You know, it kills me how malcontent people are today. I remember people complaining about not liking a movie, so they'd tell their friends to avoid it. If they didn't like a video game, they'd sell it to someone they knew who wanted to try it for themselves. Nowadays, the Internet gives us more power than that. We can write reviews, discouraging people we don't know to stay away from things we personally didn't enjoy. Hell, we can be part of an online community that remains in direct contact with the entertainment business and demand (yes, demand) that things be changed to please us.
I am, of course, talking about the ending to Mass Effect 3.
I played the game. I beat the game. I even enjoyed the game as a whole. No, the ending was not what I would have done, but I didn't make it, so I feel that I have no right to complain. The fact that people are online demanding that Bioware make changes to their video game, alter their artwork, seriously bothers me.
As a theatre student, we were told that the whole point of being part of the entertainment industry is to entertain and audience. The fact remains that art is created for a group; if artists created art for themselves, it's just masturbation. There exists a mutual enjoyment in creating art and having your audience see it, interact with it.
That being said, no, you can't please everyone. I may draw a picture that pleases a group of people because of the style, but someone else might not like it because of the content. Bioware created a game (a damn good one) that a lot of people liked, and that gets overlooked but a bunch of so-called fans who thought that there were too many unanswered questions. That would be fine, in my opinion, if they didn't take it further and make a huge Internet stink on the Bioware and Mass Effect forums, telling the creators to change the game.
It blows me away. Maybe because I just don't get what the problem is with the game. I even asked one of my co-workers who's part of the angered fan-base to try and better understand the copious amounts of hate...and I still don't get it.
Long story short here, kids...I love Mass Effect. All three games. To the point that after I beat the series, I had to stop myself from restarting the trilogy so I could beat some other games I haven't gotten around to playing.
And I don't understand why we, as fans, bloggers, and social site users, feel that we have the right to tell artists what to do.
2012-04-24
2012-02-23
February '12.1
What's this? Months without posting?
Time for a spamming of game reviews, then!
Like everyone else, I had spent a great deal of my time on Skyrim when it came out. (I'd still be playing it, too, if my information hadn't been accidentally saved over.) Like the previous Elder Scrolls game, Oblivion, I had a lot of fun just exploring and doing what I wanted to do. There's just something very rewarding about being given the freedom to go where you want, raid a dungeon, loot treasure, and not because you're on a quest to do so, but because you just can. The combat was fluid and intuitive, and I honestly enjoyed nearly everything about it. Part of me is upset over having lost my character data, but it's sort of a good thing; over the last few months, I've been able to play other games and even beat them, and I know that I could have easily continued playing Skyrim without caring about other games.
I recently took the time to finally beat Mass Effect 2...and just in time for the third installment into the series! I imported my fem-Shep from the first game and stayed true to her Paragon nature, for the most part, but every once in a while, I'd go all Renegade on someone. I liked the change in combat from the first game, but overall, it was more of the same, which is by no means a bad thing. I felt like my choices weighed heavier on me, especially since I knew my entire crew could die (hell, my Shepard could die) during the final mission. I'm happy to report that my teammates all survived, and will helping me in the third game kick some evil living-machine ass!
A lot of my time has gone into the newest Soul Calibur title, too. While the story mode itself proved to be something of a disappointment to me, I've been having fun with the game as a whole. I feel like the third game will always be my favourite, though, due to the different fighting styles created characters could have, and the RPG mode it has, as well.
I've also beaten Atlus's puzzle game, Catherine. Boy, is that game frustrating. I expected to be challenged by the puzzles, so I played it on normal...and wished that I would have started on easy. I know you can change the difficulty during the non-puzzle portions of the game, but that felt wrong to me, so I stuck with it. It was satisfying knowing that I could figure out some of the puzzles (after six continues), but I feel like if/when I play it again, I'll be dumbing it down for myself and playing it on easy. Who knows if I'll play the harder modes...? I really respect Atlus for doing something different with the game; Catherine is in a genre all its own.
