The Lamonster's Blogmonster

Keeping My Word

2008-09-16T19:01:00.003-06:00

During the Democratic primaries earlier this year, I said that if he wins the nomination I would do everything I can to get Barack Obama elected president. So far, I have kept my word. Now it's time for YOU to pretend you said that too and we all know you are a man of your word. Or woman of your word. No sexism here, Carly Fiorina.

Doctor Manhattan

2008-07-24T22:14:00.002-06:00

Oh yes, it's coming.

Best American RPG Ever Made

2008-07-19T12:57:00.003-06:00

Mass Effect <3

Getting Mounted

2008-06-08T09:50:00.004-06:00

This week it was all World of Warcraft. I also like to call the game Weekends of Warcraft. Anyway, I have been playing my ass off this week and I finally reached level 40 and got. a fucking. mount.

Gaming Diary Time

2008-06-01T19:44:00.005-06:00

I'm going to keep an active journal of the games I'm currently playing because years later I will be trying to figure something out and this might help. You know what? I don't have to explain myself to you.

This (last) Week
World of Warcraft
Halo 3

Important Update

2008-05-17T13:12:00.001-06:00

Hook was a fucking terrible movie.

America: You Deserve It!

2008-05-02T18:13:00.010-06:00

Al Gore won the general election in 2000. America didn't deserve the president it ended up getting. George Bush won the 2004 election by 100,000 votes in Ohio. This time, America deserved four more years.

Now we face another decision. If America makes the wrong choice this year, then we all deserve the repercussions that are bound to follow.

Basically, I won't feel sorry for anybody. Except for me.

Mike Huckabee

2008-04-26T06:43:00.008-06:00

Yeah, I'm about as far left as they come... but that doesn't mean I don't think there are a few select badasses on the right. One of which is Mike Huckabee. I don't think he would make a great president. I don't agree with his policies or religious views. But I do have tons of respect for the guy. Think he's just another devious right-wing puppet? Check it, yo.

Huckabee on Jeremiah Wright's connection to Obama

Huckabee on Morning Joe (video)

Huckabee eats squirrels (video)

Why it's Fucking Awesome - the Internet

2008-04-18T23:25:00.004-06:00

Today we have a guest "Why it's Fucking Awesome" about the internet by Jeremiah:

1. Lamont is updating his blog again
2. porn
3. free music
4. serves as dictionary, map, magazine or encyclopedia
5. what else are you supposed to do at work?
6. porn

Why it's Fucking Awesome - MotorStorm

2008-04-14T18:28:00.006-06:00

-kick ass physics, graphics, level design, sound, mud
-AI is mean
-old-school bitter frustrating sack of awesome

Why it's Fucking Awesome - Obama

2008-04-14T18:18:00.007-06:00

Yeah, this is only the second entry on this series and it's accidentally not about a video game. Whoops!

-he's the real deal - he knows his shit and he can seriously inspire people. Don't believe me? Read Audacity of Hope. Go see him speak.
-he is the most liberal Senator in the United States.
-he's going to end this fucking bullshit. (?)

Why it's Fucking Awesome - Super Mario RPG

2008-04-04T19:26:00.009-06:00

-it has Geno
-Bowser cries
-you fight a cake

Back for now; things are Awesome

2008-04-04T19:23:00.003-06:00

It's been a while.

I return with a top 10 list below and a new idea that will keep me interested in this cobweb-filled corner of the www.

Enjoy the series Why it's Fucking Awesome.

Why Video Games Will Save Humanity

2008-04-04T19:15:00.004-06:00

1-living things must eat
2-wild dogs must kill to eat
3-early humans must kill to eat
4-domesticated dogs play tug of war for fun
5-modern humans have remnant violent tendencies
6-video games help relieve said feelings
7-video games become more and more popular
8-humans live in peace
9-peace promotes intelligence
10-intelligence=God

It's almost here...

2007-08-26T19:09:00.000-06:00

And then I will post a flood of screenshots, evidently of myself kicking ass and chewing bubble gum - unless I run out of bubble gum. Plan B is to kick ass and take names.

Rainbow Six: Vegas

2007-08-06T20:08:00.000-06:00

...is still creepy.

Full Time Job; Full Time Shoes

2007-08-02T20:05:00.000-06:00

Photoshop Space

2007-06-26T12:30:00.000-06:00

(Tom Goes to the Mayor)

Electric Flowers

2007-05-31T16:17:00.000-06:00

I just finished this electronic album I've been working on for the last couple months. If you like video game music you are sure to enjoy some of the tracks on Electric Flowers. Check it out, if only because it's FREE.

Electric Flowers.zip 131MB (MegaUpload)

And here's a review of the album written by some weirdo:

The third effort from musician amateur Andy Lamont, Electric Flowers begs to be heard through headphones at full volume. Heavy on bass and light on apologies, the listener is instantly transported to another state of existence…not another state of mind, but another state of is. Who am I? Who are you? What is this thing on my leg? Is it edible? You will be asking yourself these questions and more, lest you face a total cranial meltdown.

“Although there is an inherent danger of your brain disintegrating, I think listening to my music can really change the way you live your life,” ponders Lamont. “On one hand you have these blocks that fit together, kind of like LEGOs, and in the other hand you have freedom.”

