gamerclass

Final Fantasy XIII on Xbox360 might ship with 3 or more discs

2009-08-22T00:22:00.001-07:00

Hey, no big deal, Lost Odyssey had 4 discs. What's important is that more gamers can play the game from across the globe.

Source: kotaku

Valkyria Chronicles 2 Art Leak

2009-08-21T23:48:00.000-07:00

Concept art for Valkyria Chronicles 2 inks its way out to the media in which the game will come out this winter in Japan for the PSP, I hope they will do it for home consoles too not just on a handheld. But still a nice game coming up.

Diablo III Update, the Monk

2009-08-21T23:41:00.000-07:00

Fresh news from BlizzCon, another character revealed for Diablo III: the Monk.

Source: kotaku

Make Profit for Map Mods when Starcraft II comes out

2009-08-21T23:24:00.000-07:00

To all those hardcore gamers, that do not only want to play their favorite games but also contribute to the community, here's your chance to make some profit off of it, but no details were given by Blizzard yet. According to a Blizzard exec "This is really an opportunity for them to share in the rewards of our success."

Source: kotaku

Price Cut on Xbox360 Elite

2009-08-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

We've seen Sony do an amazing move when it comes to bringing down the price of their console in the official announcement of the PS3 slim. Now Microsoft will do its part, but of course it not an Xbox Slim so don't keep your hopes up, but just a price cut to their Elite console.

Source: kotaku

Get Your Own Portable Playstation Network ID

2009-04-30T00:09:00.000-07:00

Want your own Portable PSN ID?, the one that you can embed on blogs and forums? Well you can get one now, it's as simple as logging in here using the same credentials you're using when signing in on your PS3, and then following the steps at the "My Portable ID" tab. The nice thing about this is that it now has the ability to display your trophy information compared to the old simple black box that only displays your ID and quote.

Free Left 4 Dead, Anyone?

2009-04-29T23:09:00.000-07:00

Left 4 Dead for the PC will be free to download and play as of today, so those of you who haven't bought the game yet can try it out now. Too bad it will only remain free in 24 hours, so better make the most of it. More info here: Left 4 Dead Will Be Free! (For 24 Hours).

BlazBlue Limited Edition Bundles

2009-04-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

You know what I like most about game bundles?, the presentation in the ads of course. It really makes you want to get those items and not just the regular version. Well here's another limited edition game bundle for the 2D fighter BlazBlue, both for PS3 and Xbox360 systems.

Namco Bandai's Magna Carta II

2009-04-29T22:32:00.000-07:00

For all you RPG fans out there, specially those who owns an Xbox360, another one is coming to your console. A sequel to the Playstation 2 game, Magna Carta II will keep you busy again for months upon its release. Looking much like Lost Odyssey, since it's also built on the Unreal Engine 3, but this game's developer is Namco Bandai, and it really looks promising because it departs from more hardcore anime art style found in Eternal Sonata and Tales Of Vesperia into more real looking 3D models seen in Lost Odyssey and Square Enix games. More information about this game here: Namco Bandai Bringing Magna Carta II Stateside.

Funny Street Fighter Comic

2009-04-29T19:29:00.000-07:00

LOL!

MAG, The 256 Player Online Shooter, Hands-On

2009-04-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

The massive multiplayer shooter MAG showcased at last year's E3 with its 256 player capability has just been previewed at gamespot. Will it live up to its hype?, can it really handle that much players simultaneously without lag? Well, for now we're not sure yet but from what we can see at the preview, it really looks promising. For the complete hands-on, check it out here: MAG Hands-On Impressions.

Resistance 2 Online Router Fix

2009-04-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

For those still having problems with connecting online with Resistance 2, especially those that uses routers and receives the NAT type 2, I have found a simple solution. First you should have access to your router's webpage; since I use a D-Link router, I can access it through http://192.168.0.1/. I'm not sure about other routers though. Then I go to the port forwarding part and add these ports here:

TCP Ports: 80, 443, 5223, and 10070 - 10080
UDP Ports: 3478, 3479, 3658, and 10070

You can find more information about the ports here: Sony Knowledge Center.

Then after adding those ports (be careful with the TCP/UDP, you should really place those numbers where they belong) you should still turn on your UPnP (Universal Plug n Play) option in your router.

After fiddling with these configurations I can now join games in Resistance 2 online instead of the "Failed to connect" message I always get in the past. I hope this helps.

Alara Reborn Launch Party Promo Card

2009-04-29T16:13:00.001-07:00

For the Alara Reborn release party which will happen today, this will be the promo card that you can get your hands on.
For more information: Alara Reborn Launch Party Card.

Alara Reborn Complete Visual Spoiler

2009-04-29T16:05:00.000-07:00

The pre-release to the latest Magic expansion "Alara Reborn" just ended and the complete visual spoiler is now available on their site. You can check it out here: Alara Reborn Visual Spoiler.

Dead Space Extraction for the Wii

2009-04-11T19:52:00.001-07:00

A prequel to the sci-fi horror Dead Space is coming to the Wii, Dead Space Extraction, but the difference from the original is that this new game is like the Wii exclusive Resident Evil games that they're both on-rail shooters like Time Crisis or House Of The Dead. It's still early to judge if a game is good or not but I'm not sold on the idea of an on-rails Dead Space yet, let's just wait to see the final product; but one thing I can tell is that the game has good graphics for the Wii platform.

PSP2: the new PSP for this year's holiday season

2009-04-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

A new PSP version, I mean new in the sense of a PSP2 and not just a new iteration of the old PSP. By looking at the images it's clear that it slides, it has touch screen, it has dual thumb sticks but sadly, still the proprietary Memory Sticks. It's looking more and more closer to a cellphone than anything. Be this rumor or the truth, it's somewhat sweet to see it this early, now I wonder what Nintendo will do for their next handheld? Virtual reality anyone?

Source: New PSP Due Before Christmas.

Premium Edition Ace Attorney DSi

2009-04-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice version of the new Nintendo DSi. The Gyakuten Kenji (Ace Attorney) Premium Edition. Too bad it's only available right now in Japan.

Source: The "Premium Edition" Ace Attorney DSi.

PS3 System Software Update 2.70

2009-04-02T22:49:00.000-07:00

A new update is available for the PS3. The features included in the update are the following:

Settings

[Dynamic Normalizer] has been added as an option under [Music Settings]. > See details

Video

You can now selectively back up content (file type MNV) that was downloaded from the Video Store of PlayStation®Store and you can restore files that you selectively backed up to the same PS3™ system. You can use this feature to back up both SD (standard definition) and HD (high definition) resolution content.
> See details

Game

You can now easily search the Internet for information about your PLAYSTATION®3 format software, as well as for games you purchased from PlayStation®Store. Select the icon for the game, and then select [Internet Search] from the options menu to get search results based on the game title.

Network

You can now copy and paste text from a Web page viewed in the Internet browser. > See details
[Copy Address of This Page] and [Copy Address of This Link] have been added as options under [File] in the browse mode menu of the Internet browser.
[Browser Security] has been added as an option to the browse mode menu of the Internet browser. The websites for the Web filtering services that used to be listed under [Bookmarks] have been moved under this new option.

Friends

The order in which Friends are listed in the Friends list has been changed. You can now sort by name (alphabetical order) and by status, listing both online and offline Friends by the last time online. When you have pending requests to add Users as Friends, the icons for these Users are now displayed at the top of the Friends list.
The maximum size for files that can be attached to messages has been increased to 3 MB.

Visit the official site of Sony here for more information and to get the update externally for manual update to your console.

Alara Reborn Into Pack Decklists

2009-04-02T05:09:00.001-07:00

The decklists of Alara Reborn Intro packs are already up on the Magic site. Too bad you still have to wait until the official release date for the new cards to appear at the gatherer. Check them out here: Alara Reborn Intro Pack Decklist s.

Guitar Hero: Metallica Setlist

2009-04-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Guitar Hero: Metallica is just released and here's the setlist for those still deciding if it's worth the purchase. There are also other guest acts besides Metallica but don't expect to find any light music in there, of course they're metal.

Metallica

• All Nightmare Long
• Battery
• Creeping Death
• Disposable Heroes
• Dyers Eve
• Enter Sandman
• Fade To Black
• Fight Fire With Fire
• For Whom The Bell Tolls
• Frantic
• Fuel
• Hit The Lights
• King Nothing
• Master of Puppets
• Mercyful Fate (Medley)
• No Leaf Clover (Live)
• Nothing Else Matters
• One
• Orion
• Sad But True
• Seek And Destroy
• The Memory Remains
• The Shortest Straw
• The Thing That Should Not Be
• The Unforgiven
• Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
• Wherever I May Roam
• Whiplash

Guest Acts

• Alice In Chains -- "No Excuses"
• Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band -- "Turn The Page (Live)"
• Corrosion of Conformity -- "Albatross"
• Diamond Head -- "Am I Evil?"
• Foo Fighters -- "Stacked Actors"
• Judas Priest -- "Hell Bent For Leather"
• Kyuss -- "Demon Cleaner"
• Lynyrd Skynyrd -- "Tuesday's Gone"
• Machine Head -- "Beautiful Mourning"
• Mastodon -- "Blood And Thunder"
• Mercyful Fate -- "Evil"
• Michael Schenker Group -- "Armed and Ready"
• Motorhead -- "Ace of Spades"
• Queen -- "Stone Cold Crazy"
• Samhain -- "Mother of Mercy"
• Slayer -- "War Ensemble"
• Social Distortion -- "Mommy's Little Monster (Live)"
• Suicidal Tendencies -- "War Inside My Head"
• The Sword -- "Black River"
• System of a Down -- "Toxicity"
• Thin Lizzy -- "The Boys Are Back in Town"

Source: Guitar Hero: Metallica Setlist.

From the Vault: Vaults

2009-04-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if this is true or whack because it's April 1 today but another edition of From the Vaults series was announced at the Magic site. From the Vault: Vaults features 15 premium cards of some the most popular vault cards in Magic history. Anyway, I'm completely positive that this is some kind of a joke.

Source: Announcing From the Vault: Vaults.