Speaking of different genres, I picked up Hakuouki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom for my PSP. It's visual novel/dating simulation game, which are few and far between in the states. I was pretty excited when they announced that it was going to be translated in English, and to show my support of crazy Japanese games, I bought it. Having never really played a VN game before, I didn't know what to expect, and during my first play-though, I hooked up with a samurai that I didn't intend to, then got stabbed and died. I was a little upset at the turn of events, and gave it a second play-through. Having a better idea of how to actually play the game to end up with who I wanted, I ended up with my samurai of choice, Saitou. Now, playing the helpless damsel in distress isn't really my thing, but there were enough romantic scenes through the game to make my heart of ice melt. Maybe I fan-girl squealed a couple of times, too. Overall, I really liked the game (if it can be called a game). I enjoyed the story, which is seriously important since you're essentially reading 99% of the time, and enjoyed the idea behind VN games so much, I'd like to make one of my own, one of these days.
I've been spending the last couple of days playing Asura's Wrath. In my opinion, this game is the Okami of the current gen systems. Like Okami, it will be ignored, have a cult following, and then be missed once it's gone...and it's a damn shame. People complain about how new games never do anything new, never have any original content, and this one does. It's beautiful, well-directed, cleverly written, and has such unique gameplay. But I don't know anyone else who's playing it right now. Unfortunately, I think it's getting over-shadowed by some larger titles on the horizon, like the new Mass Effect, and the Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to death about both of those games (have them both pre-ordered, collector's editions and all!), but I feel like Asura's Wrath is a gem that will be over-looked in the long run.
Speaking of Resident Evil, though...I'm very much looking forward to having a co-op, kill all zombies game! With Asura's Wrath, Resident Evil, and the new Street Fighter X Tekken, I feel like Capcom might as well just take my next paycheck. They're one of the few companies that I'm very devoted to.
Time for a spamming of game reviews, then!
Like everyone else, I had spent a great deal of my time on Skyrim when it came out. (I'd still be playing it, too, if my information hadn't been accidentally saved over.) Like the previous Elder Scrolls game, Oblivion, I had a lot of fun just exploring and doing what I wanted to do. There's just something very rewarding about being given the freedom to go where you want, raid a dungeon, loot treasure, and not because you're on a quest to do so, but because you just can. The combat was fluid and intuitive, and I honestly enjoyed nearly everything about it. Part of me is upset over having lost my character data, but it's sort of a good thing; over the last few months, I've been able to play other games and even beat them, and I know that I could have easily continued playing Skyrim without caring about other games.
I recently took the time to finally beat Mass Effect 2...and just in time for the third installment into the series! I imported my fem-Shep from the first game and stayed true to her Paragon nature, for the most part, but every once in a while, I'd go all Renegade on someone. I liked the change in combat from the first game, but overall, it was more of the same, which is by no means a bad thing. I felt like my choices weighed heavier on me, especially since I knew my entire crew could die (hell, my Shepard could die) during the final mission. I'm happy to report that my teammates all survived, and will helping me in the third game kick some evil living-machine ass!
A lot of my time has gone into the newest Soul Calibur title, too. While the story mode itself proved to be something of a disappointment to me, I've been having fun with the game as a whole. I feel like the third game will always be my favourite, though, due to the different fighting styles created characters could have, and the RPG mode it has, as well.
I've also beaten Atlus's puzzle game, Catherine. Boy, is that game frustrating. I expected to be challenged by the puzzles, so I played it on normal...and wished that I would have started on easy. I know you can change the difficulty during the non-puzzle portions of the game, but that felt wrong to me, so I stuck with it. It was satisfying knowing that I could figure out some of the puzzles (after six continues), but I feel like if/when I play it again, I'll be dumbing it down for myself and playing it on easy. Who knows if I'll play the harder modes...? I really respect Atlus for doing something different with the game; Catherine is in a genre all its own.