An ambitious project from the beginning, Electric Flowers has a serious mission. "I just hope this album can finally end world hunger," says Lamont.

And if this reviewer has anything to say about it - I am full as hell. Mission accomplished, Andy Lamont. Mission accomplished.

Halo 3 Beta

2007-05-19T19:46:00.000-06:00

Halo 3. Multiplayer. Beta. Everything is better, only one thing is worse.

Anything can change from now until September 25 - the day I will be taking off work for a few days (assuming I'll have a job by then), but here's hoping Bungie only tweaks vehicle splattering. It's way too hard in Halo 3. Why even get in a ghost?

Other than that, it's all fun as hell. Halo 3 is exactly where it should be, and it goes without saying (or typing) that this game will be a real killer by the time it is released.

EDIT:

May 30

Now that I've been playing the beta for a good while now, I'm really starting to see the subtle upgrades from Halo 2. It reminds me of this quote from bungie.net's history of bungie:

"The way the press reported on the game was hypnotic. At first they were taken by the graphics. Halo looked amazing. Later articles shifted towards the gameplay – it was the first time since GoldenEye that a first-person shooter had really worked on a console ... And then people really discovered the multiplayer game – and made console LAN parties a real phenomenon."

I'm starting to notice these small details about Halo 3's gameplay that are totally sweet. Just little things, like how perfectly balanced the weapons are (compared to H1 and H2), or the death animations/physics, sound effects, the manually controlled 'death camera,' or the multiple uses of each equipment, or how when you die the camera focuses on your killer and follows them until you manually change the camera. So when you get sniped, the camera spins around so you can see your killer standing there reloading his rifle. Bad. Ass.

Oh and the splattering isn't messed up. It just takes skill now.

Awake From My Coma

2007-05-07T21:43:00.000-06:00

Well, looks like it's been over a month without any of my overly-excited hyping of upcoming games. You have also missed out of my super expertly-worded game reviews. To be honest, there isn't much I had to say in April. It was kind of a slow month in the world of video games, and I spent most of my gaming time playing some beloved Halo 2 matchmaking. I'll sum up my most recent thoughts into easily-digestible bullet points:

Virtua Tennis 3 is fun, but it doesn't explain in enough detail what you need to do in those damn Academy training missions. The AI is pretty relentless, and I got my ass handed to me every time I played online.
Armored Core 4 is bad. I thought it would be good.
ZOMG'RZ I loved Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. I totally appreciate Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin a hell of a lot more now.
I still haven't bought Earth Defense Force 2017. No real reason why. I know it's shallow, yet fun. And when I get it, I'll let you know just how wrong (or right) I was.
I also haven't checked out the Shivering Isles. I admit it - I'm afraid to get back into Oblivion. One of these days...when I'm feeling lonely, I'll jump back in.
I did, however, download the Rainbow Six: Vegas expansion- the Red Pack or whatever it's called. I like the new maps. I like the new modes. But this was to be expected, so not much news on the R6 front.
I still haven't beaten Call of Duty 3. It's good, but I'm just not ready yet. In fact, this is the first time I've mentioned Call of Duty on this blog. Hopefully in 4 we can pop some caps into insurgent asses.
I finally started playing Fight Night: Round 3. Excellent face and stomach-mashing fun.
When the Halo 3 beta rolls in, I will be there to greet it with open arms. And I will miss a lot of sleep. I love you.

What Music They Make!

2007-03-26T14:56:00.000-06:00

I love to play video games - but that's only part of the reason I love video games. While it's great to appreciate the visual art in games, I'm a sucker for the music. Sometimes I will enjoy playing a crappy game solely because of its excellent music (Yoshi's Story!). However, most of the time it seems like a quality soundtrack dictates a quality game (example: Sonic's downfall starting with Sonic Adventure and its disgusting music).

I have over eighty video game soundtracks in my growing collection, and I couldn't even begin to narrow that down to a few favorites (which was the original intention for this story). So let me end this short piece by reminding you to turn up the volume while you rescue that princess, and pay respect where it's due.

If you are looking to download video game music, a great place to start is Galbadia Hotel.

Jack Thompson: Way Past Crazy

2007-03-23T16:39:00.000-06:00

Good thing I haven't achieved my goal of writing for a top game news website yet. Nobody wants to get sued by Jack Thompson!

My Xbox 360 Is Dead

2007-03-22T00:33:00.000-06:00

Just days after giving it the award for winning this generation, my Xbox 360 died. I knew it was coming, we have all read the horror stories, but it is still surprising and extremely aggravating. Time to finally check out Okami...

UPDATE: 3-25-07: Called 1-800-4MY-XBOX, I am to mail the console to them (sans hard drive) and I should expect a repaired or brand new 360 in about three weeks...

UPDATE: 3-27-07: Shipping cost $11.66. Oh and Okami is awesome.

UPDATE: 4-2-07: My 360 arrived this morning in Texas. The two to three week waiting period begins today. I hope they find it is unrepairable so I can get a brand new 360 that hasn't been tinkered with...

UPDATE: 4-3-07: Major Nelson just brought this to my attention:

Free Shipping:
In the event your console needs to be returned to us for repair your shipping costs are free. We will immediately send you a postage paid container in which to send us your console, and we will pay for shipping charges to return your console to you.

