tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45848340469611674622024-03-28T12:03:17.896-05:00Dan Geeks OutThis is where I talk about all the nerdy crap I obsess over.Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.comBlogger631125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-16334118178897576282024-03-24T01:04:00.002-05:002024-03-24T01:04:21.181-05:00Video Game Review #504: Skyblazer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2J_3_Qimi4agOYc-jpF7wvtoPmhG02lI59KRn5Tf1sbrAIy90L03uPeatukdfId-6H9tHU46M-1eHOMwl1t42gNgrB390kQ7JSxz7pmp3YsKjgNaiFGf3aiiJrrK0e8R0y4xh54u6SxbUoEX2n_eUEusWr9tCIE2xvZu487thDienA4Mgm7HJXHcbTk/s369/SNES_Skyblazer_cover_art.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="369" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2J_3_Qimi4agOYc-jpF7wvtoPmhG02lI59KRn5Tf1sbrAIy90L03uPeatukdfId-6H9tHU46M-1eHOMwl1t42gNgrB390kQ7JSxz7pmp3YsKjgNaiFGf3aiiJrrK0e8R0y4xh54u6SxbUoEX2n_eUEusWr9tCIE2xvZu487thDienA4Mgm7HJXHcbTk/s320/SNES_Skyblazer_cover_art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Skyblazer</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Nintendo</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't really have any nostalgic feelings about this game. I didn't know even it existed until just a few months ago, when someone posted about it in one of my retro gaming Facebook groups. I thought the screenshots for the game looked cool, so I made a mental note to check it out someday.</div><div><br /></div><div>That someday is here.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNurWlrOpEsUuiO2svw4EFXVMgmS4IxQVmrR1ygS2vbpzvQuRXibD_7oneP60nrVCNwNQ_XrOF0nr3UhStLhHNFJcegAZv_pZXPy7RPKaZRNld4tzu1GsO1JtqGr3-MM8IKsci7PzK0tDMsEpp-Mk23M0nIimvrEwrOYUEJm-PPK9tIcTQGkiS_NSZaNs/s463/3260-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="463" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNurWlrOpEsUuiO2svw4EFXVMgmS4IxQVmrR1ygS2vbpzvQuRXibD_7oneP60nrVCNwNQ_XrOF0nr3UhStLhHNFJcegAZv_pZXPy7RPKaZRNld4tzu1GsO1JtqGr3-MM8IKsci7PzK0tDMsEpp-Mk23M0nIimvrEwrOYUEJm-PPK9tIcTQGkiS_NSZaNs/s320/3260-4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game's story is simple enough. There's a bad guy, who is being controlled by an even badder guy. He steals the princess. The good guy, Sky, embarks on a quest to get her back, while he slowly morphs into the hero of lore. As you make your way through the game, you learn the magical powers of the land, including the power to turn into a Phoenix. Using these powers, you defeat the bad guy. You defeat the badder guy. You rescue the princess. You turn into a Phoenix and fly away, never to be seen again.</div><div><br /></div><div>The end.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMx5QhjnNTGwL5wC8B7DJe-bbu6wDGPdY8CMAsPcUQbuEIBgtvs6lUgDiH793m6S6AOP7zFqu8yDIXI5gtPXPlUQfzNZ5J01A02YLRzNyWFyjGcNntJ5xhe4sVeN31vW4Y8VI9TpYohQF_Q8pGiY6K4tmdJh4xvj2bKyjncNGKqFVfzIQOld5bfx-wAo/s640/421441656_10228989833903309_1130775661454717593_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="640" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMx5QhjnNTGwL5wC8B7DJe-bbu6wDGPdY8CMAsPcUQbuEIBgtvs6lUgDiH793m6S6AOP7zFqu8yDIXI5gtPXPlUQfzNZ5J01A02YLRzNyWFyjGcNntJ5xhe4sVeN31vW4Y8VI9TpYohQF_Q8pGiY6K4tmdJh4xvj2bKyjncNGKqFVfzIQOld5bfx-wAo/s320/421441656_10228989833903309_1130775661454717593_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For the most part, this game handles fairly well. I found there to be some issues regarding inconsistent character momentum. The hit detection is also fairly questionable at times. You'll often find yourself just saying "huh???" when an enemy hits you and it was nowhere even close to touching you. There's a boss battle that involves swimming that is awful with this. It is a fairly common problem I found myself running into as I played this. And there is "knockback" which makes things even more annoying sometimes.</div><div><br /></div><div>While the game does make it very easy to climb walls and grab ledges, you'll often find yourself accidentally grabbing onto a wall when you are just trying to make a simple jump. There's a stage where the ceiling is falling and it will crush you if you don't get through it quickly enough. My character often found himself latching onto the side of something, and then I wouldn't be quick enough to unlatch myself and get across, and I would be crushed. This happened a few other times, too, mainly with levels featuring things like moving platforms. This game is very quick to kill you with crushing deaths. I do love the boss battle with the spinning room, however.</div><div><br /></div><div>All complaints aside, the game is actually quite fun to play. The visual style is what drew me in, but the gameplay is just as good. You start with a basic hacking melee attack, along with a simple projectile that you can fire ahead of you. The number of times you can use this special attack is shown by a red meter on the top of the screen. As you make your way through the game's levels, you learn new attacks. Use the select button to cycle through them. These attacks include: a dash attack, a projectile that fires in all directions, a lightning attack, and the ability to turn into a Phoenix and do damage to your enemy. You can also refill health using your magic meter once you learn the ability.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you make your way through the 2D side scrolling stages, you battle your enemies using hack 'n slash melee attacks while mixing in some magic attacks as well. These enemies drop a lot of loot when they are killed. They are generous with giving you health potions, magic potions, and diamonds. These diamonds will give you an extra life when you collect 100 of them. They are all over the levels. All over the place, I say. Big ones give you ten diamonds, so as you can imagine getting 100 is quite easy to do. There are even stages where you can backtrack and farm items like health potions and diamonds by leaving and coming back over and over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basic stage design consists of running through the stage, hacking enemies, jumping through some tough obstacles, hacking some more enemies, making it to the end of the stage, and sometimes fighting a boss character. While most stages are short and fairly easy, other stages involve some tough platforming challenges like jumping from falling rock to falling rock, riding fast moving elevators that race above hot lava, and the obligatory stage where your character is frantically climbing as the screen scrolls upwards. Touch the bottom of the screen and you die.</div><div><br /></div><div>The boss battles are one of the best things about the game. They seem hard at first, but once you figure out their pattern, they are very easy to beat. Except for the underwater boss that shoots the eggs out. Screw that boss fight. Anyway, there is even a boss rush at the end of the game - and I actually enjoyed it for once. Usually I hate when games do this, but it is quite fun here. Plus the bosses are pretty easy, and the game is very generous filling your health and magic meters while keeping a giant flow of diamonds coming to constantly give you extra lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is fairly easy. That's not to say it is without some challenging segments. But I played through this game twice, and finished with over 20 extra lives in my inventory each time. In fact, that number was nearly 40 on my second playthrough. There are some challenging areas, like I said. They can eat into your extra life stockpile real quick if you aren't careful. The game can be a challenge the first time through it, but once you've seen everything and know what to expect, it really becomes quite easy.</div><div><br /></div><div>But that's not to say it is not fun. It is a ton of fun. I think I would have loved this game if I grew up playing it as a kid. I couldn't put it down, and was completely pulled in by its classic 90s 16-bit charm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh yeah, there are a couple bonus stages where you can fly around in Mode7 and collect diamonds in the sky. Another easy way to really rack up those extra lives.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC0UfPHDi4DUgcfAW86a_0vcmY60Jp943QxfjKrPO_s2e3iS3bxvjhl28Ey-OUzEn8LYXOIVAKrHpKQ8_-GirtGdhVYfYWTWhSb85hwM_eIRhHRvGj0fG5UiXYYIIfCm2h7nuy5lCWtlf0UZqBcvO-_QvXRCBqbUeBf3mhr48xHFxDGymtAFJ_SzHcHY/s512/420846778_10228989834583326_301470850875541931_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="512" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHC0UfPHDi4DUgcfAW86a_0vcmY60Jp943QxfjKrPO_s2e3iS3bxvjhl28Ey-OUzEn8LYXOIVAKrHpKQ8_-GirtGdhVYfYWTWhSb85hwM_eIRhHRvGj0fG5UiXYYIIfCm2h7nuy5lCWtlf0UZqBcvO-_QvXRCBqbUeBf3mhr48xHFxDGymtAFJ_SzHcHY/s320/420846778_10228989834583326_301470850875541931_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics</u></b>:</div><div><br /></div><div>This game looks fantastic. Its graphics are what drew me in to begin with. As soon as I saw these screenshots, I knew I had to play this game.</div><div><br /></div><div>The characters are large and nicely detailed. The backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous. The special effects are terrific. The animation is top of the line. It feels like you're playing through a cartoon sometimes. It reminds me of Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts or Willow for the arcade in its graphical style. I just love how it looks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fcrW-LaJkUEv3FAAg4pxOnM2HH_Mfnqwctd3O7gpXexoAzS_hqGOF0IoB3riAqSbnRz230ffEN7wwwRvxSzU6MaNU1y-vcrWblzpLBmtw_N75k7vpWOgGf2SNHpG8a3trO4CuDA75xu1bCBvhndDwZQ3qOzJDOIOUTyyaMhlWEWZsYc8Qe3wBQ9NkbQ/s320/cadfda10-786f-4a47-8af9-70074c5f4d22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="320" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5fcrW-LaJkUEv3FAAg4pxOnM2HH_Mfnqwctd3O7gpXexoAzS_hqGOF0IoB3riAqSbnRz230ffEN7wwwRvxSzU6MaNU1y-vcrWblzpLBmtw_N75k7vpWOgGf2SNHpG8a3trO4CuDA75xu1bCBvhndDwZQ3qOzJDOIOUTyyaMhlWEWZsYc8Qe3wBQ9NkbQ/s1600/cadfda10-786f-4a47-8af9-70074c5f4d22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, the game's music is not terrific. Some of the game's tracks are nice, sure. Sound like they could be in a Final Fantasy game or something. But there are also some ugly sounding songs, like the theme that plays in between stages on the map screen. Seriously, WTF is that noise? All they had to do was make a cool, medieval sounding soundtrack. And while they succeeded on some fronts, they completely missed the mark on others. </div><div><br /></div><div>The sound effects? Good, I suppose. They do not stand out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJnd4nYleorXV85uKD6SYUVccpOtcGptKzk5ZD7EVYLs6EzO6dlQhz5KkE6I_toQe5CWh26_uIU5OKh-ZboDAKFXJZc3WttDDm8yQa82STDz-GHNpTDJr7QLcGO-_2h3kdeJ6WEmoGZiQXtXY9cYXrsitvQHmzD74masMjQACthCGbsE_BIMfP2kquAc/s512/421260001_10228989834263318_3620628767425925913_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="512" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJnd4nYleorXV85uKD6SYUVccpOtcGptKzk5ZD7EVYLs6EzO6dlQhz5KkE6I_toQe5CWh26_uIU5OKh-ZboDAKFXJZc3WttDDm8yQa82STDz-GHNpTDJr7QLcGO-_2h3kdeJ6WEmoGZiQXtXY9cYXrsitvQHmzD74masMjQACthCGbsE_BIMfP2kquAc/s320/421260001_10228989834263318_3620628767425925913_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was a very good game. As I said, I have no doubt I would have loved this if I'd have played it when I was a kid. It's kind of like an easier Castlevania, with some wall-climby, high jumping platform elements mixed in. It also reminds me a little of the Sega Genesis Batman game for some reason. The action is fun and fast moving. You constantly are collecting power ups and diamonds as you play, which gives you that fulfilling feeling of collecting stuff. The boss battles are a blast. If you grew up playing games in the 16-bit era, but missed out on Skyblazer, you need to run out there and get this game. In fact, if you are a fan of gaming in general, I feel this is a game you need to play.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think it's quite good enough to crack my upper echelon of gaming - the A range. The controls are floaty, the character momentum is weird, the hit detection is jank, and the game is also not very long. Despite these things, it still manages to be really fun to play. So I think a B+ fits it well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Skyblazer: play it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-25844334668410859822024-03-21T17:03:00.000-05:002024-03-21T17:03:35.269-05:00Video Game Review #503: Hogwarts Legacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheAd8gTWyffK6i6yOOkUPxv9tSWvZqdIZfXbEyYNcRe39KB0hFS6ttHlOsg4DqKb0eMnzwjthozk8lwjoxF7eT_kPe5bdwif4gLcPH_srGW1moXM915Nse5oneNxfTwBGmvMleQ6KP3RQoVq0u_8j_0D3k-Q3E5vMp7Z0SdphcrjhoXfU9Mn8-rp-TqM/s1265/81p+wetvirL._SL1500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjheAd8gTWyffK6i6yOOkUPxv9tSWvZqdIZfXbEyYNcRe39KB0hFS6ttHlOsg4DqKb0eMnzwjthozk8lwjoxF7eT_kPe5bdwif4gLcPH_srGW1moXM915Nse5oneNxfTwBGmvMleQ6KP3RQoVq0u_8j_0D3k-Q3E5vMp7Z0SdphcrjhoXfU9Mn8-rp-TqM/s320/81p+wetvirL._SL1500_.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hogwarts Legacy</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation 4</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I always forget how you can check out games for free at my local library. They don't necessarily have a <i>huge</i> variety of games, but the ones they have do tend to be pretty decent. One of those options is Hogwarts Legacy. I remember putting this game on hold several months ago, and then just kind of forgetting about it for a while. All of a sudden in February I got an email that Hogwarts Legacy was ready for me to pick up, and I was like "oh, I forgot all I even put that on hold!" I went and picked the game up and immediately dived in.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I am a fan of the Harry Potter franchise, I wouldn't say I'm crazy about it or anything like that. I didn't really care for the movies the first time I saw them, but then I read the books. I absolutely loved the books and read through them twice. I did eventually wind up going back and watching the movies again. While I still didn't like them that much, I was able to enjoy them a little better now that I was more familiar with the setting, the lore, the characters, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>To be honest, Harry Potter hasn't been relevant in my life for a while now. I'd say I last read the books in the mid/early 2010s. It's been a long time since I've seen the movies, too. And the Magical Beasts series? Haven't seen any of 'em. When this game came out, it piqued my interest, but I was in no rush to pick it up or anything. Harry Potter fever had long worn off for me. Still, I had high hopes for this game based on the things I'd read about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>How would I like it? That's what we're here to find out!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JxcQmb82mYwKQ-PcCE4QMTI_z0SXYfcfGWao87GeDnZI9EcaxfwqQZj6P2azrIDI7ACDLZ9-NStsfaAFMHF5y4-GDYR5DHDF3uLj4c81_X0IFSvb_tJpc_ZYC_LoUfAbp3OtsLkS18fP4rZjRMTt-lUnpAYh2yOHLbrQSCN5u6rPsJ55cVO0qldq8_M/s1920/GreathallFP_5-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JxcQmb82mYwKQ-PcCE4QMTI_z0SXYfcfGWao87GeDnZI9EcaxfwqQZj6P2azrIDI7ACDLZ9-NStsfaAFMHF5y4-GDYR5DHDF3uLj4c81_X0IFSvb_tJpc_ZYC_LoUfAbp3OtsLkS18fP4rZjRMTt-lUnpAYh2yOHLbrQSCN5u6rPsJ55cVO0qldq8_M/w372-h209/GreathallFP_5-1.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You play as a 5th year student who is new to Hogwarts. You craft this character's appearance using a character customization system and give them a name. I named mine Rudy Boesch. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rudy is flying in to Hogwarts on a coach, with Professor Fig and a few other people. He detects traces of a mysterious magic on an ancient artifact that is shown to him. All of a sudden the coach is attacked mid-flight by a dragon. The characters are able to escape via a Portkey that is removed from the ancient artifact, and it takes them to a vault in Gringotts. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mysterious book is recovered from this vault and is taken by Professor Fig for examination. There are some fun action sequences that take place on the Gringotts mine carts. You're attacked, you get away. Eventually you wind up at Hogwarts, where you are sorted into a house (I was a Ravenclaw). From this point forward, the game opens up to you. You can advance the story by attending class and learning spells. As you take side missions for characters, you start to become immersed in the lifestyle of a student at Hogwarts. You learn all about your fellow students, taking part in quests with them that explore their backstories. The main quest of the game takes you into battle against goblins and dark wizards that are after an ancient magic that is more powerful than anything anyone has ever seen.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game takes place DaVinci Code style throughout Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and the surrounding lands. You uncover clues and penseive memories that lead you from place to place. You learn of the history of this repository of ancient magic and why the goblins and dark wizards are after it. You undergo trials to prove your worth. You defeat the bad guy at the end. I didn't think the storyline was anything too earth shattering, but I enjoyed it in the sense that it was more about the journey than the destination. The game as a whole delivered a pretty authentic Harry Potter (minus the actual Harry Potter character) experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUQSpNM1mLqSLuR3HTnGCrucFjdZI1XKHZmhbh0XIgjnXSlX1KhQMs5X1aDjFkNnX74o1n3GK3ZPtCP8SdgKdLuo1rzCVOrfha9fyIcOX-6GCmy0NJ8o7KnknncepPKOai7b761eWMgs4_sHiYZobyZBpD2B3EBZckij6cczgjNoeNr1r-rM3QNqZT60/s640/resizedimage640360-Hogwarts-Legacy-screenshot-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUQSpNM1mLqSLuR3HTnGCrucFjdZI1XKHZmhbh0XIgjnXSlX1KhQMs5X1aDjFkNnX74o1n3GK3ZPtCP8SdgKdLuo1rzCVOrfha9fyIcOX-6GCmy0NJ8o7KnknncepPKOai7b761eWMgs4_sHiYZobyZBpD2B3EBZckij6cczgjNoeNr1r-rM3QNqZT60/s320/resizedimage640360-Hogwarts-Legacy-screenshot-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you've played any recent open world 3D games, you should be able to pick up and play Hogwarts Legacy fairly easily. It takes place from a very familiar over the shoulder perspective. You run, you jump, you climb up on things, you use Revelio to make items that are hidden in the environment stand out. If you've played the Arkham series, the Horizon series, The Witcher, Assassin's Creed, any of these dang games, you've pretty much played Hogwarts Legacy.</div><div><br /></div><div>You roam the grounds of Hogwarts, casting Revelio so you can uncover puzzles and solve them. There are hidden collectibles to pick up, such as flying books and hidden pages that can only be uncovered by the Revelio spell. Even if you put aside the main quest, you can always find something to do here. There are Merlin's Trials, which are little challenges or mini games you complete in order to expand your inventory slots. There are butterfly puzzles where you have to track down a butterfly that's shown in an image on a mirror, and then return it to the mirror. There are archways that contain hidden chests which can only be uncovered by solving math problems. There are raider camps to clear out. There are hidden caves filled with treasure. There are dozens of NPC side quests to take part in.</div><div><br /></div><div>The world of the game is surprisingly big. For some reason, I was under the impression that this entire game would take place inside the walls of Hogwarts, but this is not the case. Not at all. Early in the game, you visit nearby Hogsmeade. I again thought - okay, the entire game was going to take place in the distance between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. But no. The game is much, much bigger. It may not be the same size of the map of Red Dead 2 or anything like that, but it is big.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luckily this game lets you fast travel with relative ease, as long as you've come within walking distance of the Floo checkpoint. Just open the map to transport from Floo to Floo. The downside to this: the loading times. They are very, very long in this game. Sometimes it feels like it takes minutes to fast travel from one location to the next. Often I found myself just hopping on my broom and flying manually to the next location, even if it takes a little bit longer. At least I'm doing something and keeping my mind engaged.</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of flying on your broom, it couldn't possibly have been done any better than it was here. You can hop off and on your broom with great ease. You don't take damage if you run into stuff, and the game is very forgiving with not slowing you down to a grinding halt if you bump into something. Traveling to an fro is fast and very efficient. It's smooth. Plus it just feels cool, kind of like swinging from webs through the city in the Spider-Man game.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is filled with so much other stuff that I can't possibly mention it all. Saving mythical creatures from poachers, breeding them, brewing potions, growing plants, assigning things to the spell wheel, leveling up, using Talent points, trading in old equipment, picking locks, all that good stuff. The nice part of the game is that it even though it is chock full of content, it is fairly user friendly and I rarely found myself wondering how the heck I was supposed to do something.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where the game exceeded my expectations was the combat system. Battles are a ton of fun. You start out with simple spark damage, but as you progress through the game and learn new spells, they are added to your battle repertoire. There are several fire spells which come in great handy. There are also spells you can use to grab your enemies and lift them up into the air and other spells you can use to throw them around. You can use R1 to throw things in the environment. When your magic meter maxes out, you can press both shoulder buttons to do massive damage to one enemy. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is a dueling system where sometimes enemies will use a shield that protects them from your basic attacks. These shields are color coded. If they have a red shield, use a fire spell. A purple shield, use a grab attack, etc. Once the shield it broken, you can unload on the enemy. Learning how to counter attack is key as well. If an alert icon appears dark red over your head while in battle - you should use a dodge move, as this indicates an unblockable attack. If it lights up orange, press the shield button to protect yourself. Continue to hold it down to unleash a counter attack which knocks your enemy off balance and makes him more vulnerable to your standard attack.</div><div><br /></div><div>The difficulty balance of the game is fairly good. There were areas where I found myself dying left and right. And there are some very tough boss battles, particularly if you come into them low on healing items. But overall I found the majority of the game to be fairly easy. I always viewed the tougher battles as a welcome challenge considering the game as a whole isn't too overly difficult. </div><div><br /></div><div>Puzzles are pretty simple as well. They almost never stumped me. Much easier than they were in Immortals Fenyx Rising or the new Tomb Raider series.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LrdeEcXJyulR1ahNNHq-Txhyphenhyphenf6vL3gKBd5mWTxhILbAAGrU-rgqrPGGvwlEynxSas9NA6doyD2GmTdTf6ojvqVn-5C-xDRz42fsIEfo_FcDVpjtY55XkJ-Sd2zsHoB3Z8gwgcAZ5dwHUPGh05bDL0A79K6Ynunff3G13ZoU0Q7GYbsM8Hm7uhaxZvA/s2996/Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_16.02.01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="2996" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36LrdeEcXJyulR1ahNNHq-Txhyphenhyphenf6vL3gKBd5mWTxhILbAAGrU-rgqrPGGvwlEynxSas9NA6doyD2GmTdTf6ojvqVn-5C-xDRz42fsIEfo_FcDVpjtY55XkJ-Sd2zsHoB3Z8gwgcAZ5dwHUPGh05bDL0A79K6Ynunff3G13ZoU0Q7GYbsM8Hm7uhaxZvA/s320/Screenshot_2023-01-24_at_16.02.01.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game looks fantastic, even playing it on a regular 'ol PS4. Why exactly did we need a PS5 again? I'm sure it looks slightly better on a newer system, but to me that is not enough to justify going out and buying a brand new console - for a slight graphical upgrade and shorter load times. And they wonder why the PS5 has been a bit of a flop. </div><div><br /></div><div>The landscapes of the game are big and amazing. Hogwarts itself looks terrific. So does Hogsmeade. So does everything, really. It does both the movies and the books justice. It really does feel like you are walking around in a living, magical world. I could dive into all the game's nice little touches, (like the authenticity of the details you see in the teachers' rooms, or walking inside Honeydukes and checking out the effects of all the candy you can taste) but there is simply way too much to list here. You're just going to have to "trust me bro" and play this one yourself.