Speaking of different genres, I picked up Hakuouki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom for my PSP. It's visual novel/dating simulation game, which are few and far between in the states. I was pretty excited when they announced that it was going to be translated in English, and to show my support of crazy Japanese games, I bought it. Having never really played a VN game before, I didn't know what to expect, and during my first play-though, I hooked up with a samurai that I didn't intend to, then got stabbed and died. I was a little upset at the turn of events, and gave it a second play-through. Having a better idea of how to actually play the game to end up with who I wanted, I ended up with my samurai of choice, Saitou. Now, playing the helpless damsel in distress isn't really my thing, but there were enough romantic scenes through the game to make my heart of ice melt. Maybe I fan-girl squealed a couple of times, too. Overall, I really liked the game (if it can be called a game). I enjoyed the story, which is seriously important since you're essentially reading 99% of the time, and enjoyed the idea behind VN games so much, I'd like to make one of my own, one of these days.
I've been spending the last couple of days playing Asura's Wrath. In my opinion, this game is the Okami of the current gen systems. Like Okami, it will be ignored, have a cult following, and then be missed once it's gone...and it's a damn shame. People complain about how new games never do anything new, never have any original content, and this one does. It's beautiful, well-directed, cleverly written, and has such unique gameplay. But I don't know anyone else who's playing it right now. Unfortunately, I think it's getting over-shadowed by some larger titles on the horizon, like the new Mass Effect, and the Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to death about both of those games (have them both pre-ordered, collector's editions and all!), but I feel like Asura's Wrath is a gem that will be over-looked in the long run.
Speaking of Resident Evil, though...I'm very much looking forward to having a co-op, kill all zombies game! With Asura's Wrath, Resident Evil, and the new Street Fighter X Tekken, I feel like Capcom might as well just take my next paycheck. They're one of the few companies that I'm very devoted to.
2011-10-31
October '11.2
Ian and I haven't been watching nearly as many scary movies as we had planned, but we did manage to watch "The Thing," "Return of the Living Dead," and "30 Days of Night." We also watched the first episode of "The Walking Dead," and goodness, what a great show! Before the beginning credits started, we were already talking about buying the series. We'll probably finish up the month with "The Shining," but since there were a handful of movies we didn't get the change to watch, we might be keeping those in the Netflix queue for a while.
I also beat Shadows of the Damned. Not really a scary game, but still, you're a demon hunter hunting demons in Hell. I had so much fun with that game. Sure, it had it's flaws, but they were few and easy to deal with. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys overtly Japanese games with a vulgar and humourous twist.
I'm currently about halfway through Alan Wake. Now there's a game that's good for the season. A writer on vacation keeps finding pages of a book he doesn't remember writing...and all of the pages seem to predict the future. His wife's kidnapped, the FBI are after him, the darkness is corrupting the people around him, and he's armed to the teeth with batteries and a flashlight. It's well written and clever with good controls, too.
In artistic news, my sister and I have started giving each other monthly assignments so's we can force ourselves to try new things, draw what we normally wouldn't, etc. She's assigned me to draw a kirin, so I'm finishing that up today.
Still working on that Miqo'te commission (almost done!), got picked up by my manager's wife to do some concept art for her (she's getting a book published!), and got asked to do a commission from a guy who works at one of the other stores in town (Juggernaut!).
No word from my uncle who asked me to do some animations for a project of his. At this point, I'm assuming he's dropping me, but doesn't know how to tell me. It would have been nice to work on it, but I understand if I'm not at the professional level he wants (that and I feel like I got dropped into the middle of something I didn't understand).
Overall, I'm perking up. I miss school something fierce, and I'm still wanting to go back, but in the meantime, I'm going to do what I can to better my art.
I also beat Shadows of the Damned. Not really a scary game, but still, you're a demon hunter hunting demons in Hell. I had so much fun with that game. Sure, it had it's flaws, but they were few and easy to deal with. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys overtly Japanese games with a vulgar and humourous twist.
