I watched the video review for endless ocean on IGN, and it sounded right up my ally. No enemies, no danger, no particular objectives, just underwater exploring. I bought it, and I love it so far. You know what's really odd though? You could describe it as underwater Pokemon. There aren't any fish battles, (which actually sounds pretty awesome when you say it like that) but there is the whole Pokedex thing. You dive underwater and explore, befriending different types of marine life along the way. Each type you befriend is added to an encyclopedia, and you can read more about it once it's in there. So yeah, it's a Pokedex, which fine with me. Don't you just love searching giant areas for that ONE thing you can't find? Yeah me neither, BUT STILL, it's great.
So you may be saying, "Well that sounds boring" but it's not. This game is just so beautiful to look at that you'll be drooling in awe. Though I really think this game should be played on bigger TVs.
Did I mention the music rocks?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
I GOT THE ELEBITS OST!!!!!
Well, sort of. I've been searching for the Japanese version of the ending credits song in Elebits. It simply wasn't anywhere. I found a site to download the OST, but I had to pay 10 dollars to get a 30 day account so I could download stuff. I was desperate, so I paid up.
What I got in the "OST" was ripped music from the game, and it didn't have the song I wanted. So while I DID get the whole soundtrack as opposed to the cut in half soundtrack on the actual OST, I didn't get what I really wanted. And I WILL point out that they missed a song, but I can understand how they missed it. It's not easy to get to.
So I searched all day and gave up. The next day (today) I found a forum where you can request game and anime music. I searched the request forum for ages and actually found the song I was looking for! So I downloaded it, and put all the music on discs for a two disc OST of Elebits. I made it so the first disc ends with the Japanese version of the credits, and the second disc ends with the English version of the credits. The only problem with these discs is I couldn't quite fit all the songs on them. I had to leave a few of them off.
Now let's get one thing straight. I was actually willing to buy the real OST, but I couldn't find it online anywhere. I was FORCED to download it. So for those saying "you thief!" I say screw you. I would have bought it if I could find it.
Well, I'm gonna go listen to my 2 hours and 40 minutes worth of Video Game Music!
What I got in the "OST" was ripped music from the game, and it didn't have the song I wanted. So while I DID get the whole soundtrack as opposed to the cut in half soundtrack on the actual OST, I didn't get what I really wanted. And I WILL point out that they missed a song, but I can understand how they missed it. It's not easy to get to.
So I searched all day and gave up. The next day (today) I found a forum where you can request game and anime music. I searched the request forum for ages and actually found the song I was looking for! So I downloaded it, and put all the music on discs for a two disc OST of Elebits. I made it so the first disc ends with the Japanese version of the credits, and the second disc ends with the English version of the credits. The only problem with these discs is I couldn't quite fit all the songs on them. I had to leave a few of them off.
Now let's get one thing straight. I was actually willing to buy the real OST, but I couldn't find it online anywhere. I was FORCED to download it. So for those saying "you thief!" I say screw you. I would have bought it if I could find it.
Well, I'm gonna go listen to my 2 hours and 40 minutes worth of Video Game Music!
GIVE ME GOOD INSTRUCTIONS!!!
A key part of playing a game? KNOWING HOW TO F**KING PLAY IT!!!
I HATE games that don't give adequate instructions on how to play. This mainly occurs in mini game collections. In Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck for Nintendo DS, they never gave enough instructions on how to play the stupid games. My latest encounter was with the Wii Fit boxing game. (Not Wii sports, Wii FIT) I spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to play that stupid game. The only instructions you got were visual, so you had to piece together what to do. And how complex does in really have to be? Do you REALLY need the remote, nunchuck, AND balance board to play it? And they could have told me you hold the remote in a vertical position. Why can't they give us text? I tried looking up how to do it on a walkthrough, but it was so full of typos that I couldn't figure it out.
You should NOT have to look at a fr*ggin walkthrough to figure out the controls. That's just stupid.
