Malik
(3/14/06)
I
was out yesterday, and will probably be short today, due to me being
one sick bastard. I don't mean my usual sick sense of humor, or
anything good like that. I simply mean that I feel like my head and
gut are currently the playground of a few too many
individuals. The
only thing I can really think of saying today, mainly because I
spent all of yesterday zoning out playing Shadow Hearts 3, is that
they seem to have ran out of originality with number 2. Where Shadow
Hearts 2 tried to keep the content pretty original, Shadow Hearts 3
seems to have taken some weird twists. While
SH2 may have used some of the same characters, but still kept some
fresh ideas in the mix, SH3 seems focused on keeping any of the SH2
conventions in the game, despite the game focusing on a whole new
cast. The best case of this is how Joachim (I can't spell, and I'm
sick...so f@#$ing what), the vampire wrestler of SH2, would walk
along and find a new weapon laying on the ground. He used big long
objects, like coffins, light poles, signs, etc. as blunt massive
weapons. So, when the ninja, Frank, of SH3 needs a weapon, he does
the same think by attaching a sword hilt to a large object,
including a sign, that he finds along the way. Not
only does he do the same, now overly used and tired, set of jokes,
but he even does it in the same way as our vampire friend. He will
tell a story of how such-and-such an object was ignored and abused,
and it's up to him to return glory to it's once useful self. Now,
I have no problem with using some of the same game elements from an
earlier version/prequel/sequel/whatever, but this is like taking a
Brokeback Mountain joke and telling it now. It's done. We've seen
it, we've heard it, we've had enough of it. While many cliché
elements can return from one media (movie, game, etc) to another,
comedy doesn't work that way. A joke can only be original
once...after that, and especially when it's told repeatedly in the
past, it just doesn't work anymore. In
fact, if I had to find a fault with the nearly flawless SH3, it
would be that it focuses too much on comedy that's been used a
hundred times before. You can only use the jokes from SH2 a few
times (in SH2) before they are old. Pt them in SH3 and you aren't
hitting comedic gold...you're only wasting precious time that could
be used on more original of content. Ok...I
came, I bitched, and I now shall go to be sick. Malik
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Malik
(3/15/06)
Sony is doing
something completely out of character...talking. In fact, they are
talking a lot.
On one front, they
are finally lowering
the price of the PSP. It will be sold for $199. Still a hefty
price to pay for a system that has almost no fun games. However, it
will at least make it look a little less like shit when compared to
the far superior gaming portables, like the DS and the GBA. Also, at
the same time, Sony is going to release a Playstation emulator (I
think this is the only one that hasn't been already handled by
homebrew people) and they will digitally distribute PSX games.
The one question I
have about this is if it's really worth it. On one hand, the games
will obviously have a shrunken screen (since PSX is not widescreen).
On the other hand, you will need at least a 512 MB Memory Duo to
handle these games. In fact, it would be wise to say that you'd need
a 1GB card to handle a single game that you've already had the joy
of playing through...a decade ago. It's not like a old Nintendo game
that could fit on the included 32MB card. We're talking about games
that spanned up to 4 CDs. If you want to play FFVII, for example,
then you'd better look to invest in a 2GB card. What an awesome
deal...you can shell out more money to the Sony monster by buying
their memory that otherwise is useless. That means, for example,
after you buy a 2 GB card (for around $150-$200), and then shell out
some cash for FFVII (which will probably cost a good $10+ IMHO), you
will then have spent as much as a PSP just to play a game that you
could already play on a PS2 (which is probably in your home already)
or a PSX (if you don't have one, that's maybe $15 used with a $5
memory card) and you'd be out maybe $5 for the game. Where do I sign
up to give more money to Sony?
Let's face it,
this is Sony's attempt to imitate Nintendo's idea of downloaded past
games on the Revolution. However, where Nintendo has had a plan for
a year or more, Sony is once again trying to jump into this with
only a (my guess here) half-assed approach.
On a different
front, Sony has finally (about f#@%ing time) announced a release
date for the PS3. It will be Spring 2006...wait...that was the last
time they announced a release date. Well, there's a new
"official" word on this; November
2006. That's worldwide. So, the delay was caused by the Blu-ray
(supposedly...and not the fact that the Cell sounds as buggy as ant
hill) drives not being ready. So, here's my question for all of the
fanboys who thought that Microsoft f$#@ed up the 360 launch with
they supply and demand problems; do you think a worldwide launch of
the PS3, which has probably not started production yet, will be any
better? It wont.
We are going to
see, this November, just what we saw last November...a new console
that's slated as the must have gift for the holidays...and no supply
to meet the demand. It doesn't matter that the price is a complete
enigma. It doesn't matter that a 60GB HDD will be needed for an
untested online service that will be an example of Sony, once again,
imitating the competition (it's a Live clone from the sounds of it).