Tri-Ace's New RPG Project In Development

2009-04-01T01:16:00.000-07:00

Tri-Ace's New RPG Project: truth or April's Fools joke. Well, if it's a joke then sorry to keep your hope's up, but if not then it's a good news as it was stated that this new RPG may be available across multiple platforms. Anyway, one other thing to note if this is in case true, I think the game will come out late 2010 or maybe early 2011 by rough deduction as you can see the words "has been started" on the said site. So either way, be it truth or mockery, this news will still probably keep all RPG lovers' hopes up.

Source: Is tri-Ace Announcing A New, Multi-Plaform RPG?.

Upcoming Game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade

2009-04-01T00:22:00.000-07:00

Do you like anime, Japanese mythology and 2D gaming in general? Then Muramasa: The Demon Blade is for you.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade, known in Japan as Oboromuramasa (literally "Hazy Muramasa") is an upcoming video game developed by Vanillaware exclusively for the Wii console. It will be published by Marvelous Entertainment and is an action RPG. It has been announced for a 2009 Japanese release, with North American and European releases from respective publishers Marvelous Entertainment USA (co-publish with XSEED Games) and Rising Star Games also in 2009.

The game is said to have two different methods of control, one for casual players that will presumably involve the Wii Remote, and another for more experienced players who'd prefer a more precise method using the Classic Controller. The Classic Controller's layout have the "A" and "B" buttons for attacking, while "X" is for items. The control stick is for moving right, left and jumping. The left shoulder button switches between 3 swords. Each sword has different attack style, damage and agility. Overuse of a sword can cause it to break and its attack power will drop substantially. Defensive and evasive abilities will deplete the active swords "Soul Gauge" and will also cause a sword to break.

More Info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oboro_Muramasa_Youtouden.

New MMORPG: L.A.W. (Living After War)

2009-04-01T00:05:00.001-07:00

What do you get when you mix MMO with Diablo II design? Well, you get this new post-apocalyptic MMORPG L.A.W. or Living After War. The game was designed by the former Diablo II lead artist. Here's the backgroud story of the game as stated at their full press release.

L.A.W. BACKGROUND Story

In 2350, the Earth has undergone a nuclear war, diastrophism, and 200 years of ice age. The humans that had fled to the outer space in a spaceship wake up from freeze-sleep and return to the Earth to found a state called "Delka" to rebuild the human civilization. They find that Niks, the mutants that have been created by radioactivity, destroy the authenticity of mankind, and keep them isolated.

However, 'Niks' realize their dignity with the emergence of Leader 'Babitus' and escape from humans for freedom and survival. Then, they found a state in the jungle and enter the era of conflict and war against humans over Power Stone, which are the essential materials for survival.

Let's see how this game will fare in the industry lead by Blizzard's World Of Warcraft.

Source: Former Diablo II Lead Artist Lays Down The L.A.W.

Pearl Jam on Rock Band 2 Wii, Downloadable

2009-03-31T23:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the list of the songs available for in-game download for Rock Band 2 for the Wii.

Pearl Jam "Once"
Pearl Jam "Even Flow"
Pearl Jam "Why Go"
Pearl Jam "Black"
Pearl Jam "Jeremy"
Pearl Jam "Oceans"
Pearl Jam "Porch"
Pearl Jam "Garden"
Pearl Jam "Deep"
Pearl Jam "Release"
Pearl Jam "Master/Slave"
Devo "Through Being Cool"
Faith No More "We Care A Lot"
Fall Out Boy "I Don't Care"

Source: Rock Band 2 For Wii Adds Pearl Jam, Randomness.

Easy Left 4 Dead Expert Campaign? More Like Left 12 Dead..

2009-03-31T23:22:00.000-07:00

Having trouble with Left 4 Dead campaign on expert? Well you can try this modification that you can call Left 12 Dead by playing with 12 players, including yourself, against the zombie horde, but the process to do that I think is not for the fainthearted.

More info: Left 4 Dead? More Like Left 12 Dead.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers Preview Site

2009-03-31T23:13:00.001-07:00

A teaser website for Squeenix's Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for the Wii can be found at http://www.thecrystalbearers.com and the funny thing here is that more content will come with more user clicks. I don't know what the point is with that, maybe they're just testing how good their online advertisements are. So right now there's nothing to do but click the link and check that site.

Resident Evil 5 Zippo Lighter

2009-03-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

Do you like to smoke? Do you like Resident Evil 5? Then this lighter's for you if you got the $127 to spare, the official BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance) lighter from Zippo.

Source: The Hundred Dollar Resident Evil Zippo.

PS2 Price Cut to $99

2009-03-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

A Playstation 2 price cut doesn't really do much for the industry compared to if they did it on their latest console the Playstation 3. It's a given that price cuts happen to consoles who stayed long in the market and the PS2 is the current oldest in this generation. Actually it is already considered last gen by standards. Here's a qoute from Microsoft regarding Sony's claim that that this move will drive more players to the Playstation brand.

"This move from Sony at the end of the PS2's life cycle is not unexpected. We believe, however, that the future lies in the growth of current generation consoles and Xbox 360, as the fastest growing games console last year, with sales up over 80 per cent, will continue to drive the market."

Well, who really cares about the PS2 at this point in time. Gamers want new games, gamers want games for the PS3, gamers want a PS3 price cut, period.

Source: Microsoft Discounts PS2 Price Cut.

Welcome to Wii Yoga

2009-03-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Another family game has been announced for Wii, well it's not really a family game but in the same ranks as last year's Wii Fit in the sense that it's also a fitness game. Soon Wii Yoga will be available which also uses the Wii Balance Board for all your yoga needs. But like Wii Fit I don't think people of all ages will embrace this new idea.

Source: Finally A Dedicated Wii Yoga Game.

DIY Tournament Sticks

2009-03-29T16:49:00.000-07:00

Here's another one of those DIY mods, this time it's a cheap version of the Tournament Sticks used for fighting games like Street Fighter IV, compared to the costly official gaming pads that are in the range of $300, this one will just bleed you around $40 but you may need some electronics knowledge to be successful.

Source: Kick Ass with Shoebox Fight Sticks.

Periodic Table of Controllers

2009-03-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

Want some history of console gaming? Well, not really the whole of console gaming but only the controller part. Here's the periodic table of controllers where you'll find some history and the changes that have been made throughout the years.

Source: Now, the Periodic Table of Controllers.

Dead Space, Resident Evil 4 Rip-Off?

2009-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

Dead Space borrowed the essential parts of the much appreciated series and from there refined some points for innovation. Copying somebody's work and then working on enhancements is never a bad thing as the game's producer said, than creating a totally new game with too much innovation that players tend to get lost. It's the way to incorporate the good things from the past to the continuous enhancement of the future.

Source: How Dead Space Wisely Ripped-Off Resident Evil 4.

Blizzard's New IP?

2009-03-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Aside from their main franchises Starcraft, Diablo and Warcraft along with the "Next-Gen MMO" they're creating, it seams another new Blizzard IP is on its way. The source of this rumor is connected to the new job postings on Blizzard's website. The job description states they are seeking experienced client and gameplay engineers "to focus on graphics and other client systems for an unannounced title." Be this good news, I can't stop but think about the Starcraft and Diablo sequel still not out on shelves. I really don't care what new IPs they're creating, just release new games and we'll be fine. More information: Is Blizzard Working On A Fifth Game?.

Batman: Arkham Asylum Hands-On at GDC '09

2009-03-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

A new episode is coming for the dark knight, but this time it will only be available as a game franchise and not in the movies. Batman: Arkham Asylum will be the caped crusader's latest adventure and so far we're seeing great results. The graphics are nice and the gameplay is solid (this game also uses the Unreal Engine 3) and we're just hoping that this will still ring true once the game is actually released. Hands-On experience: GDC 2009: Batman: Arkham Asylum Hands-On Impressions.

Battlefield 1943 Hands-On at GDC '09

2009-03-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

A downloadable only game is coming to the Xbox Live Arcade, Playstation Network and the PC: Battlefield 1943. This is the latest outing for the battlefield franchise and it will be available anytime this summer. For hands-on preview: GDC 2009: Battlefield 1943 Updated Hands-On.

Professor Layton Sequel 'The Diabolical Box'

2009-03-27T00:18:00.000-07:00

Do you know who Professor Layton is? If you do then you probably have played the DS game Professor Layton and the Curious Village. Good news because of the popularity of the game outside Japan, where it was made, the sequel Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box will hit our stores in six months time. Now time to get those brain juices flowing again to be ready answering riddles once we get our hands on the game. Source: A Clue: Level 5 Lets Layton Sequel Hints Drop.

Game Developers Choice Awards '09: Fallout 3 wins GOTY, Little Big Planet numerous awards

2009-03-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

For the GDC '09 Game Developers Choice Awards, the Game of the Year award goes to Bethesda Softworks' Fallout 3 while many others go to Media Molecule's Little Big Planet and a lifetime achievement award goes to Metal Gear Solid's creator Hideo Kojima. For other awards and full coverage, check it out here: GDC 2009: Fallout 3, LBP win big at GDCAs, Modern Warfare 2 teased.

Crytek's CryENGINE 3 Preview

2009-03-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

A new crytek engine is on its way: CryENGINE3 which further enhances the good graphics seen on games like Crysis for the PC. The good thing here is that this engine can now run across multiple platforms particularly Xbox360 and PS3 so we can expect games with better high definition visuals in the future for the home consoles. For sample pics to drool on: New CryENGINE 3 Trailer, Screens.

Valkyria Chronicles Anime Series

2009-03-26T04:24:00.000-07:00

Vakyria Chronicles will get it own anime series. The anime is produced by A-1 Pictures under the direction of Yasutaka Yamamoto (episode director of xxxHOLiC: Kei, Big Windup!). The theme song will be sung by Canadian Catherine St. Onge, who won the 2nd All-Japan Anison Grand Prix singing contest. Check out the teaset trailer here: Watch The Valkyria Chronicles Anime Trailer.

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Teaser Trailer

2009-03-26T03:19:00.000-07:00

After going back to World War II setting in World at War, Call of Duty returns to the modern era war this year with Modern Warfare 2. Check out the teaser trailer here: http://gdc.gamespot.com/video/6206769/?tag=topslot;thumb;1.