I'm currently about halfway through Alan Wake. Now there's a game that's good for the season. A writer on vacation keeps finding pages of a book he doesn't remember writing...and all of the pages seem to predict the future. His wife's kidnapped, the FBI are after him, the darkness is corrupting the people around him, and he's armed to the teeth with batteries and a flashlight. It's well written and clever with good controls, too.
In artistic news, my sister and I have started giving each other monthly assignments so's we can force ourselves to try new things, draw what we normally wouldn't, etc. She's assigned me to draw a kirin, so I'm finishing that up today.
Still working on that Miqo'te commission (almost done!), got picked up by my manager's wife to do some concept art for her (she's getting a book published!), and got asked to do a commission from a guy who works at one of the other stores in town (Juggernaut!).
No word from my uncle who asked me to do some animations for a project of his. At this point, I'm assuming he's dropping me, but doesn't know how to tell me. It would have been nice to work on it, but I understand if I'm not at the professional level he wants (that and I feel like I got dropped into the middle of something I didn't understand).
Overall, I'm perking up. I miss school something fierce, and I'm still wanting to go back, but in the meantime, I'm going to do what I can to better my art.
2011-10-10
October '11.1
I'll be honest. Aside from working on some art, I've been busy playing Gears of War 3. Sure, I beat the campaign the day after it came out, but I'm going through it again, and eating up the multiplayer like it's a never-ending low-fat cake!
And since it's October, I've been on a scary movie, scary game kick. I've been trying to get further/beat Shadows of the Damned so I can get back to Alan Wake. As far as movies go, so far under the belt we have Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, Evil Dead, Let the Right One In, Poltergeist, and a few episodes of High School of the Dead.
When it comes to my art, I've been a little depressed. I hit a rough patch in a commission I've been doing for months since I haven't a lot of experience drawing backgrounds. It's got me down, but I've also realized that my progress as an artist hasn't been very forward. I haven't been getting any better this past year and I've been letting school (or lack thereof) really get to me. I have ideas, but don't draw them, and essentially I'm letting my talents waste away because I'm not motivated. My recent submission in a Deviant Art contest has me a little more encouraged, but has me realizing that I'm not getting any better at what I do.
So, I bought a new Photoshop magazine! I'm going to start drawing more, doing observational sketches nearly every day, and trying out new techniques. I tend to work in other people's styles, so I'm going to try and focus on finding a style of my own, as well.
Come on, motivation!
And since it's October, I've been on a scary movie, scary game kick. I've been trying to get further/beat Shadows of the Damned so I can get back to Alan Wake. As far as movies go, so far under the belt we have Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, Evil Dead, Let the Right One In, Poltergeist, and a few episodes of High School of the Dead.
When it comes to my art, I've been a little depressed. I hit a rough patch in a commission I've been doing for months since I haven't a lot of experience drawing backgrounds. It's got me down, but I've also realized that my progress as an artist hasn't been very forward. I haven't been getting any better this past year and I've been letting school (or lack thereof) really get to me. I have ideas, but don't draw them, and essentially I'm letting my talents waste away because I'm not motivated. My recent submission in a Deviant Art contest has me a little more encouraged, but has me realizing that I'm not getting any better at what I do.
So, I bought a new Photoshop magazine! I'm going to start drawing more, doing observational sketches nearly every day, and trying out new techniques. I tend to work in other people's styles, so I'm going to try and focus on finding a style of my own, as well.
Come on, motivation!
2011-08-30
August '11.1
Well, I've been married for just over a month, it seems. People ask me how married life is and I've been telling them that it's the same. We've lived together for 8 years, had been together for 9 years on our wedding day, so honestly, I'd be upset if things had changed just because I have a piece of paper telling me our love is official.
In other news, I've been sampling a myriad of games.