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc89y0E2U9jEDpTeizkMH-nIFODpCe7gpkDQm5NSJGPgIZD_Ogup4FEQEa6pyPrDU9CpSI1jPqiuGpcHDE2XAOs7ATlf7x-kF6aPuIs1-hZlFCOlAOF3XA8FUazr0MvIxcNbsm38Q_4dzWUKH9QJRHdM685vR_NQiRj_EFDao-3w-f1jvA7VOn2WL3YmQ/s1280/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc89y0E2U9jEDpTeizkMH-nIFODpCe7gpkDQm5NSJGPgIZD_Ogup4FEQEa6pyPrDU9CpSI1jPqiuGpcHDE2XAOs7ATlf7x-kF6aPuIs1-hZlFCOlAOF3XA8FUazr0MvIxcNbsm38Q_4dzWUKH9QJRHdM685vR_NQiRj_EFDao-3w-f1jvA7VOn2WL3YmQ/s320/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The game sounds as good as it looks. You don't hear the classic Harry Potter theme in full, but there are small clips of it that play from time to time, like when you complete a task or uncover a hidden secret. The music in general is grand, sweeping, and orchestral - like something you'd hear in a movie.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game can be quiet when it needs to be quiet, pulling you into its magical world with its atmospheric ambient sound effects. Voice acting is also top notch. This game does a really tremendous job bringing the world of Harry Potter to life, from top to bottom. The graphics, the music, the sound effects, the voice acting, everything.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvED3gJWsuXqOcKMtKJzsdFOa9YsNet1v52WELmBGOv85XQpPjA90m3mrI_GieheFR1g49iF90oEDvu2MyLyDsHf-fVWS5Bz40xdcIatVfrUy_5s1OD_UTgQh7IG31SDKMyugifD1AcaxeE27C4aGmqNjigTG0WgpfIbEQlzF9zpMi6GJAgRu7TlIlX8/s2000/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="2000" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvED3gJWsuXqOcKMtKJzsdFOa9YsNet1v52WELmBGOv85XQpPjA90m3mrI_GieheFR1g49iF90oEDvu2MyLyDsHf-fVWS5Bz40xdcIatVfrUy_5s1OD_UTgQh7IG31SDKMyugifD1AcaxeE27C4aGmqNjigTG0WgpfIbEQlzF9zpMi6GJAgRu7TlIlX8/w368-h184/download.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game was a lot better than I thought it would be. If you want a full, complete adventure set in the world of Harry Potter, look no further. If you're a giant fan of the series, this game is probably a dream come true. It's so authentic an experience, down to the finest detail. Even a casual fan like me who hasn't consumed any Harry Potter content in nearly 10 years was quite impressed.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing keeping this from being an upper echelon game is its repetitive nature. Yeah the world is big and there is lots to do, but it gets old quick. Maybe I'm just burnt out from all the open world 3D games I've played in the past few years, but there was not much new or innovative here that really blew me away. I supposed the combat was probably the closest thing, but even that gets old after a while. This is essentially Immortals Fenyx Rising/Horizon/Assassin's Creed/Arkham etc but with a Harry Potter skin. If that's what you are looking for - great. I do like these sorts of games (and in fact this used to be my favorite genre) but I am starting to tire of them. I didn't even bother completing all the side missions or going for the platinum on this one. Once I completed the main story mode, I was done here. I also didn't think the story was anything too riveting or compelling either.</div><div><br /></div><div>So while I agree that this is a very good game, it comes up just short of A range for me. Is it worth playing, though? 100%.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-10098485642093025722024-03-16T01:59:00.000-05:002024-03-16T01:59:27.038-05:00Video Game Review #502: Ecco: The Tides of Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-uPuT2a8JRkzjAJ5DATE98kWqJWeZhuhgrGrNxNLmARgTBQN50bKshyphenhyphenrLfdioOdZ9hBPKaasW_VlWP1TtwslxoN1YVqgPj2XhlMwf8d2tXnwfp2Va-tW5rXjffxi01wi7Qwob30QgWvjnegbiHcLjTGwjWvANQuK1PQs_b6bXi3NlnFj2QoEndlCnRQ/s410/Tides.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="243" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-uPuT2a8JRkzjAJ5DATE98kWqJWeZhuhgrGrNxNLmARgTBQN50bKshyphenhyphenrLfdioOdZ9hBPKaasW_VlWP1TtwslxoN1YVqgPj2XhlMwf8d2tXnwfp2Va-tW5rXjffxi01wi7Qwob30QgWvjnegbiHcLjTGwjWvANQuK1PQs_b6bXi3NlnFj2QoEndlCnRQ/s320/Tides.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ecco: The Tides of Time</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sega CD</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've gone back and played both the Genesis and Sega CD versions of the first Ecco The Dolphin game. Why not do the same for The Tides of Time as well? As I mentioned in my Pepsiman review, I am sort of at an in-between point when it comes to the games I am playing. I feel like I want to tackle something big and time consuming soon, but in the meantime I'm going to knock out some shorter games. Tides of Time definitely fits that bill.</div><div><br /></div><div>I reviewed the Genesis version of this game back in <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2020/11/video-game-review-243-ecco-tides-of-time.html" target="_blank">2020</a>, when I gave it a B. While I liked the game, I didn't find it as fun or endearing as the original Ecco, which is funny because when I was a kid Tides of Time was actually the game I preferred. I was curious how I'd feel about the game now, here in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't want to get too ahead of myself, but while I do find that this version of the game is better than the Genesis version, I still prefer the original Ecco instead. Keep reading for my full analysis.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7eREKIB4yPWjqf6Fl0eYNdp2Xh8MWJ4m1xjVO0lGkoOIwk2aVp7mgKCdapuIY6DaJD8de7booau-eNni7EsRnPjsvxbFdzDudpJ-aU5pEdrJ-oIbtkIKYAWM1sIRRqBOnqdcK0MNCJ1qnAlCDuW8bGsbxsb62BqsaTntvmNtUUoYlGLPQebWVsRaeg8/s300/Ecco-The-Tides-of-Time-CD-1-300x210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="300" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7eREKIB4yPWjqf6Fl0eYNdp2Xh8MWJ4m1xjVO0lGkoOIwk2aVp7mgKCdapuIY6DaJD8de7booau-eNni7EsRnPjsvxbFdzDudpJ-aU5pEdrJ-oIbtkIKYAWM1sIRRqBOnqdcK0MNCJ1qnAlCDuW8bGsbxsb62BqsaTntvmNtUUoYlGLPQebWVsRaeg8/s1600/Ecco-The-Tides-of-Time-CD-1-300x210.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I already recapped the story of the game in my Genesis review of Tides of Time. Since I'm a lazy fuck, I am just going to copy and paste what I wrote here. Ready?</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>"When you sit down to play an Ecco the Dolphin game, it is important to know what you're getting into. Aliens, time travel, a dolphin destined to save the Earth. It probably sounds really horrible to the average person, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. It is quite interesting actually.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ecco 2 picks up where the first game left off. Ecco suddenly loses the powers granted to him by the Asterite, and quickly discovers that the Asterite has been killed. He is brought to the future by time traveling dolphins, where he learns that in this timeline the Asterite is still alive. Ecco is informed that when he used the time machine in the first game, he split the timeline in two - one where dolphins evolve and live in peace, and one where the Vortex Queen kills the Asterite and the Vortex take over Earth. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ecco goes back to save the Asterite by reassembling its pieces. His journeys take him from the ocean depths to the dark Vortex future, where the final pieces of the Asterite have been taken. Once reassembled, the Asterite gives Ecco his powers back, and Ecco leads his pod on an attack to destroy the Vortex once and for all.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>You think the game is over here, but it is not. In fact, when I first played this as a kid I am not even sure I discovered the game's "real" ending. If you keep playing after the final credits roll, the Asterite tells Ecco that he must destroy the time machine to prevent any time splits from happening again.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ecco returns to Atlantis and finds that the Vortex Queen is still alive. She uses the time machine to travel back to prehistoric times, but finds that she is no match for the creatures of that era. Forced to survive in such a harsh environment, the Vortex evolve into arthropod insects.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Rather than destroy the time machine, Ecco uses it to send himself... somewhere. The game never tells us where he went. Real responsible, Ecco! Just ignore the Asterite and leave the dangerous time machine there for someone else to fuck things up in the future. Good job! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>My theory: he returns to the "good" future to chase after some futuristic flying dolphin tail. I mean, can you blame him? Get it, Ecco!"</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>All of this still pretty much rings true. There are a few added story sequences in this game, like the introduction where it shows the Vortex Queen descend to Earth after the events of the original game. Or was that in the Genesis version? I don't remember. The biggest difference for me: the grainy animated cutscenes that recap the events of the first Ecco game. You find these sequences contained within hidden glyphs that you uncover as you play the game. The animation is terrible and outdated by today's standards, but I find that these sequences actually added a lot to the game. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3I4rq9ZkBB7ycqDoj7J8dBE2cSMJRWTry8j90aVhMGQ7Uft6sRB6ePnGeuz5x2OcExpRtBObY0s_mgDI1pBrco513ELW9g5m0YVhZiqbDe4yODUcyoVKA3ZHNTqR5Vb5LME-9QkB6xGW05nivL4-Rv5NFNOu_55Deqg55YljPW5TidrmWB_N_DA5QpQ/s480/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK3I4rq9ZkBB7ycqDoj7J8dBE2cSMJRWTry8j90aVhMGQ7Uft6sRB6ePnGeuz5x2OcExpRtBObY0s_mgDI1pBrco513ELW9g5m0YVhZiqbDe4yODUcyoVKA3ZHNTqR5Vb5LME-9QkB6xGW05nivL4-Rv5NFNOu_55Deqg55YljPW5TidrmWB_N_DA5QpQ/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Literally nothing has changed from the Genesis version of the game as far as the gameplay is concerned. I'm such a lazy ass, and I hate myself for doing this, but I'm copying and pasting again. New readers of this blog are going to be so put off. I'm sorry in advance. </div><div><br /></div><div>Actually, nah. If you don't like it you can fuck off.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>"Basic gameplay is the same as it was in the first game, so if you are an Ecco veteran you should have no problem picking this one up and playing it.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>There are some variations added to this game to diversify the gameplay. Most notable are the 3D stages where the camera changes to a behind the back view as you try to steer Ecco through some fast travel rings. While these stages are for the most part pretty easy, occasionally you'll encounter rings located above the water that are very hard to jump through. Additionally, you can use your sonar to kill enemies in front of you but you have to be careful as if you hit a ring with your sonar you destroy it and can not collect it anymore.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Ecco 2 also offers you the ability to morph into other animals as you progress through the game's story. You can change into a bird to fly over impassable cliffs. You can turn into jellyfish and sharks to navigate the harsh ocean wildlife. Towards the end of the game you can even morph into a school of fish as you make your way through the bowels of Atlantis. In a fun little twist, dolphins become your enemy when you morph into these sea creatures. What were once your allies you now find yourself running for your life from.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Aside from that, this is pretty much the Ecco you already know and love (or hate). You swim, you charge, you use your sonar, you push things around and you solve puzzles. The level variety introduces new gameplay elements like the ability to swim through above-ground water tunnels and to flop yourself around on dry land much easier than you could in the last game. Makes some of those tough jumps a lot more manageable."</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>I then went on to complain that the game was too easy - although this time around I'd have to slightly disagree. There are two difficulty paths you can take - the hard one or the easy one. I must have taken the easy one on my last playthrough. I took the hard one this time. I wouldn't say the game is particularly frustrating or challenging, but it ain't easy. There were some tough parts that would have driven me nuts if I was not playing with save states, like those freaking scrolling machine stages or that one with the giant globe that can crush you against the wall. Anyway, here is what I had to say.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>"The game is too easy. You heard me, too easy. The first Ecco the Dolphin is legendary in its difficulty, to the point where people bickered and complained about it. I think the makers of this game must have heard those complaints and dumbed down its sequel to make it more accessible to people who gave up on the first game. But I don't want easier! I want a challenge! Too many of these stages are laughably short and easy. There are stages I beat in one or two minutes, and that is not an exaggeration. I missed the dogged difficulty of the first game, and the feeling of relief and satisfaction that would wash over me when I'd make it through a particularly challenging level. That feeling is sorely missing from this game.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Sure there are some tough levels to be found here, but most of the challenges from these levels stem from unfair frustration rather than genuine difficulty. The Medusa stages? Ugh. The Moray Abyss? Ugh. Dealing with the unpredictable gravity situation aboard the Vortex vessel? Ugh. I'm all for a challenging game, but it is like they knew that this game was too easy so every once in a while they'd throw in an unfairly difficult stage just to make players curse and throw things.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Another complaint I have is the repetitive nature of some of the stages where you have to collect the Asterite parts. It would be one thing if you just had to collect a few pieces to bring him back to life, but you literally have to find EVERY missing Asterite orb, and the thing is freaking huge. It becomes a big grind that slows things to a halt in the middle of the game, and it is the reason it took me nearly two months to slog through this game after finishing the original Ecco in less than a week."</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjnozSuo5BPcQpSYtIday46nIFuunI1F5bLLDHkYhnHBcfnB51fTLDBoaXssjqAOw09r0TDvaB-pNifdiB_Mjkt7MuijWmKl0lbr0Fl1Rk574wKxteSQlN7KW7iZcgDUnpKhlXsMc0UD2p200RZtKiepYZqIlVxeJG8gZMYjt6Vp2pWRFSp32d2XqzzE/s320/Retro_review_ecco-the-tides-of-time-ship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjnozSuo5BPcQpSYtIday46nIFuunI1F5bLLDHkYhnHBcfnB51fTLDBoaXssjqAOw09r0TDvaB-pNifdiB_Mjkt7MuijWmKl0lbr0Fl1Rk574wKxteSQlN7KW7iZcgDUnpKhlXsMc0UD2p200RZtKiepYZqIlVxeJG8gZMYjt6Vp2pWRFSp32d2XqzzE/s1600/Retro_review_ecco-the-tides-of-time-ship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Honestly, this graphics in this game look exactly the same as in the Genesis version. But don't worry, I am not going to copy and paste comments from my last review this time around. I'm just going to say that the game developers really nailed the underwater aesthetic of the game. I don't think I've seen another 16-bit game replicate the eeriness and the loneliness of the deep ocean, while at the same time maintaining a bright and colorful presence with the backgrounds and the environments.</div><div><br /></div><div>You visit a ton of locales in this game, from tropical islands, to futuristic water passages, to the tubes of an alien vessel. And it all looks fantastic. This has got to be one of the better looking side scrollers of the 16-bit era. The aforementioned FMV sequences, while grainy and primitive looking, do really add to the magical atmosphere of the game.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwrMqu1rLPVEi272x1SqF4XdONI02zse1DZQndkhdrr_d9Tful6ptL443cIFWoPzFUSpGEvxQ2WefpELGYnMhK_qo-Ifz2aQZAZzeahTeau8UNrG2iGS7NxTgZWE2U7Lbuo2uXvtqrkfMBzlb_paiUBpPvBvh2NpAK9eDHllvNTmPkXn4bycuXTCZ3fM/s303/Ecco201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="303" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwrMqu1rLPVEi272x1SqF4XdONI02zse1DZQndkhdrr_d9Tful6ptL443cIFWoPzFUSpGEvxQ2WefpELGYnMhK_qo-Ifz2aQZAZzeahTeau8UNrG2iGS7NxTgZWE2U7Lbuo2uXvtqrkfMBzlb_paiUBpPvBvh2NpAK9eDHllvNTmPkXn4bycuXTCZ3fM/s1600/Ecco201.png" width="303" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game has a very similar soundtrack as the Sega CD version of the original Ecco. Don't come into this game expecting to hear something similar to the Genesis games. All the original tunes have been replaced by orchestral sounding musical scores, similar to something you'd hear in the background of an underwater nature documentary. And that's not a bad thing. I liked this game's music.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't like this change for the original Ecco on Sega CD, but for some reason I didn't mind it here. I think it is because I am not as attached to the Genesis Tides of Time soundtrack as I am the original Ecco soundtrack. I didn't feel like I was missing anything this time around.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ_5Mnryzs5Qs7MNUlbyaJlgL2Cy-aivXUwaQmpQGBneRWZCaGvJ67zEuDAvqH7GPUK1gVKyWcb_65hYG3YWSCSVLiKGO9MWlLK8J6Q4lkzoSC5Qlh1zDv3la92gJ8z1Tp_uKpfe2T5Ln2FK73D7UdcPT-p-u03LjCwkV_BihyphenhyphenCFc-NrtFdfGx8LiVxc/s260/468407463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="260" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ_5Mnryzs5Qs7MNUlbyaJlgL2Cy-aivXUwaQmpQGBneRWZCaGvJ67zEuDAvqH7GPUK1gVKyWcb_65hYG3YWSCSVLiKGO9MWlLK8J6Q4lkzoSC5Qlh1zDv3la92gJ8z1Tp_uKpfe2T5Ln2FK73D7UdcPT-p-u03LjCwkV_BihyphenhyphenCFc-NrtFdfGx8LiVxc/w266-h186/468407463.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I think this version of The Tides of Time is clearly better than the Genesis version. Better music, added cutscenes, and... well, uh... That's pretty much it. But it's enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as gameplay goes, it is the exact same thing. And I mean the <i>exact</i> same thing. So even though I liked some of the game's added features, I still have to give it the same grade as the Genesis version: a B. If you have both copies and you can only play one of them, pick the Sega CD version. It isn't reflected in the letter grade I gave it, but it is the slightly superior version of the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you have never played The Tides of Time before, I'd suggest checking it out, especially if you liked the original Ecco. While I prefer the more simplistic, puzzle oriented pace of the original game, its sequel makes a lot of changes that help keep things fresh and exciting. If you've never played Ecco period, definitely start with the first game. If you play this one first, you are going to be confused as hell. I've never given it a second of thought before, but now that it has crossed my mind, I wonder if there are any 90s kids that got Tides of Time for Christmas or their birthday back in the day without ever having played the original game. I can't imagine what they thought of this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I digress. Tides of Time: good. Now that I've played through multiple versions of this game several times in my life, will I return to it again? I don't know. There's just so many games out there to play and experience. I won't say never, but I think this chapter of my life can safely be closed. Thanks, Ecco, for all the good memories.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-73766692798849449032024-03-10T03:08:00.001-05:002024-03-10T03:11:18.786-05:00Video Game Review #501: Pepsiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_H0HH_yYPAH1tW_eSmv1eVN_EQuscH8s_7RxYWKtgxOjvEQNkW8sLyrb6Bsth-Yxlr9_JWMkixAH5mqI7EP46i_B5rOHvx-N8Z2uxNHHE0RxM0TBEvHLJLH3uOTlRAaDh5COZqwpmFWQSsQOOoMzt1D8r3ytpQvLOjrvnAxKrtCzMGNNUFGxU4h6FEU/s320/Pepsiman-title.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_H0HH_yYPAH1tW_eSmv1eVN_EQuscH8s_7RxYWKtgxOjvEQNkW8sLyrb6Bsth-Yxlr9_JWMkixAH5mqI7EP46i_B5rOHvx-N8Z2uxNHHE0RxM0TBEvHLJLH3uOTlRAaDh5COZqwpmFWQSsQOOoMzt1D8r3ytpQvLOjrvnAxKrtCzMGNNUFGxU4h6FEU/s1600/Pepsiman-title.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pepsiman</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Pepsiman came out in Japan in 1999, but never made its way over to the United States. I didn't even hear about this game until just a few years ago, around 2020, after I had joined some retro gaming groups on Facebook. Every once in a while someone would mention this game, and it would start a big discussion about how it was surprisingly good and how it was a shame it never made it to the US.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't really give the game much thought. How good could a game called Pepsiman be? I mean, I liked Cool Spot and everything, but Pepsiman? What a ridiculous concept.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite this, I continued to constantly encounter online discussion threads about this game. What was it about Pepsiman that I went from never hearing about it for 20 years to not being able to avoid it online? It was like some higher power was trying to get me to play it. I finally caved in and told myself: if I ever have the means to play it, sure I'll check this game out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, thanks to the power of my RetroPie, I now have the means to play it. I just finished my 500th game review, and I don't really have any big plans for any games I want to play in the near future. I am kind of at an in-between point in what I want to play right now. Seems like a perfect time to give Pepsiman a shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's check it out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dTAKXmGV7_uNpwi5sgzoMfSU1EHD16y24G8Tdg3tjaS-7negSHFAnPGgzv6AkC0u4S1A4Z9Q7iOZN46Clfp0csImlqxGMzT2546wy5qkTmbuzZWhK-5oyK8mRin2rWQDZ2Gwlec7aecx4bBotCozGuAeaXWkgSUIBJat_Ni__t88kLCl4U-FjaCLzjM/s1280/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dTAKXmGV7_uNpwi5sgzoMfSU1EHD16y24G8Tdg3tjaS-7negSHFAnPGgzv6AkC0u4S1A4Z9Q7iOZN46Clfp0csImlqxGMzT2546wy5qkTmbuzZWhK-5oyK8mRin2rWQDZ2Gwlec7aecx4bBotCozGuAeaXWkgSUIBJat_Ni__t88kLCl4U-FjaCLzjM/s320/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is one wild game. Story sequences are told through live action cutscenes. A man (one who makes me very uncomfortable for some reason) drinks a Pepsi on the street corner and every time he takes a sip, the Pepsiman theme song plays. He buys a shit ton of Pepsi and potato chips, goes home, and plops down in front of the TV. It appears he is watching the TV show Pepsiman.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pepsiman is a superhero who saves people from catastrophes, such as earthquakes, fire, and running out of Pepsi. The world of Pepsiman seems to be some kind of dystopian future where people are hooked on Pepsi like it is some kind of drug. If they don't have it, there is rioting in the streets. Flaming cars, businesses on fire. Biker gangs running wild. These people take their Pepsi seriously.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each time a level is complete, the game returns to live action, where the man who makes me uncomfortable is parked in front of the TV. He gets more and more excited as he watches the TV and guzzles can after can of Pepsi. He poses for the camera and says weird little catchphrases that I think have to be the result of bad Japanese translation. Here are some examples:</div><div><br /></div><div>"Pepsi for TV game."</div><div>"Pepsi for pizza."</div><div>"Everybody Pepsi."</div><div>"Pepsi only my choice."</div><div><br /></div><div>After you've made it through all four of the game's levels, the game ends with the man getting up and going to the bathroom to go pee. The end.