DSi-only and DSi-enhanced cards = Goodbye old DS

2009-03-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Previously were always talking about what's good with the new upcoming Nintendo DSi, now here's some bad news; well not really bad news but only for those who already own the original DS or the DSLite. The bad news is that Nintendo announced DSi-only and DSi-enhanced cartridges will be coming out soon. DSi-only means of course those games will only work for the DSi and DSi-enhanced means it will still work with old DS systems but it will have additional functionality with the new DSi. This really sucks because the bottom line here is that to experience those new features you have to shell out some cash. Now to sell that old DS..

Source: GDC09: DSi-only and DSi Enhanced cards announced.

Street Fighter IV best and worst characters by the fans

2009-03-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Here's the list by ranking of the favorite characters in Street Fighter IV by the fans. Now that's the reason why most of the time I get paired up with Sagat when I play online matches. Source: An Updated List Of The Best, And Worst, Street Fighter IV Characters.

Resistance 2 Downloadable Content

2009-03-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Resistance 2 has new downloadable contents coming. Some of it are free and some are not. The free content will come as a patch required for the game which will probably fix some areas of the game and come with other bonuses, and the paid one will come in the form of the Aftermath map pack, which is a collection of maps for more online multiplayer madness. The map pack will cost $5.99, and to warrant the purchase, check out the preview here: GDC 2009: Resistance 2 DLC Impressions.

Nintendo Wii System Menu 4.0

2009-03-25T15:54:00.000-07:00

A new system update will be available for the Wii which lets users backup their arcade games to an SD memory card. Because of the little storage capacity of the Wii, this addition will let users download more WiiWare from their shop even if they've already maxed out their Wiis. And it will also enable the Wii to work with memory cards of up to 32GB in capacity. Source: Nintendo launches Wii System Menu 4.0, including SD card WiiWare playback.

Motion Sensing Controller for the Xbox360

2009-03-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

The motion sensing controller rumored before for the Xbox360 wasn't a joke as it was showcased today at the GDC 2009. It's called the GameTrak Freedom motion controller. The funny thing here is that Microsoft is really trying to get to Nintendo territory which many gamers think isn't necessary. People are already enjoying games with their ergonomic 360 controller, but imagine playing Gears or Halo with that thing, I'm not sure it will be half as fun. But on the other hand maybe it is just meant for some games and not all which makes the controller an optional hardware purchase which means another lame expenditure for us. And another funny thing is that the same controller will be available for the PS3 too but at a much later date. I mean, come on man, be original. Source: GDC09: GameTrak Freedom motion controller detailed.

Pokemon Platinum (DS)

2009-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Pokemon Platinum, like Diamond and Pearl before it will probably stay as DS's top game for a long time, you know how Pokemon does that right? But for those not in the know, Platinum will still be in the same world as the previous two, with just new Pokemons and some plot twists there, so in a sense it will just feel like a downloadable content of some sort. But for Pokemon fans and maybe newcomers this will still be a good play for the long run as this game really has that factor that makes it addictive even if it's just old school turn based RPG; the reason may somehow be connected to the "Gotta Catch 'em Call" slogan of the franchise as the collecting part may be what keeps the fans coming back for more. So more pokemon simply means more to collect and finally, more hours of playtime.

A Game Guide for those new players can be found here: Pokemon Platinum Version Primer Guide.

Suikoden Tierkreis (DS)

2009-03-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

If you like RPGs, especially those were you can recruit up to 100+ members, then you've definitely played a Suikoden game. A new title is out now for the DS: Suikoden Tierkreis. The good news here is that you'll be able to play Suikoden with the stylus which adds a new experience, but the not-that-good news is nothing much have been added to the gameplay where you'll still be playing a turn-based game with a little strategy most of the time. For full review, check it out here: Suikoden Tierkreis Review.

Spectrobes: Origins for Wii

2009-03-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

A cool colorful game is heading to the Wii, Spectrobes: Origins which continues from the Spectrobes in DS lets you fight your way through galaxies with your light-emmiting friends aptly called spectrobes. It plays like other active time RPGs which you may already be familiar with but with a little splash of Pokemon as you'll collect and upgrade your spectrobe friends. This looks like a promising game for the Wii platform as there seems nothing exciting is coming out for the Wii as of now. If you've played and enjoyed the Spectrobes on the DS this might be a sure buy for you but even for newcomers alike this might be a welcome addition to your wish list this year. Source: GDC 2009: Spectrobes: Origins First Look.

New Gears Of War 2 Snowblind Map Pack

2009-03-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

A new map pack will be available for Gears Of War 2 this March 31st which will extend your experience for this already good shooter. The maps included are Courtyard, Under Hill, Fuel Depot (which was already available from the original Gears Of War) and Grind Yard. Hands-on review here: GDC 2009: Gears of War 2 - Snowblind Map Pack Hands-On.

The Japanese are less interested in video games

2009-03-25T01:53:00.000-07:00

Did they had enough of gaming already? Or they just grew up? But one thing I'm sure is that games are not just for kids but for adults too. But will this mean less games coming out from Japan, especially those nice jRPGs and games by big gaming companies such as Capcom and Konami. This is really bad news for the gaming community if anything but luckily right now the effect would still not be felt. But I'm guessing some of the respondents "maybe" just thinks ahead because of the current economic crisis that they scratched of gaming off their list of priorities for now. I'm hoping maybe. Source: Japanese People Are Less Interested In Video Games.

MMOG revenues continue to rise despite economic crisis

2009-03-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here's the top 10 Most Popular Subscription Games in Terms of Spending
1) World of Warcraft
2) Club Penguin
3) RuneScape
4) Eve Online
5) Final Fantasy XI
6) The Lord of the Rings Online
7) Dofus
8) Age of Conan
9) City of Heroes
10) EverQuest II

It's good to note that WOW alone can drive MMO's to the top as it has continuously dominated everything in terms of sales and player quantity. More news here: Study: MMOG revs top $1.4 billion in 2008.

OnLive makes constantly upgrading your PC obsolete

2009-03-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

You may never need an upgrade to your PC or buy a new console ever again but still play the latest and greatest, high-speced games. How does it work? There's this little micro console called OnLive previewed at the GDC '09. Will this really work?, well.. no ones that sure at this point in time. Read more here: OnLive Makes PC Upgrades Extinct, Lets You Play Crysis On Your TV.

Tomoharu Saito wins Grand Prix Singapore

2009-03-24T16:31:00.000-07:00

Tomoharu Saito wins the latest extended Grand Prix Singapore. He piloted the Naya Zoo deck to the top spot. Here's the decklist:

Main Deck
60 cards

4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Forest
1 Mountain
1 Plains
2 Sacred Foundry
3 Stomping Ground
1 Temple Garden
4 Windswept Heath
4 Wooded Foothills
21 lands

3 Gaddock Teeg
1 Isamaru, Hound of Konda
4 Kird Ape
4 Mogg Fanatic
4 Tarmogoyf
4 Wild Nacatl
4 Woolly Thoctar
24 creatures

2 Incinerate
4 Lightning Helix
4 Path to Exile
3 Seal of Fire
2 Umezawa's Jitte
15 other spells

Sideboard

1 Ancient Grudge
3 Oblivion Ring
4 Pyrostatic Pillar
3 Ranger of Eos
1 Rule of Law
3 Volcanic Fallout
15 sideboard cards

For the full report visit: Saito Slaughters Singapore.

Wii Motion Plus bundles with other games

2009-03-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

You may have heard of this Wii Motion Plus add on for your WiiMotes and the Wii Sports Resort game that will come bundled with it. But sadly that game's not coming out yet so Nintendo will be bundling the said piece of hardware with other games. Is this a move to earn more bucks or maybe an excuse to delay the said game? Source: Rumor: EA bundling MotionPlus with Grand Slam Tennis in Europe.

PS3 Dev Kit Price Cut for Developers

2009-03-24T16:11:00.000-07:00

While people were still waiting for a PS3 price drop, Sony actually did have a price drop, but not in the console itself mind you but in their Playstation Dev Kit. What does this do to help gamers? Well actually nothing unless you're also a game developer, and maybe just maybe, this will help create more good games for the PS3 platform. But don't get your hopes up, the effect of this will be felt a little bit far in the future. More news: Sony introduces a new PS3 dev kit for bargain shoppin' developers.

Unboxing the Resident Evil 5 Limited Edition Xbox360

2009-03-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

You may have heard of this limited edition Resident Evil 5 Elite Xbox360, here's some pics of unboxing the sweet thing. But the first image may really turn you off because it looks like it went through the hands of multiple majinis. Source: 'Resident Evil 5' Xbox 360 unboxing.

Alara Reborn Intro Packs

2009-03-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

The upcoming third expansion Alara Reborn has new intro packs now previewed on the Magic Website. Check them out here: Alara Reborn Intro Packs.

Top Games of February 2009

2009-03-23T05:03:00.000-07:00

Top 20 Games Overall, February 2009

1. WII FIT WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA
2. STREET FIGHTER IV* 360 CAPCOM USA
3. STREET FIGHTER IV* PS3 CAPCOM USA
4. WII PLAY W/ REMOTE WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA
5. KILLZONE 2 PS3 SONY
6. MARIO KART W/WHEEL WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA
7. CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
8. MARIO KART DS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA
9. NEW SUPER MARIO BROS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA
10. GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR* WII ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
11. F.E.A.R. 2: PROJECT ORIGIN 360 WARNER INTERACTIVE
12. SKATE 2 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS
13. LEFT 4 DEAD 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS
14. NBA 2K9 360 TAKE 2 INTERACTIVE
15. HALO 3* 360 MICROSOFT
16. CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR PS3 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
17. LEGO STAR WARS: COMPLETE SAGA WII LUCASARTS
18. GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
19. MY FITNESS COACH WII UBISOFT
20. FALLOUT 3* 360 BETHESDA SOFTWORKS

for full list: February's Top-Selling Games, Accessories By Platform.

Sony ceasing PS3 supply in South Korea

2009-03-23T04:42:00.001-07:00

The reason is that some Japanese are trying to get their PS3's from abroad rather than in their own country because it is cheaper and Sony says this is counter productive considering that those consoles originated from Japan. I wouldn't blame Sony for this move because right now their still struggling to bring back the Playstation brand to the console gaming top spot and this activity by Japanese tourist would just hurt them more in the long run. Source: Korean Report: Sony Halting PS3 Supply.