I HATE games that don't give adequate instructions on how to play. This mainly occurs in mini game collections. In Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck for Nintendo DS, they never gave enough instructions on how to play the stupid games. My latest encounter was with the Wii Fit boxing game. (Not Wii sports, Wii FIT) I spent about 20 minutes trying to figure out how to play that stupid game. The only instructions you got were visual, so you had to piece together what to do. And how complex does in really have to be? Do you REALLY need the remote, nunchuck, AND balance board to play it? And they could have told me you hold the remote in a vertical position. Why can't they give us text? I tried looking up how to do it on a walkthrough, but it was so full of typos that I couldn't figure it out.
You should NOT have to look at a fr*ggin walkthrough to figure out the controls. That's just stupid.
Monday, October 20, 2008
How to reduce repetitiveness in Elebits
So even though I beat the game, I can't stop talking about it. Well, I have a good reason this time. Having gotten over the joy of the fantastic ending, I look back at the main problems Elebits suffered from.
It was too repetitive, and was way too f**king long.
Plain and simple, the game was way too long, and wasn't fun to play because it was so repetitive. If you're going to have a game that's repetitive, don't make it more repetitive by making the game too long.
Okay, so they DO throw in a lot of new elements to make the game harder, but they're mainly just things you have to dodge or be careful of. You're still just going around lifting objects, dodging sh*t, and zapping Elebits. There are 25 stages and 5 boss fights if you include the second final boss, and this formula simply can't keep you entertained the whole time.
Here are some ideas they should have implemented to make the game more varied.
They needed to somehow make a stage where you don't have your capture gun. (like the stages in Mario Sunshine where you lose F.L.U.U.D) That would have really changed things up. The best idea I can think of is to have you chasing a group of speedy Elebits that are carrying your capture gun away. You have to run after them with a net, and scoop them up by making a motion with the remote. Once you nab them all, you pick up your gun, and the stage ends.
A neat boss fight I had in mind was by some sort of malfunction from the Capture Gun, you swap bodies with one of the black Elebits that attack you. Since the soul of the black Elebit is in Kai's body, it naturally wants to attack you.
The only way to stun a black Elebit in the game is to either hit it with one of those pulse bombs, or smack it with something. If you accidentally zap a black Elebit with your gun, it'll come flying at you and hurt you.
So in this boss fight, you both have maybe five health, and you have to dodge the stuff being thrown at you. (Hey, it’s a boss fight. You HAVE to dodge attacks) Your goal is to run in front of the capture gun's beam and go flying at the evil Kai. Hit it 5 times to win. THAT would have been an AWESOME boss.
Another thing they could have done to change it up a bit is to make 2D side-scrolling levels in the style of Contra. Oh sure, you’re still zapping Elebits, but it would be a different style of play. Of course you would have to have some sort of enemy to dodge, so they could have the tanks and purple Elebits shooting at you. THAT would be a cool level.
Another level they should have made was a level where there are no Elebits at all, and you simply have to use your capture gun to move things around, solve puzzles, and get to a finish line. You have this cool gun, so why not make a level all about it? It’s a missed opportunity.
Elebits really needed more variety, and these ideas would have really helped. Let’s hope the upcoming DS version will be better.
It was too repetitive, and was way too f**king long.
Plain and simple, the game was way too long, and wasn't fun to play because it was so repetitive. If you're going to have a game that's repetitive, don't make it more repetitive by making the game too long.
Okay, so they DO throw in a lot of new elements to make the game harder, but they're mainly just things you have to dodge or be careful of. You're still just going around lifting objects, dodging sh*t, and zapping Elebits. There are 25 stages and 5 boss fights if you include the second final boss, and this formula simply can't keep you entertained the whole time.
Here are some ideas they should have implemented to make the game more varied.
They needed to somehow make a stage where you don't have your capture gun. (like the stages in Mario Sunshine where you lose F.L.U.U.D) That would have really changed things up. The best idea I can think of is to have you chasing a group of speedy Elebits that are carrying your capture gun away. You have to run after them with a net, and scoop them up by making a motion with the remote. Once you nab them all, you pick up your gun, and the stage ends.
A neat boss fight I had in mind was by some sort of malfunction from the Capture Gun, you swap bodies with one of the black Elebits that attack you. Since the soul of the black Elebit is in Kai's body, it naturally wants to attack you.
The only way to stun a black Elebit in the game is to either hit it with one of those pulse bombs, or smack it with something. If you accidentally zap a black Elebit with your gun, it'll come flying at you and hurt you.