I've played some of the puzzle/action/romance game Catherine, and have enjoyed it immensely. It's unlike any other game and really does need a new genre (or a smashing of genres) to define it properly. There are large portions of the time where you can sit and just watch the story unfold, which is broken by the nightmares of the main character where you push, pull, and hang off of blocks to climb them. It can be a frustrating game, but if you like a challenge, I'd say give it a shot.
I was also gifted the game Shadows of the Damned, where you play as a demon hunter whose girlfriend had been abducted by vengeful minions of hell. It's an over-the-top third-person shooter that doesn't seem to take itself very seriously at all. It's been a blast to play, and I've found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. Overall, it's vulgar, and if you can get over all of the guns you equip having names like "Hot Boner" (what? it shoots bones...what do you want it to be named?) and hearing your character cry out "Taste my Big Boner!" then this game can be a lot of fun.
And with Mass Effect 3 on the way, I decided to finally get around to playing Mass Effect 2. Not sure what to say about this other than it's a sequel to the first and I'm loving seeing how my Shepard's story continues. Because I had romanced Kaiden in the original game, I've decided to remain faithful to him by not sleeping with anyone in the second in the hopes of him forgiving me for dying and not telling him that I've been brought back to life in a timely manner. Play the games, you'll understand, and you'll not be disappointed.
Randomly, I'll play Techno Kitten Adventure, as well, which is easily the most seizure-inducing game I've ever had the chance to pick up. It's an indie game and can be downloaded onto various phones from what I understand, but I have it downloaded onto my 360. It's addictive, catchy, and full of dance music, rainbows, and cats. My kind of time-waster.
I've become re-addicted to Final Fantasy 14. Their latest patches have given me a better sense of purpose in the game world, and I've found myself playing it more and more these past weeks.
I'm trying to give myself more goals nowadays. Small goals, since I can't seem to stay on track. I'd like to draw more, so I'm trying to do practice sketches at least once a week to get into the habit of drawing all the time. I tend to be very VERY slow when it comes to finishing anything, so I'm hoping that if I stay in practice, I'll wind up getting faster as well as better.
I'd pretty much realized that I haven't actually finished much in the last year, and the local Arts Walk is coming up soon, and I'd like to have some new stuff to show off for that, so who knows.
In other news, I've been sampling a myriad of games.
I've played some of the puzzle/action/romance game Catherine, and have enjoyed it immensely. It's unlike any other game and really does need a new genre (or a smashing of genres) to define it properly. There are large portions of the time where you can sit and just watch the story unfold, which is broken by the nightmares of the main character where you push, pull, and hang off of blocks to climb them. It can be a frustrating game, but if you like a challenge, I'd say give it a shot.
I was also gifted the game Shadows of the Damned, where you play as a demon hunter whose girlfriend had been abducted by vengeful minions of hell. It's an over-the-top third-person shooter that doesn't seem to take itself very seriously at all. It's been a blast to play, and I've found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. Overall, it's vulgar, and if you can get over all of the guns you equip having names like "Hot Boner" (what? it shoots bones...what do you want it to be named?) and hearing your character cry out "Taste my Big Boner!" then this game can be a lot of fun.
And with Mass Effect 3 on the way, I decided to finally get around to playing Mass Effect 2. Not sure what to say about this other than it's a sequel to the first and I'm loving seeing how my Shepard's story continues. Because I had romanced Kaiden in the original game, I've decided to remain faithful to him by not sleeping with anyone in the second in the hopes of him forgiving me for dying and not telling him that I've been brought back to life in a timely manner. Play the games, you'll understand, and you'll not be disappointed.
Randomly, I'll play Techno Kitten Adventure, as well, which is easily the most seizure-inducing game I've ever had the chance to pick up. It's an indie game and can be downloaded onto various phones from what I understand, but I have it downloaded onto my 360. It's addictive, catchy, and full of dance music, rainbows, and cats. My kind of time-waster.
I've become re-addicted to Final Fantasy 14. Their latest patches have given me a better sense of purpose in the game world, and I've found myself playing it more and more these past weeks.