Japanese gamers satisfied with their Xbox360's

2009-03-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

According to a Japanese magazine, more gamers in the land of the rising sun are satisfied with their Xbox360's than their PS3's or Wii's. But this report won't really determine who's who in their gaming industry because of the quantity of Xbox360 owners in Japan which is relatively low. I can safely say that maybe those that own an Xbox360 liked their console more than those that own the others and I think this can be attributed with the Xbox's Live service and their good library of games available. For the complete article, check this out: Japanese Gamers More Satisfied With Xbox 360 Than Wii Or PS3.

Godfather II The Game

2009-03-22T05:24:00.000-07:00

The sequel to the first Godfather game is coming out, I admit I enjoyed the Wii version of the first one (Blackhand Edition). Anyway I know that you know that this game can be said to be another ripoff of Grand Theft Auto but still I enjoy being a mobster and expanding influence in the godfather way more than the gangster thug style of GTA. I hope it will come with the same appeal as the first one but more features, maybe online?, to keep the experience exciting and true to the name.

Super Nintoaster

2009-03-22T04:52:00.001-07:00

What's up with all these console modifications anyway? By mod I mean case mods and not the illegal ones by the way. Now we'll see a cross between Super Nintendo and a toaster. For the full article and video follow this link: Super Nintoaster gets us all ready for the N64toaster.

Resident Evil 5 (Xbox360)

2009-03-22T01:59:00.000-07:00

If you can get over the old school controls and the dumb coop partner AI, you'll likely find Resident Evil 5 a great game. The only thing the controls benefit from is to make the player feel like playing the old RE games once more, but good thing everything aside from that is already up-to-date. I really liked the rocket launcher look like the ones used in real life and not that four slotted one that I wonder how the hell a girl as slim as Jill could carry that thing. The visuals too are also amazing that sometimes I get hit because I was distracted by the real-looking scenery. Now for the coop AI part, I wish it could've been better, I hated that Sheva always run ahead just to destroy those crates when I'm trying my best to stealth our way across the enemies. And sometimes she helps me sometimes she don't which kinda sucks as it makes me feel lucky if she'd saved me from an enemy; which brings us now to the online coop part which will definitely make things better because two heads are better than one head with an AI.

The story of course is amazing and for those religiously following the series will finally bring you a nice narrative to what happened to their original enemy. Now regarding achievements, this is an easy 930GS I could say as the only hard part of the game is the professional difficulty, and finishing that nets you the final 70GS for your perfect 1000/1000. The game becomes easier once you have the infinite ammos; and also by finishing it under five hours will give you the infinite rocket launcher, but still even with those bonuses the pro difficulty will still give you a hard time.

Final words, if you've liked the previous RE games then you really should try this one out, and also for those who have yet to try an RE game but liked the RE movies, I'd say this is better than the somewhat off-story in the movies. Resident Evil 5 is available for the Xbox360 and the PS3.

For help in achievements, take look at this link: Resident Evil 5 Achievement Guide.

Patapon 2 (PSP)

2009-03-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

The sequel to the best rhythm game out there, well maybe it's just one of a kind, is already out. Patapon 2 returns you as the Almighty to command your Patapon tribe. Now we need to get our body counting again to the beat of their drums and hear them shout "Fever!" once more. Here's a link to the review: Patapon 2 Review.

Resistance: Retribution (PSP)

2009-03-22T01:31:00.000-07:00

Don't have a PS3? Then you've missed out on one of the best first person shooters out there. The Resistance series is a great shooter in the same ranks as Xbox's Halo franchise. But now you have the chance to try it out even if you don't own a PS3 because a new Resistance game is on the PSP: Resistance Retribution. For a full review visit: http://www.gamespot.com/psp/action/resistanceworkingtitle/review.html. Now I need to get me an Auger and start mowing down on those chimeras.

Xbox360™ Regional Compatibility Guide

2009-03-22T01:21:00.000-07:00

Great site that lists Xbox360 games region compatibility.

Link: http://forum.xbox-sky.com/xbox360_regional_compatibility_guide/

Bioshock2 to be released across three platforms simultaneously

2009-03-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

Bioshock 2 is to be released simultaneously across the PC, Xbox360 and the PS3. This is good news for PS3 owners who only had the chance to play the first game after a year of being released on the PC and Xbox360. More news here: BioShock2 "simultaneous" release.

Nintendo DSi greatest feature

2009-03-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

The slightly larger screens, thinner body, dual cameras and memory card slot is not really the main feature of the new Nintendo DSi, but the DSi Shop. Just like their Wii's WiiWare or PS3's PSN and Xbox360's XBL Marketplace, the best selling handheld will now come with their own online store. This is good news for those looking for other games not available in retail and maybe some DLC's to extend the life of their current game library. But because the DSi is not really a new handheld, it's just like Gameboy Advanced's GBA SP upgrade, I still think it will not appeal that much to current owners of the DSLite. Maybe for casual gamers and some girls hooked to the DS, but for hardcore gamers enjoying their Xbox360/PS3 I think it's a pass. Link to this topic: Nintendo working up "major app strategy" for DSi?

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 preview coming March 24

2009-03-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Just like Ninja Gaiden's sequel to the Xbox360: Ninja Gaiden 2, now comes Ninja Gaiden Sigma's sequel for the PS3: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Not much yet was revealed about the game but Tecmo said those details will come in starting March 24. I'm somehow excited that Dead Or Alive's Ayane will be a playable character in this one. Original post: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 set for fall.

Puzzle Quest: Galactrix

2009-03-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

If you've played Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlord, a sequel to the game is coming out. Well it's not actually a sequel storywise, just a follow up to the Puzzle Quest IP. It's amazing how they managed to incorporate simple puzzling with RPG elements into one addicting package. I'm just hoping this one is as good if not better than the last. In Galaxtrix we'll see if puzzles and outer space is a good match. Review found here: Puzzle Quest: Galactrix PC Review: Lost In Space.

DLCs for Valkyria Chronicles

2009-03-16T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you've enjoyed the game you can add more value to your purchase because Sega is going to release 3 new DLC packs for Valkyria Chronicles. This is pretty good considering the game's on the short side when it comes to the story, remember this game is an RPG, and most of the time your just watching short cutscenes. For details regarding the DLCs follow this link (Valkyria Chronicles Getting Triple Deployment Of DLC).

Resident Evil 5 Online Versus Mode To Cost $4.99

2009-03-14T04:09:00.000-07:00

Resident Evil 5 charges $4.99 for online versus mode. Yes you heard it right, you have to cough up the dough if you want to experience what is commonplace among action/shooter games in the gaming industry. Good thing versus mode in Street Fighter IV is free. I don't know what to think of Capcom if this kind of thing continues in their future releases, I mean come on man, look at Left 4 Dead with their free online modes and their free additional downloadable content. What's up with that? Source: Capcom defends $5 RE5 Versus mode.

Xbox 360 Outsells Wii, PS3 In Japan

2009-03-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

- quote -

Xbox 360 Outsells Wii, PS3 In Japan
By Michael McWhertor, 12:30 PM on Thu Feb 26 2009

How did Microsoft manage to sell more Xbox 360s than the competition this week in Japan? With a little help from Square Enix's Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope.

The role-playing game shot the Xbox 360 from its regular second-to-last place showing to third—it was still behind the Nintendo DSi and PSP—besting sales of both Nintendo and Sony's console hardware. The 360 had previously kicked its console competition to the curb thanks to strong sales of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Tales of Vesperia and Infinite Undiscovery.

This represents the fourth week that Microsoft has managed to outsell its competition in Japan.

As you can see there was much to compete with, as weekly sales of the Wii and PS3 were on the lower end of Media Create's numbers. Still, it keeps things interesting in a regularly dull hardware race.

- end quote -

source: http://kotaku.com/5161009/xbox-360-outsells-wii-ps3-in-japan

Is this really happening? Well it just did happen anyway. Aside from that xbox thing, I noticed that the DS and PSP are on top of the list, meaning more people still prefer handhelds over home consoles, which means more gamers are still for past-time gaming than hardcore gaming.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

2009-03-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

A sequel to Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is slated to come out for the Wii along with remakes of two Gamecube RE games: Resident Evil Zero and the remake of the original Resident Evil which fans like to call REmake. The Darkside Chronicles of course will still be an on-rails shooter like the first one but now it features Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield as protagonists to show a different angle on what happened on their side of the story. The game is to be released at winter time this year so it is still a long ways yet but RE fans won't be disappointed as Resident Evil 5 was just released. A video preview of the game can be found here (The First Trailer For Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles).

The Last Remnant on its way to the PC

2009-03-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Square-Enix's fantasy RPG The Last Remnant is heading to the PC. This was previously only exclusive to the Xbox360 console. My review of this game can be found a few posts back. I hope my only negative point in the game will be finally straightened out at this release, and maybe more players can get hooked to this really good RPG. Original post from Gamespot can be found here (We Just Played The Last Remnant for PC).

Gateway P-7808u FX

2009-03-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here comes another bang for the buck gaming laptop from gateway. Well, I know it still costs a lot at $1600 but compare it with something like Alienware and there you get your bang for the buck. Unboxing the unit can be found here (Gateway P-7808u FX gaming laptop unboxing and hands-on).

Nassif's CounterTop wins!

2009-03-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Just after winning the Pro Tour Kyoto Gabriel Nassif once again proved his greatness at the 2009 Grand Prix Chicago where the format was Legacy and he won with his own version of the CounterTop deck. Here is the decklist:

Main Deck
60 cards

4 Flooded Strand
2 Island
4 Polluted Delta
3 Tropical Island
3 Tundra
4 Underground Sea
20 lands

4 Dark Confidant
2 Sower of Temptation
4 Tarmogoyf
2 Trygon Predator
12 creatures

4 Brainstorm
4 Counterbalance
3 Daze
4 Force of Will
1 Krosan Grip
2 Ponder
4 Sensei's Divining Top
4 Swords to Plowshares
2 Vedalken Shackles
28 other spells

Sideboard

1 Blue Elemental Blast
1 Burrenton Forge-Tender
1 Darkblast
1 Energy Flux
1 Engineered Plague
1 Enlightened Tutor
1 Hydroblast
1 Kataki, War's Wage
1 Krosan Grip
1 Perish
1 Planar Void
1 Relic of Progenitus
1 Threads of Disloyalty
1 Tormod's Crypt
1 Umezawa's Jitte
15 sideboard cards

For more information regarding the tournament, look into Magic's own website and read on (Two Victories in a Row for Gabriel Nassif!).