So in this boss fight, you both have maybe five health, and you have to dodge the stuff being thrown at you. (Hey, it’s a boss fight. You HAVE to dodge attacks) Your goal is to run in front of the capture gun's beam and go flying at the evil Kai. Hit it 5 times to win. THAT would have been an AWESOME boss.
Another thing they could have done to change it up a bit is to make 2D side-scrolling levels in the style of Contra. Oh sure, you’re still zapping Elebits, but it would be a different style of play. Of course you would have to have some sort of enemy to dodge, so they could have the tanks and purple Elebits shooting at you. THAT would be a cool level.
Another level they should have made was a level where there are no Elebits at all, and you simply have to use your capture gun to move things around, solve puzzles, and get to a finish line. You have this cool gun, so why not make a level all about it? It’s a missed opportunity.
Elebits really needed more variety, and these ideas would have really helped. Let’s hope the upcoming DS version will be better.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Cracked DS hinge
Well, I finally had a Nintendo DS hinge crack. It's been a few years since the DS came out, so I figure it lasted a good long time before it cracked. I'm now wondering if I should buy a new DS Lite, or wait for the DSi to come out. I'm thinking I'll probably buy a new DS Lite when I can. I really thought I wouldn't have any big purchases this month, but I guess I was wrong. Things happen. At least Nintendo DS systems are easy to find now.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Top 5 licensed video games
Whenever a popular movie or T.V series comes out, you can be sure there will be a crummy video game version. It's no secret that licensed games are lousy, but there ARE good ones. I take you through my Top 5 Licensed Video Games.
#5: Toy Story (SNES)
This is a great platformer with a wide variety of levels. It's a really complex game for a movie based game, and is too hard for its target audience.However us older fans of Toy Story don't mind that. Even still, Roller Bob's level is still going to kick your @ss.
#4: Mickey Mania (SNES)
Mickey Mania takes you through various Mickey Mouse cartoons from his very first cartoon, Steamboat Willie, to the popular Lonesome Ghosts, to Mickey and the Beanstalk. Again, it's way too hard for its target audience, but for those old enough to be able to beat it, you'll love this game all around. You also have to love at the end of the credits how it says, "If you liked this game, buy it twice!"
Now that's classy.
#3: Looney Tunes (Game Boy)
Simply titled "Looney Tunes", this is an awesome platformer revolving around various Looney Tunes characters. It's hard, but super fun. If you come across the Game Boy Colour version, don't get that one. It has extra features that make it a worse game.
#2: Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (NES)
This is another awesome platformer based on the hit Rescue Rangers t.v series. What's great about this game is you can play two players simultaneously, which is something you don't get in a lot of NES games. This game also features an awesome soundtrack, and just really cool levels and bosses. A great game that NES fans need to play.
#1: Duck Tales (NES)
When you think of good license based video games, you simply can't beat Duck Tales for the NES. Widely considered one of the greatest NES titles, and it doesn't feature any popular video game franchise characters. One of the most famous parts of this game is the music that plays in the Moon level. This is considered one of the most classic NES themes by many fans, and often hits the top ten lists of best 8bit music.
Not only does it feature great music, it is overall a super fun game to play. Great level designs, awesome bosses, and smooth controls. Nothing beats Duck Tales on NES when it comes to license based games.
#5: Toy Story (SNES)
This is a great platformer with a wide variety of levels. It's a really complex game for a movie based game, and is too hard for its target audience.However us older fans of Toy Story don't mind that. Even still, Roller Bob's level is still going to kick your @ss.
#4: Mickey Mania (SNES)
Mickey Mania takes you through various Mickey Mouse cartoons from his very first cartoon, Steamboat Willie, to the popular Lonesome Ghosts, to Mickey and the Beanstalk. Again, it's way too hard for its target audience, but for those old enough to be able to beat it, you'll love this game all around. You also have to love at the end of the credits how it says, "If you liked this game, buy it twice!"
Now that's classy.
#3: Looney Tunes (Game Boy)
Simply titled "Looney Tunes", this is an awesome platformer revolving around various Looney Tunes characters. It's hard, but super fun. If you come across the Game Boy Colour version, don't get that one. It has extra features that make it a worse game.