It doesn't matter that the HDD has not been mentioned anymore than
that, so we don't know if we can get one with the system or what the
cost will be. All that matters is that this system will be
impossible to find. It will be the PS2, or the 360, all over
again.
The best part of
this news is this;
Kutaragi also made
it clear that the hard drive will be necessary to play games--Sony
is telling developers to make games assuming every PS3 has a hard
drive installed. "We view the Hard Drive to be mandatory for
the PS3," he said. "Rather than have developers create
games for the PS3 with or without the HDD, we will be asking them to
develop games as though all PS3s have the HDD installed."
Which, when you
consider that Kutaragi hasn't decided if the PS3 will be including a
HDD from the factory, it makes you really wonder if this is another
case of the PSP, in which you have a system that's relatively
worthless until you shell out another hundred or so dollars. Sony
fanboys can say what they want, but from a realistic perspective,
Microsoft was quite on the ball with not only including the HDD
(let's accept facts; the Core 360s were only out there so Microsoft
could say they sold the 360 for under $300 at launch as a PR thing),
but having a good number of built-in features so a 360 owner
wouldn't even need to buy $50-$60 game if they didn't want to (Live
Arcade...it's fan-f#@$ing-tastic).
Of course, the
single most key piece of information, and it's still not being
stated, is what the final cost of this thing will be. The estimates
seem to point that we'll be asked to shell out around $500+. On top
of that, with the HDD being 60GB, I honestly see Sony selling that
for extra (not including it) so as to milk a little extra money out
of gamers, despite how Kutaragi is saying that it will be required.
On top of that, I see a bleak launch, in terms of games. True, we
may get MGS4, but I'm not even sold on that. I expect that the
actual launch, in terms of the United States, will be quite
limiting, quite unimpressive, and it will sell out just because it's
Sony. Also, with games being released exclusively on Blu-ray disks,
I see Sony having no qualms about raising game prices (third party
360 may be $60, but 1st party is still $50...don't expect that with
the PS3).
If I sound bitter,
I don't mean to. In fact, I actually find this interesting. On one
hand, this will be the first Sony system I don't specifically aim to
buy at launch (at least not until the price issue and the HDD
questions are resolved). On the other hand, there will be a bit less
challenge in getting a Revolution.
No matter what
happens, however, I think it's safe to say one thing; there will be
some more PR twists from Sony before this is done. Some will be
interesting, some will be incredibly inane. However, in the end, the
whole experience will be one hell of a roller-coaster ride for those
willing to not join a fanboy camp.
While I may sound
like a 360 fanboy at times, the reality is that I'm just happy about
having a system in HD (I'm more of a HD fanboy) that was affordable
and will soon have Oblivion. Also, a system in which I can play a
cheap yet fun game like Marble Blast Ultra is a definite plus. If
any of the new generation has been actually bubbling over with
excitement, it would have to be the one company that says they are
in it for the games; Nintendo.
Malik
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Malik
(3/16/06)
It was a
substandard game that could only be loved in a time long passed...or
on a portable platform. So, I guess, with the confusing and
illogical nature of Sony that Untold Legends would be heading
to the PS3. I wish I could say something about this, but I think
the fact that it sold well on the PSP due to the absolute lack of
games (especially RPGs) should answer fully to the question of why a
sequel for the PSP was made.
As for a PS3
version...well, Sony didn't look at the full picture. A game that
sold well due entirely to a lack of content does not mean the game
is good. In fact, the Diablo 2 rip-off that is called Untold Legends
is really worthy of it's name...it should be untold and it would
have been if not for the lack of original PSP content.
There's not much
else to really talk about today. All the news seems to be focused on
reactions to the news that the PS3 will be launched, worldwide, in
November. So, on that note, let me get off topic...
How many of you
have seen Office Space? Probably a good number. I've been in a work
environment that makes Office Space seem like a reality. The silly
thing is I work in a non-profit research lab, which is about as
unlikely of a place for this type of behavior to occur as any
workplace could be. So, despite that, and in fact of that, I just
have to say there is no feeling in the world that is as amazing as
the phrase, "take this job and shove it". Better yet, as
it was said on the song that played as the end credits rolled,
"shove this J.O.B."
Yesterday I
reached an amazing moment in my life as a worked-to-death American
worker. I've known for a long time that I hated my job. To put it
simply, my job started off in one direction, and due to changes in
supervisors, that entire workload I now do is not only completely
different...it's completely worthless. We have gone against what our
funding is for, we have wasted tens of thousands of dollars in
materials (not to mention hundreds of thousands on paychecks) in
order to fulfill a certain supervisors demented desire to hunt her
own personal white whale (that's a Moby Dick reference).
So, when I
realized that I will quit my job in a couple of months, despite
having no job lined up for after that, I realized that things will
get better. I may have to deal with a loss in my pay for a short
time (which basically will amount to me not being able to afford as
many toys), but the long term is only going to be up from
here.