Bioshock 2's Big Sister

2009-03-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a teaser image from Game Informer magazine featuring the upcoming sci-fi first person shooter Bioshock 2. Here's hoping the game still stays true to the formula of the original as being creepy as hell. Following is the link to the original post found on Kotaku.com (First Image of BioShock 2's Big Sister).

Castlevania: Order Of Ecclesia (DS)

2009-03-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is the latest iteration in the series for the DS handheld console. What I like most about Castlevania games is that they mix the old school with the new school. You'll feel like playing a game you've known for so long yet you'll be surprised at the new elements found within it. One thing new for this game is that the protagonist is a girl, yes you heard me right, and the way the game plays is similar to Gameboy Advanced's Aria of Sorrow and DS's Dawn of Sorrow where you absorb and use enemy skills to your advantage. At first just looking at the menu seems complicated but you'll get used to it fast enough into the game. Those power from enemies are called Glyphs and you can link two of them to perform more devastating attacks.

Of course it still plays as a 2D platformer which never ceases to amazes fans of the title, where in fact it's just like old Mario games. The story still revolves around the ultimate evil called Dracula, being reborn time and again because of humanity's dark side calling upon him. This one can be too hard for newcomers but because of its amzing audio and visuals mixed with some good RPG elements, it is easy to get hooked. It plays for around 20-30 hours maybe maxing out at 100 if you try to do a second run for HARD mode and complete those other extra game modes. I really recommend you play this game and the other Castlevania games, namely Dawn of Sorrow and Portrait of Ruin if haven't yet.

I also have found a good source for tips and guide regarding this game on this (Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia walkthrough / game guide).

What's up with all these retroblogs?

2009-03-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

Now maybe you're asking "What's up with all these retroblogs?", well let me tell you that they're blogs from my old discontinued blog which really didn't hit the public, that's what you get when you join those social network sites and use their extra blog services. Well I just think the purpose of a blog is for the whole world to see and not just your network of friends, so here I am publishing my previous posts and hoping you'll find some use for them. Don't worry starting now it'll be new posts from here on out. Thanks.

Retroblog: The Last Remnant (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T16:07:00.001-07:00

Originally posted: Feb 16, '09

The Last Remnant is a turn-based role-playing game from Square-Enix which uses the Unreal Engine. RPGs have really come a long way with graphics, imagine the old Final Fantasies or Breath Of Fires compared to this game or Lost Odyssey, but don't let me turn you off this game in my next statement because it is still a great RPG if you get past its weakness. Yes, this game has issues with graphics, from first look it's really beautiful and the images are highly defined, but the problem lies when it is loading battles or areas whenever you enter one. It has this issue with texture popups, it's almost always delayed, and at first it's annoying but you can get used to it, and I think another thing that might help is by installing the game to the HDD rather than playing directly on the disc. I really wished they had longer loading times like Lost Odyssey than letting the player see it loading the images themselves. Some say this is the result when a Japanese company used an American technology they are not that familiar with. But look at Lost Odyssey, it's also made by a Japanese company, so I conclude that it's just a lame excuse.

Now that that's cleared up and you get passed that weakness, you'll see The Last Remnant a fun and addictive game. I think I can compare this game with Square-Enix's Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core for the PSP, in the sense that it has only a short story that you can clear maybe about 15 hours if you just stick to it, but aside from that it has tons of quests, though not related to the main story will help you understand tidbits about the world you're in and aid you in leveling up your characters; and I think in this game you really need to do side quests as that is the only way to get huge amounts of money and the experience you need because later in the game bosses really become hard and frustrating if you're not prepared. So yeah, this game is for those who really appreciate side missions, and like to challenge hidden bosses, collect rare loots and anything in between. Now another unique aspect in this game is its leveling system; simply put the higher your level doesn't equate to the strength of your party, power here lies in the stats and skills of your characters and you get them even in between leveling up; so a tip is just to try to get more stat boosts and skills rather than levels because the higher your level also means higher level for your enemies. Also this game has so far one of the strongest extra boss found in today's RPGs, that if unprepared will shred you to pieces, so this is an extra challenge for those looking for some, and did I mention beating it will net you a well earned 200 gamerscore?

The Last Remnant is exclusive for the Xbox 360, though some sources say they'll also release this soon for the PS3 like what happened with Eternal Sonata, but what's the point?, it'll be a year old and everybody else will play Final Fantasy XIII by then to even give this one attention, so I think so far the Xbox 360 is still the home for the RPG gamer. Four out of five stars just because of the texture popups issue. Still a nice game for the role-players out there.

Retroblog: Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)

2009-03-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Feb 3, '09

Valkyria Chronicles is an exclusive strategy-rpg for the PS3. What you'll first notice when you boot up the game is the fancy stationery type of graphics and it's what will get you hooked on this game for a long time, much like the new Prince Of Persia's graphics this one is also unique and fresh to the eyes. Aside from that it also has a good linear story about war, some say it's childish but never the less, it won't make you lose interest from the game itself. This one has many things to read, and you'll also notice that quickly because of the booklike menus that contains the chapters, you'll really feel like reading a fantasy war novel. It also has short cut scenes but each one is more than enough for you to feast your eyes by making you scroll through scenes of the wonderful artistic rendition of this games makers.

If you ask me what game can I compare this one, no it's not Final Fantasy Tactics and not Disgaea too, because in this one you don't get grids but for every character you move, you'll get a limited amount of movement points not represented by grids but by bringing you to the action by letting you control them like 3rd person shooters. And it really is action because once you select a character to move and then you face enemies, you won't get the time to think what to do next because they'll immediately attack you once you get in their line of sight. Now, it really is a unique kind of SRPG right, but guess what I'll compare this one to, and it's not because of the gameplay but of the whole environment itself, it's none other that the Advance Wars on the GameBoy Advance. Why? because both of them has war setting, so it's given that they both have soldiers, tanks, artilleries, and you capture bases to win.

Anyway, this game is made by Sega, and I'm really surprised to know that they can make this kind of game, why only now? And you should also know that this game received great reviews from your trusted game sites like IGN and Gamespot but it didn't receive that much attention from the gaming crowd. I guess there's something wrong with Sega's advertising department. If they can only push games like this to the mainstream, then we'll see more good RPGs without the Square-Enix label, and lately Squeenix's not publishing good RPGs so it may just be the right time for others to shine.

If you played other games by Sega you'll find cameos here, though the only ones I knew are Vyse and Aika from Skies Of Arcadia back in Gamecube. Now, I reckon ths is the best RPG yet available for the PS3 barring multi-plat ones, so you should really give this a try if you got a PS3 and get ready to feast your eyes in this hidden jewel. Squad 7, move out!

Retroblog: Skate 2 (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T16:03:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Feb 2, '09

Move over Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, here comes EA's Skate. This is the statement that can be said with the first Skate game and it still remains true until now; and the fact that Tony Hawk's Proving Ground doesn't prove anything but just stay with the same thing from 10 years ago did not help either.

I don't know how to say this but EA's Skate (in skateboarders' terms) has more pop in it. You know that this genre must cater to what skaters in real life would like, much like what NBA Live or 2K should do to basketball fans; and the Skate game delivers more in that area. Yes you can do crazy tricks in this game also but it's not like the 360 boneless late flip to nose bluntslide to 360 flip overcrooked to 180 varial kickflip backside smith to inward heelflip to manual to impossible to 180 nosegrind to you-get-the-idea-now in Tony Hawk's games. Tricks in this game are more realistic in the sense that you use your controller's flick stick to pop and drag your board so to accomplish what I've just said in the THPS games it will take you more effort and in the sense removes the fun that you should really experience in this game. I can't explain in words how fun it is for me to do 360 flips in this game (as you know in real life that's one trick I'm still frustrated I haven't landed yet) compared to down, down, square (correct me if I'm wrong) in Tony Hawk's; here the flick motion your doing fells much the same in what you'll do with your feet in real life.

What's new in Skate 2 is that you can now leave your board and walk to places you can't reach so you can get to those really gnarly bone-breaking spots; and you can now move some objects like ramps, rails and barriers to help or hinder you with your tricks. And the Thrasher Hall-Of-Meat doesn't just tell you of how much pawned you are when you bail but is also another aspect of the game to accomplish as it now has bail missions for you to complete.

Another aspect that's great is the career mode where you'll feel like a real skater looking for sponsorship in a wide sandbox city. In here there are no stages, no SKATE letters to collect, no Films, no Hidden Items floating in air, nothing. You just do your tricks to be on the cover of magazines, do what the pros are asking you, and earn money to buy new clothing and accessories, as simple as it can be. And also, no crazy 1,000,000 sick scores to get. The career mode will take you about 30-40 hours of gameplay depending if you'll beat all the pros in their own game, but it's pretty much straighforward, do tricks, get noticed, get sponsored and you're done, much like what it should really be. No even though its that simple there's more to find in this game aside from the career part which is the online mode, where you can freeskate with friends online and play games of S-K-A-T-E, upload and dowload clips, photos and created spots.

Skate 2 is available on Xbox360 and the PS3. I gave it four out of five stars because only skateboarders in real life can relate to some of its craziness and get the most fun out of it (for me of course it's a five star). Go skate!

Retroblog: Resistance 2 (PS3)

2009-03-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Orignally posted: Jan 23, '09

Resistance 2. An exclusive first person shooter for the PS3. At first glance you'd think this is their answer for the Xbox360's Gears Of War series but I can tell you that this game is more Halo-ish than Gears-ish (yeah I'm just inventing words but you get the idea). Why'd I say so?, simply because the enemies and weapons here are more futuristic, some weapons fire laser like blasts and the enemies somewhat look alike those found in Halo; and yes Gears has more badass weapons and enemies so it's pretty much different. Now that you get the idea and stop comparing Resistance and Gears for the first time, you'll soon find Resistance 2 a good game.