#2: Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (NES)
This is another awesome platformer based on the hit Rescue Rangers t.v series. What's great about this game is you can play two players simultaneously, which is something you don't get in a lot of NES games. This game also features an awesome soundtrack, and just really cool levels and bosses. A great game that NES fans need to play.
#1: Duck Tales (NES)
When you think of good license based video games, you simply can't beat Duck Tales for the NES. Widely considered one of the greatest NES titles, and it doesn't feature any popular video game franchise characters. One of the most famous parts of this game is the music that plays in the Moon level. This is considered one of the most classic NES themes by many fans, and often hits the top ten lists of best 8bit music.
Not only does it feature great music, it is overall a super fun game to play. Great level designs, awesome bosses, and smooth controls. Nothing beats Duck Tales on NES when it comes to license based games.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wii Fit get!
So about 5 minutes after I beat Elebits, my copy of Wii Fit arrived in the mail. (Yeah, I bought it overpriced on ebay.) I haven't gotten to do any exercises yet, due to my crummy T.V set up and my brother who hates game noise, (I can't wear the headphones without bending down. My T.V is in an awkward place) but I played some of the balance board mini-games. It didn't take very long for me to figure out I could cheat by using my hands. I got 297 points in the soccerball game, and over 120 points in the marble madness type game.
Actually, I got the idea from an episode of "Angry Video Game Nerd" in which he was playing that track and field game for the NES, and he just got down on his knees and whacked the power pad with his hands.
I'll have to wait until I have the house to myself before I really try any exercises since the T.V in the living room is more suited for playing the Wii. (My room is tiny) I only set my in game goal for losing one pound within two weeks. I mean, I don't know how much I'm going for. The BMI had me dead center of the "Normal" section. I'm in perfect shape weight wise. In reality, I have no need for Wii Fit. But in the world of posture, I could use a lot of work.
Now that I have a blog, I'm gonna be posting a whole lot of pointless stuff. More so than I ever did on deviantart.
Actually, I got the idea from an episode of "Angry Video Game Nerd" in which he was playing that track and field game for the NES, and he just got down on his knees and whacked the power pad with his hands.
I'll have to wait until I have the house to myself before I really try any exercises since the T.V in the living room is more suited for playing the Wii. (My room is tiny) I only set my in game goal for losing one pound within two weeks. I mean, I don't know how much I'm going for. The BMI had me dead center of the "Normal" section. I'm in perfect shape weight wise. In reality, I have no need for Wii Fit. But in the world of posture, I could use a lot of work.
Now that I have a blog, I'm gonna be posting a whole lot of pointless stuff. More so than I ever did on deviantart.
I beat Elebits: It was so worth it
So I've been complaining about Elebits for a couple weeks now, saying how I hate it and when I beat the game I'd rant about it. Well, I beat the game, and you know what? I simply cannot rant. Do you know why? I'll tell you. The ending cut scene and ending credits were so epic and rewarding that I simply cannot complain at all. The ending cut-scene made me smile and tear up a bit, and during the ending credits was an awesome song. With actual lyrics and stuff! It was set up as movie ending credits, where there's a song playing, the first part of the credits has some pictures with a few names, and the second part is just the rest of the names scrolling up with no pictures beside them.
Now you may ask, "But you hated the game! Why does this make up for it?" Well, I'm a snob when it comes to endings and openings, and if the ending isn't rewarding, it'll make me like a game less. No matter how great the game was, if the ending sucks, it gets docked a few points from my enjoyment. So with Elebits having what may end up being in my top 5 favourite endings ever, it doesn't matter how much I hated the game. It was so worth it to see that awesome ending that I simply throw all my anger out the window.
What is even better about this ending is that I WAS disliking the game. I didn't enjoy the game, and I only wanted to beat it because I was so close. The fact that the ending was so rewarding was like a true prize to me. The game's thinking, "You beat a game you aren't enjoying, so we better d*mn well make it up to you."
So all is forgiven towards Elebits. It held up it's part of the deal by giving me an awesome ending, and an easy final boss. (Of which there were two by the way)
Would I ever play the game again? No way. I got my ending, and that's where I want to leave Elebits. On a good note.