I will call customer service tomorrow in hopes of getting my $12 refunded...

UPDATE: 4-9-07: Never called customer service. I'm not the bitching type, and I probably wouldn't have gotten the $12 refunded anyway. However, I did receive a brand new Xbox 360 in the mail today - complete with bonus (regular white) faceplate! You see, I shipped the original without a faceplate (as instructed), and now I have 2 default 360 faceplates!!! I kid, but I am very relived to promptly receive a brand new box. Hopefully this won't happen again.

NiGHTS Sequel on Wii

2007-03-20T22:58:00.000-06:00

Finally, one of my Dream Sequels has come true. SPOnG is reporting that the long-rumored sequel has been confirmed, only days after the Official Nintendo Magazine hint was dropped. ~~Best of all, original creator Yuji Naka is said to lead development!~~ The only thing left to speculate on is the control style. I'd like to see something off-rails that controls like the mysterious Wii Airplane E3 '06 demo, where you hold the Wiimote like a paper airplane.

UPDATE: Looks like Yuji Naka will not be involved. I'm thinking I'll stop reporting rumors from here on out. Although this news itself might be a rumor. You see the vicious cycle I have gotten myself stuck in?

My New Hero

2007-03-20T13:34:00.000-06:00

Thanks to last month's EGM, I learned about Wall Guy - the oddly disproportionate dude from one of the first screenshots of Perfect Dark Zero. To me, Wall Guy not only embodies the suckage of PDZ, but he is an icon for poor games in general. He is like the Mona Lisa: the longer you stare at him, the more interesting he becomes. Notice the larger-than-right left leg, the crotch's lackage of package, the chin/shoulder melt, and the bike helmet; and you start to realize the importance of quality character design.

And The Winner Is....Xbox 360

2007-03-19T21:22:00.000-06:00

Some would say this announcement is a little premature. Some would say it has been known for months. With the recent news of Devil May Cry 4 coming to 360 alongside the already announced PS3 version, I finally feel comfortable enough to put my thumbs on the chopping block and confidently predict this generation's big winner. Next up to rise to the occasion: MGS4 and FFXIII...?

Hey, don't blame me for being an Xbox fanboy. Blame me for being an America fanboy.

Rogue Squadron, This is Red Five - I'm Goin' In

2007-03-09T14:38:00.000-06:00

I like science fiction. I like shooting things. I like flight combat games. I like Bosconian. But I f'ing LOVE Star Wars. And I have really been missing some good ol' space shooters. In response to Destructoid's wonderful editorial about the lack there of, I want to add my two cents on the issue.

Factor 5 developed the Rogue Squadron series and has since departed from Nintendo and the Star Wars franchise to develop a game called Lair for the PS3 - which I will never play, unless somebody wants to buy me a PS3. This is a bummer because I can't see any other developer handling a Star Wars space shooter as well as these guys did.

Star Wars aside, there aren't any space shooters in the mix of upcoming games. There aren't any Panzer Dragoon games coming any time soon, either. As much as I love returning to these games, I must admit I have been spoiled by the glitter of "next-gen." Developers, please, recognize this genre and make some damn games.

Indeed, it is a grim time for fans of (non-WWII) flight shooters...

Worms XBLA Review

2007-03-09T14:01:00.000-06:00

This is a difficult game to review. The Xbox Live Arcade version of Worms is like a funny, intelligent, beautiful woman - that has no arms. You see, everything that is included in Worms is great, but not everything was included. This version of Worms is what I call Couch Worms. It's simple, casual, and just not as fun as the PC Worms games - but it is still better than most of the other crap on Xbox Live Arcade. It's still good ol' Worms, just a little sicklier that we're used to.

It's great to see the updated graphics - the game has never looked better, and the controls are as perfect as they could be on the Xbox 360 controller. For the most part, the weapons perform as they always have, and they sound like they're supposed to sound. So the fact that this game is only about 60% complete is more of a tease than a fat pile of doo. The fact that Microsoft (used to) limit their Arcade games to 50 MB was Worms' death sentence. What follows is a list of things that are sadly missed in this latest version of our beloved 2-D turn-based strategy game:

Speech banks - there are about 5 speech banks, and only one of them is in English
Levels - there are three (3) maps
Teams have a maximum number of four (4) worms
Weapons - this one's the kicker. We're missing the Holy Hand Grenade, Super Sheep, Bungee Cord, Parachute, Concrete Donkey, Old Woman, and many others
No switching between worms before a turn (which completely changes the gameplay)
There is only one song, which you will want to turn off after about 30 minutes
The achievements are crap. They don't give you incentive to play online, and they are way too easy to achieve

However...
Did I mention the graphics are beautiful and it is still soooo worth the ten bucks?

Crackdowns and Ups

2007-03-05T21:26:00.000-06:00

I started playing Crackdown as a measly rookie cop. I avoided the crime and tried to stay high to innocently collect every agility orb I saw. After I mastered agility, I decided to try my hand at upholding the law. I slowly became the best shooter in the Agency.

And then I found the rocket launcher. And the cluster grenades. And soon after, nearly every gang leader in Pacific City was dead. Once most of the rampant violence had been relieved, I jumped in the Agency Supercar and spent some time beefing up my driving skills.