The campaign mode is a great experience, there's never a dull moment especially when you're faced with a great array of different kinds of enemies; and also when you're faced with gargantuan bosses. You'll know that Resistance 2 has one of the biggest boss found in a game when you hear other people comparing other games' boss sizes to it. Another excellent enemy you'll face is the chameleon, which hides itself in an area you'll be getting to when it will just show itself to instantly kill you, the only cue you get is the rustling sound and a little bit of imaginary outline as it comes closer to you. This is just a regular enemy in the game, so you're better off always ready with a shotgun or another strong close combat weapon just in case. Other enemies includes small flying UFOs to large titans (which can also kill with one-hit) and everything in between; and that's the action you'll mostly face in the campaign mode. Next, the weapons array is also cool, from exploding magnums, your regular SMGs and shotgun, to slow-mo sniper rifles to rockets launchers and nuclear weapons; but for me the best weapon in this game is the auger, an SMG type weapon which fires laser type blasts; but what got me hooked on this one is its ability to detect enemies behind walls while you're holding it and that its blasts can go through those same walls so nothing can hide in your slaughter and to top that off it also has a bonus frontal shield you can cast that covers you from regular bullets but can only be cast a number of times. Now you'll say, "hey that's cheating!", but remember that your enemies too can also wield this demon of a weapon.

Another good aspect of Resistance 2 is its online modes, especially the cooperative one which is different from other regular shooters in that it is totally a different game from the main campaign, so you'll get like 2 games in one in this package. And in those same online modes you also level up your characters so you can later return from where you left off and this somewhat gives more life to your online experience.

Now, if you ask me what's better between Gears 2 and Resistance 2, all I can say is that if you have an Xbox360 go get Gears Of War 2 and if you have a PS3 go get Resistance 2, but if you have both consoles then go grab both games because they are both good in their own ways.

Retroblog: Tales Of Vesperia (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Jan 20, '09

First of all if you like those high definition full 3D games like Lost Odyssey, then stay away from Tales Of Vesperia, why?, because this game is pretty much anime on every aspect with just simple 3D to add. For me I think those who have played the old Tales games are the ones who will enjoy Vesperia the most. Because this game has stayed to its roots but in a positive and addictive way. If you did had fun on an old Tales game then I'll bet you you'll love this one ten times, but that's not to say newcomers won't enjoy much, I'm just warning you that if you're looking for a good looking 3D game, you might be frustrated with this one. This game is definitely more of a service to hardcore fans than anything else and just to give you an idea for comparison, this game and Eternal Sonata are from the same publisher Namco Bandai, and both of them have cel-shaded graphics, Eternal Sonata came about a year earlier than Tales Of Vesperia, but why does it have less powerful graphics? That's the point, it wants to hold on to the magic it already has. Anyway for me, however it looks, a Tales game is still a Tales game.

If you get over the initial looks of the game, you'll find Tales Of Vesperia a well-told, action-packed RPG. The story is compelling, voice acting good and with some humor to boot, and the whole experience is what will keep you coming back for more. Character development is also good but it doesn't pay that well because you can only use one character in battle. Yes you can switch characters while in battle and do some AI stuff for those you wouldn't control but you'll mostly be using the main character in your adventures. This game is long if you do all the side events, and it somehow sucks that there are definitely plenty of missable items/events in this game, so for every story event you do, you pretty much have to check back on some older towns you've already visited so you won't miss out. Aside from that, it also has plenty of dungeons for you to scour and lots of towns with NPCs for you to interact with. Like other Tales games, this one is divided into three parts, like three chapters, and each one will take a lot of time to finish, so you'll mostly clock out 80 hours just to finish the game the first time, but don't worry, if you have the patience to play the game again, it is possible to do it in less than 12 hours. With the EX mode unlocked after finishing the game one time, all items and weapons will be carried over to the new game so playing it again will be a breeze. Now you're wondering why in hell will you play a long RPG the second time around. Well, let's just say there are plenty of bonuses and if you're the completionist type of person, there are things you can only accomplish on your second playthrough.

Now with those plenty of things to do in this game, the one thing you'll need more of is more time to play this game as it's easy to get hooked on this one. And just as a bonus, there are lots of surprises and cameos on this game but I won't go much into detail so as not to spoil the fun. If you liked the previous Tales games or anime based RPGs then this one's for you. Tales Of Vesperia is only available for the Xbox360.

Retroblog: Lost Odyssey (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T09:05:00.001-07:00

Originally posted: Jan 20, '09

This review is a little bit overdue as this game was released at about the same time today last year, so a year has passed already but I still feel compelled to do because this game is my favorite JRPG in the Xbox360. I already completed the game December last year but it's only now that I found the time to write a review, so here goes.

I just made a bold statement that this is the best JRPG for me in the Xbox360 and I tend to clarify the prefix "J", which means Japanese, which is different from the other half which are the WRPGs, "W" for Western. So how does the two differ? First JRPGs are made in Japan and WRPGs from US or Europe. But that doesn't end the differences; for one mostly JRPGs are turn based or if not it still has some element of it but somehow mixed with a little action and also you're travelling with a party; while mostly WRPGs are hack-and-slash based and most of the time you are alone wandering. So for me it's unfair to compare those two sub-genres of RPGs. Now that that's cleared I'm gonna tell again that so far for me Lost Odyssey is the best JPRG in the 360 closely followed by Tales Of Vesperia. In the future we'll see if Final Fantasy XIII will take the crown or maybe The Last Remnant if I find time to finish it.

What made me like Lost Odyssey so much is that it really feels like the old Final Fanstasy, purely turn based, black magic, white magic and learning skills through weapons. The only difference is the lack of summons, but the gigantic bosses pretty much make up for it if you just want to see huge monsters covering up your screen. The story as you'll expect is dramatic, the sounds amazing, the character graphics feature big sprites similar to Final Fantasy VIII but of course much better 3D rendering now. The background rendering and 3D cinematics are also top notch and paired with the best voice acting you'll see in years makes playing this game really a breathtaking experience. The game is also long, with estimated time to finish around 80 hours if you complete all the side quests (and just to give you an idea, the game houses four, yes that's four dual-layer DVDs); and it also somehow eliminates level grinding as the experience the enemies' give becomes 1 if you reached a certain level in a specific area; but good thing every level only requires you 100 experience points, but still grinding for only 1xp per enemy is not fun. There's also another aspect of Lost Odyssey that is amazing which is the "Thousand Years Of Dreams" which chronicles the main character's past; as this one gets you more depth into the story but only if you really like to read as it shows only texts.

I like to say more things about this game, but I want you to experience it yourselves, bring back the hardcore gaming of your childhood; and also just a little bit more of encouragement, the game was developed by some guys that left Square-Enix to form a new company Mistwalker, so you're assured of the Final Fantasy quality if that's what you need to know; but for everybody else that's a JRPG fan or an RPG fan this is really a good game to try, heck if you're really an RPG fan I'm mostly sure you've already played this.

Lost Odyssey is exclusive for the Xbox360. I'll say it again, best JRPG for me in the 360 and I'm still looking for a game to beat it, I'm looking at you Final Fantasy XIII.

Retroblog: Prince Of Persia (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Dec 22, '08

Prince Of Persia is an amazing game, it's what you call a full gaming experience, if only games have a standard to follow, this game's a good one to set it up. The visuals are amazing, sounds good, gameplay not that frustrating but at the same time still challenging, good for hardcore gamers and newcomers alike.

The plot is simple, you come from out of nowhere looking for your lost donkey and the next minute the end of the world is imminent, then you've discovered a beautiful lady, Elika, that seems to be the key to all that's happening around and she'll be your companion throughout the rest of the game. Fights are a little bit easy as every time it will always be a one-on-one battle if not two-on-one in your favor because Elika is always beside you and she's one form of your attacks. The only thing left now is the environment; yes there are plenty of jumps and acrobatic moves as what you'd expect from a Prince Of Persia game, but it's all manageable and not the least bit frustrating, as every time you fall to your demise (if you'd call that death because Elika saves you everytime you fall, but in the sense of the game that is what death is) you'll just be back to the last platform you stood at, and then you can try again as many times as you want until you succeed. I say the learning curve is about 20 minutes and then your set to one hell of an experience.

For the visuals, its really a refreshing treat to look at, imagine 2D characters on top of 3D background, the blending is amazing and never felt awkward, some might say Assassins' Creed's graphics is better as it's full 3D but for me I like this one better, it's like something fresh for the eyes, but anyway both those games are made by the same people at Ubisoft Montreal so there's no point really in comparing, I just really think what they did for this game's visuals is a good step for the Prince franchise instead of keeping it in the old style.

To finish the game, I think it only takes around 10 hours, so I can safely say you can finish it in a day, but I did it in 2 days as I have other things to do than gaming (I eat and sleep too just like you :lol:). Even though short it is still worth it and you can still extend your playing time by trying to collect light seeds around the sandbox, just like flags in Assassins' Creed; and not only that, you can try to play the game and do the "die less than a hundred times" achievement. This game is an easy 800 gamerscore as most achievements will come your way without even trying. As a final note, I recommend this game to anyone out there with an Xbox360, a PS3 or PC, a great game you should really experience, and since it's vacation time you really have no excuse not to play it.

Retroblog: Fable II (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T08:40:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Dec 7, '08

There's something about Fable 2 that feels at home when you play it; yes it's a new game but while playing you feel that you've already known each other for so long, not in a bad way but this is something that games should make you feel.. at home. Fable 2 is a Western RPG, meaning hack-n-slash and not turn-based; its locations are divided into regions but it still has that sandbox feel to it. The story is quite short but do a lot of side quests and it becomes lengthy as what a role-playing game should be. Some exciting sidequests are the usual collecting of items, owning of properties, doing jobs, raising a family, raising another family beyond the first, yes you heard it right, etc. this is as open as an open world game should get.

Leveling up in Fable is different, as your skills are divided into 3 groups, strength (melee), skill (range) and will (magic). In this game you do not get from one level to another, only these 3 categories do, so always doing melee means you only develop your melee skills and you'll leave your long-range skills behind. So the best tip is to use all of them equally so you'll be a more robust adventurer and ready for any obstacle the game puts in front of you. Anyway, it's possible to master all the skills available in the game, so you do not have to hold back at it. Next, when it comes to the gameplay, I can say it's somewhat similar to Elder Scrolls Oblivion (and any fantasy RPG I think is done right) where you'll go to deep forests and dungeons fighting bandits, goblins and the undead. Another unique aspect this game brings to the table is its expression wheel which you'll be using to interact with NPCs. You can laugh, flirt, annoy, tease, etc. with them which has different outcomes depending on what that certain person wants. This game also has the morality alignment thing that some games have; the option to choose between good and evil, while it seems going the good way is the always correct choice, some items and stuff in Fable 2 can only be unlocked by going the dark side, so always think ahead, by the way there's a way you can immediately go 100% good from 100% evil so it's sometimes good to go bad.