I'm trying to give myself more goals nowadays. Small goals, since I can't seem to stay on track. I'd like to draw more, so I'm trying to do practice sketches at least once a week to get into the habit of drawing all the time. I tend to be very VERY slow when it comes to finishing anything, so I'm hoping that if I stay in practice, I'll wind up getting faster as well as better.
I'd pretty much realized that I haven't actually finished much in the last year, and the local Arts Walk is coming up soon, and I'd like to have some new stuff to show off for that, so who knows.
2011-06-25
June '11.1
Well, I quickly plowed through Dragon Age 2. I'll be honest, I hated the game at first. But, I remember hating Mass Effect when I first started it, so I pushed on. As I met more characters, did more quests, I became addicted. Personally, I felt like the game is more like the first one than people give it credit for being. It is less of an RPG and more like a hack 'n slash RPG, but once I got used to mashing buttons to do attacks, I didn't mind it. I know that people were disappointed with the lack of multiple endings like the first one had (I only ever beat each game once, but I know the first had several, while the second had maybe two), but overall I enjoyed the story, the fact that each of your characters had set clothing choices, and that they would leave you if you failed to do certain things. I lost two (or three, technically) characters during my play-through.
I've also been playing LA Noire, off and on. Not a game for everyone, to be sure. I'm getting annoyed with people comparing it to the Grand Theft Auto games because it's nothing like that; you're not a thug, you're part of the LAPD, for crying out loud! You're supposed to solve crimes, not commit them! It is slower-paced and there's a lot of puzzle-solving elements to it. I'm liking the story and goodness! The animation! The faces in this game are simply amazing!
With Sony's "Welcome Back" program, between Ian and I we downloaded Dead Nation, Wipeout HD, Little Big Planet, and Infamous. Wipeout is like other Wipeouts; a space-age racing game with missiles. Dead Nation is similar what I would imagine being born if Gauntlet and Left 4 Dead were to procreate. It's an isometric top-down-ish shooter where you're fending off swarms of zombies. Enough said. Little Big Planet is Little Big Planet. I own the second one and was planning on purchasing the first, but then Sony went and offered it for free. Infamous I never played, but was always curious about, so I'm sure I'll get around to trying it out soon.
I did play a bit of Hunted: The Demon's Forge recently. Aside from being a bit difficult, it was a lot of fun and I found it to be very well-written. I liked both the characters and their relationship, but I didn't get too far into the story, so I'll have to come back to this later.
I've also gotten to play the new Mortal Kombat. Now, being a fan of Japanese fighting games leaves me biased, and even though I tried not comparing it to Street Fighter or Soul Calibur and games like that, it was hard. First off, I liked the fact that the characters show damage. The X-Ray attacks are pretty cool, too. But really, I don't like the gameplay. I'd rather be throwing dragon-punches and fireballs than pushing left right down down to execute an attack. I didn't like any of the characters, but it is nostalgic since it plays and acts like the original Mortal Kombats. They shouldn't have strayed from that formula with their previous games, in my opinion (I'm lookin' at you, VS. DC!). Overall, it is fun, but it made me want to play Marvel vs Capcom.
Since my brother's been visiting me, I've been watching him play Mirror's Edge a bit. I can see how a game can give people vertigo. It's a very fast-paced first-person running game, essentially. You're constantly moving, dodging, jumping, sliding, climbing to get away. It's a very artistic game, though; colours are simple and important, and the cut scenes have all been animated in Flash. I've enjoyed watching what I have, but I'm missing out on the story, and I'd like to play it myself.
My brother has also started a game on Bioshock 2. For me, it's more of an expansion to the first game. It gives you a different look at Rapture while having the same controls and similar powers. It's cool that you're a Big Daddy and all, but the story doesn't have me hooked like the first one. A good game, overall, but a little unnecessary, in my opinion.
