new specs of this system will be and the launch titles. Will this system be backwards compatible? Will this system function alongside the Playstation Vita like a controller? We will find out tonight!
When thinking about this announcement, we must come to a realization that this current generation of consoles are coming to a close. What along generation it has been too. I mean, these systems have been going for 7-8 years now. That's a really long span of time. This generation has produced some of the most memorable games. We had Halo 3, Dark Souls, Call of Duty 3, TES: Skyrim, etc. We also had some forgetable games as well with Final Fantasy XIII (no, I did not like this game at all), Sonic the Hedgehog, Duke Nukem Forever, and so on.
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| Countless hours had been spent bagging newbs in Halo 3 |
Monday, February 11, 2013
I Want a new Shining Force Game
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| Damn skeletons |
Want to know what system would benefit from this? The Playstation Vita. Unlike Disgaea, Shining Force would be a recognizable name to people outside of a niche market. That's important when you want to boost sales of your console and attract more companies to develop games for said console. Shining Force games would play beautifully on the Vita. Look at Fire Emblem. It plays well and looks great on a less powerful system. You also have an option to develop controls for the touch screen and the touch pad on the back of the system. Imagine moving your units by touching the screen and moving them along a grid? I would feel like a real commander and that would be awesome. With the wifi ability of the PS Vita, you could create multiplayer battles with units you acquire over the course of the game. I could go on and on about possibilities. Sony needs to get the ball rolling on this now.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
This Weekend in Gaming
The weekend is finally coming to an end and a new week dawns on us to feel defeated. Speaking of defeated, I felt like that after playing on the lunatic difficulty in Fire Emblem: Awakening. Honestly, there is a tough difficulty level and then there is the lunatic difficulty in Fire Emblem. Oh, and to show how much of a masochistic I can be, I selected the classic mode option. You know, the one where troops permanently die. Yeah, I had to restart my game after loosing way to many of my guys.
Anyway, I had to work most of this weekend so I did not get to game as much as my heart desired. I tackled a new difficulty in Fire Emblem and that is about as far as my weekend went. I read that the Wii U and the Playstation Vita are not doing well as projected. I mean, what do you expect when a system cost $250.00 and more? Plus the Wii U has no original games worth buying currently when people still can play there Wii games on their Wii's. For the Playstation Vita? The memory cards are still killing them. Not that you cannot justify the price compared to paying for extra memory in an iPod. With that comparison, Sony needs to realize that their gadgets don't have as intense of a religious following as apple products and it's time to tone down the price.
Well anyway, I need to get ready for work. I promise tomorrow I will have a meatier and fatter blog post that will make your heads explode.
Anyway, I had to work most of this weekend so I did not get to game as much as my heart desired. I tackled a new difficulty in Fire Emblem and that is about as far as my weekend went. I read that the Wii U and the Playstation Vita are not doing well as projected. I mean, what do you expect when a system cost $250.00 and more? Plus the Wii U has no original games worth buying currently when people still can play there Wii games on their Wii's. For the Playstation Vita? The memory cards are still killing them. Not that you cannot justify the price compared to paying for extra memory in an iPod. With that comparison, Sony needs to realize that their gadgets don't have as intense of a religious following as apple products and it's time to tone down the price.
Well anyway, I need to get ready for work. I promise tomorrow I will have a meatier and fatter blog post that will make your heads explode.
Friday, February 1, 2013
PS3 God of War Bundle out March 13
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