</div><div><br /></div><div>A tale as old as time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN0VBLsWM85x3-wEYYg723JzGG3WkH5oUaOWXwALQhEbWsE_dgGkVifdT220xLKiEvTZ5J6G6z75Xisf6uD6mdpQ0IXa-vVbE6SgqLaYZXuQbnfJXdSECpb2LGZUXibuhAtoXG-A3KQvBNr1r6wfkFVWswUdajH5oJWJ7pY0uw8VpOaGsf80vlemAXSs/s420/7a1c0b98b83d46b884c677b8bf94eadc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="420" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN0VBLsWM85x3-wEYYg723JzGG3WkH5oUaOWXwALQhEbWsE_dgGkVifdT220xLKiEvTZ5J6G6z75Xisf6uD6mdpQ0IXa-vVbE6SgqLaYZXuQbnfJXdSECpb2LGZUXibuhAtoXG-A3KQvBNr1r6wfkFVWswUdajH5oJWJ7pY0uw8VpOaGsf80vlemAXSs/s320/7a1c0b98b83d46b884c677b8bf94eadc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>It's hard to compare the gameplay of Pepsiman to anything else, but it is almost like a racing game with platformer mechanics. Action takes place from a behind the back perspective. There is a timer that counts down as you move forward through the game's stages. The goal of the game is to make it to the end of the stage before the timer runs out, collecting as many Pepsi cans as you can. Everything runs on-rails fashion on a predetermined track. You can't really pick which direction you go, but you can move your character around on the screen to react accordingly. You can go left and right. You can jump, you can duck, and you can dash forward with a special speed boost.</div><div><br /></div><div>The biggest trick of the game is staying alive. Everything is trying to kill you. Pedestrians, crazy drivers, falling signs, trains, barricades, everything. You can suffer a number of hits before your health icon (the Pepsi symbol) disappears. You have to collect 10 Pepsi cans to restore your health. Not only can you die from taking damage, Pepsiman is also very slow to recover when he gets hit. If you don't make it to the end of the stage before the timer runs out, guess what? You die.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is surprisingly difficult. I found myself dying left and right. This is one of those games where things pop out at you seemingly at random. Gotcha! The only way to beat the game is through trial and error, memorizing when things come out at you and how to avoid them. So much relies on muscle memory, almost like a rhythm game. I just said the same thing about Punch-Out, the last game I reviewed - and I am saying the same thing here. In this regard these two games share a bit of similarity. There you have it - the first and only video game review in the world to compare Pepsiman to Punch Out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game does have an "NES hard" old school feel to it, though. Trial and error, unlimited lives to keep powering through no matter the cost. I thought this game was so tough my first time through it. I had to resort to using save states to beat the game. I hate having to do that. It seems like I've been doing it too much for my retro game reviews lately. It's just so hard not to do it. The tool is right there. Why not make the game less frustrating?</div><div><br /></div><div>I waited a few days after beating the game and then came back to it to play it "the right way" the second time through. I still found that the game was a ton of fun, and not as mind-numbingly hard as I had originally thought. It just takes some practice. It actually becomes easy after a while. I bet if I came back to this game a year or two down the road, I'd be able to jump right back into it with no problem. It's like learning how to ride a bike. Once you "figure out" Pepsiman, you never forget it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest complaint about the game? The final stage of each level. Each of the four levels is broken into three stages. The first two stages are standard behind-the-back stages where you have to make it to the end before the timer runs out. The third stage is the one I hate. They flip things around and you have to run <i>towards</i> the camera as something chases after you. Think of the infamous boulder scene from Crash Bandicoot. These levels are like that, except a thousand times harder. You can't see where you are going, you can't react quickly enough to avoid things, and getting hit three times means you die and have to start the whole thing over again. Ugh. I lost so many lives on these stages. Easily the worst part of the game for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, however, I enjoyed the game and had fun with it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyFPkc5Z6PAd8oozH-NqUJxFfnkMbccasXncibu83N9hyphenhyphenIyfNzN870qRjLq7Xb2eQWZIVYvu68G7EsynsCwVH9ZcTG5PcFLoyhJVKJ5sFvKDeGkSxEUi4QHQc6JklkmmYj7u_cDPtMY7H7ozG4YAxpMimcQ0CnD4DMcoqtPZP5eEQfQNG0xc6jiXoGWI/s1100/594363488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1100" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyFPkc5Z6PAd8oozH-NqUJxFfnkMbccasXncibu83N9hyphenhyphenIyfNzN870qRjLq7Xb2eQWZIVYvu68G7EsynsCwVH9ZcTG5PcFLoyhJVKJ5sFvKDeGkSxEUi4QHQc6JklkmmYj7u_cDPtMY7H7ozG4YAxpMimcQ0CnD4DMcoqtPZP5eEQfQNG0xc6jiXoGWI/s320/594363488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I like the way this game looks. It is oozing that classic PS1 charm. It may be a little blocky or jagged around the edges, but I don't care. It's colorful, and the stages are full of energy and personality. It actually feels like it should have been made by Sega. It has that "Virtua" vibe to it. Super cheesy, super Japanese. Any fan of late 90s/early 2000s Sega should know what I mean. This game would be right at home alongside Die Hard Arcade, Sonic R, Daytona USA, and Virtua Cop. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWbKQbkv9UaRF_PQdBytG3z0XVOysV0pKwbmhF4RU2q4p_Y7h1fGPurAqXFAX3Z0qy2SpIki4S79VLIx3lqdkDSUw31pVr_98DUjNK5cs2dRkvf6DhQqNr-bjlN_D876uv3xQ8A8AoL11KnyHys_3ZHNg7xbY9gTqWF6l5lj4Nj-4zNGltCy63GsScG4/s320/Pepsiman_(PSX)_20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWbKQbkv9UaRF_PQdBytG3z0XVOysV0pKwbmhF4RU2q4p_Y7h1fGPurAqXFAX3Z0qy2SpIki4S79VLIx3lqdkDSUw31pVr_98DUjNK5cs2dRkvf6DhQqNr-bjlN_D876uv3xQ8A8AoL11KnyHys_3ZHNg7xbY9gTqWF6l5lj4Nj-4zNGltCy63GsScG4/s1600/Pepsiman_(PSX)_20.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I said it before and I'll say it again: this feels like a Sega game. Not only in the graphics, but in the music too. Remember the cheesy singing in games like Sonic R and Daytona USA? It's present here, as well. It's so over the top and so very Japanese. Pepsimaaaaannn! It may be annoying at first, but trust me: the more you play, the more you'll start to dig it. You'll be singing along yourself before you know it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Voice acting is terrible, and very reminiscent of the Resident Evil games. In fact, the little briefing scenes that take place before each stage are very RE reminiscent. First I compare Pepsiman to Punch Out, now I am comparing it to Resident Evil. We really are breaking new ground here, huh?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSE6cCFdUtFWjC9YIaWueCYCDAufIIs_zjIeoxE4AnCbzdTdWTPPG3cYmKSZZBJeWB3Xz9UIkaYd9m85Rh75tDUzInmRd99r5wJziv8quF3C7QbY6weSYJRoSU5C-SGZCnKzmkJZj1UI2XoGIYZl8GpRBLq5eT-sbbY75Q5TB2piEzm2bL9eD4ssHtGk/s320/Pepsiman_(PSX)_33.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSE6cCFdUtFWjC9YIaWueCYCDAufIIs_zjIeoxE4AnCbzdTdWTPPG3cYmKSZZBJeWB3Xz9UIkaYd9m85Rh75tDUzInmRd99r5wJziv8quF3C7QbY6weSYJRoSU5C-SGZCnKzmkJZj1UI2XoGIYZl8GpRBLq5eT-sbbY75Q5TB2piEzm2bL9eD4ssHtGk/s1600/Pepsiman_(PSX)_33.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I am not ashamed to say that I like this game. It's challenging, fun, addicting, and the bizarre theme gives it an added appeal and quirkiness that makes it so unique. It really does remind me of an NES game in a way. It takes about two hours to beat (if you know what you are doing), it's tough, you learn through trial and error, and it can be frustrating at times. But it is a load of fun, too! I can easily see this game sneaking its way into my rotation of games that I throw on for a little while when I have nothing better to do. Contra, Castlevania, Punch-Out, Pepsiman. Why not?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not going to say this is a world beating game, and I'm not going to run around calling it some kind of all-time amazing classic. But it is enjoyable. If you are like me and you are interested in the concept of the game, but think it will be rubbish, take the plunge! It is definitely worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-88675036651773687452024-03-08T02:16:00.000-06:002024-03-08T02:16:03.585-06:00500 Video Game Reviews. What an Amazing Achievement!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQeMis_PyjfNCPGyxfIFBZO39ojfqt12g19TC6wglCsdhwZK0VbSz0vwSWxAF83Iv6fPh5PxwDcvIQuRHAc_jSMmUiH3fj4nbuhxkwc8oG7zGNEpuTO4Q_eNgEsuBrteLKkG5VUt_u-1u1Lvs5PGtIJKBTZGtz1z9mIOhbqncv_QygmT3T4PwM-LT1PQ/s540/360_F_504445728_9GaDfgMumD23QvOmuFHpOdYaOOLNx5VH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="540" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQeMis_PyjfNCPGyxfIFBZO39ojfqt12g19TC6wglCsdhwZK0VbSz0vwSWxAF83Iv6fPh5PxwDcvIQuRHAc_jSMmUiH3fj4nbuhxkwc8oG7zGNEpuTO4Q_eNgEsuBrteLKkG5VUt_u-1u1Lvs5PGtIJKBTZGtz1z9mIOhbqncv_QygmT3T4PwM-LT1PQ/s320/360_F_504445728_9GaDfgMumD23QvOmuFHpOdYaOOLNx5VH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>500 reviews, baby! Can you believe it? When I started this blog back in 2015, I didn't know how long I was going to be able to keep it going. Here we are, 9 years later, and I've just reached a pretty big milestone with my 500th game review.</div><div><br /></div><div>I reached 400 game reviews on August 15, 2022. It is now March 8th, 2024. That means it took me a little over a year and a half to review 100 games. I suck at math, but that averages out to something like a review every 6 days or so.</div><div><br /></div><div>My most reviewed console is the PlayStation 4, with 86 reviewed games for the console. I had reviewed 66 PS4 games when I hit 400 reviews, so that means that 20 of my last 100 reviews (20% of total games played) have been PS4 games. </div><div><br /></div><div>My next 5 most reviewed systems are as follows: PS3 (52), Genesis (50), Arcade (48), NES (41), PS1 (34). My least reviewed systems are Nintendo DS, Turbo-GrafxCD, and Sega Game Gear with 1 game reviewed apiece.</div><div><br /></div><div>My most reviewed gaming franchises are:</div><div>Batman: 15</div><div>Resident Evil: 14</div><div>Mario: 13</div><div>Star Wars: 13</div><div>Sonic: 13 (counted Knuckles Chaotix and Mean Bean Machine as Sonic games)</div><div>Castlevania: 9</div><div>Final Fantasy: 9</div><div><div>Contra: 8</div></div><div>Tomb Raider: 7</div><div><br /></div><div>What are some classics that I still haven't tackled yet for this blog? Let's see. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy Tactics, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Super Mario RPG, Sonic CD, the original Legend of Zelda, Link's Awakening, Doom, Warhawk, Bully, Okami, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, God of War Ragnarok, Beyond Oasis, Shadowrun, Shining Force 2, Earthbound, Suikoden, Bloodborne, Perfect Dark Zero, Comix Zone, Golden Sun, the Rogue Squadron series, Banjo-Tooie, Jersey Devil, Croc, Diddy Kong Racing, and the Xenosaga games have all been on my mind lately. I was going to play Metroid Prime recently, but I discovered that the Trilogy disc I have for the Wii doesn't work on any of my Wiis anymore! I'll have to find another way to play those games somehow. But still, it's crazy to think I've tackled 500 games already and there are still so many good ones out there! I still haven't even reviewed a single Street Fighter game yet. Wow! </div><div><br /></div><div>There are some games I've been avoiding on purpose, either because I've already played them and I know they suck or I'll think they be too difficult. Some examples include: The Adventures of Bayou Billy, Superman 64, Zelda II, The rebooted Ninja Gaiden series, Sonic Spinball, Quest 64, Cuphead, Spider-Man and X-Men in Arcade's Revenge, Myst, the Donkey Kong Country sequels, etc. I'm sure I'll force myself to play through these someday.</div><div><br /></div><div>I currently sit at 987 overall games played in my life. 500 reviews means that I've reviewed over 50% of every game I've ever played. That's pretty impressive, considering I just started this 9 years ago and I am 41 years old. That still means, however, that there are 487 games out there in my mental "backlog" that I need to track down, play through, and review. It's my eventual goal to have a review posted for every game I've played. Which sucks because that means at some point I'll have to play through Final Fantasy XIII again in order to review it.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's about all I really have, for now. If you are reading this, thank you for reading. I post these mainly for my own enjoyment, but if there is anyone else out there who enjoys my content or relates to some of the things I have to say about these games, I am very glad I'm able to provide you some enjoyment with these reviews.</div><div><br /></div><div>My next major milestone is hitting the 1000 games played mark, and as I mentioned, I am currently sitting at 987 games played in my life. When I hit 1000, I have something special planned that I hope you'll really enjoy. Aside from that, I'm planning to just keep plugging along and playing games and reviewing them. Eventually I will reach a point where I am struggling to find games to play and review, but I am nowhere even remotely close to that yet - and I think that's awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks again for reading! Y'all come back now, ya here?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a catalogue of all my review scores sorted by letter grade, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2023/05/video-game-review-score-index.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-63929947299004132602024-03-07T16:24:00.000-06:002024-03-07T16:24:59.619-06:00Video Game Review #500: Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSafgYQCvZfT278LcqpUwcV40gZ5JDF7vW9N5Z9Ce_AeJpW1JuQqhOJ055Zba7WOLA8OPrLQ1EN1uYO_wyg5u0YHc9Ho0OPDJBQTjCr5coBVEifZHuB_Up3ae-0aXIaJUfK4TXYxkkroQcrdSGNEIBmW-vw2kc1Gu_JIsZtohpVtOUzx1V26t8RBeHlOA/s1000/s-l1600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="663" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSafgYQCvZfT278LcqpUwcV40gZ5JDF7vW9N5Z9Ce_AeJpW1JuQqhOJ055Zba7WOLA8OPrLQ1EN1uYO_wyg5u0YHc9Ho0OPDJBQTjCr5coBVEifZHuB_Up3ae-0aXIaJUfK4TXYxkkroQcrdSGNEIBmW-vw2kc1Gu_JIsZtohpVtOUzx1V26t8RBeHlOA/s320/s-l1600.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nintendo Entertainment System</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Ahh, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! I wanted to do something special for my 500th video game review. Why not pick the game that may have singlehandedly gotten me hooked on video games when I was a kid? When the family first got our Nintendo Entertainment System, it came with the usual Super Mario Bros/Duck Hunt combo cartridge. But we also got Punch-Out on the side. This was the game that I put the most time and effort into. I had already played through Super Mario Bros before, while Duck Hunt never really excited me that much. This game was new territory.</div><div><br /></div><div>I poured so much time into this game. They had to pry me away from the NES to go play outside or do something else. It was the first time I remember being hooked on a game and giving it my complete attention. I became really good at the game. It was just so fun, with its big and colorful cast of characters and all the different tactics you needed in order to defeat them in battle. I loved it so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>Believe it or not, I did end up eventually beating the game. I did it a couple of times, too. But it was always very difficult to pull off. Mike Tyson's difficulty is legendary among retro video game fans. But I did it, darn it. As a young kid, too!</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't played the game in a very, very long time. It's the year 2024. I'd say I last played it on my NES in the early 90s. I did end up emulating the game in 2006 or so, but I never was able to complete it. I remember still loving it, though. That was the last time I had played the game. So that means about 18 years have passed since my last attempt to beat this game. The life span of a whole grown up individual. Geez! I'm feeling older and more decrepit every day.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, as I said, I always love to pick a game that means something to me whenever I have a milestone review. And this is my 500th review. I couldn't think of a better game to play than something I've loved for so many years, and something that really cemented me as a gamer for life when I was a young kid huddled in front of the big boxy television set in the 1980s. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let's dive into Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! and see if it holds up as well as I think it will.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjHCtVO-2crNTbkaFDjSOhRGbo6cxvQpBAuKGagvHZKy8h_08bPIWBCwME73g5wQPt8F9QmNsaGIcb5AUrUHUqBT5cxtnIWZ1s0SEVziql8O2G6lzrGpaLkN2ncD8z7CD0gWfb9l5Le8sgqV1XlKyEnYq1FqCLDa-ZW4LhyTHq5cquOJYJnzg3rwjsEY/s500/2067382-glass_joe_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="500" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjHCtVO-2crNTbkaFDjSOhRGbo6cxvQpBAuKGagvHZKy8h_08bPIWBCwME73g5wQPt8F9QmNsaGIcb5AUrUHUqBT5cxtnIWZ1s0SEVziql8O2G6lzrGpaLkN2ncD8z7CD0gWfb9l5Le8sgqV1XlKyEnYq1FqCLDa-ZW4LhyTHq5cquOJYJnzg3rwjsEY/s320/2067382-glass_joe_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>There isn't much of a story here, which is to be expected. You play as Little Mac, a 17 year old boxer who is new to the boxing circuit. You must fight your way through the various ranks of boxers until you face off against the greatest of them all at the end of the game: Mike Tyson. Beat him, and you become the new champ.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a very basic storyline, but the colorful cast of characters and the workout scenes with your personal trainer give the game a ton of personality.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkSqjJcto_HYVK4SztBa4i0p2wV_PDjVmSvbhrnGlEuGrBeYp7NN4oj8vSTxzEtuj12ywANLNfBY275Pjo8GGNBsYdXpDPZIdS-eUo8A_GA056ZgrLCsXamacpWDN4tJ75yjKWSkbucBHikwyY03rfKU_yui9jW_no5m7IR_oFYDQwEr6yruE1vpVBfM/s640/3180188652_6d02b808a3_z.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkSqjJcto_HYVK4SztBa4i0p2wV_PDjVmSvbhrnGlEuGrBeYp7NN4oj8vSTxzEtuj12ywANLNfBY275Pjo8GGNBsYdXpDPZIdS-eUo8A_GA056ZgrLCsXamacpWDN4tJ75yjKWSkbucBHikwyY03rfKU_yui9jW_no5m7IR_oFYDQwEr6yruE1vpVBfM/s320/3180188652_6d02b808a3_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was the part of the game I was worried about the most when I came back to revisit it. Would the gameplay still hold up? Turns out I had nothing to worry about, as it most definitely holds up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Playing as Little Mac, you have to make your way through 13 different boxing matchups. Beat Mike Tyson at the end and you beat the game. Things start out very easily with Glass Joe. This is to help teach you the mechanics of the game. As the game progresses, things get harder and harder to the point where its difficulty has become a thing of legend. </div><div><br /></div><div>Action takes place from a behind the back perspective. This is one of the first games I can remember playing that wasn't isometric or a side scroller. The A and B buttons throw right and left punches. Press them while holding up to aim for your opponent's head. Left and right on the d-pad makes your character perform a side-step move. This is essential for avoiding enemy attacks. The down button blocks. You can tap down twice to do a backwards evasive maneuver as well. If you hit an enemy and it makes a star appear above his head, this earns you a special uppercut move, good for one use. Activate it by pressing the start button. It delivers extra damage if you can get the punch to land. Be aware, however, that it is very slow and can be easily dodged by the enemy. It's best to use it when the enemy is stunned after getting punched in the face.</div><div><br /></div><div>The entire game revolves around memorizing your enemies' attack patterns and strategizing around them. You can't just go after an enemy with a constant barrage of punches and expect to win the fight. It might work with Glass Joe, but not with anyone else. You have to learn to dodge enemy attacks and counter them accordingly.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've heard this game described as sort of a rhythm game, and I can kinda see that. Some enemies, especially later in the game, don't have strong "tells" when they are going to attack, and a lot of my dodging and blocking was a result of guesswork or getting into a rhythm with my dodges. Wait a second, dodge, wait a second, dodge, wait a second, dodge, okay now you can hit him! If you're off by even a fraction of a second, the enemy could strike you and throw everything off.</div><div><br /></div><div>All 13 fighters have different attack patterns that you must exploit if you want to have any chance of beating this game. Some of the later fights are absolutely brutal in their difficulty. Everyone knows about Mike Tyson, but Sandman was always someone who gave me fits as a kid. I remember I always struggled with the Great Tiger as well. He has this move where you have to block successfully five times in a row, and it ALWAYS tripped me up when I was a kid. I could just never get that timing right.</div><div><br /></div><div>I played this game for two straight nights before I finally was able to beat it. Not gonna lie, I may or may not have resorted to "save scumming" during some of those last few fights. I have no doubt that I could have beaten the game without cheating if I had dedicated another night or two to it. After beating the game, I came back and started from the beginning without save scumming and made it a good portion of the way through the game before I had to turn it off for bed time. If I could do it as a kid, with no internet and no save states, I could do it as an adult. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can easily see myself continuing to play this game, even though I'm officially "done" with it now after writing this review. If I need something to play for ten minutes, why not throw on Punch-Out? If I am between games and I can't think of a new one to start, how about running through Punch-Out one more time? I can guarantee you it will not fall out of my gaming rotation for another 18 years.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmTbu6vgTbg0DPlycbHwVD6ZmkxM3H_G9a51J-CornlT1f6qmAY7kvIVmiR6wGOeEyulIhN4h0QUrpDF9DA2x7B29qqboGfIxhY0WtWczixuRDMTGhLdnL5wUAGi0W1YVtMREA0HSdMnjFXslibe2mdIvS8oTj2jUeNi1lhdenuq9bmf39v02OU8FUjI/s256/4071070-mike-tysons-punch-out-nes-many-opponents-give-away-some-kind-of-.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmTbu6vgTbg0DPlycbHwVD6ZmkxM3H_G9a51J-CornlT1f6qmAY7kvIVmiR6wGOeEyulIhN4h0QUrpDF9DA2x7B29qqboGfIxhY0WtWczixuRDMTGhLdnL5wUAGi0W1YVtMREA0HSdMnjFXslibe2mdIvS8oTj2jUeNi1lhdenuq9bmf39v02OU8FUjI/s1600/4071070-mike-tysons-punch-out-nes-many-opponents-give-away-some-kind-of-.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I am just biased but I still think the game looks really good. It may not look like much from the screenshots. I'll admit it is a very basic looking game. But the detail put into the characters is always something I've found impressive. The cast of fighters is big, and they all have their fun and unique looks and personalities.</div><div><br /></div><div>The short cutscenes with Little Mac training are something I've always found impressive, too. It is one of the first NES games I've played with cutscenes and I just remember thinking they were so fun when I was a kid. Honestly, they do add a lot of charm to this game. Punch-Out wouldn't be the same without 'em!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gGtyYGMpnthB5MTzwAH65auDY16_sJ7GfJO3Mn8hAi2Act3s2yZlOjZU_cAyo0zwcvoQtu_Pt2VvkWElh7WI042W76uD4tqv3b_uA3ZakUwhUCl5iiIj1YE1OgDgYtVGgT6qMdO88t0qay8NB8Rn1L0Mqb5-Sfgm4FeprcrL-fZZVONP5dP9Gc-Cp6E/s549/KingHippo-e1426982452404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="549" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gGtyYGMpnthB5MTzwAH65auDY16_sJ7GfJO3Mn8hAi2Act3s2yZlOjZU_cAyo0zwcvoQtu_Pt2VvkWElh7WI042W76uD4tqv3b_uA3ZakUwhUCl5iiIj1YE1OgDgYtVGgT6qMdO88t0qay8NB8Rn1L0Mqb5-Sfgm4FeprcrL-fZZVONP5dP9Gc-Cp6E/s320/KingHippo-e1426982452404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I absolutely love this game's soundtrack. As soon as I turned it on and heard that sweet introduction music, it brought back a flood of warm memories to my brain. The fight music is great. The intro music before each fight is great. I love how some of the fighters have their own personal intro music. One of the guys even has this super awesome, villainous laugh. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shout out to the music during the training segments as well. They didn't have to go that hard, but they did anyway. This has to be one of the best and most iconic NES soundtracks out there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNITtYxzsgESJNdn-tQ822XoD6ZTJ4OfE0ZxNm1V8IExKdB57UaWamSJNqMU_qbeI5seOsfh8zDb7CRCGkyyb3RrCw-4RasmI_ebVHU_lUZ_CdDVzfR6UXL8MXMNHGYbtnTwFluMrItbyiW2v0PCPJn8aVQ3u9tf-086EJbNE57Ebpu1p2WV_N2KzfdjI/s256/3973833-mike-tysons-punch-out-nes-tyson-wins-again.