And I found my true calling.

I was meant to be a Super Trooper. A highway patrolman. Now I spend my days cruising the highways of the city at 225 miles an hour, crashing and shooting through all gang activity I come across. Rooftop jumping is for the rookies. I keep the roads safe.

Half Life 2: Orange

2007-02-07T16:40:00.000-06:00

The cover should have looked like this (but it doesn't because I designed this):

STOP EVERYTHING! There's a bomb on my blog!

2007-02-02T11:52:00.000-06:00

BEST GAME OF ALL TIME: Single-Player

2007-01-23T15:04:00.000-06:00

I know it doesn't seem like a good time to crown the best game of all time, as a more appropriate choice could have been "best game of 2006" or "best next-gen game so far." Go to other game websites for that malarky. I want to talk about the best of the best! There are two categories in video gaming: single-player and multiplayer...and the goals achieved in each category have grown to be very different. A great multiplayer game must be balanced, have a lot of variety in available play choices, and it must be online. A great single-player game must be long, at least somewhat emotionally resonant, and epic as hell.
Although my choices are rather recent games, they are the cream of the crop. What is the best single-player game of all time?

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

I can't stop talking about this game. I can't stop listening to the soundtrack. I can't stop creating Zelda-related posts. And even though I beat the game a long time ago, I still can't stop aimlessly wandering around the ins and outs of Hyrule, slicing and dicing through every bad guy that gets in my way. Everyone respects me. No one can defeat me. I am the ultimate badass of Hyrule. If you haven't played this game, you don't know that:

Link has two, possibly three girlfriends in the game (and he flirts with even more ladies)
There is a surprising twist at the end of the game that solidifies this Zelda title as having the most interesting characters with the coolest story arcs
There are some very non-Zelda like weapons Link gets his hands on
Wolf-Link can talk to every animal in Hyrule (including Epona)
Tingle is unfortunately not in the game
A hundred other weirdos are in the game
Each dungeon has more creativity and artistic style than most whole games, with just the right amount of challenge to never become frustrating
It is the longest Zelda game (I beat it in 45 hours, but I will never be completely finished with the save file)
It is the best Zelda ever, and also the best game ever.

BEST GAME OF ALL TIME: Multiplayer

2007-01-23T14:26:00.000-06:00

I know it doesn't seem like a good time to crown the best game of all time, as a more appropriate choice could have been "best game of 2006" or "best next-gen game so far." Go to other game websites for that malarky. I want to talk about the best of the best! There are two categories in video gaming: single-player and multiplayer...and the goals achieved in each category have grown to be very different. A great multiplayer game must be balanced, have a lot of variety in available play choices, and it must be online. A great single-player game must be long, at least somewhat emotionally resonant, and epic as hell.

Although my choices are rather recent games, they are the cream of the crop. What is the best multiplayer game of all time? The soon-to-be-dethroned (by its sequel):

Halo 2

Halo 2 is the absolute best first person shooter you can play on a console. From the controls to the graphics, to the sound, to the user-friendly interface, to the variety - this game has everything. It is also the most complete online experience you can play on a console. These two important elements combine in what could have already been an awesome offline single-player PC game to create the ultimate play-all-night-until-your-eyes-dry-out multiplayer experience. I predict that the only game to top Halo 2 for best multiplayer game this decade will be Halo 3.

Jack Bawler

2007-01-21T17:04:00.000-06:00

24 is such a soap opera.

The Next Rainbow Six

2007-01-17T13:40:00.000-06:00

I never got into an R6 game until Vegas, which I can't seem to put down. In the midst of all my excitement, I once said this game has little to no room for improvement - it's perfect! I must have been too preoccupied with the tear gas that was burning my eyes, nose and throat to find any faults with the game. I have come up with some ideas for the next Rainbow game that are sure to make it an absolutely perfect experience.

This game needs some unlockable humor. Add an optional paintball mode à la Goldeneye. Add some interesting, but not ridiculous outfit options like a tuxedo.
Add the ability to shoot out lights. I don't care how Splinter Cell that sounds, because anything that adds more tactical depth will make it more realistic.
Ability to have more than one custom face per gamertag, and more character customization options in general.
While observing in multiplayer, add the option for the right and left bumpers to change view: third person (default), first person, and free camera.
Add a Melee knife for stealthy silent kills. What kind of knife you ask? It would have to be the Microtech Halo III knife, of course.
More guns, better balancing.
Only allow the host to kick players while in the lobby - it really sucks when a pissed off host kicks the players of the winning team seconds before a 20 minute match ends.
There should be no loading after changing gametypes on the same map.
I want the bathrooms to actually have mirrors in them (Prey had mirrors, mind you).
In the story campaign, there should be a level where the main character is somehow poisoned, and movement and vision are psychedelically askew (à la Yoshi's Island: "Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy ").
Have at least some of the game take place in New York City...what if the game took place right after the events of September 11, 2001?

The Lost Planet Review

2007-01-15T01:47:00.000-06:00

A few months ago, I had a sad feeling in my heart that Lost Planet wouldn't be nearly as good as Gears of War or Rainbow Six: Vegas. I was correct.