Now you may ask, "But you hated the game! Why does this make up for it?" Well, I'm a snob when it comes to endings and openings, and if the ending isn't rewarding, it'll make me like a game less. No matter how great the game was, if the ending sucks, it gets docked a few points from my enjoyment. So with Elebits having what may end up being in my top 5 favourite endings ever, it doesn't matter how much I hated the game. It was so worth it to see that awesome ending that I simply throw all my anger out the window.
What is even better about this ending is that I WAS disliking the game. I didn't enjoy the game, and I only wanted to beat it because I was so close. The fact that the ending was so rewarding was like a true prize to me. The game's thinking, "You beat a game you aren't enjoying, so we better d*mn well make it up to you."
So all is forgiven towards Elebits. It held up it's part of the deal by giving me an awesome ending, and an easy final boss. (Of which there were two by the way)
Would I ever play the game again? No way. I got my ending, and that's where I want to leave Elebits. On a good note.
So freakin close to the end!!!!
As my deviantart watchers know, I'm almost finished a Wii game called Elebits. Today I beat a stage, but it took three freakin tries. What's worse is the stage is 20 freakin minutes long. So in the end, playing the stage three times, and beating it on the 3rd try with three minutes left, took 57 minutes. Why make a stage take so long? You hardly ever win on your first try since you have to figure out where the Elebits are hiding, so right away it's going to at least take around 38 minutes to beat the stage.
For the first time in a while, I got a cramp while playing the game. Probably because I was playing for so long. I'm typing with only my left hand since my right hand pinky finger hurts so much. I seriously cannot wait until I'm done this stupid game. It's not even fun to play anymore. I just really want to beat it, just for the sake of beating it. Everytime I turn on the Wii I say outloud, "Oh god I really don't want to play this. Can't this game just end?!" Well it's almost over thankfully. There is only one stage left, and the final boss. Let's hope there is only ONE final boss as apossed to the standard three. Once I beat the game, chances are very good I will never play it ever again.
For the first time in a while, I got a cramp while playing the game. Probably because I was playing for so long. I'm typing with only my left hand since my right hand pinky finger hurts so much. I seriously cannot wait until I'm done this stupid game. It's not even fun to play anymore. I just really want to beat it, just for the sake of beating it. Everytime I turn on the Wii I say outloud, "Oh god I really don't want to play this. Can't this game just end?!" Well it's almost over thankfully. There is only one stage left, and the final boss. Let's hope there is only ONE final boss as apossed to the standard three. Once I beat the game, chances are very good I will never play it ever again.
Things in games people like, but I hate
I'm an odd type of gamer. There are a lot of things people love in video games that I absolutely hate.
#1: Voice Acting
I am not a fan of voice acting in games. This might be because I only play Nintendo games, which rarely have voices. In fact, the only games I've ever played with Voice Acting are Mario Sunshine, Elebits, and Spirits and Spells for the GameCube. Spirits and Spells was by far the best voice acting of the three, but that's not saying much. Mario Sunshine had good voices for the Piantas, FLUUD, and Toadsworth, but the rest was horrible. Elebits is laughable horrible.
Everyone wants the next Zelda to have voice work, but can you imagine playing a game like Majora's Mask that has voices? Most of the greatness to that game was that it was dark and depressing, and part of that was made by the way YOU read the text. If the Happy Mask Salesman had a voice reading it, that would ruin it. So if another Zelda game with the same dark tone as Majora's Mask was made with voices, that would be the end of Zelda for me. Voice Work in games sucks.
#2: 1 to 1 controls
Also in relation to Zelda, people desperately want Wii Motion plus controls for 1 to 1 sword fighting. I think this would be terrible. In fact, I really don't like the Wii's motion for anything other than IR. No waggle for anything. Buttons are fine for Zelda and such. Maybe I'm just too attached to the olden days, but Button presses are fine.
#3: Altering the story by in game choices
Games with stories need a beginning, middle, and end. And only ONE of them! Take for instance, if Final Fantasy 7 had an alternate ending where Aieris survives and gets together with Cloud for a fairy tale happy ending. You can damn well guess I want that ending! Why would you want a sad ending to a game you worked hard to beat? Would that be satisfying? NO! It would suck! Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic or some junk like that, but I want the happy endings where the guy gets the girl. And in relation to this element, let's talk about....