I just started a game in the PSP remake of Persona, as well. I had never played the original Play Station version, but Ian has, and was excited that I picked up the PSP game. I think for him it's different since it's not 100% faithful to the original, but it's all new to me, so I never knew Maki as Mary, etc. I am having fun with it. It's interesting running around a city as a student, getting attacked by demons, summoning a monster that is a reflection of myself.
I also have been playing Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box for the DS. These games make me feel smart, sometimes...other times I feel like an idiot because I can't figure out how to pack a box so no items overlap! I like taking this with me when I ride the bus to work since there's no pressure for the commitment of heavier games; it's just good puzzle-solving fun!
In non-game-related news, my friend who commissioned me to draw his Miqo'te from FFXIV has been very patient with me, and I truly appreciate that. I've been trying to take my time with it to make it the best I can.
I've been playing around with designing a Monster High-esque character to use in a Flash dress-up game. I'm not very good when it comes to Flash, and I figured a dress-up game would be an easy way to get familiar with creating buttons and simple animations. I think I'll post the final version to my DA page, as well as a step-by-step walkthrough so I can remember everything I did. But, I'll post more on that when I have the time.
On top of everything, I'm getting married in less than a month, so I've been busying myself with last-minute details and projects like making bouquets and boutonnieres. A year ago I felt like I had all the time in the world! Now I feel like I'm rushing around to get everything done. I guess that's how weddings are, but I'm trying to have fun with everything I do. ^_^
I've also been playing LA Noire, off and on. Not a game for everyone, to be sure. I'm getting annoyed with people comparing it to the Grand Theft Auto games because it's nothing like that; you're not a thug, you're part of the LAPD, for crying out loud! You're supposed to solve crimes, not commit them! It is slower-paced and there's a lot of puzzle-solving elements to it. I'm liking the story and goodness! The animation! The faces in this game are simply amazing!
With Sony's "Welcome Back" program, between Ian and I we downloaded Dead Nation, Wipeout HD, Little Big Planet, and Infamous. Wipeout is like other Wipeouts; a space-age racing game with missiles. Dead Nation is similar what I would imagine being born if Gauntlet and Left 4 Dead were to procreate. It's an isometric top-down-ish shooter where you're fending off swarms of zombies. Enough said. Little Big Planet is Little Big Planet. I own the second one and was planning on purchasing the first, but then Sony went and offered it for free. Infamous I never played, but was always curious about, so I'm sure I'll get around to trying it out soon.
I did play a bit of Hunted: The Demon's Forge recently. Aside from being a bit difficult, it was a lot of fun and I found it to be very well-written. I liked both the characters and their relationship, but I didn't get too far into the story, so I'll have to come back to this later.
I've also gotten to play the new Mortal Kombat. Now, being a fan of Japanese fighting games leaves me biased, and even though I tried not comparing it to Street Fighter or Soul Calibur and games like that, it was hard. First off, I liked the fact that the characters show damage. The X-Ray attacks are pretty cool, too. But really, I don't like the gameplay. I'd rather be throwing dragon-punches and fireballs than pushing left right down down to execute an attack. I didn't like any of the characters, but it is nostalgic since it plays and acts like the original Mortal Kombats. They shouldn't have strayed from that formula with their previous games, in my opinion (I'm lookin' at you, VS. DC!). Overall, it is fun, but it made me want to play Marvel vs Capcom.
Since my brother's been visiting me, I've been watching him play Mirror's Edge a bit. I can see how a game can give people vertigo. It's a very fast-paced first-person running game, essentially. You're constantly moving, dodging, jumping, sliding, climbing to get away. It's a very artistic game, though; colours are simple and important, and the cut scenes have all been animated in Flash. I've enjoyed watching what I have, but I'm missing out on the story, and I'd like to play it myself.
My brother has also started a game on Bioshock 2. For me, it's more of an expansion to the first game. It gives you a different look at Rapture while having the same controls and similar powers. It's cool that you're a Big Daddy and all, but the story doesn't have me hooked like the first one. A good game, overall, but a little unnecessary, in my opinion.