Graphically, Lost Planet almost equals Gears. It's a beautiful (looking) game, but the multiplayer just sucks. The single player is pretty good fun, but it's extremely frustrating and there's no co-op. I'm lazy, so enough with the fluff.

The worm boss is cool
The graphics are purdy
The cutscenes are nauseating
No splitscreen multiplayer
Multiplayer sucks anyway though
There is still hope for (another) patch
Gears is better
Rainbow Six: Vegas is way better than both Gears and Lost Planet

Photospace!

2007-01-05T14:45:00.001-06:00

I couldn't resist posting this little video from New Years.

Zelda: The Music

2006-12-31T14:02:00.001-06:00

I have been humming the heroic main theme of the Twilight Princess for days now. It may also be known as the Hyrule Field theme. Or Link's theme. Either way, it's badass. While it is true that in the 50 or so hours you are enjoying the newest Zelda you will only hear the original NES Zelda melody a couple times (which is certainly not enough), this new song for Link is outstanding. And so is the rest of the music. So far, Nintendo has only released seven songs from the game's soundtrack. Luckily, my favorite one (besides the flamboyant Malo Mart song) is among them:

http://www.ds-gamer.nl/images/uploads/zelda2.mp3

The other tracks can be found here.

Buying Games Twice

2006-12-31T13:43:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: I don't know why I wrote this. I was merely thinking out loud...err, thinking out loud with my fingers. Read at your own risk.

There are a select few games that I love so much that I actually bought them twice, you know, just in case something happens to the original copy. Some people buy movies twice - I have Star Wars on VHS and DVD. Is that so wrong? Here is a list of the games that I have double dipped, along with the reasons why:

Zelda - I have the two Zelda games for NES, and they still work. I have A Link to the Past on SNES, and it still works. I also have the two Zelda games for N64. But when I pre-ordered the Wind Waker, I was given a bonus disc with Ocarina of Time and OOT Master Quest for GameCube. It was awesome to play the Master Quest with a GCN controller and at a higher resolution. Then the Zelda Collector's Disc was being packaged with new 'Cubes, so I eBay'd that sucker - which includes the NES Zeldas and the N64 Zeldas. Then ALTTP came out for GBA. And now my head is spinning and I own two copies of most of my favorite Zelda games.

Mega Man - I have a bunch of Mega Man games on NES, but I pounced on the Mega Man Anniversary Collection for GameCube as soon as it came out. But once it was released on Xbox, I realized I wanted to fork over another $20 just to play it with a different (read: better) controller. I love NES Mega Man games...especially when I am drinking.

Mario - I am a sucker for ports. I bought all the Super Mario Advance games, and I love playing Mario 64 on my DS. And you can bet I'm going to be buying all the classic Mario games again on the Virtual Console when I get a Wii.

Only time will tell what other games I will be buying again, but I have a feeling my copy of Halo 2 is going to spoil at some point...

GAMEDAR: Wii

2006-12-23T16:44:00.000-06:00

For today's "games on my radar," I'm looking at the list of games that I want (yes, I make lists of games that I want), and the first thing in the Wii section is the LAN adapter. It would be nice to have a fancy Wi-Fi connection in my house, but for the moment, we are still tied down with those pesky Ethernet cables. In fact, we don't even have a router - I have to switch the cable every time I go from PC internet connection to Xbox Live...which wouldn't be a problem if the 360 had a web browser, but that's another rant. Today I want to talk about the Wii, and the upcoming games that I want to insert into my Wii. Not that I have a Wii. Because I don't...yet.

Excite Truck - It's the only game on the list that is currently available on the market (Wii Sports is included, so that's a given, and I already got Zelda for the 'Cube). As far as launch titles go, Excite Truck is the one I want the most - far beyond my desire to shoot carrot juice into the masks of "Rabbids" and quietly move around my mother's china in Elebits. Excite Truck is arcade racing the way it should be: course powerups, rockin' tunes, motion-sensing control, and unlockables out the ass.

Wii Play - This minigame collection is more of a reason to create and fall in love with the Mii version of myself: one minigame is all about manipulating your Mii in various poses and positions DDR style. Plus it includes a shooter minigame that is very reminiscent of Duck Hunt (but not enough - there's no asshole dog or orange Zapper add-on [yet]).

Metroid Prime 3 - One thing it seems the Wii controls were designed for is first-person shooters, and this will be the first first-party game to use that control scheme. If history is any indication, whatever is done on a Nintendo console is always best done by Nintendo themselves. Plus, this is a Metroid Prime game, so it'll rock.

Sonic and the Secret Rings - Journalists that have demoed this game say it's the best 3-D Sonic game yet. I haven't really enjoyed a Sonic game since Sonic & Knuckles (Sonic Rush was just OK in my book)...and Jesus, do I love good Sonic games...

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Because I want to kick more ass with Twilight Princess Link. Plus, there are LOTR-style "whispers in the dark" that the Sonic pals and Mega Man will be playable characters!

Super Mario Galaxy - I loved Super Mario Sunshine, but there are a lot of haters. Let me guarantee now that there will be absolutely no haters of Mario's real debut on the Wii.

No More Heroes - Killer 7 is probably the most insane game I have ever played. The cutscenes were mind-blowing, and the story was head-exploding (yes, they are two different things). And I simply can't wait for the next game from Suda 51.