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNITtYxzsgESJNdn-tQ822XoD6ZTJ4OfE0ZxNm1V8IExKdB57UaWamSJNqMU_qbeI5seOsfh8zDb7CRCGkyyb3RrCw-4RasmI_ebVHU_lUZ_CdDVzfR6UXL8MXMNHGYbtnTwFluMrItbyiW2v0PCPJn8aVQ3u9tf-086EJbNE57Ebpu1p2WV_N2KzfdjI/s1600/3973833-mike-tysons-punch-out-nes-tyson-wins-again.png" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I had such a fun time with this game. I don't know why I was so resistant to coming back and playing through it again. I think maybe it had to do with the game's legendary difficulty level. It's tough, yeah, but it really isn't that bad. A lot of memorization and pattern recognition. If you put a lot of time and effort into the game, you'll be able to figure it out though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from being fun to play, the game just oozes classic retro charm. The music, the graphics, the sound effects, the cutscenes, just the overall presentation of the game is absolutely wonderful. This is peak NES gaming right here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I came into this review thinking I'd give it just an A. But after seeing in words how much I enjoyed this game and how much it meant to me growing up, I think it would be a disservice to give it anything but an A+. It is a truly fantastic game, and one of the absolute best NES titles out there. If you love NES gaming and you have never played Punch-Out, you are doing yourself a massive, massive disservice. It's an all-time classic and I couldn't have dreamed of a single game I'd rather review for #500 than this. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-77609873738574151182024-03-07T16:07:00.001-06:002024-03-07T16:07:51.071-06:00The Beatdown Part Three: Ranking every podcast in my current rotation from best to worst!Forget March Madness, this has become the March tradition that everyone in the universe looks forward to: my annual podcast ranking. For those unfamiliar with this, I did one of these rankings back in <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-beatdown-ranking-all-12-podcasts-i.html" target="_blank">2022</a> and one in <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-beatdown-part-two-ranking-every.html" target="_blank">2023</a>. Now it is time for the 2024 edition. Yay.<div><br /></div><div>Please note, this is only for podcasts in my current rotation. I'll give a shout out to my completed podcasts at the bottom of this post.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#1:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapkLGTD7s_HUhayt2xUrZreHqcip1WK2-KVVQ9eJtgmCwoMlQv3YSdcAoTQTn2pZoLttqZLDs2X9Ki9uWwHB394agFKTsU_oG6IBxnCOOZa0iYpBcHrCRtfN2tHoSzTZBJl7mdQfgxi7rKWx3eUmhvzyheyQGPVpNBys9Sb0MYICNbMzRXvA3cBvS/s2000/staffpickslogo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="2000" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapkLGTD7s_HUhayt2xUrZreHqcip1WK2-KVVQ9eJtgmCwoMlQv3YSdcAoTQTn2pZoLttqZLDs2X9Ki9uWwHB394agFKTsU_oG6IBxnCOOZa0iYpBcHrCRtfN2tHoSzTZBJl7mdQfgxi7rKWx3eUmhvzyheyQGPVpNBys9Sb0MYICNbMzRXvA3cBvS/s320/staffpickslogo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Staff Picks</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Mario Lanza</span></b></div><div><br /></div><br />For the second year in a row, Staff Picks sits atop this list. It is easily the best podcast in my rotation. It is a discussion podcast for movies that need a little bit more love. What I love about the podcast is how it can sell me on literally any movie. Sometimes I come into an episode completely uninterested in the movie, only to leave wanting to track it down and watch it.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's not much else I can say about this podcast that I didn't already say when it won last year. I guess I can add that this is a podcast that I always set aside time to listen to. A lot of podcasts just wind up as background noise as I drive or do things around the house. And that's ok, because they are filled with a lot of jibber jabber that doesn't really add much to anything. But every second of this podcast I feel is essential listening. If you haven't listened to this podcast, I advise checking it out. To me it is the quintessential movie podcast.<br /><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: </b>The Prestige</div><div><b>Next episode in line: </b>The Illusionist</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#2:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHvYL2iHeppvo0H2-edYmqKK3WMsUNOol0q0K4xq8IOizsY8V282L36ngBXaT_66QqBUkfAxp6f9BCU0TkMG7mlLK85oEBzY6V50Vh9ymy5OLzVuw9F-8HxWYZTpeubqkIh54K0PXCdmfOhwBzbYkB-Y7meXlWUoTc1-YW6TyxSjWT2hZSvg-ow2t/s320/p2xwklelZX7GyIXOXLPi_x-G.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHvYL2iHeppvo0H2-edYmqKK3WMsUNOol0q0K4xq8IOizsY8V282L36ngBXaT_66QqBUkfAxp6f9BCU0TkMG7mlLK85oEBzY6V50Vh9ymy5OLzVuw9F-8HxWYZTpeubqkIh54K0PXCdmfOhwBzbYkB-Y7meXlWUoTc1-YW6TyxSjWT2hZSvg-ow2t/s1600/p2xwklelZX7GyIXOXLPi_x-G.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Retrograde: A Video Game Podcast</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Andrew Bascom and Mikey Ehrenworth</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This podcast has performed consistently well on my ranking. In the 3 years I've been doing this, it has ranked 3rd, 2nd, and now 2nd again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel as if there is not much I can say here that I haven't said already in my last 2 rankings. The hosts are funny, I love their off-topic banter, and I disagree with about 90% of their retro gaming opinions. I've come to accept the fact that we just have wildly different tastes. They absolutely love stuff like Sim City, Civilization, Age of Empires, and sports games. Games that don't really mean anything to me. Meanwhile they rip on some of my all-time favorites like Resident Evil 2, Ecco, Star Fox, and Max Payne. It seems like they've been getting better at not hating everything, though. I don't know if it was an intentional shift in philosophy based on some of the backlash they get, or if they've simply gotten used to playing retro games and are more lenient now than they were before.</div><div><br /></div><div>Regardless, this is a podcast I can put on anytime, anywhere, and know that I am going to enjoy it. It's my go-to podcast for when I am simply not in the mood to listen to anything else. I am ALWAYS in the mood to listen to this one. It's great. If you like retro gaming this one absolutely needs to be in your podcast rotation.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Episode 155: Sim City 2000</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Episode 157: Pokemon Snap Revisited</b></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#3:</span></b></div><div><b style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmcF12EEcSeMQT6l1Xqo3IMfqt_tRJZOZoInC-wHL_yqaFGMypM7iW3r5udXLg-_-t-M3GmOpJOB5Vq9H8om9jcC8Hqd2Gg64VfDsE0uSzVWdfkLbRgTyrbW9kRRAwToTSkLzy6gFaBtFHeECtcAGAQsvLTU5ATA42A_AHtH9EREV8SzAgTIuk6NsoaM/s225/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmcF12EEcSeMQT6l1Xqo3IMfqt_tRJZOZoInC-wHL_yqaFGMypM7iW3r5udXLg-_-t-M3GmOpJOB5Vq9H8om9jcC8Hqd2Gg64VfDsE0uSzVWdfkLbRgTyrbW9kRRAwToTSkLzy6gFaBtFHeECtcAGAQsvLTU5ATA42A_AHtH9EREV8SzAgTIuk6NsoaM/w265-h265/download.png" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dynasty Happy Hour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by James, Doug, and Tyler</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></div><div>2023 was the year I fell down the dynasty fantasy football rabbit hole. I remember adding this podcast to my rotation in about May or so, because I wanted to hear about the upcoming rookies in the draft class. I quickly became addicted to dynasty football content, and this podcast was a big part of that. I wanted to hear all about Quentin Johnston and Kendre Miller and Sam LaPorta and Zach Charbonnet, etc. I loved hearing their projections and listening to all their mock drafts. It inspired me to create a family and friends dynasty league of my own! </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure there are other dynasty podcasts out there, but this is all I need for the time being. It is one of my favorite podcasts, and I always instantly jump out and download a new episode as soon as it lands. I always debate between listening to it immediately or delaying my gratification and saving it as long as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>The good news about this podcast is that it has so many episodes to go back and listen to. I started in the 2023 offseason, but I could easily go back and listen to everything that came before that. With a long dynasty offseason staring at me, I'm probably going to have to do so. Kudos to the hosts for all having great podcast voices, and great personalities as well. Everyone gets along with one another and I love the dissenting opinions. The Trophy Smack and Manscape advertisements get old, but I understand they gotta do what they gotta do to get that money!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Episode 389: Tight End Landscape for 2024</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Episode 390: Trading Etiquette w/ Leo Paciga</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#4:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VPkFHeDnD0510uw1RGA8UsotPO2no4oWYsY1nCRQJfvgKQqXwSjqmrlG-354c8ti_INj_0RJLFphfTFWzkLOxqrHgYtnnL9nEO8bw1j2mP8edBoI2hnsSZBxQzSVvZt0ysTDtMFq5ildh6q5JKkntToMHcExcjCoJdqxE-9oDNqlsPWTAk2FOByI/s320/41sEeT54--L._SL500_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VPkFHeDnD0510uw1RGA8UsotPO2no4oWYsY1nCRQJfvgKQqXwSjqmrlG-354c8ti_INj_0RJLFphfTFWzkLOxqrHgYtnnL9nEO8bw1j2mP8edBoI2hnsSZBxQzSVvZt0ysTDtMFq5ildh6q5JKkntToMHcExcjCoJdqxE-9oDNqlsPWTAk2FOByI/s1600/41sEeT54--L._SL500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Collateral Gaming Video Game Podcast</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Ashley Chancellor, Megan Gomez, and Zachary Guillot</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What are the odds? Collateral Gaming has come in fourth place every single year I've done this ranking. If anything, it is remarkably consistent. Again, as with all the other podcasts I've been listening to for a long time, I don't really have anything new to add about this podcast. I summed it all up pretty well the last two years.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I can say that this is one of the few podcasts in my rotation that I'm all caught up with. Luckily this podcast pops out new content quite frequently, so it doesn't have to worry about dropping out of my rotation and losing its spot on my ranking. Unlike the other gaming podcasts I listen to, this one is not solely focused on retro gaming, and it talks about a lot of newer stuff. While I am a big gamer, I don't really follow new releases or gaming news anymore, so I am thankful to this podcast for keeping me in the loop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Collateral Gaming is one of those admirable podcasts that I can put on anytime, anywhere, and still enjoy. Certain podcasts I have to be in the mood for, but this one is always welcome. I think it is because the host Ash seems like such a nice and pleasant guy. The cohosts are great, too. I've always liked Beaux. I feel like I'd fit right in talking games with these people and just hanging out and shooting the shit, and that is part of why I enjoy it so much. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Game Launch Edition: </b><b>Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Anniversary Special Part 1 - Fable 2004</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#5:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VZlJ6stAcGZtgBQqJu5BBJotU7-fyZFS3Xz2Qy1Ez54gMzn5FeTylp0x5TmaC7UoPI8FBx6zLreFOVGIxJcXUrQn5c8wMdQ6ov7cEDvNi5MJL1WwmHLn0rTnEqD3WSq25uGaTaZrwy6eAkWqH05i1JaCPwsmmlu8X_VWG4pMSzm8Y7bu1uRxiQ5dc2s/s1400/3d48ff7cdf07608494945a320129e691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VZlJ6stAcGZtgBQqJu5BBJotU7-fyZFS3Xz2Qy1Ez54gMzn5FeTylp0x5TmaC7UoPI8FBx6zLreFOVGIxJcXUrQn5c8wMdQ6ov7cEDvNi5MJL1WwmHLn0rTnEqD3WSq25uGaTaZrwy6eAkWqH05i1JaCPwsmmlu8X_VWG4pMSzm8Y7bu1uRxiQ5dc2s/s320/3d48ff7cdf07608494945a320129e691.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The 7th Rule: A Star Trek Podcast</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Cirroc Lofton, Ryan T Husk, and Denise Crosby</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is a new entry on my list this year. Last year, I remember searching for some kind of Star Trek podcast to add to my rotation, and this is one of the first ones to show up. I'm glad I decided to pick this one to listen to, as it is great. It was originally started with Cirroc Lofton and Aron Eisenberg (Jake and Nog from DS9) but it has been forced to change and evolve over the years, especially after Aron's passing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually started listening to this podcast in the middle of it. Normally I start from the very beginning of a podcast and listen in chronological order. But not here. I started with episode 203, which is when they review the TNG episode Code of Honor. I think I was testing the waters to see if the show was worth listening to, and it immediately hooked me. I don't think Denise is actually a full time host, but her humor and her insight into the filming of some of these old episodes really impressed me. I backed up and listened to the first few episodes of the TNG rewatch. And then continued listening after Code of Honor.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole podcast is such a joy to listen to, especially if you grew up with Star Trek like me. I love the hosts. They are so funny and insightful. It's surprising to me that Cirroc has not seen any of these TNG episodes, when he grew up playing Jake on an what was essentially a spinoff of The Next Generation. It's been a treat listening to his observations as he watches these episodes for the first time. Denise's recollections are great, too. I think it's funny how sometimes she completely doesn't even remember filming some of this stuff, though. I suppose, would I remember some random things that happened on a job I was working over 30 years ago? Ryan is a great cohost, too. He has the best "podcast voice" of any of the hosts.</div><div><br /></div><div>The podcast also seems to have a panel of people that join every episode. Random fans from the Internet that give their opinion on the episodes they watch. It's always the same people every episode. I want to know how they were picked! But I've grown to really enjoy some of these guests. I love the "Aruken!" exclamation when they are reading off the big list of names. I don't think anyone has ever passed on the opportunity to say it like the Street Fighter sound effect. Some guests I can do without. I don't want to throw any shade, because you never know who is going to read this, but I have always found the limericks to be a bit lame. The awkward silence from the hosts every time the guest recites the limerick says everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I had to offer one constructive criticism it would be to focus more on a cohesive recap of each episode they review. Sometimes they just talk about a few specific scenes that happened in an episode or how impressed they are with the costumes and the guest actors, and I am just sitting over here like "BUT WHAT EPISODE IS THIS????" I think that is more of a me problem than anything, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Coincidentally, the next episode I listen to is the one where Tasha Yar is killed off the show. I really hope Denise sticks around! Also, a side note: I have only been listening to the TNG recap episodes and skipping everything else. I'll return to the DS9 content and everything else at a later time.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Episode 225: Symbiosis</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Episode 226: Skin of Evil</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#6:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBcZEkwWM9ClG6HEckZ6eiqy25kUYH8Datv1St4fkPK0YDDHG2pbJkaoqQOPgBldIEuw_WwvEU1kIpJmUhYUpqGU5HCC0KQwu9JVrOZwRCAWDlJC0mUOnnOzQZo3jZVdwnEBNYiNFf4JowlAs3CoclAVfphTZXmv6ZyTCgJAimwMmhGI9JNYd0p3O/s320/apple_new_k3hng7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBcZEkwWM9ClG6HEckZ6eiqy25kUYH8Datv1St4fkPK0YDDHG2pbJkaoqQOPgBldIEuw_WwvEU1kIpJmUhYUpqGU5HCC0KQwu9JVrOZwRCAWDlJC0mUOnnOzQZo3jZVdwnEBNYiNFf4JowlAs3CoclAVfphTZXmv6ZyTCgJAimwMmhGI9JNYd0p3O/s1600/apple_new_k3hng7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arcade Attack</span></b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Keith, Adrian, Dillon, and Rob</span></b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>Arcade Attack comes in strong at #6 on my ranking - one place higher in the ranking than it got last year. I really enjoy this podcast. All the hosts seem like a great group of friends that are very tight knit. Most of the time this is a good thing, but other times as a listener you feel like less of a member of their group and more of an outside observer.</div><div><br /></div><div>This podcast is at its best when they are having fun. I like the music episodes and the episodes where they play little quiz games. I also enjoy the Secret Santa episodes where they give each other gifts. I love their wide variety of knowledge of retro gaming consoles. I'm glad someone out there appreciates the Atari Jaguar. Some episodes seem a little dry, however. Like when they talk about the history of some dull sounding Amiga game I've never heard of for more than an hour. I also am not a huge fan of the interview episodes, which I mentioned in my ranking last year. There was a recent interview, however, that had me laughing because of how off the wall it was. I wish I could remember which episode. I think the man being interviewed was yelling at his dog or something. I can't remember the specifics, just that it was funny. I should have written it down. Anyway, it was fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like I have been listening to this podcast forever. It's been a few years now, I think. And the great thing about it is that I still have a long way to go. The final episode of the podcast was from September of 2023 and I am still back in January of 2020 where I am listening. The fact that I have so many more episodes left listening to these guys brings a smile to my face.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: 2010 to 2020: A Decade of Retro Gaming</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Bonus Podcast: PlayStation Classic Wrongness</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#7:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYHBmJbFAwN9bct3QnEfv4PGBuaJBp5Nq6ktuoJSYBXQy-72sGqUUK85WnXNQUnYoTomnrwC69dWGLiPa9Nd8oajpqknehYfBbyDyrcQChyM119Kzpd-ts5pk4mtKZCfHw7T_xl0NcvVk9xXeyCwb3w-DC0ER9Tbo0AUYlShZoilTUmuzwpg2np7t/s320/Resized-N62TE_1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYHBmJbFAwN9bct3QnEfv4PGBuaJBp5Nq6ktuoJSYBXQy-72sGqUUK85WnXNQUnYoTomnrwC69dWGLiPa9Nd8oajpqknehYfBbyDyrcQChyM119Kzpd-ts5pk4mtKZCfHw7T_xl0NcvVk9xXeyCwb3w-DC0ER9Tbo0AUYlShZoilTUmuzwpg2np7t/s1600/Resized-N62TE_1_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Cartridge Club</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by P1 and P2</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hard to believe that the Cartridge Club has slipped from 5th to 7th place in my ranking, but I think that says more about the quality of the podcasts above it than anything else. I think the main reason it is ranking so low is because I'm bogged down with the weekly episodes right now. I enjoyed the podcast the most when it was just a game of the month podcast, but all the weekly update shows are driving me nuts. Honestly, I probably should have just went and skipped them, but the completionist in me wants to listen to every single episode in this podcast's backlog. If anything they serve a purpose as a good "background" podcast that I can put on, and it doesn't really matter if I am paying attention or if I miss anything or not.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's not that the weekly episodes are bad or anything, I just prefer the variety of games they talk about for game of the month. Spoiler alert: I was actually on an episode as a guest last year. My first podcast appearance. Anyway, the weekly episodes tend to focus around the members of the club and what they are up to. It's a lot of club gossip and discussion from the forums, which apparently were hopping back in 2017. Hard to believe I am still 7 years behind on this podcast! They also talk about new games and consoles being released around that time. It's interesting to see them react to things that are considered old news here in 2024. Anyway, I know that the weekly episodes eventually stop around 80 something. I'm on 55 right now. Eventually once I get through these, I'll start catching up to real time pretty quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: CC Portable #2 - Tetris DS</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: CC Weekly #55 - July 30th 2017</b></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#8:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh49bMsNzHrSVioRStY2B7cDTPda9WlTHX9VVhIS4N-qTSusXg6_OswVtzD7hiyX-VygEL6J1-yl3q3roKxWA27CNMtl8F51eTW1-I_r6yAe98HXyuarwP1cLaz3ucA6MDozLwxvwc0GSzUrW2LeRGOIBQALj0J8Vrw3N_uvEcFB9mKIJHTbBOxFE/s320/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGlwcGEuaW8vc2hvd3MvNjFiOThjMDU0MmU4NTY2MWM5OTg1NzRhLzEzOTJmM2UwLTE4NjgtNGQyYi05N2VjLTAxNzg1ZDJlMmI1Ny5wbmc.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKh49bMsNzHrSVioRStY2B7cDTPda9WlTHX9VVhIS4N-qTSusXg6_OswVtzD7hiyX-VygEL6J1-yl3q3roKxWA27CNMtl8F51eTW1-I_r6yAe98HXyuarwP1cLaz3ucA6MDozLwxvwc0GSzUrW2LeRGOIBQALj0J8Vrw3N_uvEcFB9mKIJHTbBOxFE/s1600/aHR0cHM6Ly9hc3NldHMucGlwcGEuaW8vc2hvd3MvNjFiOThjMDU0MmU4NTY2MWM5OTg1NzRhLzEzOTJmM2UwLTE4NjgtNGQyYi05N2VjLTAxNzg1ZDJlMmI1Ny5wbmc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Loser's Club</span></b></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Randall Colburn, Dan Caffrey, McKenzie and Justin Gerber, and more!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div>The Loser's Club rises one spot in my ranking from last year. What I have come to appreciate about these guys is their enthusiasm and love for Stephen King, even through some of his not so good books and some of his cringe worthy dialogue that hasn't held up well over time. The poundcake section is something I always look forward to in every episode. The hosts do such a good job recapping the highs and lows of these books, all while laughing and having a great time the whole way throughout.</div><div><br /></div><div>I just finished the Four Past Midnight episode, and will be moving onto some It Chapter Two movie episodes before moving onto the third Dark Tower book: The Wastelands. I am so excited for The Dark Tower and so excited for The Wastelands. The fact that I have been listening to this podcast for so many years now, and I still have so much more content to listen to is really awesome. I don't have much time to read anymore, so listening to this podcast on the go and reliving some of my favorite Stephen King moments, and moments I've completely forgotten about, is such a great thing.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: The Sun Dog</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Behind the Scenes of It: Chapter Two with Anthony Breznican</b></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#9:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcniCY3TXwzY2aW869_gZtjO_l3oYFMdRIKXC0swkMsZjOVdApFq9O7yzYBH5Dm-WkNoVLcm2e1frPUuk9H0_xkWlZ9pk6DSqoCj6WSC3CmIcbey2eftY_tiYZR5RTF76LTvKim7ZJQ5_ZgRZg9y5H-OFKzozvZIfwedyGhIrVMf4wx6P5eKvEjK_27w/s300/ab67656300005f1fc5f79e08dd87f8f0ff341bd5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcniCY3TXwzY2aW869_gZtjO_l3oYFMdRIKXC0swkMsZjOVdApFq9O7yzYBH5Dm-WkNoVLcm2e1frPUuk9H0_xkWlZ9pk6DSqoCj6WSC3CmIcbey2eftY_tiYZR5RTF76LTvKim7ZJQ5_ZgRZg9y5H-OFKzozvZIfwedyGhIrVMf4wx6P5eKvEjK_27w/s1600/ab67656300005f1fc5f79e08dd87f8f0ff341bd5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Fantasy Football Happy Hour </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">with Matthew Berry</span></b></div><div><br /></div><br /><div>I started listening to this podcast in 2023 to supplement the other Happy Hour podcast I listen to (DHH). I don't like this one as much. First of all, it doesn't focus on dynasty. That's not the podcast's fault, but it is more of what I am interested in right now. Second: there is too much content. During the NFL season they were pumping out an episode every single day. It was way too much to keep up with. I can listen to maybe an episode or two a week. But not one a day.