I just started a game in the PSP remake of Persona, as well. I had never played the original Play Station version, but Ian has, and was excited that I picked up the PSP game. I think for him it's different since it's not 100% faithful to the original, but it's all new to me, so I never knew Maki as Mary, etc. I am having fun with it. It's interesting running around a city as a student, getting attacked by demons, summoning a monster that is a reflection of myself.
I also have been playing Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box for the DS. These games make me feel smart, sometimes...other times I feel like an idiot because I can't figure out how to pack a box so no items overlap! I like taking this with me when I ride the bus to work since there's no pressure for the commitment of heavier games; it's just good puzzle-solving fun!
In non-game-related news, my friend who commissioned me to draw his Miqo'te from FFXIV has been very patient with me, and I truly appreciate that. I've been trying to take my time with it to make it the best I can.
I've been playing around with designing a Monster High-esque character to use in a Flash dress-up game. I'm not very good when it comes to Flash, and I figured a dress-up game would be an easy way to get familiar with creating buttons and simple animations. I think I'll post the final version to my DA page, as well as a step-by-step walkthrough so I can remember everything I did. But, I'll post more on that when I have the time.
On top of everything, I'm getting married in less than a month, so I've been busying myself with last-minute details and projects like making bouquets and boutonnieres. A year ago I felt like I had all the time in the world! Now I feel like I'm rushing around to get everything done. I guess that's how weddings are, but I'm trying to have fun with everything I do. ^_^
2011-05-06
May '11.1
On the first of April, I lost my cat Klaus.
As odd as it may be, I'm still having a tough time accepting this. He wasn't old, he wasn't sick...he died from some freak accident of eating a sharp enough object to pierce some vital organ. He woke us up early, crying and spitting up blood, and on the way to the emergency vet, he died.
My former Japanese teacher had some of the most touching words for me, and I'd like to share them.
"He is in your mind now. So, please show your smile to him not your tears. I believe he likes your smile, too."
When speaking about losing a friend, a co-worker of mine posted this, and it made me think.
"...I do know that in life there is a need for sorrow, grief...even loss. It helps remind us what we have and to enjoy waking up in the morning...you (hopefully) gave everyone one last gift: a reminder that you never know what can happen tomorrow. Thank you for that, it's more than a lot of us deserved."
If this year of loss has taught me anything, it's to savour life and enjoy every minute you can. Life itself is too short for all the stress we put ourselves through, all the work we do. Life should be about living, and it makes me sad that death had to teach me that.
Be on the lookout for Klaus art, though. In honour of him, I'm planning a charcoal and coloured pencil piece on gray paper.
And if the Rainbow Bridge is real, maybe I'll see him again, someday.
As odd as it may be, I'm still having a tough time accepting this. He wasn't old, he wasn't sick...he died from some freak accident of eating a sharp enough object to pierce some vital organ. He woke us up early, crying and spitting up blood, and on the way to the emergency vet, he died.
My former Japanese teacher had some of the most touching words for me, and I'd like to share them.
"He is in your mind now. So, please show your smile to him not your tears. I believe he likes your smile, too."
When speaking about losing a friend, a co-worker of mine posted this, and it made me think.
"...I do know that in life there is a need for sorrow, grief...even loss. It helps remind us what we have and to enjoy waking up in the morning...you (hopefully) gave everyone one last gift: a reminder that you never know what can happen tomorrow. Thank you for that, it's more than a lot of us deserved."
If this year of loss has taught me anything, it's to savour life and enjoy every minute you can. Life itself is too short for all the stress we put ourselves through, all the work we do. Life should be about living, and it makes me sad that death had to teach me that.
Be on the lookout for Klaus art, though. In honour of him, I'm planning a charcoal and coloured pencil piece on gray paper.
And if the Rainbow Bridge is real, maybe I'll see him again, someday.
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