Zelda Review

2006-12-20T22:07:00.000-06:00

I'll try to make this brief. Twilight Princess is not a perfect game...but it is indeed the greatest game ever. And it is not great simply because of the puzzles, or the combat, or the exploration. While all of Twilight Princess' elements are superb, it has an overall sense of fun that is unmatched in every other single-player game out there.

Apart from a slow beginning (see post below), the pacing is incredible. Just when things start to feel repetitive, you are (insert surprisingly fun activity here). Whether it's fishing, exploring caves, snowboarding, swimming, flying, traversing a dungeon (each dungeon is a complex, expertly designed work of art) or simply riding the plains of Hyrule on Epona, this game is pure gold to seasoned gamers. Everything that was great about Zelda has been improved in Twilight Princess.

Zelda: Initial Thoughts

2006-12-16T14:50:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally tracked down a copy of Zelda: Twilight Princess for the 'Cube and to be honest, at first I was a little disappointed. The first couple hours involve a very feminine Link farting around in a small town where all the men look like women and all the kids look like mongoloids. Actually, there are two guys who look like men, but one of them definitely has down syndrome. And none of them can talk! Of course, they can all type and move their lips at the same time. Good thing I got this for the GameCube, otherwise I'd be ranting about NEXT-GEN VOICE WORK and how it is pretty much required in modern-day games if you want your characters to converse.

Ugh. After exploring the town and meeting its ugly citizens, I saddled up on Epona, the trusty steed. Again, a bit of a let down. The horse in Shadow of the Colossus is way better - Agro is easier to control, has more realistic animations, and is more lifelike in general than Epona. In fact, come to think of it, it's the same for Link vs. Wander. Link just doesn't look and feel as realistic as the wanderer...and at first, he certainly doesn't dress as good. With Link looking like the anime version of a Hanson brother and Epona acting like a spoiled horse with arthritis, I found myself wishing I was playing The Wind Waker instead.

But, I knew that this was still Zelda and I was still in for a treat if I stayed the course. About 3 hours in I finally met Zelda herself, found a worthwhile sword that wasn't made out of wood, and received the classic green outfit - and the Zelda adventure I thirsted for finally began. After playing for about 7 hours, the best way I can describe this version of Zelda is with math: a modern-day remake of Ocarina of Time+Lord of the Rings+Okami. Oh, and that equals awesome.

Dream Sequels

2006-12-10T15:46:00.000-06:00

Sometimes a killer sequel comes out and totally blows away your expectations because it expands and enhances on what made the original game so great. For example, look at Super Mario Bros. 3. On the other hand, a sequel can be very disappointing (Super Mario Bros. 2). But the worst kind of sequel there is - is no sequel. Here is a list of my "dream sequels" that I don't think will be made anytime soon, but I will always have a little place in my heart on reserve for their arrival.

NiGHTS Into Dreams: This old Saturn game is screaming to be sequelized into a modern day game. Even though it was a somewhat simple rail shooter, it was still unique in many ways. Come on, SEGA. If you won't give us a sequel, at least give us a remake (or even a port!).

Eternal Darkness: This under-appreciated GameCube game had such a thick plot and such eerie environments that once you start to go insane, the game becomes an experience not easily forgotten. If you haven't played it, there's an insane meter that rises every time you see an enemy, and it can only be lowered by performing a finishing move on that enemy. Silicon Knights has said they want to re-visit this franchise in the future, but don't expect it anytime soon, as they have to make the lukewarm Too Human trilogy first.

Legend of Zelda - The Wind Waker: Those of you who never played GameCube's Wind Waker are probably rolling your eyes right now, but that's merely a sign of your sheer ignorance. The Wind Waker is one of my favorite Zeldas - not only were the graphics beautiful and stylized, but the sound effects, character designs, and music were just as cartoony as the visuals, and surprisingly fitting. I'll never forget my first time through, sailing the seas of Hyrule and exploring each little island with childlike glee. I want Zelda to return to this style in the future, and the Phantom Hourglass does not count. I want this puppy on Wii.

Monkey Island: Some gamers are saying the adventure genre is dying or already dead. To me, adventure games are like Rock n Roll, THEY WILL NEVER DIE! And my heart will never forget Guybrush Threepwood. It's about time for another entry in the series - but it must be from series creator Ron Gilbert and in 2-D form. So basically, it's never going to happen.

Geometry Wars: There are a lot of potential titles for this game. Geometry Wars 3. Geometry Wars Even More Evolved. Geometry Wars Retro Evolved Evolved. Maybe that's why this game hasn't even been announced yet - Stephen Cakebread could be having trouble deciding on the sequel's title. I know this one will happen, but I don't know how soon. Hopefully it will drop alongside PGR 4 sometime next year. If not, we might not see this one for a while.

Mortal Kombat: If Midway ever decided to return to digitized actors in a 2-D arena for the Mortal Kombat franchise, it would be one of the best decisions Ed Boon and co. ever made. Don't get me wrong, I loved Armageddon. I'm a sucker like that. But once Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 dropped on Xbox Live Arcade, I haven't even touched the 'more advanced' Armageddon. With today's system's graphical capabilities, just imagine how cool the Sub-Zero freeze could look in a new 2-D Mortal Kombat game.