</div><div><br /></div><div> As a result, I only listen to a sporadic episode here and there. There is no way I am going to be able to listen to every episode, so I am not going to even try. The content of the podcast is good. These guys definitely do their research. And I can see them doing some episodes that are more dynasty relevant in the offseason (they already talked about the NFL combine and the incoming rookie class). So this is definitely a podcast I'll continue to listen to. But I won't get caught up in trying to listen to every episode. It's just not going to happen.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: NFL Combine headlines, Top Prospects + Andy Reid, Dan Quinn Interviews</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: whichever of the hundreds of previously unlistened to episodes I feel like listening to</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#10:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX6kU1PopUHHc_GLInK60FlsQxPlByY6WUseFhputwfQ7YPhL5_16sLIK3EyrwO2QAvcd8pVkdYeENvHVGuNN4HKXXEmvB8hli17tJrmz95x9ZmrTmj1EUVsSQoZhMRALm3JFnl8n3eYCktEXN7JMr5H1S-KORDIZsBlV3GwWj2BMwbMpKkz_-opu/s300/2D97BEA6-16D6-4C80-B77B-3EBE9039F395_300x300.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX6kU1PopUHHc_GLInK60FlsQxPlByY6WUseFhputwfQ7YPhL5_16sLIK3EyrwO2QAvcd8pVkdYeENvHVGuNN4HKXXEmvB8hli17tJrmz95x9ZmrTmj1EUVsSQoZhMRALm3JFnl8n3eYCktEXN7JMr5H1S-KORDIZsBlV3GwWj2BMwbMpKkz_-opu/s1600/2D97BEA6-16D6-4C80-B77B-3EBE9039F395_300x300.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Collateral Cinema</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Beau Maddox and a plethora of cohosts</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Well, Collateral Cinema has moved up two spots from #12 to #10 on my ranking. I really liked this podcast when I first started listening to it, and thought it would shoot to the top of my ranking, but that hasn't quite happened. I like the hosts. Beaux is awesome and seems like someone I would be comfortable kicking it with any day of the week. If you know me, you know that is pretty high praise.</div><div><br /></div><div>The reason this podcast doesn't rank higher is because of its structure. Look at Staff Picks, which ranked #1. It's such a well plotted out podcast. They talk about their memories with the movie, who is in the movie, a basic plot summary, a detailed recap of all major plot points, including many breakdowns of individual scenes, etc. It has a beginning, middle, and end. This podcast is a bit of a free for all in comparison. Oftentimes I can listen to an entire episode and still have no idea what the movie is even about. I also feel like the movie selection is a little weird. It is very dude bro-ish. Not a lot of movies on here that I would watch or enjoy. A lot of stoner comedies, low budget horror movies, and movies that are just flat out bizarre, like Foodfight, Gummo, and Freddy Got Fingered. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think that if and when they get around to movies I actually care about, and as they round their way into form, I'll begin enjoying this podcast more. Next episode is an awesome start with Martyrs. I love that movie, especially the version they are watching.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Ep 26: Leprechaun Returns</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Ep 27: Pascal Laugier's Martyrs </b></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#11:</span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9_vU3iizKPNZehv18FXYvfCicKXlbpjCzF1q82DkinzDnwfncFmXWPaG97gqDdUYa1yKxzBSakCcHiO-2JIfySYsElXANbG3_eg4eUMUUpVBCT24FGSf6dd3uXlTK2rtQQr16QK3KVfclyVYGZHdnSzvJGWeet65AdmWWp-2d970wCVnOXETdec/s1400/avatars-000274614123-r1s9z4-original.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Y9_vU3iizKPNZehv18FXYvfCicKXlbpjCzF1q82DkinzDnwfncFmXWPaG97gqDdUYa1yKxzBSakCcHiO-2JIfySYsElXANbG3_eg4eUMUUpVBCT24FGSf6dd3uXlTK2rtQQr16QK3KVfclyVYGZHdnSzvJGWeet65AdmWWp-2d970wCVnOXETdec/s320/avatars-000274614123-r1s9z4-original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Digging Six Feet Under</span></b></div></b><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Victor Rubio</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This podcast took the biggest tumble of any on my list, falling from 6th to 11th. It's not that I don't like the podcast. I really do. The host is great. I emailed him a while back because there were some episodes missing and he kindly provided me the links to be able to listen to them. He has a great podcasting persona and is always very personable with the guests he has on each week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think the reason this podcast has fallen so much is because of my disconnect with Six Feet Under. Last year when I started listening to this, the show was fresh in my mind and I was really digging the podcast. Now, a year later, I am a year removed from the show and have moved onto other shows that I am invested in. So I'm really in no giant rush to make my way through this podcast. I will finish it, though. I'm currently right around the middle mark. Season 3 of the show was my least favorite season, so I could see myself struggling a bit to listen through these episodes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Bonus Episode (True Blood)</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: S03E04 Nobody Sleeps</b></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#12:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINII6yE7Ca7DoX7ALl8ZLfgWJjwg44PIxEcCRxBzHSF0LSlUf5eQrM_m1sL3usMQLQxLvv91aEpsY0FPOnUl4maIu6MUS_J6b5v3LTxYX5gpwueSl8s8AW8rsnB5EIraR19101-_ugNB-beU7lAgeWJB3zW3BV6Balq5yE8g8jn2dEYnxDeWPaCR3/s320/1200x1200bb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINII6yE7Ca7DoX7ALl8ZLfgWJjwg44PIxEcCRxBzHSF0LSlUf5eQrM_m1sL3usMQLQxLvv91aEpsY0FPOnUl4maIu6MUS_J6b5v3LTxYX5gpwueSl8s8AW8rsnB5EIraR19101-_ugNB-beU7lAgeWJB3zW3BV6Balq5yE8g8jn2dEYnxDeWPaCR3/s1600/1200x1200bb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sega Saturn, Shiro</span></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Patrick, Dave, Ke</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sega Saturn, Shiro has slipped a little bit in my rankings, falling from 8th last year to 12th this year. It is not anything that the podcast has done wrong. It's just fallen out of my rotation for some reason. I think I've only listened to about 20 episodes or so since the last ranking.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to give a special shout out to the people running this podcast. They have such a love for the Saturn and they do such a great job keeping the system alive and relevant. Their work can't be appreciated enough. It's a shame that this podcast has dropped to the bottom of my rotation. I just find it's not something I can listen to one episode after another like I can with other podcasts. I have to be in a certain mood for it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I noticed I'm coming up to a bunch of weekly live shows. I've decided to skip these for the time being. I am listening to all the weekly episodes of the Cartridge Club, and it is making my listen-through of their backlog take so freaking long. If I start listening to the weekly episodes of Sega Saturn, Shiro, I'll never finish with this podcast. So I am skipping them for now and only listening to the numbered episodes or bonus episodes.</div><div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: EPISODE 44: "Pinball Games!"</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: BONUS: "Bulk Slash English Translation Patch Discussion"</b></div></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#13:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEj0d3JxBESLxdfehbFvpDX6_ZzSgia16QZZCBNQuNvChaFpsShcfB-iMq2daTHmKEfcrvMQwLF0cu6lkI7SXp1E29vsxpJ5pmYzHfu4litqwqTE3LUb7yKk09LAQpD6pRYTiqcUNLfFXTSxLIQq2QvIZOuJqbth1A6Xf1DwDONssYjQdQ6nVpdid/s320/WN2aRXP0_400x400.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEj0d3JxBESLxdfehbFvpDX6_ZzSgia16QZZCBNQuNvChaFpsShcfB-iMq2daTHmKEfcrvMQwLF0cu6lkI7SXp1E29vsxpJ5pmYzHfu4litqwqTE3LUb7yKk09LAQpD6pRYTiqcUNLfFXTSxLIQq2QvIZOuJqbth1A6Xf1DwDONssYjQdQ6nVpdid/s1600/WN2aRXP0_400x400.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stephen King Cast</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Constant Reader</span></b></div><div><br /></div><br /><div>My Stephen King podcasts kind of fell out of my rotation for a while, and it negatively affected the Stephen King Cast the most. I still listen to this podcast, but it takes a backseat to the Loser's Club, which I find infinitely more enjoyable. I am trying to listen to the book episodes in chronological order of when they were released. I always listen to the King Cast episode first, as it is generally pretty short and more of a cut and dry recap of the book's events. It gets me ready for the Loser's Club, which I consider the meat and potatoes of the Stephen King meal.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll still listen to this podcast, because I like the host and I like that the episodes are a lot shorter and easier to consume. But we can't kid ourselves that it is a particularly fun or enjoyable podcast. It is very dry.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Episode Fifty Nine-The Sun Dog</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Episode Sixty-Needful, Things Part One</b></div></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#14:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2MklJ-rbIfDtAkpDfmYmv2C5IdJY4c3_YQPoD4cQyS2ZSyM42wBHMZGOXhVKt1FB8jznSA-3ctDlt-05XzZVqAdpiuVmOfPhS4etd-u7Ognz4kGg2Rmd7cawdkIcSMbJHbSdt4PYzm6hQVcs9ta8zo6sKyEKuis4215VMi43ZQ7WwzrLIm86fiTC/s640/ab6765630000ba8a18f866ce65222b333cb8c5b5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2MklJ-rbIfDtAkpDfmYmv2C5IdJY4c3_YQPoD4cQyS2ZSyM42wBHMZGOXhVKt1FB8jznSA-3ctDlt-05XzZVqAdpiuVmOfPhS4etd-u7Ognz4kGg2Rmd7cawdkIcSMbJHbSdt4PYzm6hQVcs9ta8zo6sKyEKuis4215VMi43ZQ7WwzrLIm86fiTC/s320/ab6765630000ba8a18f866ce65222b333cb8c5b5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ear Biscuits</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hosted by Rhett and Link</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Can you believe Ear Biscuits is last on my ranking for the second year in a row? Dead last. I love Rhett and Link, but this podcast hasn't been Micah Pufftea. The reason is because it focuses on the boys interviewing fellow YouTube sensations. They dive into their past, how they got into making videos, and what their plans are for the future. Most of these YouTubers I either haven't heard of, or they haven't been relevant in 10 years. And plus, I don't really care about these people. I am listening for Rhett and Link.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eventually they move away from the interview format and gets to the type of podcast I am here for: Rhett and Link picking a topic and bantering about it for an hour. To heck with these YouTube people. Unfortunately, I am only on episode 32 and I have about 80 more of these interviews to sit through before the podcast becomes more of what I am looking for. Why don't I just skip ahead? Simple. OCD. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I did my ranking last year, I was on episode 10. That means I've listened to 21 episodes in the last year. Another 4 years and I'll be through the interview phase. Yay!</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Last episode played: Ep. 31 Swoozie</b></div><div><b>Next episode in line: Ep. 32 Smosh</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Special shout out to all the podcasts that are not in my current rotation:</div><div><br /></div><div>Worth it or Worthless: Where are you guys?? After releasing 2 episodes a month for 4 years, they suddenly fell off the face of the earth. Just 6 total episodes were released in 2023, and none so far in 2024. I have a feeling they are done. Noooo! This was the show that got me hooked on podcasts, and I feel as if they still have so many retro games out there to cover. Hopefully they return someday.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Edge of Sleep: This was my first podcast that was a fictional story rather than non fiction or a group of people talking about a movie, book, TV show, or video game. I have to say it was absolutely fantastic. I binged all 8 episodes in about a week. If it was still in my current rotation it could be #1. Really, really good.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Survivor Historians: They actually just dropped a new episode less than 2 weeks ago, after going almost a year and a half with no new episodes. I was all caught up and was just waiting for them to finish Redemption Island. Now that they have, I can listen to these episodes and rewatch this season along with them. I'm looking forward to it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Birds of Empire: I'm in the middle of the first episode, so I didn't think it would be appropriate to put it on the ranking considering I haven't listened to a full episode yet. It's okay so far. The premise sounds good. Very Horizon Zero Dawn reminiscent. I'm only listening to this because it is from the Edge of Sleep people, and I liked that so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>Post Show Recaps: This is my first podcast ranking without PSR in there somewhere. As soon as I finish off something in my rotation, I'm immediately seeking out a PSR series to start. Maybe Better Call Saul or Game of Thrones? On a side note, I just heard that Post Show Recaps is coming to an end. Why????? It seemed so popular. I guess it is good I have a giant backlog of their episodes to listen through.</div><div><br /></div><div>Big Brother Blockumentary: I loved these recaps of seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Big Brother. It's a shame there aren't any more to listen to. It's like Survivor Historians but for Big Brother fans.</div><div><br /></div><div>Retrovaniacs, Do You Want to Keep Playing, and I Finally Watched...: I listened to 1 episode of each of these to see if they were anything I would be interested in. I liked all of them, but none of them were strong enough to join my rotation yet. They'll be getting more chances as the years go on. My queue is not going anywhere.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">HEY</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Hope you all enjoyed reading this. If I said anything bad about your podcast, I am sorry! Do not take it personally. If I didn't like your podcast, I wouldn't be listening to it. I feel as if honest opinions are always the way to go. No need to sugar coat anything. Feel free to criticize me and my shitty writing style all you want. I'm a big boy and I can take it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Until next year!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-5588135795068160622024-03-03T02:12:00.003-06:002024-03-03T02:19:20.854-06:002024 Movie Rankings: February<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszwqBXUe_nFzVjhuMFTdyX_SiGznGLkbm4orvsoZa-my5dDE9nQJIr0QZX52dK1LB_mlCzA8Es3wDiqvGG_tWQ-ZpH3LFnZCsDpgAZv6pqA88KYZqfAC_lasZLTahCg6BpBtmq_0OckGNJiKUVEzls7vjeNi49USQ4HepPGa7bnpjCMLI8J5Ka_9-Cqo/s999/MV5BMTk0NzMzODc2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTYzNTM1MzE@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszwqBXUe_nFzVjhuMFTdyX_SiGznGLkbm4orvsoZa-my5dDE9nQJIr0QZX52dK1LB_mlCzA8Es3wDiqvGG_tWQ-ZpH3LFnZCsDpgAZv6pqA88KYZqfAC_lasZLTahCg6BpBtmq_0OckGNJiKUVEzls7vjeNi49USQ4HepPGa7bnpjCMLI8J5Ka_9-Cqo/s320/MV5BMTk0NzMzODc2NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwOTYzNTM1MzE@._V1_.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I watched 11 movies in the month of February. Time for me to give my thoughts on each of these movies. My five favorite will move onto my year end movie rankings. Which movies will make the cut and which will not? Let's find out!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The 11 movies I watched in the month of February:</b></div><div>Fried Green Tomatoes</div><div>Split</div><div>Sunshine Cleaning</div><div>Arrival</div><div>Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition</div><div>The Babadook</div><div>Milk</div><div>The First Purge</div><div>Blade Runner 2049</div><div>The Four Falls of Buffalo</div><div>Gerald's Game</div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Not moving on:</span></b><div><br /><b>The Babadook</b></div><div>I saw this movie back when it first came out and I didn't really care for it. I decided to come back and watch it again, this time as a parent, to see if I would like it any better. I don't. The movie was not scary in the slightest bit. Maybe I was looking at it from too much of a "real world" perspective. I'm someone who looks for logical explanations for things. Everything seemed so random in this movie. I kept thinking "why is this happening?" and there were never really any answers. Plus I didn't find it scary at all. I've given it two chances now. Guess this movie just is not for me.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Blade Runner 2049</b></div><div>This is the second time I've watched this movie. I thought it was okay the first time. I thought it was okay the second time. In fact, I may have found it worse this time around. The first time, it caught me by surprise with its slick visual and artistic style. This time, I knew what to expect coming in. It was up to the story to impress me. And it didn't. The shell of a great movie is here. Maybe if they trimmed off a good 30 minutes or so.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The First Purge</b></div><div>I was planning to watch all the Purge movies in chronological order - not the order they were released but the order of the lore of the series. This movie might have discouraged me from doing so. It's so bad. I know it is considered one of the worst in the series, and I know it can only go up from here, but I'm going to need a month to recover from this before I watch another Purge movie. Good thing it wasn't the first movie actually released because if this was people's introduction to the series, it would have ended right then and there.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sunshine Cleaning</b></div><div>I feel like I should have liked this movie more than I did. It was one of the first movies me and my wife watched together back in like 2009. I remember liking the movie, but it never really stuck with me. The same thing happened this time, too. I watched the movie and I liked it. And this was just three weeks ago or so. But do I remember anything about it? No. It's one of those movies that is in one ear and out the other for me. Which is too bad because I feel like it probably resonates with a lot of people out there. I'm just not one of them.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Split</b></div><div>This movie was super close to moving on if only because of the performance of James McAvoy. I can't put my finger on it, but as much as I did enjoy this movie it feels incomplete for some reason. Like the ending is unsatisfying. I know that leaving an audience wanting more is generally a good thing, but in this case it was not. I kept wondering - what exactly is the point here? It feels like just a part of a movie. Which is a shame because the premise of the action is really good. I need to watch Glass someday but I hear that it is not good.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Arrival</b></div><div>I've watched this movie twice, and I've liked it both times, but I've never been like "oh my god this is the best movie ever!!" or anything like that. I decided to rewatch it just for the heck of it, and I found that I still feel the same way. Seeing it through the lens of a parent (knowing what happens to Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner's daughter) is hard and adds some emotional heft. I think I may have shed a tear or two watching this. I still think while it is a good movie it is not a great one. It feels like the movie is missing a certain "something" that I can't put my finger on that would really push it over the top. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Moving on:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Gerald's Game</b></div><div>I watched this movie a few years ago when it first came out, and I remember being pleasantly surprised by it. I decided to come back to it this year to see if it was still good. Yup, it was still good. Usually I don't like "inner monologue" type stories where the character is arguing with themselves through actual conversations on the screen, but it works well here. The way the conversations lead to clues (like finding the cup of water, etc) I found to be quite clever. The part where she escapes and pulls the skin off her hand is one of the best gross out scenes I've seen in a movie like this in recent memory. I like it. The movie also tackles themes that may make a lot of people uncomfortable. If you can get past that, this was a pretty good movie that movies along at a fast pace.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition</b></div><div>I'm continuing to slowly watch all the extended editions of these movies. I watched one in December. I watched one in February. I'm hoping to watch the last one in March. What can I say about Lord of the Rings? It's a great series. The Two Towers has never been my favorite entry in the series, but compared to everything else I watched this month it is a slam dunk to make my top 5.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Milk</b></div><div>I haven't seen this movie in ages. I decided to fire it up on a whim since I always see it on my movie shelf every time I look over there. It's always the first thing I see for some reason. I turned it on and had a pretty good time with the movie. It's a fun look at an important part of history. I have no idea if it is historically accurate or not, but it is an entertaining movie that takes place during the hippy era in San Francisco, an era which was always interested me for some reason. It follows the story of Harvey Milk as he fights to work hard for gay rights and gays being accepted by society. Again, no idea if it is historically accurate or not, but it does make for a good movie that moves along pretty quickly.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Fried Green Tomatoes</b></div><div>To be honest it was between this movie and Arrival or Split when I was deciding what would be the last movie to move on. I decided on this one. It's a good movie and it kept me a little more interested and engaged than those other two. However I feel as if it missed the mark to make an emotional connection with me for some reason. I feel as if this movie was supposed to be a tearjerker, but it just wasn't working for me. I was still able to appreciate the story of the movie though, and how it is like traveling back in time to a period in history (the 1920s) that is not covered much in film. Both this movie and Milk have this going for it. I don't know if you can call either one a period piece, but I'm going to go with that anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>The Four Falls of Buffalo</b></div><div>This was a fun little documentary about a period in football that I am fairly unfamiliar with - Buffalo and their 4 straight Super Bowl losses in the early 90s. I didn't start following football till a little later in the 90s, so I found it to be pretty interesting watching this little bit of history that I <i>just</i> missed out on. If you are a football fan, this is a must watch. The stuff about Don Beebe chasing down Leon Lett was my favorite part of the documentary, and then him going on after four losses to finally win one with Green Bay. I loved that, and it made me shed a tear. Haha. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>--</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>BOOM! With these 5 movies advancing, here is a look at the top 10. 2 months down, 10 to go! At the end, we'll have 60 movies - 5 from each month that move on. And then I will determine my favorite. Admittedly, this was not a great month for movies and I doubt anything from February has a shot to win.