There's still plenty of things you can experience in this game but I'll leave it to you to see for yourself. So if you're looking for a good fantasy role-playing experience this holiday season, look no further than Fable 2. This game is exclusive for the Xbox 360.

Lenovo IdeaPad Y650

2009-03-10T01:49:00.000-07:00

For those looking for a nice gaming laptop, Lenovo's offering a cool looking high-speced machine in a 16 inch package. I think 16 inch is really the perfect spot for gaming, not small like the 14-15 inchers yet not that big and heavy as those 17 inch desktop replacements. And I also liked the way this model's design is heading for the Lenovo Brand, you really cannot compare it with their previous ThinkPad which I can say look totally outdated even if they had the latest specs. After all it's not just specs, but looks also, that matters to most gamers. For the review, follow this link (Lenovo IdeaPad Y650 (418534U)).

Retroblog: Fallout 3 (Xbox360)

2009-03-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Nov 26, '08

Although I admit it feels like Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in the first place, it is a completely new experience for the true RPG fanatics. Its free world to roam, a devastated world at that, with guns instead of your common sword, axe or bow from traditional RPGs because of its futuristic plot is what made Fallout 3 a legend on its own. First, in this game you are free to create the look of your own character, so it's really something that bonds you to your character's development; next is the stats where you are also free to create your own build, be it melee or long range, stealth or all-out, and anything in between. Another thing that adds to your stats are your perks, these bonuses really determine what your character can do. And lastly the VATS, the Vault-tec Assisted Targeting System, which make Fallout different than your average shooter; with the help of VATS, you can easily plant bullets inside your enemies' bodies without them interfering, but be careful on this because after the VATS animation, you are back to the FPS or 3PS view. There's nothing more I can say about character development aside from the fact that your level caps off at 20, so better put skill points on what you really intend to use.

On to the gameplay, when it comes to your menu, you have the Pip-Boy 3000 which is a cool looking gadget attached to your hands but its true purpose is it serves as your all around menu, from your stats, items, weapons, armor, quests, etc. it displays all the information you need. Then there's the basic sneak mode, lockpicking, hacking and dialogue, which you may already be familiar with if you've played Oblivion, and you know that these are important skills to level up. Also here you have the choice to be good, bad or neutral, which most RPGs now incorporate to fit the game style and personality of everyone who plays the game. Next, when it comes to side quests, Bethesda (this game's creator) really let you feel that they are important individual quests on their own, and sometimes even better than the main storyline, and best of all you can do them in any order you see fit aside from ones that open up after finishing certain ones, which I think in this game are only a few. On to combat, when you first start the game, it's not that fun because you can easily get butchered by enemies; but when you got the cool weapons, the minigun or missile launcher for example, then that's what really bring excitement to the game, seeing your enemies head explode, their bodies turn to dust or melt, it's sometimes rewarding.

You can finish this game at about 15 to 20 hours if you only play through the main quest, but to do every achievement it took me 50 to 60 hours, and if you plan to explore every nook and cranny, I think it will take you over a hundred hours. But even though you can finish it under 20 hours, there's still replayability on this game, because you can try becoming bad in your next gameplay if you finished it before on good and vice versa, and see different results. The game's audio and visuals are amazing and really captures the feel of the game which is sometimes creepy but sometimes funny. This game is a must play for any RPG fans out there, it is available on the Xbox360, PS3 and the PC. This is my vote for any Game of the Year contest that will come out this year ender. This is the true hack and slash RPG game, because you literally hack (well.. computers) on this one. Ten out of five stars. Okay just kidding, maybe 9.5 out of five stars. Go play it!

Retroblog: Gears Of War 2 (Xbox360)

2009-03-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Nov 17, '08

This game just reeks of action, in fact when it comes to the word "action" you can simply say Gears Of War 2 because this game is in itself the true meaning of action, from the first act of the game to the final act, it will keep you hanging off of your seat. Sadly the story mode is pretty short but still longer than the first gears; now even though short, the gameplay is nowhere lacking, from the hordes of locust always waiting for you just around the corner to the huge and overwhelming boss fights, there's really no second in the game where you can rest your fingers from mashing the controller.

I want to talk about the great plot of the game but in doing so I can't avoid spoilers so I'll just keep myself from talking about it but instead talk about the other features this game offers. First new weapons, yes there are new exciting weapons, from the mortar to the flamethrower to the torque bow, though I'm not sure if these were already in the first game. Next, you're not the only one who can do chainsaw kills but also your opponents, so when both of you do the chainsaw move at the same time, there will be a button mashing game to determine who will be ripped up to shreds. Another is the finishing moves for downed but not out enemies, now there are varieties and not just boot stomping, isn't that great, more fatality moves here. Next, when it comes to covering up your ass, here you just don't have the duck to nearby cover option, but you can use downed enemies and as meatshield and the shields dropped by mauler boomers for cover, but in doing so, just remember that you can only use handguns.

Besides from those features, there are still many multiplayer modes available, though I haven't tried them yet so I cannot include them here. But one great addition when it comes to achievements is that the game tracks them for you, so you're aware when your nearing completion of a certain achievement, it is really a great addition to an already excellent game. The only thing I don't like is the unlockable characters where you need something done in the first Gears to unlock them, which I thought Microsoft doesn't allow, but seems allowed in this game; as I don't want to replay the first game just to get these unlockables.

As a final word, If you own an Xbox 360, there is no way that you should be missing this game, definite must play, my vote for Game Of The Year, if not for Fallout 3 and the other great games coming this December. 6 out of 5 stars. Really.

Retroblog: Dead Space (Xbox360)

2009-03-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Nov 9, '08

Dead Space. The new Bioshock. This game is my vote for the outstanding and unique game this year similar to what Bioshock brought to the gaming community last year. If you think this game's idea is a bit overrated, you know the space environment and aliens theme, well you're simply wrong. This game is unique in all sense of the word, first thing in this game you're not some soldier commando space crusader hybrid, no, here you're just a space miner sent into space to fix something, at such you don't have the image of a warrior. Next because you're somewhat of a miner then your weapons are their tools, from the cutter to the chainsaw and the flamethrower, etc. which is really unique for this genre. Another thing if you're comfortable with regular first person shooters where you target the head for huge damage, here that will change because in this game it is more important to cut of the limbs of the enemy to deal significant damage than just blowing their heads up, so it is definitely a change in strategies. Last thing this game is also in the survival horror sub-genre of games and it does a good job in doing so, as there's never a moment in the game where you can say you're safe at your comfort zones because many times it will surprise you with different kinds of attacks.

When it comes to the story it also doesn't come cheap. Just like Bioshock, it brings a deep and complex plot where you don't have a clue who's friend or foe in your little group of companions, which is really a good thing as at least you'll be using your brain understanding the story and not just spend them doing wild killing sprees. One other thing, a good addition to this genre is dynamic interactive menus, which simpy means that while tinkering with items and weapons your enemies are still on their way wanting to slice your head off, which adds greatly to the thrill. And the HUDs in this game too is simply amazing, as they did use the character's back and a little space on the weapons' top while in aiming mode to display it and not just floating on the screen like most games are. One word of advice if you really want to get deep in the story, there is an animation film released entitled Dead Space Downfall that's available now in DVD and Blu-Ray that you can watch to understand what happened before the story starts in the game.

The gameplay length is pretty average as you'll probably spend about 8-12 hours to finish the game depending if you know where you're going to and not just wondering around (which I've probably done as the environment is really stunning). But this game still has replay value as once you finished the game, there will unlock an impossible game mode which is probably the hardest mode in the game, and not just that you can also continue in New Game+ mode where you'll retain all your weapons, items and upgrades from the previous playthrough where I think this mode's purpose is for you to complete whatever you missed in the first run. All in all a really good game that is a definite must play; the sounds, visuals, story and gameplay (specially boss fights) are all excellent. I really can't write the words to tell you how good this game is, but think about this, I put down Fallout 3 for a day just to finish this game, it really is that good. Anyway, Dead Space is also avaible on the Playstation 3 and the PC.

The new rarity in Magic: Mythic

2009-03-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

In connection with the previous post, there's also a new card rarity available in Magic: The Gathering.. the Mythic rares. Yes, it's much rarer than rares in like appearing only once in about eight booster packs, but one thing I'm sure of is not every mythic rare is uber powered, it's just that those cards feel well.. mythic. Also because of this harder to get cards now included in sets starting with Shards of Alara block, I think this new rarity is the reason for driving new cards to be high in prices, like above the $20 range. Even the Ravnica block dual lands did'nt top that $20 mark, so I think it really sucks especially for budget gamers, but overall for the community, I think it's doing a great service by keeping the game fresh and healthy. For card odds approximation, check out the official post by Magic: The Gathering (Changes as of Shards of Alara).

The new card type in Magic: Planeswalker

2009-03-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

I've been playing Magic: The Gathering on and off for some time now and I think the last set I've played was the Time Spiral Block which was cool because of the reprints but somehow not that much great for me than its previous block Ravnica which has the new revisions of Dual Lands.. so until now I haven't seen or heard anything Magic and to my surprise when I tried to search what's happening now to the community is that I was faced with something amazing and eye candy in the form of a new card type: Planeswalker. The first I've seen it I really felt old school, is this what has become of Magic? I've only left for like 2 years.. well for those interested and don't know yet about this new card type, you can follow this link on the official website of Magic: The Gathering (Planeswalker Rules).

Retroblog: Little Big Planet (PS3)

2009-03-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Oct 26, '08

Just finished the game, and even though its story mode is short, I enjoyed every single second of it. This game is a good candidate to beat the other existing platformers out there like Crash Bandicoot, Ratchet and Clank and even Mario and his sidekick Luigi. It's not because of a single aspect, but just because of the fun and innovation that LBP gives us. If you've played Super Paper Mario on the Wii you'll say this game is as brilliant and exciting as that or even better, but still! that is when you don't count the multiplayer and level creator that LBP brings to the equation. Innovation is what the gaming industry really needs much like Bioshock last year that somehow redefined the meaning of a first person shooter, so that gamers like us don't lose interest.