Lumines: Imagine a Lumines sequel that let you completely design new skins. This would involve creating songs (choosing loops/sound effects), designing blocks and backgrounds, and then uploading them online to share with your friends. Gamers could even vote on the skins (YouTube style)!

Elder Scrolls: Oblivion was absolutely great, but it could have been so much better. Imagine it having face mapping like you see in Rainbow Six: Vegas. Imagine it having an online component - what if you could battle your friends' characters in the Arena? What if there were ships and zeppelins like in Warcraft 2? What if you could create a flying character? What if it didn't make your Xbox 360 hiccup every 10 minutes and freeze up every couple of hours?

Shadow of the Colossus: I am never going to get a PS3. Well, scratch that - I would only buy one if I could get it for $300 or less, and I can almost guarantee it's never going to happen (at least in the next 5 years). This is why I am bummed that a sequel to Shadow of the Colossus, while inevitable, is almost certainly going to be PS3 exclusive. A next-gen version of this game would be absolutely insane.

Hopefully every single one of these games will release on a platform near you in the near future, but I'd be surprised if more than one or two of them actually came into fruition by the end of 2007.

GAMEDAR: Xbox 360

2006-12-07T21:59:00.000-06:00

I want to tell you about some upcoming games on my radar that I think you outta be aware of. Today I'll look at the future of the Xbox 360.

Halo 3: Yeah, the obvious one. I'll spare you my fanboy speak and keep it short. I played the first Halo's multiplayer daily for about a year. I played Halo 2 online every day for about two years. I am only left to assume that I'll be playing Halo 3's multiplayer on a daily basis for three years - it will be that good. I can also tell you for a fact that the single player campaign will be among the best single player campaigns ever.

Lost Planet: If you haven't played the demo yet, you don't have a 360 yet. Third person action, mechs, giant insect alien baddies, and a plot that I don't give a shit about. This one will have the strong one-two punch of great single player and equally great multiplayer. (edit: no, Lost Planet actually sucks - who knew?)

GTA IV: Next-gen Grand Theft Auto!

Guitar Hero: Coming to 360 with a new badass controller, online co-op(?), and downloadable tunes. No, it ain't wireless...but I don't have an endless supply of AA batteries. Plus, REAL electric guitars even have wires.

Bioshock: Just watch the trailer on YouTube.

Mass Effect: Next-gen RPG from Bioware? They're returning to the sci-fi realm? Where do I sign up?

Army of Two: Buddy game with excellent graphics and great promise. I'm thinking it will be like a mix of Gears of War and Rainbow Six: Vegas.

Virtua Tennis 3: I have wanted this ever since I last put down the Dreamcast controller for Virtua Tennis 2. I'm salivating already.

Alan Wake: Moody adventure game from Remedy, the guys behind the Max Payne games. This game has awesome potential, but it has recently been delayed.

Resident Evil 5: Nothing new has come from the Capcom camp about this game for over a year, but I do know it will have the same control style established in the sublime RE4.

Assassin's Creed: New IP from the Prince of Persia team - "medieval period piece or sci-fi?" The answer is BOTH!

Half-Life 2: This classic FPS is being released on 360 featuring superior graphics, the first two expansions, and hopefully some online multiplayer. Valve is still claiming that the $60 package will include Team Fortress 2 and Portal, but that just sounds too good to be true.

Project Offset: This one is a long way off, but it is set to rock your fantasy pants off. If you liked Oblivion, this game will probably make you uncontrollably vomit pure joy. It is only rumored to come to 360, which means I need a new PC.

Zelda: To Wii or Not to Wii

2006-12-07T21:40:00.000-06:00

This has been a dilemma in my mind ever since Nintendo announced that Zelda would be a launch title for the Wii. Don't get me wrong - I really want a Wii, but there is no rush. I'm just a student trying to finish college and I don't have time for a job right now so $300 for a Wii+Zelda is sounding a little steep. Plus, there are over 70 people in front of me on the Wii reservation list at my local EB Games.

As much as I want a Wii, I want Zelda even more. And it ships next week for a system I picked up back in 2001. Both versions are playable on the Wii. Should I roll with the new?

The Differences: The obvious difference is the controls. The Wii version also has widescreen mode, but I have a standard TV. The problem here is that whichever version I get, I will have to stick with that version for LIFE. This is because the two versions are mirrored - they are horizontally opposite. Shiggy did this so Link would be right-handed on the Wii version, as most people will be waving the sword with their right hand. Link has always been a leftie. Other than that, no major differences.

The Dilemma: I'd like to aim the Wiimote when I use the bow & arrows or the hookshot and I'd like to cast my line and reel it in with the Wii controls. However, I don't really care about shaking the Wiimote to slash my sword. I played the Wind Waker and I loved it. Never did I wish I could magically aim my projectiles. Also, you get C-stick camera control on the Cube version. The game was originally designed with Link being a leftie, and I'd like to think that this is the version that the artists and designers meant for us to play (Nintendo flipped Zelda late in the game's production).