</b></div><div><div>Old</div><div>A Star is Born</div><div>Mystic River</div><div>Legends of the Fall</div><div>Cloverfield</div></div><div>Gerald's Game</div><div>Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition</div><div>Milk</div><div>Fried Green Tomatoes</div><div>The Four Falls of Buffalo</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a look at my January ranking, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2024/02/2024-movie-rankings-january.html">HERE</a><</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-90235007368429444562024-02-29T23:52:00.006-06:002024-02-29T23:52:43.057-06:002024 Things (February)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrvznjnkC0Ri33HMP3C3gG8l6eKrysIYB0Y1hNYfLw-PtpQY3U2S3G7VhRpOqu4WVuIU_-WnqkVxgZXxXWYo9ib-KcDySNhmRW7-uQuDvT3jDOW6fzGbGy8qslJvMbrRjMIxZB4biyDggN9eCRa3kdgfSg2Sidy-oxYuSrQV0qyTIdNj3z4F4pPYTeH8/s750/tCZFfYTIwrR7n94J6G14Y4hAFU6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrvznjnkC0Ri33HMP3C3gG8l6eKrysIYB0Y1hNYfLw-PtpQY3U2S3G7VhRpOqu4WVuIU_-WnqkVxgZXxXWYo9ib-KcDySNhmRW7-uQuDvT3jDOW6fzGbGy8qslJvMbrRjMIxZB4biyDggN9eCRa3kdgfSg2Sidy-oxYuSrQV0qyTIdNj3z4F4pPYTeH8/s320/tCZFfYTIwrR7n94J6G14Y4hAFU6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Here is my February list of all the episodes of TV I watched, all podcast episodes I listened to, all movies I watched, and all video games I completed. If you are curious about my January list, click <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2024/02/2024-things-january.html" target="_blank">here</a> to read it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>2.1.24: Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.06). Listened to 1 episode of Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 385). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.2.24: Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.15). Watched movie: Fried Green Tomatoes. Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.03). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Gaming podcast (ep 41 Part 2). Watched 1 episode of The Trust: A Game of Greed (1.01).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.3.24: Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.16). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.04). Finished video game Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Watched 1 episode of The Trust: A Game of Greed (1.02).</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>2.4.24: Watched movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Extended Edition. Listened to 1 episode of I Finally Watched podcast (ep 173). Watched 1 episode of The Trust: A Game of Greed (1.03). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.17). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.5.24: Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast (David Craddock Arcade Perfect Interview). Listened to 1 episode of Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 386). Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde Podcast (ep 151). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.18). Watched movie: Sunshine Cleaning. Listened to 1 episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour (The 2nd Annual Peacockys).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.6.24: Watched 3 episodes of The Trust: A Game of Greed (1.04 and 1.05 and 1.06). Listened to 1 episode of Staff Picks podcast (MacGruber). Watched movie: Arrival. Finished video game: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.7.24: Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.11). Watched 2 episodes of The Trust: A Game of Greed (1.07 and 1.08). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.05). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (ep 22).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.8.24: Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.19). Watched 2 episodes of This Is Us (6.12 and 6.13). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.06). Watched movie: The Babadook.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>2.9.24: Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.07). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 222). Watched 2 episodes of This Is Us (6.14 and 6.15). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.20). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.10.24: Listened to 1 episode of Cartridge Club podcast (CC Extra #6). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.16). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.08).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.11.24: Watched 2 episodes of This Is Us (6.17 and 6.18). Watched movie: The First Purge.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.12.24: Listened to 1 episode of The Retrograde podcast (ep 152). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (ep 23).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.13.24: Watched movie: Blade Runner 2049. Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.21). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.14.24: Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.09). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.22). Watched 1 episode of Buried (1.01). Finished video game: Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts. </div><div><div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>2.15.24: Watched 1 episode of Buried (1.02). Watched 1 episode of Australian Survivor (11.01). Listened to 1 episode of Sega Saturn Shiro podcast (ep 43). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.16.24: Watched movie: Milk. Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.10). Listened to 1 episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour (2/9/24 episode). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.17.24: Watched 1 episode of Buried (1.03). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.11). Finished video game: Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.18.24: Listened to 1 episode of the Cartridge Club podcast (ep 125). Watched 1 episode of Buried (1.04). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Gaming podcast (ep 42 Part 1). Finished video game: Golden Axe (arcade). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.19.24: Watched movie: Four Falls of Buffalo. Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.23). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.20.24: Listened to Ear Biscuits podcast (ep 31). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.12). Watched 1 episode of Australian Survivor (11.02).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.21.24: Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Gaming podcast (2023 in Review). Listened to 1 episode of Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 387). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.13). Watched movie: Split. Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.24). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.22.24: Watched 2 episodes of Australian Survivor (11.03 and 11.04). Listened to 1 episode of The Retrograde podcast (ep 153). Listened to 1 episode of Staff Picks podcast (Drop Dead Gorgeous). Finished video game: Number Munchers. </div><div><br /></div><div>2.23.24: Watched 1 episode of The Challenge UK (1.01). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (ep 24). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast ("Rare" Dreamcast Games Vol. 1). Watched 1 episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender 2024 (1.01). Finished video game: Max Payne.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.24.24: Watched 1 episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender 2024 (1.02). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 224). Listened to 1 episode of Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 388). Listened to 1 episode of Sega Saturn Shiro podcast (ep 44). Listened to 2 episodes of The Edge of Sleep podcast (eps 1 and 2). Listened to 1 episode of The Cartridge Club podcast (CC Weekly #54). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.25.24: Listened to 1 episode of Digging Six Feet Under podcast (S03E03). Listened to 3 episodes of The Edge of Sleep podcast (eps 3, 4, and 5). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast (Max Payne).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.26.24: Listened to 2 episodes of the Retrograde podcast (eps 154 and 156). Listened to 1 episode of The Edge of Sleep podcast (ep 6). </div><div><br /></div><div>2.27.24: Watched 1 episode of Australian Survivor (11.05). Listened to 1 episode of The Loser's Club podcast (The Library Policeman). Listened to 2 episodes of the Stephen King Cast podcast (eps 58 and 59). Listened to 1 episode of The Edge of Sleep podcast (ep 7). Watched 1 episode of The Challenge UK (1.02). Watched 1 episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender 2024 (1.03).</div><div><br /></div><div>2.28.24: Listened to 1 episode of The Loser's Club podcast (The Sun Dog). Watched 1 episode of The Challenge UK (1.03). Watched 1 episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender 2024 (1.04). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (ep 25). Listened to 1 episode of The Edge of Sleep podcast (ep 8). Watched movie: Gerald's Game.</div><div><br /></div><div>2.29.24: Watched 1 episode of Australian Survivor (11.06). Listened to 1 episode of Staff Picks podcast (The Crow). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast (Power Glove, Wizard, Nintendo World Championships). </div><br /><br />Most popular things:<div><br /></div><div>Watched 11 movies.</div><div>Watched 11 episodes of The Amazing Race.</div><div>Watched 10 episodes of Death Note.</div><div>Watched 8 episodes of This Is Us.</div><div>Listened to all 8 episodes of The Edge of Sleep podcast.</div><div>Watched all 8 episodes of The Trust: A Game of Greed.</div><div>Finished 7 video games.</div><div>Watched 6 episodes of Australian Survivor.</div><div>Listened to 5 episodes of the Retrograde Podcast.</div><div>Listened to 4 episodes of Dynasty Happy Hour podcast.</div><div>Listened to 4 episodes of Arcade Attack podcast. </div><div>Watched 4 episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024).</div><div>Watched all 4 episodes of the show Buried.</div><div>Listened to 4 episodes of Collateral Cinema podcast. </div><div>Listened to 3 episodes of Staff Picks podcast. (Don't worry, I only listened to 3 episodes of Staff Picks because it is the one podcast on my list that I don't put on as "background noise". I make sure I am fully able to listen and pay attention when I put this one on. It's actually a good thing.)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhUyN48F4irzGB3QORa0YpMP5Fvu0vKwAbNxTPhQsm8Q8XEmP-GcIcYRccGIsteStdSnRZ5n8uyR8-wrXJHgbo-ryQxpZD5rpl1oAj0W1Ga-ZAFHI4IzgyZ5b9ZmS37PQrcvhcDvwRqyfznSRVTwWKzgZl-f-M-ugdSWAD8OHj1j-CwfTkC1d7nCsDeU/s1920/thisisus-keyart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhUyN48F4irzGB3QORa0YpMP5Fvu0vKwAbNxTPhQsm8Q8XEmP-GcIcYRccGIsteStdSnRZ5n8uyR8-wrXJHgbo-ryQxpZD5rpl1oAj0W1Ga-ZAFHI4IzgyZ5b9ZmS37PQrcvhcDvwRqyfznSRVTwWKzgZl-f-M-ugdSWAD8OHj1j-CwfTkC1d7nCsDeU/w439-h247/thisisus-keyart.jpg" width="439" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-38547487897459697262024-02-25T01:59:00.000-06:002024-02-25T01:59:52.079-06:00Video Game Review #499: Max Payne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPPATMhPfTvgrlVzCfewJYanVgAe9CvMi5bnqEiMe1eHNDbulswRDPOslm59nL_QeWc877ytMVLtxvUqKcnCwypmegyI1qyfng1lWqSDvv0mHioi_DSKwyQ8uRnvZF1ZsC72cVgVx8ZMSM3-mAju2CPFIofx6s1_bz0DSQqyBeV8R4yBiKwqN5Y35GlM/s430/519ZHR6TZCL._SX466_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPPATMhPfTvgrlVzCfewJYanVgAe9CvMi5bnqEiMe1eHNDbulswRDPOslm59nL_QeWc877ytMVLtxvUqKcnCwypmegyI1qyfng1lWqSDvv0mHioi_DSKwyQ8uRnvZF1ZsC72cVgVx8ZMSM3-mAju2CPFIofx6s1_bz0DSQqyBeV8R4yBiKwqN5Y35GlM/s320/519ZHR6TZCL._SX466_.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Max Payne</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation 2</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I remember buying a used copy of Max Payne at a video game store back in 2002 or 2003. I played the game off and on for a while, but it never truly caught my interest. I remember I stopped and put the game down when I got stuck on a part where you have to chase a guy across the rooftops. I kept dying over and over again, and I couldn't figure out what to do, and it was frustrating me.</div><div><br /></div><div>A year passed before I randomly decided to come back to the game. Normally when I stop playing a game for a long time, and then come back to it, I'll start it over from the beginning. Not this time, for some reason. I picked up where I left off, and quickly started making my way through the story. I don't remember much about my time with the game, but an area that stood out in my mind was an area with construction zones, shipping crates, and elevators that moved up and down. And I remembered something about guards standing watch in a watchtower that you had to shoot with a sniper rifle. I also remember having to escape a building that is on fire. Oh, and who can forget the hallucination scenes with the trail of blood and the baby crying? It is what most people think about when they remember Max Payne.</div><div><br /></div><div>Aside from a few standout moments, the rest of the game was a blur to me, however. Playing through this game in present day was like playing it for the first time in many parts. If I played through this in, say, 2004, that means that 20 years have passed since I last played it. No wonder I don't remember much! </div><div><br /></div><div>What prompted me to come back to this game after so many years? Well, there is a video game podcast I listen to called The Retrograde. They did an episode on Max Payne a while back. They hated the game, saying its controls were awful and that it did not hold up after all these years. They really ripped into this game, which I found odd because I don't remember it being that bad. In fact, whenever they talk about other bad games on this podcast, they often bring up Max Payne in comparison. It's funny how Max Payne is their standard for how bad games are judged.</div><div><br /></div><div>It got me thinking, was this game really that bad? My memories of it are somewhat positive. I wanted to see if it held up over time or if it was truly as bad as these guys were saying. So here we are. Let's take a walk down memory lane, shall we?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj6g8-PgKxcmWYPgZJrxRkSPR9keHvaK_oBlCEp3-w-fT3AHsk1vCKdrpThga8Vlkr3KRhFvK61yljcEhBKIccgDdBLjlkxTzgGXcEpWNXpp0itxm_A2GmyLfOxVqpJRglmtSWaQ2HEBdNhQmTfAu28o36URfKUXclQS_Omr_YyL-M9qeNleLeQrWfuI/s640/ps2screen9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="640" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj6g8-PgKxcmWYPgZJrxRkSPR9keHvaK_oBlCEp3-w-fT3AHsk1vCKdrpThga8Vlkr3KRhFvK61yljcEhBKIccgDdBLjlkxTzgGXcEpWNXpp0itxm_A2GmyLfOxVqpJRglmtSWaQ2HEBdNhQmTfAu28o36URfKUXclQS_Omr_YyL-M9qeNleLeQrWfuI/s320/ps2screen9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The entire game is made to look like a comic book adventure. The majority of the story is told through voice-acted comic book illustrations. When the action is about to get started, things shift to the in-game action and the fighting begins. The comic book aesthetic of the game is something that makes it pretty unique and sets it apart from other games.</div><div><br /></div><div>You play as Max Payne, a DEA agent with a tragic past. The game doesn't waste any time in letting you know that just a couple years ago, his wife and newborn baby were murdered in his house by some armed intruders. He is haunted by visions of this tragic night, over and over again.</div><div><br /></div><div>The present day action begins when a meeting with a fellow undercover agent is ambushed and the agent is killed. Max is framed for the murder. The rest of the game consists of Max being on the run, with nothing to lose. He follows a trail of clues that links a new drug V to what is happening to him. He meets up with some mobsters, and blah blah blah. There's backstabbing and betrayal and conspiracies and all that fun kind of mobster stuff. Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of the hard-boiled noir genre, and this game leans very heavily into that. In fact, when I first played through this game back in 2004, I actually started skipping through the story about halfway through the game. I just didn't care about what was going on.</div><div><br /></div><div>I cared a little bit more this time around, but not much. So that street drug, V? It's a result of some kind of big underground experiment that was supposed to have been canceled a long time ago. There's this rich business tycoon-type lady in charge of this giant operation. She's the one who had your family killed, and she's the big bad lady in charge of framing you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or something. I was only kind of half-paying attention to the story. I'm sure I got a lot of it wrong. Kudos to the game for its comic book style presentation, but honestly I just didn't find the story very interesting.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCCOWF4ZW1UfgW24RfxgFm1p2Xm_H8CJ_3jfgyzcyj-k9zvLHtRPIaajBwVQN7RGZZ1a_fKCo6H-H1FrxGgmYWMiyXXl0ZUREhRn1KO_Nvm37aV31N0t6kixjgM3nRgzqvdQ7SVMKGSkbmf0Emqm6E-PDEhLSbqgOfNH2LCshUIQ4Ykf1W0hB43uFsGo/s365/May_payne_panels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="365" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCCOWF4ZW1UfgW24RfxgFm1p2Xm_H8CJ_3jfgyzcyj-k9zvLHtRPIaajBwVQN7RGZZ1a_fKCo6H-H1FrxGgmYWMiyXXl0ZUREhRn1KO_Nvm37aV31N0t6kixjgM3nRgzqvdQ7SVMKGSkbmf0Emqm6E-PDEhLSbqgOfNH2LCshUIQ4Ykf1W0hB43uFsGo/s320/May_payne_panels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Ultimately, it doesn't really matter if you don't care about the game's story or not, because it is a ton of fun to play. You can easily just completely ignore the story and still have a good time with the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Action takes place from a behind-the-back 3D perspective. Controls are pretty simple: run, jump, climb, reload, and shoot. I'd mainly classify this as a shooter. You face off against waves and waves of enemies sometimes, and the action can get very frantic. This game introduces a feature that I thought was quite innovative considering it came out in 2001 - the bullet time feature. Tap the shoulder button to slow time to a crawl, which allows you to aim at your enemies and fire away as they react in slow motion. You can tap the button while diving to go into a roll where you evade enemy fire in slow motion but can return fire as you dive away. Cool stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of the game consists of running from area to area and shooting bad guys, but I found that Max Payne had some surprising depth. I loved exploring every inch of these stages - the subway station, the snowy and desolate streets, everything. This game just has this very fun and unique feel to it that is hard to describe. It does a lot of things that seem commonplace nowadays but were new back then. Like turning light switches off and on, flushing toilets, running the sink, operating a vending machine, opening cabinets and drawers, pushing buttons in an elevator, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>This game is surprisingly challenging. I was cruising through the game early on, but there is definitely a difficulty curve. A fair one, I'd say. It gets steadily tougher and tougher the more you play. In fact the game is downright hard towards the end of the game. The trip wires and the random exploding deaths were starting to get a bit frustrating, especially considering the game's long loading times. The first two thirds of the game aren't too challenging, although you will run into a tough level from time to time.</div><div><br /></div><div>What I like about this game are how the stages are so short. There are a ton of them, probably 30 at the very least. Some of them can be beaten in just a couple minutes. Others can be a bit longer, but overall there are many more short ones than long ones. It adds to the addictive nature of the game where I wanted to keep plugging along and pass "just one more stage."</div><div><br /></div><div>What didn't I like about Max Payne? Why did the Retrograde guys hate this game so much? Well, the controls do need tweaking. You absolutely have to change the inverted controls right away, as I was very confused by the default control scheme. Maybe that's why they hated the game so much. But I immediately paused the game and changed the controls. After doing that, I thought the game handled fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is an early 2000s PS2 title, so it doesn't control flawlessly. The controls can be a little herky jerky. The dive maneuver got me into trouble so many times, as I'd either dive into a wall and leave myself open to attack, or I'd roll off a ledge or into a bomb or a laser barricade or something dumb like that. I don't know if this is a good or a bad thing, but precision aiming is not required. I often found myself just wildly firing in the direction of the enemy, and I would still hit him and take him down. The worst part of the game is when precision jumping or balancing is required. The trippy stages where you have to follow the blood trail would be super cool if they weren't so frustrating. Staying on that little ledge was tough enough as it is, but then you'd have to jump from platform to platform, with no margin for error, blindly guessing the direction you needed to go. I hated these stages with a passion. The last one in particular took me a large, and I mean LARGE number of attempts before I was finally able to pass it.</div><div><br /></div><div>All that being said, I really enjoyed my time with the game. Those Retrograde guys are tripping. In fact, I liked this more playing it in 2024 than I did in 2004. It just hits all the right beats for me. And if you pay attention you can see how the game inspires future Rockstar titles like Manhunt, GTA IV (with the large ship/cargo hold shoot out) and GTA V (with the drug trip and hallucinations). The blueprint for so many games seems to be right there in the first Max Payne.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AvR6k2zqvIbC62Rh5o2NSQWzkYKbhZ_ojV8XV_tNUE1AHZ6XVJW1hg1lVPR1CqMhuI7oXoy5R4fbQ0VqVqwyddGBbT0iSLxGPJlZKHASezYV0Se8tjXf8jdx_40EtfxLyQcWiIpuSVlXfy9hYsNOVrinm8w4LbStcTxMLLaO5ms3XnMh22-LFV3qStE/s1200/screenshot.max-payne-i-2001.1200x900.2012-06-14.130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AvR6k2zqvIbC62Rh5o2NSQWzkYKbhZ_ojV8XV_tNUE1AHZ6XVJW1hg1lVPR1CqMhuI7oXoy5R4fbQ0VqVqwyddGBbT0iSLxGPJlZKHASezYV0Se8tjXf8jdx_40EtfxLyQcWiIpuSVlXfy9hYsNOVrinm8w4LbStcTxMLLaO5ms3XnMh22-LFV3qStE/s320/screenshot.max-payne-i-2001.1200x900.2012-06-14.130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When I first started playing this game, I couldn't get over how dark it was. I was struggling to see anything, it was so dark. I had to adjust my TV settings or the game would have been completely unplayable. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the game looks fine. It's an early PS2 title, so it is a little rough around the edges. But it is not an ugly or unplayable game by any means. I think it looks quite good. The comic book presentation is cool, but to me the star of the game is its level design. I love the urban locales you explore, like the rooftops, the bar, the subway, the parking garage, the old theater, the dock, etc. An underrated aspect of the game is its oppressive atmosphere. The entire game is set to the backdrop of a giant winter storm hitting the city, completely shutting everything down. The streets, rooftops, and alleyways seem so desolate, empty, and oppressive in the driving snow. And the fact that it is pretty much Max against the mob all by himself, it all really, really works well together.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0D9C3jd6Y7x3uuNQMZ5bu3nr0wjX_x2OEfqKnAP5ZXj3HdqocpKsfdgdz2z34GGj2LlBXivobXZ8R6Q1Qop0jV_HcYp1kfZxNsk5o55P-hg5gsrVznlVOXY8qLBUIhIaB0EbUH-EnYFpid87Yj480JlAPKjFDxxItK5J_8QY73q9uWxQ_C_CTze7ElQ/s800/10214366-max-payne-windows-selecting-weapons-is-always-better-in-some-qui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0D9C3jd6Y7x3uuNQMZ5bu3nr0wjX_x2OEfqKnAP5ZXj3HdqocpKsfdgdz2z34GGj2LlBXivobXZ8R6Q1Qop0jV_HcYp1kfZxNsk5o55P-hg5gsrVznlVOXY8qLBUIhIaB0EbUH-EnYFpid87Yj480JlAPKjFDxxItK5J_8QY73q9uWxQ_C_CTze7ElQ/s320/10214366-max-payne-windows-selecting-weapons-is-always-better-in-some-qui.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Sound:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>I like the voice acting in this game. Max Payne narrates most of the action, and I couldn't think of a better voice actor than, uh, this guy, to voice Max Payne. He is perfect for the role. The other voice actors do a good job, too. As I have said many times, the comic book noir-style feel of the game has been captured well here.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a game you would be best playing with headphones on. Enemies give audio clues to their locations, which will help you out as you are playing. Also, the nightmare flashback scenes are incredible to listen to, with the intensity of his wife's pleas along with the sound of the baby crying. Even Max's screams if he falls or makes a wrong turn are pretty horrifying. Although there is one scream effect that reminds me of both Kevin from Home Alone when he puts his aftershave on and slaps his cheeks, and the criminals from Home Alone when they are swinging from the rope from the treehouse after Kevin cuts it. I didn't know whether to be scared or laugh. If you are easily scared, this will probably freak you out. But I'm weird and like that kind of thing.