#4: Games with a story in general.
Remember the NES? Back in the day where a guy and girl are on a picnic, the girl gets kidnaped by the devil, and you find a suit of armour and go rescue her? Or when some giant turtle kidnaps a princess and you just go rescue her? I remeber those days. Why do we need some stupid story to halt the game? (Super Paper Mario anyone?) And what about Kirby? Kirby is awesome, and you never hear any story besides Dedede either taking away the stars, or some evil eyeball is attacking. Kirby saved its plot making for the anime, and that turned out great. TV shows need plots. Games don't.
#5: Really long games
I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to play the same game for 50 hours or something stupid like that. Games should not be that long. Though they shouldn't be overly short either. Kirby games rock, but are way too short. They're so short that Kirby's adventure had a mode where you play through the whole game in one sitting without being able to save. It takes about an hour to beat. 6 or 7 hours? That's fine. Maybe still a bit long, but it's better. Don't make your games overly long.
There are more things, but I can't list them all. Let's just say I look for a lot of different things in games than the average gamer.
#1: Voice Acting
I am not a fan of voice acting in games. This might be because I only play Nintendo games, which rarely have voices. In fact, the only games I've ever played with Voice Acting are Mario Sunshine, Elebits, and Spirits and Spells for the GameCube. Spirits and Spells was by far the best voice acting of the three, but that's not saying much. Mario Sunshine had good voices for the Piantas, FLUUD, and Toadsworth, but the rest was horrible. Elebits is laughable horrible.
Everyone wants the next Zelda to have voice work, but can you imagine playing a game like Majora's Mask that has voices? Most of the greatness to that game was that it was dark and depressing, and part of that was made by the way YOU read the text. If the Happy Mask Salesman had a voice reading it, that would ruin it. So if another Zelda game with the same dark tone as Majora's Mask was made with voices, that would be the end of Zelda for me. Voice Work in games sucks.
#2: 1 to 1 controls
Also in relation to Zelda, people desperately want Wii Motion plus controls for 1 to 1 sword fighting. I think this would be terrible. In fact, I really don't like the Wii's motion for anything other than IR. No waggle for anything. Buttons are fine for Zelda and such. Maybe I'm just too attached to the olden days, but Button presses are fine.
#3: Altering the story by in game choices
Games with stories need a beginning, middle, and end. And only ONE of them! Take for instance, if Final Fantasy 7 had an alternate ending where Aieris survives and gets together with Cloud for a fairy tale happy ending. You can damn well guess I want that ending! Why would you want a sad ending to a game you worked hard to beat? Would that be satisfying? NO! It would suck! Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic or some junk like that, but I want the happy endings where the guy gets the girl. And in relation to this element, let's talk about....
#4: Games with a story in general.
Remember the NES? Back in the day where a guy and girl are on a picnic, the girl gets kidnaped by the devil, and you find a suit of armour and go rescue her? Or when some giant turtle kidnaps a princess and you just go rescue her? I remeber those days. Why do we need some stupid story to halt the game? (Super Paper Mario anyone?) And what about Kirby? Kirby is awesome, and you never hear any story besides Dedede either taking away the stars, or some evil eyeball is attacking. Kirby saved its plot making for the anime, and that turned out great. TV shows need plots. Games don't.
#5: Really long games
I don't know about you, but I don't have the patience to play the same game for 50 hours or something stupid like that. Games should not be that long. Though they shouldn't be overly short either. Kirby games rock, but are way too short. They're so short that Kirby's adventure had a mode where you play through the whole game in one sitting without being able to save. It takes about an hour to beat. 6 or 7 hours? That's fine. Maybe still a bit long, but it's better. Don't make your games overly long.
There are more things, but I can't list them all. Let's just say I look for a lot of different things in games than the average gamer.
My new Blog!
So I created a blog because I spam my deviantart watchers with pointless journals. By making a blog, I can help keep the amount of journals down, and make it optional to view them or not. So to all my deviantart watchers, this is for you. I'll post another entry soon after this so there is some actual content.
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