The Decision: Most reviewers said "Don't cheat yourself! Accept the new Wii controls! You will get used to them very quickly!" However, early previews of the 'Cube Zelda praise the ability to manipulate the camera (an ability that has been established ever since Ocarina of Time). As much as I'd love to control Link with the Wiimote, I think I'm going to be playing Zelda well before I buy a Wii. I'll still get to enjoy the Wii controls with other games that are more appropriate for them, such as Tennis or Baseball. TRADITION!

Sony: the Door to Door Salesman

2006-12-07T11:06:00.000-06:00

Why am I always reminded of Stan from Monkey Island when I hear from Sony? Sony says all of my DVDs are worthless because they aren't Blu-ray. Sony says that if I want the new PLAYSTAION 3 (Sony also said I need to write that in all caps), I must purchase a Blu-ray player with it...even though I have a 21-inch TV and virtually no income. However, Microsoft gave me the choice whether to buy their version of the next-gen DVD player, and their console is $200 cheaper because of that.

Sony says rumble in controllers isn't a big deal. Sony is wrong. About a great. Many. Things. Return of the Jedi references never felt so at home.

Let's talk about games. I know that most launch games aren't very special or even very polished. Halo and Super Mario 64 are a couple rare exceptions. But looking beyond the PS3's launch lineup still leaves much to be desired. Most of the best games coming out in 2007 for Sony's console will also show up on the 360: Resident Evil 5, Assassin's Creed, Half-Life 2/Portal/Team Fortress (edit: now Half-Life 2: Orange), Grand Theft Auto IV, etc. Even Armored Core 4 is headed for the 360. Metal Gear Solid 4 is probably the only 'big one' that will be PS3 exclusive (at least for 2007), and personally I think it'll eventually make it's way to Microsoft's white console.

Sony says I need an internet browser. Sony says they have a better online service than the well-established Xbox Live. Hey Sony, go ahead and transfer my XBL friends list over to your online service. Wait, doesn't that mean that all of my friends have to buy $600 PS3s? See if you can transfer my gamerpoints and achievements while you're at it.

Bah humbug, Sony. I laugh at you.

GAMEDAR: Games on my Radar

2006-12-06T14:02:00.000-06:00

Ah, my first ever blog post. Unless you consider a photoblog a blog. I've done that before. And it was a whole lot of writing, because each picture I posted was the equivalent of 1,000 words. But this post is still my first real written blog post. I hope you like video games.

I want to tell you about a few yet-to-be-released games that I'm looking forward to. Today I'll focus on upcoming releases for the Xbox Live Arcade.

Looking at what Microsoft has chosen to release on XBLA recently, it would seem like they are still the only next-gen console on the market (actually they are the only next-gen console readily available for purchase at your local "EB Gamestop"). But alas, competition has arisen, and Microsoft seems to have gotten too comfortable on its ever-melting throne of ice. November 8th's Wednesday release was Contra, featuring online co-op. Too bad it sucks. The following week the PS3 and Wii popped out of the womb, and Microsoft released Defender. Yes, that old ass Defender. They obviously could have had a much stronger release for XBLA. The following week there was no game release, just a patch for Texas Hold 'Em. A patch shouldn't substitute a real game on the dying XBLA Wednesdays trend. Nor does a new theme deck for UNO. Back to actual games, last week Microsoft released Small Arms. I'd rather just play its much more sophisticated parent, Super Smash Bros. Melee. There are, however, some upcoming titles that deserve to be excited about.

Mutant Storm Empire: A well established franchise for Xbox Live Arcade, this is the third game in the Mutant Storm series, and it looks to be the best. Let's not forget that unlike movie sequels, video game sequels usually improve and expand on what made the original game so great. This is a top-down shooter that controls like Geometry Wars, but you ain't blastin no squares in this puppy. Giant alien slugs, worms, crabs, and ... things attack you from all sides, and this time around you have TWO parallel laser blots to shoot them with. But you also have to watch out for environmental hazards. The best thing about this game will be the seamless level progression and the co-op, which will hopefully be ONLINE co-op (the only kind co-op that really matters nowadays).

Space Giraffe: Do you like the interactive Xbox 360 music visualizer? Do you like Tempest? Do you like Rez? Were you looking forward to GameCube's canceled Unity? Do you like drugs? If you answered yes to any of these, you'll most likely love Jeff Minter's upcoming Space Giraffe. This is one trippy shooter, from the guy who most likely invented the word trippy. Upon downloading this game sometime in spring 2007, you will be bombarded with sights and sounds from out of this world, while trying to control a giraffe-esque character that has to GET NADS*!

*Minter says the word "nad" will be replaced in the game's final version for a more family friendly word like "powerup." That's also what he initially thought about the wacky title, which he has admitted is here for good.

PORTS:

Sonic the Hedgehog High Speed: This is the first Sonic game, but they've implemented the spin-dash that didn't arrive until Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Worms: Glorious 2-D Worms online on your Xbox 360. Need I even say "need I say more?"

Castlevania Symphony of the Night: A port of the hard to find PS1 classic, but now with leaderboards and achievements!

There are plenty of other original games to be excited about (Alien Hominid, Castle Crashers), as well as the obligatory coin-op classics (Asteroids, Metal Slug, Paperboy). But how about hitting the competition a little harder these days? Let's get the big ones out the door first, how about it Microsoft?