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1ar_XHvLJQX2ktBqWUwjQvBKObxxw71eS5dhbu0nUxzOb1spqcT-2DWwDNrmM4JF9VNlzqLFQkjSKRwwVvWTo78GMDiWf4axJJcGf8NzTZ6rlTd7k6CbrzfWwWfTHi-tnwIOM7VbqFdM97KphfhB-BX_Skil0vHLU0x5bCeB6bXNmth478UF983KLA0/s640/max-payne-blood-trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="640" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1ar_XHvLJQX2ktBqWUwjQvBKObxxw71eS5dhbu0nUxzOb1spqcT-2DWwDNrmM4JF9VNlzqLFQkjSKRwwVvWTo78GMDiWf4axJJcGf8NzTZ6rlTd7k6CbrzfWwWfTHi-tnwIOM7VbqFdM97KphfhB-BX_Skil0vHLU0x5bCeB6bXNmth478UF983KLA0/s320/max-payne-blood-trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Overall:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>Screw the haters, this is a really fun game! It's not without its flaws, like its so-so storyline, its jerky controls, cheap deaths, long loading times, and obnoxious blood trail stages. Despite all these things, I still had a very good time with the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>The storyline was enough to keep me going. I loved the presentation of the game. It starts out challenging, but not overly so. Enough to get you addicted. Then it slowly starts getting harder. The battles are fun. The bullet time feature is cool. The atmosphere of the game is awesome. The urban locations are a lot of fun. I liked the short stages, and how the game keeps you entertained in short bursts rather than create overly long levels.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can easily recommend Max Payne to anyone on the fence about it. Play this yourself and make up your own mind about it. I doubt they'll ever read this, but I hope Mikey and Andrew from The Retrograde play this again someday and give it another chance. While I personally really enjoyed the game, I can see why someone would not like it. But to say it is one of the worst games of all time is just 100% wrong, and a complete injustice to the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>Long story short: Max Payne good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-48556794513621435552024-02-23T02:08:00.004-06:002024-02-23T02:08:55.441-06:00Video Game Review #498: Number Munchers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6zK4n6umoU07EWgKRBuKIuf_ZJmX3t7RaWfa_Z6vy2UhH4lwvi-itjn7MYowblNWwS9ehVeRdwzL2DQIRqePwwlLVfRe0JYreM12XRvgbHqtsrHQLUZQEd-Q74VaCorqRB4V3kCVe285ym72wSrOV4quYKPJ00FJHjm1iuzN4DppFYOBqO7aeXGzruA/s316/Number_Munchers_DOS_cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="316" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6zK4n6umoU07EWgKRBuKIuf_ZJmX3t7RaWfa_Z6vy2UhH4lwvi-itjn7MYowblNWwS9ehVeRdwzL2DQIRqePwwlLVfRe0JYreM12XRvgbHqtsrHQLUZQEd-Q74VaCorqRB4V3kCVe285ym72wSrOV4quYKPJ00FJHjm1iuzN4DppFYOBqO7aeXGzruA/s1600/Number_Munchers_DOS_cover.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Number Munchers</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PC</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Like many people my age, I grew up playing Number Munchers in grade school. It was the early 90s. The Internet wasn't a thing. Computers were barely a thing, but we had one in our classroom. We didn't really use it much, but over time I noticed that certain kids were staying inside during recess in order to mess around on the computer. They played things like Oregon Trail, typing speed games, and this game - Number Crunchers. Once I realized what these kids were doing, I started staying inside during recess so I could use the computer too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I always considered Number Crunchers to be the most entertaining of all the games, and it is certainly the one I spent the most time with. It reminded me the most of the video games I would play at home. And I was good at it! I was always on the hunt to earn the highest score.</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't even so much as thought of this game in nearly 30 years. But here were are now, in the year 2024, and I am ready to see if it is as good as I remember. Let's check it out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaAiiCMGI9DZZKbRqe2pwqyhXJGUNzvwxR9yEor_p92zAiA3r30uQrlg5IWNS2gBrNGNks2zE52FQvdmzafVEpd4DWaZ8xb5aIKzyuif4YLpEPJcC_96Rw2Y-KuvL0vUr55Nl7_s2mkCM-DAL05-ze94by8EZV3iaa6oanWhOZSjxxMJnfS7WirJBimY/s640/2159830-number-munchers-dos-munch-numbers-that-fit-the-multiples-display.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaAiiCMGI9DZZKbRqe2pwqyhXJGUNzvwxR9yEor_p92zAiA3r30uQrlg5IWNS2gBrNGNks2zE52FQvdmzafVEpd4DWaZ8xb5aIKzyuif4YLpEPJcC_96Rw2Y-KuvL0vUr55Nl7_s2mkCM-DAL05-ze94by8EZV3iaa6oanWhOZSjxxMJnfS7WirJBimY/s320/2159830-number-munchers-dos-munch-numbers-that-fit-the-multiples-display.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If this game has a cohesive storyline, it sure isn't explained in the game. It must be in the instruction manual. But from what I can tell, there really isn't a story. You play as green frog-looking creature, and you have to eat numbers and avoid the monsters that are trying to capture you. There is no beginning or end, and there is no real plot.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are small cutscenes that play every time you complete five levels or so, where the monster tries to capture you by setting some kind of trap, but then it backfires in his face. Very Wile E. Coyote or Spy vs Spy-esque. But there are only about four or five unique scenes. Then they start to repeat themselves after a while. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8B__FDMEZDN8j4VdmQiTAEyU0PEgT0ofGnxXMxBI4D6_93iNpFUTpAQsztossNUKoGDCGsp_PoItppO4_i_qu1Ov9uyO5bI-1w-c7fyUBdyAQvEJAMlWI9_03NYklTtnnf3JsRnytljxHLjO-Oj56h0EdI1go7jV9zGBxKm6J0kCvA33um_Rclz62Jw/s320/number-munchers-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8B__FDMEZDN8j4VdmQiTAEyU0PEgT0ofGnxXMxBI4D6_93iNpFUTpAQsztossNUKoGDCGsp_PoItppO4_i_qu1Ov9uyO5bI-1w-c7fyUBdyAQvEJAMlWI9_03NYklTtnnf3JsRnytljxHLjO-Oj56h0EdI1go7jV9zGBxKm6J0kCvA33um_Rclz62Jw/s1600/number-munchers-03.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The entire game plays out on a grid full of numbers. You control green froggy man. At the top of the screen, you will see a small descriptive phrase that relates to mathematics. For example: Multiples of 2. That means you have to move around the grid and eat every multiple of 2. You'd eat 2. You'd eat 4. You'd eat 6, etc. If you eat a wrong number, like a 7, you lose a life. You have three lives. Once they are all gone, the game is over and you input your initials at the high score screen.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you maneuver around the grid, monsters will start to come after you. If you move onto the same square as a monster, you lose a life. They appear from the edge of the screen, so you always have to be aware of your surroundings. It has happened to me many times where I am collecting numbers around the edge of the grid, and then a monster appears and eats me before I even have a chance to react. You've got to watch out for that. Otherwise, they move around the board at random, and are fairly easy to avoid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Really, the whole game revolves around solving simple mathematic problems. A category might be: Less than 21. You'd have to eat every number on the grid that is less than 21. So you'd eat 6 + 0, you'd eat 25 - 6, you'd eat 9 x 2. You would not eat 35 - 6. Another category might be prime numbers. Another category might be factors of 10. Another one might be not equal to 12. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can't beat this game, so the main goal is to get the highest score. I was doing pretty well when I played this game. I had no problem with the mathematics, it was trying to rush and running into the monsters that caused me the most problems. I played through every game mode, and then I realized you could adjust the difficulty. I was on basic third grade mathematics. No wonder I was doing so good. I cranked the difficulty as high as it would go. Yeah, too hard. I turned it back down again, this time fourth grade level. I did pretty good again.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd be curious to see where exactly it is that the game starts to get hard for me. But honestly, after sinking about an hour into this game, I was kind of done with it. It's a bit repetitive, to say the least. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrKzW0ZM5PhJuIiTMqjT_dwmTVjtBHrdFXRqhZRdqRRgWLCcIAwANYSsI36Ztvbk7cqo_moM3mCuWsXuBz7b_EkGlWAPRJs35coinRXUPwDeE-J1RU6T19zqpjhtV5LEMMasqEAh4GgAUL-N2jUgvQJtFg6U-0VDpHjktGQF2LHhCZR5pgeCtUKO_gpk/s500/Gw6VLhd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrKzW0ZM5PhJuIiTMqjT_dwmTVjtBHrdFXRqhZRdqRRgWLCcIAwANYSsI36Ztvbk7cqo_moM3mCuWsXuBz7b_EkGlWAPRJs35coinRXUPwDeE-J1RU6T19zqpjhtV5LEMMasqEAh4GgAUL-N2jUgvQJtFg6U-0VDpHjktGQF2LHhCZR5pgeCtUKO_gpk/s320/Gw6VLhd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game looks fine, I guess? Let's be real, you aren't playing Number Crunchers to be impressed by its graphical fidelity. This is about as basic looking as it gets.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I had to give a nod to anything, it would be the small cutscenes you see in between levels. Those are sorta fun.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVFcHeJh5LFCqcZvqIBKSMihEIyfyvjacjqY1GQem2bEJLTyOQuwFLUstLSO7UuOYKBv8qDdQk6TCxzLv-8UjmhGrsoBDhMfTnB4pV-9yNFkKjd2tbljhXpNdjWl8xekGAdI5_jZxovi84IVI-lDCcrbBtxAPbfOIZJ_Mep2bBHpBZzyR3d2Sfbiocus/s640/munchers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="640" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVFcHeJh5LFCqcZvqIBKSMihEIyfyvjacjqY1GQem2bEJLTyOQuwFLUstLSO7UuOYKBv8qDdQk6TCxzLv-8UjmhGrsoBDhMfTnB4pV-9yNFkKjd2tbljhXpNdjWl8xekGAdI5_jZxovi84IVI-lDCcrbBtxAPbfOIZJ_Mep2bBHpBZzyR3d2Sfbiocus/s320/munchers.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Everything sounds fine. There is truly nothing special to comment on, here. You don't play this game for its music or sound effects, either.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG4Q-HOTixkp0LyI2iNU3DCsJmrdBhgTyl-9fDCitV869MQQUxyXtvrMK5MGUypWEyDt6u6JnXJxuHa0Oa3sev7iF3HYdca7_kxiYZ_nUBgYuEF310a1Kn9dnE7eOZ7efIBYg-KvedD7MO1gT7qyYEtiG65y2a97jGOQ8scMnC2-vDgIgaCiF6vUYoys/s1080/number-munchers-v0-s9nfuynjpewb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG4Q-HOTixkp0LyI2iNU3DCsJmrdBhgTyl-9fDCitV869MQQUxyXtvrMK5MGUypWEyDt6u6JnXJxuHa0Oa3sev7iF3HYdca7_kxiYZ_nUBgYuEF310a1Kn9dnE7eOZ7efIBYg-KvedD7MO1gT7qyYEtiG65y2a97jGOQ8scMnC2-vDgIgaCiF6vUYoys/s320/number-munchers-v0-s9nfuynjpewb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This was a nice little trip down memory lane. That's about all there is to it, though. This isn't a game I'm going to come back to play, just for funsies. It's an okay game, but come on - who wants to play a game where you solve math problems?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm only half joking. This game serves its purpose and does what it sets out to do - to give kids a game that makes math and education entertaining. Look at me when I was a kid. I stayed inside for recess just so I could play this game. It's a fun learning tool. Heck, I'm probably going to show this to my son when he is old enough to start learning math.</div><div><br /></div><div>But as far as video games go, Number Munchers leaves a lot to be desired. You can't put this game up next to something like Contra or Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts or Golden Axe and say that it is as fun or as entertaining as one of those games. It's not. Like I said before, I played it for about an hour and then I'd had enough. And I really don't have an urge to come back and play more. In fact, if it wasn't for my son I think I could safely say I was never going to play this game again.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is a nice little relic from the past. A fun educational tool, but severely lacking as a video game. I am a little torn on how I should grade this, but slightly above average will probably do the trick.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">C+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-90678434463724280272024-02-20T23:21:00.005-06:002024-02-20T23:26:35.650-06:00Video Game Review #497: Golden Axe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC6FbYycAgPuEbhMel-4EFhincGgMbTdQck-U6I0gr4ftndJW0uGQoSnJ3NOTrN4gyifyMDXaYsiYG0IC_pMT-ZGaYodFX4gJtgs7wITR0L69WkHmHrMe0Ah1zzfQ6rvMCs-e8yy_7nzyFpApRHXVG4VCCm-3WkpCETOjMvTlEOq8HitPOed-hM8qtJE/s320/Golden_Axe_(Arcade)-title.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLC6FbYycAgPuEbhMel-4EFhincGgMbTdQck-U6I0gr4ftndJW0uGQoSnJ3NOTrN4gyifyMDXaYsiYG0IC_pMT-ZGaYodFX4gJtgs7wITR0L69WkHmHrMe0Ah1zzfQ6rvMCs-e8yy_7nzyFpApRHXVG4VCCm-3WkpCETOjMvTlEOq8HitPOed-hM8qtJE/s1600/Golden_Axe_(Arcade)-title.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Golden Axe</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arcade</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I last played Golden Axe nine years ago back in 2015, when I reviewed the Genesis version of the game. While I really wanted to like the game, I found it to be a bit overly tedious and frustrating, especially during the final boss battle at the end of the game. I ended up giving the Genesis version of Golden Axe the middling grade of C. You can read this review <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/05/video-game-review-golden-axe.html" target="_blank">here</a> if you are interested.</div><div><br /></div><div>I haven't thought much about Golden Axe since then. Now here we are, nine years later in the year 2024. I fired up an episode of the Cartridge Club podcast, and wouldn't you know it? Golden Axe was the game of the month. A game I hadn't thought of in a long time. It was a good episode, and they discussed the Genesis and the arcade versions of the game, as well as its sequels and spin-offs. The discussion got my mind going. While I wasn't a big fan of the Genesis game, why not check out the arcade version? I have only played the arcade version once in my entire life, and that was when I was a kid. I remember liking it back then. Why wouldn't I like it now?</div><div><br /></div><div>So I powered on my RetroPie, found the arcade version of Golden Axe, and decided to dive in. Would it truly be better than the Genesis version, or would I find myself disliking this version as well? Let's find out, shall we?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2D5CNxG_sld-zYhKT1VymxZK2axakDT8g_GXR1MNmI8fcmlHVmphs4CQk8fJ9z9pCY0qRAp5jxP5RJBBEWaE-Qe7MHBXFIOe42d_8-z9stzKFa1DfCmHMRgmw_zAYO0mU1iYH5_TLo2Yiw-02o1eWkC3-WwoBDaPuaXAlBCrUvtDZ-_KJ5ubI7mIE1o/s640/golden-axe-arcade.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2D5CNxG_sld-zYhKT1VymxZK2axakDT8g_GXR1MNmI8fcmlHVmphs4CQk8fJ9z9pCY0qRAp5jxP5RJBBEWaE-Qe7MHBXFIOe42d_8-z9stzKFa1DfCmHMRgmw_zAYO0mU1iYH5_TLo2Yiw-02o1eWkC3-WwoBDaPuaXAlBCrUvtDZ-_KJ5ubI7mIE1o/s320/golden-axe-arcade.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You aren't given a whole lot of story to work with. If you refrain from entering a coin at the beginning of the game, it cycles through some character introductions. All three playable characters (the male warrior, the female warrior, and the dwarf) have had a family killed by the villain, Death Adder, and now they are looking for revenge.</div><div><br /></div><div>I like how things are set up once you do begin playing, with your friend Alex falling at the hands of the enemy, and the villagers being attacked by hordes of evil creatures. The game takes you through a series of medieval themed stages, hacking and slashing your way through these enemies until you defeat Death Adder at the end. Pretty standard video game stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story takes a wild turn after you defeat Death Adder. Action shifts to the "real world" with a group of kids playing this game. The ending scene consists of all of the game's enemies coming out of the arcade unit and into the real world. The heroes follow behind them, and the action spills out into the streets. The end.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can wholeheartedly say I didn't expect a fourth wall breaking end sequence from this game. It was a fun and welcome surprise, however.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhJzp1xmY0RVm_jI3OektVkg2LcBTNwICoXCbRohDh7JdVKEGPWOClX3MUduwMvXHel1JCg61mWUa-0GzPC7mIXNNz27N8JLRu_r8DHn56BL1MOgfL_1rAkirjMpb8Nc0JXaub566FjMdOGJZLB-iZ3wgt3Sx-GJ2KRTr83tZfKPU3WKxOZo3y2nSvsk/s735/Golden-Axe-characters-ranked.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="735" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhJzp1xmY0RVm_jI3OektVkg2LcBTNwICoXCbRohDh7JdVKEGPWOClX3MUduwMvXHel1JCg61mWUa-0GzPC7mIXNNz27N8JLRu_r8DHn56BL1MOgfL_1rAkirjMpb8Nc0JXaub566FjMdOGJZLB-iZ3wgt3Sx-GJ2KRTr83tZfKPU3WKxOZo3y2nSvsk/s320/Golden-Axe-characters-ranked.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Gameplay:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a very basic, and very easy, beat 'em up title. In true beat 'em up style, you walk up and down and left and right on a 3D plane. You fight off waves of enemies by hitting them with your melee weapons. You can jump. You can jump kick. You can charge across the screen by tapping left or right twice. You can perform a charge attack by pressing the attack button as you are charging. Pretty basic stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>What makes Golden Axe unique? Each character has a screen-clearing magic spell for you to use at your discretion. As you play through the game, you'll be able to recover your magic meter by attacking these little elf creatures and making them drop magic potions. In fact, there are often scenes that play in between stages when your character is camping out and trying to get some sleep. These little guys try to steal stuff from your camp, and you can attack them and make them drop health and magic items. I've always found these sequences to be very fun. They add so much character to the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also jump aboard dragons and take control of them. Their tail whip and fire breathing attacks do massive damage to your enemies. Try to hang onto them as long as you can. I had pretty good luck with them this time around, and was able to decimate some boss characters with the dragons' powerful attacks. One hit will result in you getting knocked off the dragon, so always be vigilant about playing defense because the dragon will run away if you get hit three times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike the Genesis version of the game, the arcade version is quite easy. I wasn't keeping track of how many times I had to continue (AKA how many quarters I had to use), but it was not many. Maybe five or six. And the whole game itself lasted about 20 minutes, if that. I found the whole thing to be very, very easy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is it still fun, though? Yes. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS6AaKvAoDhZUZULJncG5bb3qRzGhPO9s01396E2hg_n7BSGGHh9kIa0SntTs1AU1SwWKpV7CL8NzeFNqH55vhbnhDlxFLMIUZfrmHZ2aso-8fkSoOJNpMKYRY1C0Ozpi83iVxBT8cN-IAPdvlQbPrTLqzCVZOKFezhlPnNjxqLLW5jXV1tLfQ9fUO4Q/s320/unnamed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS6AaKvAoDhZUZULJncG5bb3qRzGhPO9s01396E2hg_n7BSGGHh9kIa0SntTs1AU1SwWKpV7CL8NzeFNqH55vhbnhDlxFLMIUZfrmHZ2aso-8fkSoOJNpMKYRY1C0Ozpi83iVxBT8cN-IAPdvlQbPrTLqzCVZOKFezhlPnNjxqLLW5jXV1tLfQ9fUO4Q/s1600/unnamed.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Does the arcade version of Golden Axe look better than the Genesis version of the game? Uh, probably? It's been nine years since I played the other version of the game. As far as I know, they look pretty similar. But I'm sure the arcade version holds a slight edge. I noticed myself paying closer attention to the stage design this time around. It seems like there are more villagers and NPCs to look at in this game. The medieval setting of the game feels more immersive and like it is a bigger part of things. It's hard to describe, but this version visually has a certain magic the Genesis version doesn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the character design. The heroes are iconic, giving players a choice of three very distinctive looking characters to play as. I'm not gonna lie, I picked Tyris, the female character this time around. I'll probably pick her next time I play the game, too. I have, um, reasons. *wink*</div><div> </div><div>I never thought I'd find myself thirsting over fictional video game characters, but that's exactly what happened when I played this game.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxJZc8BPzxQaHpojZvxNCtcv8saUsZknbte9nNXkLP2X8c0y1uxKF6c6gle37-RWNUTG89VGVSTRnDq2990745kNeb_fgiJI9PatMij08YIGhkDjcxizX-KadMVB1JBZQ8bNb4ZNSu9eiovd9NtbyY6mURa9MrxbYjcxJBJUtzfQzgxi0OCVzvzlGnFc/s320/stage1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxJZc8BPzxQaHpojZvxNCtcv8saUsZknbte9nNXkLP2X8c0y1uxKF6c6gle37-RWNUTG89VGVSTRnDq2990745kNeb_fgiJI9PatMij08YIGhkDjcxizX-KadMVB1JBZQ8bNb4ZNSu9eiovd9NtbyY6mURa9MrxbYjcxJBJUtzfQzgxi0OCVzvzlGnFc/s1600/stage1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>There is nothing about this game's music or sound effects that stand out. Even though I just finished the game, I couldn't hum one tune from the game or tell you anything about its sound effects. They exist. They do the job. That's about the best I can tell you.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8i4cDyR4G1BfRTlIXKv2P4_fDpdPKFY3jGYaWx4kJYVCe6IOtvhvnLA5Ml7QjfMsP0zD-1CiJ5oY2LAiU_lIrZdY6494RjPbOiMi70MXYpdVke3KdiMkSFYus2RZvLZs7ogJvUKSCqBcLFd33vlsr0D5_bgqaDJCWLi-WgwNXMIvREOfrMvLjjRhaVU/s350/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="350" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8i4cDyR4G1BfRTlIXKv2P4_fDpdPKFY3jGYaWx4kJYVCe6IOtvhvnLA5Ml7QjfMsP0zD-1CiJ5oY2LAiU_lIrZdY6494RjPbOiMi70MXYpdVke3KdiMkSFYus2RZvLZs7ogJvUKSCqBcLFd33vlsr0D5_bgqaDJCWLi-WgwNXMIvREOfrMvLjjRhaVU/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a fun game, albeit one lacking in pretty much any substance whatsoever. It's entertaining, it's short, it's easy to pick up and play. The theme is cool and the graphics are nice. That's about all I can really say about the game. You can beat it in 15 or 20 minutes, and there is not much replay value to be found here. It's not like there are branching paths or you will notice anything on a second playthrough you didn't notice the first time. Play it once and you've seen it all.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a game, it is pretty good. You're never not entertained when you are playing this. I like it much more than the Genesis version, hands down. It's fun, charming, and very easy to pick up and play. It's also very limited. I want to shower this game with praise and accolades, but it's such a short experience, did it even have time to leave much of a mark? </div><div><br /></div><div>Good game: yeah. But I'm not exactly jumping out of my seat over it. At the same time, I do think it is an important title, and something that every gamer should play at least once in their life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>THE GRADE:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>B </b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-7891168789071773672024-02-18T18:40:00.003-06:002024-02-18T18:50:59.212-06:00Video Game Review #496: Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaulPyv9t2gjnYxgPjshI7sGQq_dbT3evhXbRqBPQegYcck4_NuxztHDw2F7J10_jT9Xbo8zEiAY080oSLpxT6Ig9oiPqfnaJGkbC4Ydhtx0rbiU1pklegBVWhOxx7dxxU0GbJDcHiycoYXLDEfHXXQp9MV5pv4O_vc8DlWmeXvsCpKTzSnDKxWTF_MQk/s479/sdsdsdsdsd.