About the level creator, I have not even done a full game level yet as it takes time to create a good playable stage and I think we should have the same brilliance as the game creators to accomplish that, it is another aspect of LBP to prolong its life, but it will depend on the gamers themselves if they want to embrace the idea.

Retroblog: Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes Of Lagaard (DS)

2009-03-09T16:43:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Sep 22, '08

The same four letters applies to this game as well: H-A-R-D; but what differentiates Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes Of Lagaard from the original is that it has more balance. What? you heard it right, balance.. but what about the common death the first time you enter a floor or a new stratum? Ok well then, I'll say it has more balance than the first. But some might argue that this one is a bit harder than the first.. Well, we have different views, but I think it is because I have played the first one that I find EO2 easier, maybe if this is my first time to play an Etrian Odyssey game then this one will murder me the same way right from the start.

So what new aspects did Etrian Odyssey II bring to the table? There are 3 new classes for you to use (War Magus, Gunner & Beast) with the 2 available right from the start. And also the unlockable classes from the first game (Ronin & Hexer) are also available right from the start. Now when I said before that this game has more balance, I did'nt mean the enemies (they will still eat you alive if you are unprepared), rather I'm talking about your characters' skills. Atlus removed what seem like broken skills from the first game. So there's no more Relaxing for your Troubadour and your Protector and Medic don't have the defend party skills too. So that basically means you have to restructure your strategies. But to take care of that, they now gave you somewhat of a "limit break" which is class-specific, it replaced the old boost system with something better. I'm not in the mood to tell what each of those "limit break" does so just an example, the Ronin's limit does incredible damage to all opponents with a chance to insta-kill them if they're still alive.

For the mapping system, they added new icons for you to use. There are now three icons for each of the resource types Take, Chop and Mine, and another is you now have one way directional icons for one way paths. Also there are a new "!" icon aside from the "E" event one, so there's more variety. Then for the menu system, one thing I really liked which I wanted the first game to have is the "R" and "L" shoulder buttons for use to switch between characters; this feature alone made me like EO2 than the first game.

Now let's talk more about the classes, especially the new ones. First about the old unlockables Ronin & Hexer.. In the first game I did'nt even bother to create them because I find their skills weaker than the ones for the available classes, I'm talking about the Ronin's stances which will take up one whole turn just to execute and before you can even deal damage to the enemy; and about the Hexer, I'm not much into status changes so.. meh.

Ronin
Now in Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard, the Ronin kicks ass, one thing, they don't need to waste a turn to do stances, the stances are now passive skills so if you learn them then you can already do stance-specific attacks. Not only that, they still have the high attack from the first game if not higher, so the Ronin is really one of the major damage dealers in the game. But one drawback is they still have weak defense and little HP but as the saying goes, "A good offense is a good defense". I'm not saying you really need a Ronin in your party, there's still the Axe Landsknecht and Whip Dark Hunter as alternatives.. So now you see, more balance right?

Hexer
I'm not in the place to compare the old Hexer from the new one as I have'nt used it in the first game, but all I can say for the Hexer in EO2 is that it is somewhat of a broken class. I don't want to spoil the game for you so I won't tell here what's broken with the Hexer, just play the game and look at each of its skills and see for yourselves. Aside from that, it still has those status changes that I think is really good as it hits all enemies rather than targets individuals (other classes) and I think most of the time it connects specially if maxed out.

Now let's talk about the new ones, the Gunner, War Magus and the Beast..

Gunner
Goodbye Survivalist, here comes the new one. Or can I say the Gunner is the new Survivalist. Well, the Survivalist still has all the resource gathering skills and Apollon, Ambush and 1st Turn. But beyond that, the Gunner will outshine it. As we obviously know, the Gunner uses a gun so it's long range like the bow, so the Gunner can be placed in the back row and snipe each of the enemy down, well sort of. The Gunner got the Multi-Hit skill from the Survivalist (I really feel sorry as the Survivalist is one of my fave class from the first game), and it also has elemental attacks so it may even replace the Alchemist for elemental-specific enemies. If I still haven't convinced you, the Gunner also has a skill that removes status effects, so it really is a package in one class.

War Magus
Can I say Battle Medic? Now you do not have to have difficult decisions for placing skills for your Medic as you can concentrate all on healing abilities as the War Magus can do decent battle and also heal at the same time. But the Medic still outshines the War Magus when it comes to healing. So where does the Magus shine? Well, isn't it obvious? of course in War! But kidding aside, the War Magus is basically a weak class if not for the synergy it has with other classes that does status changes. So to see the War Magus shine, you need to pair it to someone that does stat changes, and the best one for that is of course, the Hexer. The Hexer - War Magus combo is one of the best in the game. Again I won't spoil it here, you should be the one to discover the synergies.

Beast
Last but not the least is the beast. This is the only locked class in the beginning of the game. But you can already unlock it early in the game so you can still devote as much time to level it. It's not comparable to any other class aside for the fact that it protects your team so maybe the Protector? But aside from protecting, the Beast is completely different, for one thing it uses claws as weapon and not swords. Its protecting skill called "Loyalty" is what makes or breaks this class, because the skill will absorb most attacks of enemies to your group, so while your other characters will stay in full HP, your Beast will be low on HP (if you're lucky) or simply die; and so after that your other characters will now follow the same path. I think this is good if you pair it with a Medic that just casts heal on the Beast every turn, but once it dies the synergy ends there. But wait, luckily enough the Beast has the most HP in the game, but still for me, I think it's not enough to absorb all kinds of attack the enemies can dish out in the game.

So there you have it, those are mostly what's new you can expect from Etrian Odyssey's second installment. I won't talk any more about the old classes as they're just somewhat the same in the first game, just that the skills that seems buh-roken were axed. There's also an extra Stratum in this game that also holds the extra bosses just like the first one but that's just for you to find out. Good luck!

Retroblog: Etrian Odyssey (DS)

2009-03-09T16:41:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Aug 12, '08

Four letters. H-A-R-D. That´s what a player new to the series will say about the game. The learning curve of this game is quite easy, about 30 minutes and you're in; but the difficulty is what might turn you off in continuing to play it. Its game style is like your normal dungeon crawler (think Diablo 1) where you'll stay on a single town and there exists a deep dungeon beside it and that's pretty much the setting for the entire game.

If you like that genre, you'll most likely love Etrian Odyssey. What's unique to this game is that you're the one creating your own map for every level (thanks to the stylus). Make a mistake (or don't bother) in mapping the dungeon then you'll be lost within a short period of time. What's good about that is that you'll feel in control of the game, even if the whole place itself is not random and treasures inside chests are the same. For the characters, you're also the one to create them. You can choose between several types like landsknecht (swordsman), protector (paladin), medic, alchemist, etc. so you'll have control over that area too. It´s level up system is similar to other role-playing games where for each level up you'll have skill points to distribute for learning or enhancing skills. There are so many skills to learn that it's not possible for a character to acquire all those, so one word of advice: choose wisely.

As I've said the game is hard as it is not noob friendly unlike other RPGs where they baby you at you're early levels. First time you enter the dungeon, after a fight or two you're already on the verge of defeat and must return to town to heal or else prepare for helpless death. Now you get the picture? You're gonna experience this feeling up until the fifth floor of the dungeon where you'll face the first boss. You'll really know the true meaning of GRINDING wherein a few level ups will help if not the only way for you to continue on. After that, the game goes a little bit smoother but still not in the way of spoon feeding; make a little mistake and you'll still end up with the Game Over screen. Now if you've been religously building up your characters and placing skills where needed, you'll finish the game in no time.

Now even if it's hard, if you're up to the challenge, there's still plenty of reasons for
you to love this game. By the way, the sequel (Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes Of Lagaard) is also out at this time and I'm hoping it still remains true to the formula. If you have a Ninteno DS, there's simply no reason for you not to play Etrian Odyssey. Definitely 5 Stars.

Retroblog: Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3)

2009-03-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Jun 15, '08

What can I say? This game is the reason I bought the PS3. Graphics, audio, gameplay and story are all superb. Maybe the graphics part will even be better if I'm using a real lcd hdtv and not just a tft panel one.

I don't think I have any more good (or bad) thing to say about this game that's already been said in different reviews from trusted gaming sites like gamespot, ign, gamepro, etc. But I'll share a couple of things I find cool about it. One is about the gameplay; I really like the way that you can choose to either go stealth or go Rambo on your missions and by doing one thing or the other you can still complete your goal. I'm more of the melee person so I really liked it when I can come out from hiding and just shoot holes on anything I see moving. By the way, Hideo Kojima said that there's really no such thing as a stealth game and that MGS is an action game; and for me action is all about shooting and stealth is just a complementary part that you can use to your advantage. Another one, I think this have been said a million times before, that MGS is like a movie, there's more cut scenes (and lengthy ones at that) than actual gameplay which you may or may not like (me I like :D) that really shows how big of a production it really is.

The only part that I don't like (or slightly don't like) is the mandatory installing to the hard disk. And I don't mean the one at the beginning of the game (first time boot) but for every chapter I think you need to install something that will take like 5 minutes or more. What happened to Blu-Ray? What about the Cell engine? But in the end who am I to complain? The moment I decided to buy a PS3, I should be ready for that.

All in all, one of the perfect games to come out this year (I hope many will still come). Perfect 10 like GTA4. A must play. A must buy. It's even a must buy a console for this game alone :D.

Retroblog: CrossworDS (DS)

2009-03-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Originally posted: Jun 9, '08

Unleash the casual gamer in you.

This new game for the Nintendo DS is one both young or old, hardcore or casual, male or female gamers would surely like. It's simply puzzle games: Crosswords, Word Search and Anagrams, a genre I admit I liked when i was young and still likes up to now, I remember answering them in the newspapers and sometimes buying a magazine filled with them.

I don't know what got into me this weekend that when I grabbed this game I got hooked.. haha maybe sometimes I need rest from violence and gore, or maybe I really need peace of mind these days..

So if you like puzzle games (specially crosswords), you won't regret having and spending time with this one.