Anyways, with no
good gaming news, and with me being in a great mood, I just felt
like sharing. It's true. Office Space, when it showed the
protagonist slacking at work and feeling great, was a wonderful
example of the simple pleasures that can really improve one's
disposition. Not only is this applied to work. It's when you realize
that you shouldn't be someone's bitch for the sake of doing what's normally
considered "right" that you can feel really good about who
you are and where you are going in life. Now sign along with
me...
Take this job and
shove it.
Malik
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Malik
(3/17/06)
A new Ape Escape
is in the works in Japan (and will hopefully make it to our shores
not too long afterwards). In Ape
Escape: Million Monkeys, the game is changing focus a little
bit. It will be driven around real world Japan locations, which
should be an interesting direction. Considering how all prior Ape
Escape titles have focused on fighting monkeys in fictional, and
somewhat silly locations, like different TV studio sets in the AE3,
this could be a nice way to inject some new life into the
series.
My one concern
with this title is that Sony is aiming to arm the monkeys with heavy
weapons, like mech suits. While this has been done before with some
monkeys, to have a focus on these weapons could be a quite
frustrating and bad thing. I, for one, have always found the most
enjoyable moments of AE titles to be when it's you versus a rather
tricky monkey to capture. As in the ones who require a very specific
use of an obscure weapon. To give then massive armor and weapons
could turn the whole game into the more tedious, in my opinion,
moments of the prior AE games; the one on one mech battle scenarios,
which are usually an exercise in finding health before hand because
you will take a lot of hits during the frustrating and pointless
battle.
On a different
note, it has been confirmed, but with no specifics, that the
Revolution controller is being kept in mind while Nintendo develops Zelda:
Twilight Princess. Since no further details are being given,
it's hard to say what impact this could have. Although, my hope is
that the sword fighting, when played on the Revolution, will contain
some extra details and allow for the Revolution owning players to
control the path and swing of Link's blade. That would be so damned
sweet. Imagine planning your attacks, blocking an opponents swing
with your own, and then driving the point right into it when it's
guard is down. That would rock.
I just hope we're
not dealing with some minor and almost pointless add-on....along the
lines of how many GCN games would give small bonuses when a GBA was
attached. The best/worst example of this is how in Animal Crossing
you could only get to the island, which is a massive money maker, if
you use a GBA. It's this type of exclusiveness that can only hurt a
game. While it's nice to reward a loyal fan who owns all of your
products, it's not fair to the less well off who can only afford a
GCN, a DS, a GBA, a Revolution, or whatever else, and thus will be
left without a major and important feature. I always dreaded buying
new GCN games since I knew I'd have a chance of missing something
important unless I pulled out my annoying as f#$@ GBA to GCN cable
and my GBA. The only game that handled this type of exclusive
content correctly was Wind Waker...and I only say that since the GBA
content was almost worthless in the grand scheme of things.
Anyway, I
shouldn't bitch too much, since it won't require anything as overly
convoluted as attaching the Revolution to the GCN. Also, I'll have
both the new Zelda and the Revolution, so it won't matter to
me.
What does matter,
however, and it's something that has been on my mind is how saves
will be handled. We all know that Microsoft was a little bitchy in
not allowing XBox saves to be transferred to the 360, so I just
wonder if the Revolution will take the PS2 route (which allows PSX
memory cards), or if it will go the 360 route (make a new save to
play the same old game on a new console). I for one, don't want to
get deep into Zelda and then, after I get the Revolution, be forced
to start from scratch if I want to try whatever this new Revolution
controller feature. On that note, I wonder why Microsoft didn't do
some easy thing like create a new Live update for the XBox that
would allow an XBox and a 360 on the same network to transfer saves.
Really, it isn't that hard to do...at least it shouldn't be.
Before I head out
for the day, I found this
to be pretty cool. Considering that Civ4 has to be one of the best
LAN-party style games, the news of Warlords (the Civ4 expansion that
should come in 6 or so months) is nothing short of great. This
expansion will focus more on combat, and will give a new unit, the
warlord. Basically, from the sounds of it, the warlord will serve a
purpose quite similar to the generals of Rise of Nation's expansion.
Basically, they will, when kept on the front lines, help to improve
the abilities of the troops.
However, even
better than the addition of some new units (I can't imagine that the
warlords will be the only new unit), is the news of some new
empires/civilizations. I, for one, felt something was lacking when
the game first launched without some nations...like the Zulus and
Babylonians (or as I viewed them in Civ1, those damned green civs).
Also the news of the new scenarios should be good fun. There was
nothing like starting a game of world war 3 on Civ2...and the hint
at these scenarios allowing the player to change history should
bring some fun times and some potentially awesome LAN-party
games.
Well...good
weekend to all.
Malik
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