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="383" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaulPyv9t2gjnYxgPjshI7sGQq_dbT3evhXbRqBPQegYcck4_NuxztHDw2F7J10_jT9Xbo8zEiAY080oSLpxT6Ig9oiPqfnaJGkbC4Ydhtx0rbiU1pklegBVWhOxx7dxxU0GbJDcHiycoYXLDEfHXXQp9MV5pv4O_vc8DlWmeXvsCpKTzSnDKxWTF_MQk/s320/sdsdsdsdsd.png" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation 4</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Let me get this out of the way immediately: I had a miserable time with this game. I don't know what happened. I first played Final Fantasy XII back in 2006, the year it first came out, and I really liked it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Keep in mind that I haven't played the game in any form since then. It's now 2024. That means that 18 years have passed since my last playthrough. I was a different person back then, living a completely different life. I remember I bought this game as a present for my ex-girlfriend Jessica. We were living together at the time, and she was just as big a gamer as I was. In fact, she was a massive Final Fantasy fan, and she often dedicated the time to completely 100% each of the games she played. Even I didn't do that. I usually just play for the story and then I'm done with the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>We were both playing through FF XII on our own separate save files. She was much deeper into the game then I was. In fact, she was nearing the end of it. But then something bad happened. I knocked over the PS2 as I was playing, and the laser must have scratched the disc. It started skipping and became unplayable. Oh no. I went out and bought the collector's version of the game and started a new playthrough. Jessica, who had been much, much farther in the game than me, was furious. I don't remember if she ever started the game over again. But I remember playing the game and beating it. And then when we broke up later on, I kept the collector's edition of the game and left her with the unplayable original copy. I was a jerk for doing that.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>Ah memories.</div><div><br /></div><div>But my memories don't stop there. In 2008, way back before I started this blog, I ranked my top 100 games of all time on the message board Survivor Sucks, and Final Fantasy XII came in ranked at #18. Here is what I had to say about the game back then:</div><div><br /></div><div><div><i>"Let me just say that I really love this game. I know that it might not be one of the most popular among hardcore Final Fantasy fans, but I think it is great.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>This game is very cinematic. The cutscenes, graphics, and voice acting are all very well done. At many points in the game, the action is so intense it feels like a real movie. The music is awesome, as is usual for Final Fantasy games. The graphics have taken the "next step" in the series, and are no longer so cartoonish and fake looking.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The thing that is most controversial about this game is the combat system. As opposed to being turn based, like your typical FF game, this one takes place in real time. Instead of random encounters, you can see your enemies out on the field and decide whether you want to attack them or try to avoid them. While most die hard FF fans might not like this, I enjoyed the change. I like the option of whether or not you should fight someone when you're out on the field. You can also move around on the battlefield while fighting, which you can use to your advantage.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>One unique feature of this game is the License Grid. As you gain experience, you gain License Points, which allow you to give your character experience in certain areas. If you want to be offensive minded, use all your LP on offensive stuff. Or you can go the magical route. You can really go any direction you want with the characters at your disposal.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>The complaints I have heard about this game are that it is too linear (which I don't agree with. The world in this game is HUGE and there is so much to see and do) or that they don't like the combat (but I do) or that the storyline is not very good. I do agree with this last statement. While the cinematics and graphics are stellar, this game is lacking in character development and just overall involving storyline of other great Final Fantasy games, like VII.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>This is an excellent, deep, and involving game. You can waste hours and hours doing things, exploring, leveling up, etc. And the massive world and breathtaking scenery is epic! But the only thing keeping this from being a top tier Final Fantasy games is the story. If it had a better one, this could possibly have been the greatest game of all time."</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Wow. That's pretty high praise for this game, which is why I had such lofty expectations coming into Zodiac Age for the PS4. This version of the game is supposed to be even better than the original - with improved graphics and "quality of life" features, like an enhanced leveling system and the added ability to speed up time.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was super stoked to play through Final Fantasy XII again. Much to my chagrin, however, I quickly discovered that the game has aged like fine milk. What went wrong? How could I go from ranking this as the 18th best video game of all time to absolutely detesting it? Guess you got to read this review to find out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryILHcfVsQCLPGj-L2aLi6NYCzp2g5CpgzS_PBDZKlAAA8i6V2HyPJxM2PhjyeAMyzW87qGzhzlQEVbjYosob_b7TR6rZMqlboAgotAXR2ktZGVK37Qg-DUiuAezF7mZNDNFKMX_jldPU4UTvyGz-qb93uYEsJNQBcTpYBhYFpSAIjqQM9YgUrc_C2O0/s3840/2sYEPUbGboby8gukFKDxnG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryILHcfVsQCLPGj-L2aLi6NYCzp2g5CpgzS_PBDZKlAAA8i6V2HyPJxM2PhjyeAMyzW87qGzhzlQEVbjYosob_b7TR6rZMqlboAgotAXR2ktZGVK37Qg-DUiuAezF7mZNDNFKMX_jldPU4UTvyGz-qb93uYEsJNQBcTpYBhYFpSAIjqQM9YgUrc_C2O0/s320/2sYEPUbGboby8gukFKDxnG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you didn't come here looking for a detailed plot synopsis, because I don't have one. This game's storyline is an absolute mess, and I completely gave up on paying attention to it just a few hours into the game. It's easily the worst storyline I've ever experienced in a Final Fantasy game. FF8's orphanage subplot looks like a work of absolute genius compared to anything you experience here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll try to give a rough outline of what I *think* was going on. So there's this little country called Dalmasca that is stuck in the middle between two warring nations: Archadia and Rozarria. Archadia invades Dalmasca and takes control, subjugating its citizens to their rule. A young thief named Vaan gets caught up in a rebellion against Archadia, involving Sky Pirates, disgraced warrior named Baasch, and the Princess of Dalmasca, Ashe, who is believed dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>This ragtag group of warriors travel the world collecting powerful baubles in order to defeat the Empire. At the end they fight the Empire and win, and everything ends happily.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glossing over some major plot points, I'm sure (like Baasch being framed for murdering the Dalmascan King), but honestly, none of it really matters. The characters are flat and lifeless. There is no personal development whatsoever. I didn't find myself caring for any of these characters whatsoever. Nor did I care about the rebellion or taking down the Empire. The whole game consists of just moving from one location to another, in order to advance the so-called storyline. Go here, collect this, get chased away, go there, collect that, oops - you're captured, you escape, you go somewhere else, you collect something, ope - captured again, nevermind you escaped, go somewhere else, collect another thing, blah blah blah.</div><div><br /></div><div>It sucks. All of it sucks. It's dry, it's lifeless, and there is nothing to get excited about. Like I said, I stopped paying attention just a few hours into the game. There is no substance to be found here. How disappointing.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVwfrSyTslSdoJsjOvaZW8TLDk3ujC2JiHF9nKLCfXlCIX_HwFIYNi5Mc5Z9Nri8P_nEy-OzIizprNlcHPi06LqX3QnKC2duXQVtOmYGbLmEi0q1jM1nYMybkAlr-LwbLM9-zfRblUpN0JMI4vpwKnkhyww0jQ1FqByx4-RthQRoF4G21AUxaX86Q1BE/s1080/a-screenshot-from-final-fantasy-xii-the-zodiac-age_1xar.1080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1080" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVwfrSyTslSdoJsjOvaZW8TLDk3ujC2JiHF9nKLCfXlCIX_HwFIYNi5Mc5Z9Nri8P_nEy-OzIizprNlcHPi06LqX3QnKC2duXQVtOmYGbLmEi0q1jM1nYMybkAlr-LwbLM9-zfRblUpN0JMI4vpwKnkhyww0jQ1FqByx4-RthQRoF4G21AUxaX86Q1BE/s320/a-screenshot-from-final-fantasy-xii-the-zodiac-age_1xar.1080.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Final Fantasy XII is known for its gambit system. It's the first single player Final Fantasy game to move away from turn-based combat. Everything takes place in real time. You can simply pre-program in the actions you want the characters in your party to perform. When you are walking around on the world map, you see enemies coming. There are no random battles here. You can either approach these enemies and fight them, or take the long way around them and avoid them. The actions your characters take depend on the gambits you've programmed in. You can have them attack the enemy leader, you can have them go after the weakest enemy, you can have them focus on magic and defense, etc. In theory if you have enough gambits set up you could just put the controller down in the middle of battle and walk away and do some dishes.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can also stop the action at any time and specifically input what you want each character to do. So if your gambits have your whole party programmed to attack relentlessly, but you have a character that is low on health, you can manually stop the action and have one of the characters use an item like a potion on the injured character. Being a micromanager, I was constantly stopping the action to have them perform the action I wanted them to. Honestly, I didn't mess around with the gambits that much. They're nice to have for very basic enemies, but during boss battles or fights that required different tactics than just hacking away, I found myself taking a more hands-on approach.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you fight, you gain experience and level up, just like other Final Fantasy games. Each character also has a license board where you use license points earned in battle to give your character special attributes. You gain money in battle as well, which you can use in shops to buy items and equipment for your characters. One thing I don't like about this game is that many spells and pieces of equipment can't be purchased from stores - you have to find them in the wild. I never got my hands on Hastega, Shellga, and many other powerful spells that would have made this game a lot more manageable - simply because I didn't know where to find them.</div><div><br /></div><div>All this sounds fine and dandy, but to be brutally honest the game is simply just not any fun. The entire game seems to consist of walking through hallways and corridors, fighting endless waves of enemies. The dungeons in this game are so freaking long and repetitive. This isn't as bad as, say, Final Fantasy XIII, as there is a world hub and you can explore things in more of an open-world manner if you choose to do so. There are also side quests and bounty hunts you can join. So you don't have to just focus on the main story. But the game sucks so bad, I didn't bother with any of these things. I just wanted to finish the game and be done with it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe if this game actually had a compelling story pushing things forward, I would have liked it more. Maybe, maybe not. But holy god damn did I find it boring. I don't know how I liked this so much when I was younger. I was drunk a lot back then, so that might explain things. Maybe I was blinded by wanting to like it just because it is a Final Fantasy game. I don't know. But playing it now in present day, oof. I had no fun with this game. None. In fact, I dreaded turning this game on and playing it, especially knowing there are so many other games out there that are much more fun than this. But once I commit to playing and reviewing something, I have to see it through to the end. I'm doing this for you guys. I hope you appreciate it.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil44NWvRxsI5lxMmYm6XQYrjSPSQCCeCoRaSSDGlcmenKDGWU-wo6eq8PUYy-OKn1iHg7tb7hfwLod6PpBZOFuNmg4i2Ke4KeaINRVhOe3SKqOSco6PNot_a14cihHn8GaHYJYAsr-olhfn1SV8wfxrFVK_wx-7U2iil7kekIExYIcB-Ky9KN_-vD2tQw/s640/g8wart5urwy81.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil44NWvRxsI5lxMmYm6XQYrjSPSQCCeCoRaSSDGlcmenKDGWU-wo6eq8PUYy-OKn1iHg7tb7hfwLod6PpBZOFuNmg4i2Ke4KeaINRVhOe3SKqOSco6PNot_a14cihHn8GaHYJYAsr-olhfn1SV8wfxrFVK_wx-7U2iil7kekIExYIcB-Ky9KN_-vD2tQw/s320/g8wart5urwy81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Graphically, this game shines. At least it has that going for it. It looked good on the PS2 back in 2006 and it looks good on the PS4 in 2024. As much as I hated this game, I have to admit that the world building is really nice. The towns and cities are full of citizens busily walking to and fro. There are interesting looking characters all over the place. Really makes the world of the game feel like a big and sprawling place.</div><div><br /></div><div>The landscapes of the game are beautiful, as are many of the ancient ruins and locales you visit. The cutscenes are very cinematic, almost like something you'd see in a big screen movie,. If only I cared about what was happening in them!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ncx3vb9kP8s3XpzL5F-E1JHo4htEPE_NJt3BlTkYYxJfnNnj8SlHhMeplqVGyiChvG_z_xVGCJA7anNVkNs1OdmdDbCQ6V43iQnCk5V2hLgElKlIKuoDtubNUk3M9IRzF7X61vKB_xwRGo5fPRkWWdcu0Mr54Hwcu5WxFB1_gQ8I96AC0BtYvbLz4_k/s900/apps.28830.63589542170965098.6248147e-94c2-40ff-98ff-79e6ea0e27db.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ncx3vb9kP8s3XpzL5F-E1JHo4htEPE_NJt3BlTkYYxJfnNnj8SlHhMeplqVGyiChvG_z_xVGCJA7anNVkNs1OdmdDbCQ6V43iQnCk5V2hLgElKlIKuoDtubNUk3M9IRzF7X61vKB_xwRGo5fPRkWWdcu0Mr54Hwcu5WxFB1_gQ8I96AC0BtYvbLz4_k/s320/apps.28830.63589542170965098.6248147e-94c2-40ff-98ff-79e6ea0e27db.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game has great music in addition to great graphics. I constantly found myself impressed as I traversed the world of the game. The orchestral music is grand and sweeping. The title theme is an iconic Final Fantasy song. I've heard it many times in YouTube videos about Final Fantasy, and I didn't even realize it came from this game. It's so good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Voice acting is fine, too. Character delivery can be a bit wooden and stiff, but it never gets to the point where it is noticeably bad. Maybe if the writing had been better or if the plot was more engaging, they could have gotten something more out of the voice actors. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LpBTx_UM_lY" width="320" youtube-src-id="LpBTx_UM_lY"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In case I haven't made things obvious enough for you, I didn't like this game. In fact, I might even go so far as to say I hated it. There are things about the game that I liked, such as the music, the graphics, and the world of the game. And I really truly <i>wanted</i> to enjoy myself as I played this. But I didn't. It's just so incredibly dry and boring to me, from the combat, to the repetitive gameplay, to the completely bland and uninteresting characters and story. Every night I would let out a big sigh before I would turn this game on. I didn't want to play it. I knew it was going to be a chore and I wasn't going to have any fun. But I just wanted to finish this game and be done with it so I'd never have to play it again.</div><div><br /></div><div>In fact, that may be the best thing about the game - the fact that I never have to play it again. It's like a giant burden has been lifted off my chest. I no longer have to play this rotten piece of shit game again. Hallelujah!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, if you like Final Fantasy XII, I am not shaming you. I'm glad you like it. My hatred of this game is mine and mine alone. I didn't like it, and that's totally okay. Not everything is for everyone, and this game is REALLY not for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I ever get the urge to come back and play this game again in the future, I need to read this review first and remind myself why that is not a good idea. Future Dan, if you are reading this: don't. You are not going to enjoy this game. You are not going to have a good time. Avoid it at all costs and thank me later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I'm done ranting, I can finally head out and play something I'm actually going to enjoy. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">D-</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-57507038439295942522024-02-15T16:14:00.001-06:002024-02-15T16:14:31.146-06:00Video Game Review #495: Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI4grqdEo2G59bZdQ0mDV-pD1vvsahHjKadHZSs_fP4dOjCEeNaD19bMc008K-VNAsEhYEPnXXrNanTrUPfJnZlpMm4NWi5kVGukM9SuM_whgMBOYSPFaeHkiQCuxKmaRbggRD3gkE68uHp774hgbdHJjrwklUebH56lUQF7GLnzx9Zg1yhJ62kjULzY/s378/GhoulsSNES_boxart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="378" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI4grqdEo2G59bZdQ0mDV-pD1vvsahHjKadHZSs_fP4dOjCEeNaD19bMc008K-VNAsEhYEPnXXrNanTrUPfJnZlpMm4NWi5kVGukM9SuM_whgMBOYSPFaeHkiQCuxKmaRbggRD3gkE68uHp774hgbdHJjrwklUebH56lUQF7GLnzx9Zg1yhJ62kjULzY/s320/GhoulsSNES_boxart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Nintendo</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I grew up a fan of the Ghosts 'n Goblins series. I wouldn't say I was a rabid fan or anything like that, but I enjoyed the games and I had a decent time with them. I played the heck out of the original game for the NES. I also really liked Ghouls 'n Ghosts for the Genesis, and in many ways considered that to be superior to the original.</div><div><br /></div><div>I've always known about Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, but seeing as how I never owned an SNES, I never got the chance to play the game. As an adult, I picked up a used copy of this title somewhere in the 2010s. I tried to play the game on my Hyperkin Retron system, which played NES, SNES, and Genesis titles. Everything worked fine until about midway through the game, when the screen and the background turned black, and all I could see was Arthur. I didn't know where the ledges were, I didn't know where the bottomless pits were, I didn't even know where the enemies were. Was it a glitch in the game? I simply could not progress any further because I could not freaking see anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Turns out it was some kind of anti-piracy setting that was triggered by playing the cartridge on my Hyperkin Retron. It thought I was pirating the game or playing it illegally somehow, so it made the game unplayable so I could not progress any further. Huh. I legally purchased the game and the system with my own money. Very weird it would do this.</div><div><br /></div><div>I ended up putting the game down and moving onto other things. This was about 6 or 7 years ago. I randomly decided, now that I have a RetroPie, to give the game another shot playing it on different hardware. Turns out the game works fine playing it this way (oh, the irony - the physical copy of the game doesn't work because of piracy issues, but the downloaded ROM works fine. Whatever).</div><div><br /></div><div>So how would I feel about Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts? Would it be as good, and as HARD, as everyone says? Time to find out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeETAl28sxMPB2J-SE78PU3GNsjuW8FzRVyhAtEBe4g2x2ka3ZnPKH6d_5sg7tWrDdaDpWPvrm8oJjwtMDx19ot-CCp047MYVLbhOe5IOYvi_aZJzRS4yUz9eg35XqvMEL-M0-Ww22vTP51eW2jdfi6onXmY_cf6wO-xqDABNKddXhFiI_VC1aPgb1Fw/s512/15685180-super-ghouls-n-ghosts-snes-the-first-level.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="512" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeETAl28sxMPB2J-SE78PU3GNsjuW8FzRVyhAtEBe4g2x2ka3ZnPKH6d_5sg7tWrDdaDpWPvrm8oJjwtMDx19ot-CCp047MYVLbhOe5IOYvi_aZJzRS4yUz9eg35XqvMEL-M0-Ww22vTP51eW2jdfi6onXmY_cf6wO-xqDABNKddXhFiI_VC1aPgb1Fw/s320/15685180-super-ghouls-n-ghosts-snes-the-first-level.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game easily has the best introduction sequence in the series. There is a group of villagers outside a castle, partaking in what looks like a festival of some kind. Fireworks are exploding in the sky. It seems like a nice, fun evening.</div><div><br /></div><div>The action takes us inside the castle, where good ol' Arthur is hanging out with the princess. A flying demon crashes through the window and spirits her away, while lightning flashes reveal even more demons hiding outside. Oh noes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thus begins Arthur's adventures, as he battles the demons and tracks down the missing princess. In true Ghosts 'n Goblins fashion, once you've beaten the final boss, you are sent back to the beginning of the game because you don't have the proper equipment to defeat the true final boss. The princess says she dropped her armlet on the way to the castle, as she was being abducted. Starting from the beginning of the game, you have to find the armlet that she dropped and use its powerful magic to defeat the true final boss and rescue the princess once and for all.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpd_6kF9HlJXv8JCBkj1Kj-ILGk1JdspUAAgdL6ulWIE10Le80DnkAdCkgp0VVsLcc5ehMQ3xVNPxmIkB84yV0ISOeWkJDmEN6VtsayGHEOiTiUcu-R4XzuYsRKP5QomJcpE898stAgo5l0gh6Ap-n9eKupAsxVe-wNTaCCgK9R8m7IRB1fJNM2SqVYI/s640/super-ghouls-n-ghosts-03.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpd_6kF9HlJXv8JCBkj1Kj-ILGk1JdspUAAgdL6ulWIE10Le80DnkAdCkgp0VVsLcc5ehMQ3xVNPxmIkB84yV0ISOeWkJDmEN6VtsayGHEOiTiUcu-R4XzuYsRKP5QomJcpE898stAgo5l0gh6Ap-n9eKupAsxVe-wNTaCCgK9R8m7IRB1fJNM2SqVYI/s320/super-ghouls-n-ghosts-03.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Gameplay is very similar to other titles in the series. You make your way through a series of stages, which are represented on the game map that is shown to you in-between stages. You progress through each stage jumping over obstacles and fighting monsters and bosses until you locate the key that unlocks the next stage. There are eight of these stages in total.</div><div><br /></div><div>What this game is known for is its difficulty. Now, I used to play the regular Ghouls 'n Ghosts quite often for the Genesis when I was a kid. The game was challenging, sure, but I never considered it to be hard or nearly impossible to beat. Ghosts 'n Goblins for the NES was a lot tougher. This game falls somewhere in the middle. It's definitely tougher than the Genesis game, but not as tough as the NES original.</div><div><br /></div><div>The big difference between this and other games in the series is in your ability to double jump. This is definitely a big improvement over other entries in the series. Normally in these games, once you commit to a jump, you are stuck with your decision. The double jump allows you to jump backward, in case you need to avoid an enemy that pops up. It also allows you to reach areas that normally would be out of reach to you. Another difference is how you can't shoot up or down in this game. I do not like this. You can only shoot left or right. I lost track of how many times there was an enemy above me that I couldn't shoot because you can only fire left and right. Very annoying, especially when you are trying to fight the red flying demons. At least there aren't very many of them this time around.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a game where you are going to die quite often. You start with a standard suit of armor. Get hit once, and you lose your armor and drop down to your undies. Get hit again, and you are dead. You can recoup your armor through treasure chests you find hidden throughout the stages, but just surviving long enough to find one is a challenge in its own right. This game also gives you opportunities to upgrade to gold or green armor, where you can hold the fire button down and unleash a super charged attack. Nice feature, but I never was able to keep this armor long enough for it to really make a difference.</div><div><br /></div><div>To me, the best thing about this game is its stage design. You see so much in this game that you don't see in other versions of the game. I love the pirate ship level, and how you have to survive big waves while floating on the sea and fighting enemies. There is another level with platforms that rotate the entire level. That's a nice touch. Small things like that help to keep the game constantly fresh as you are playing.</div><div><br /></div><div>While the game is fun to play, the cheap nature of its difficulty does start to get old over time. Things will pop up, or enemies will appear with NO warning whatsoever, and the only way to avoid them is to have already played the level and know they are coming in advance. Trial and error your way through it. Is that fun, or is it even fair? Eh. That is debatable. I ended up resorting to using save files to make my way through the game. I tried to get through it the "fair" way, but I figured if the game wasn't going to play fair, I wasn't either. I had a much more fun time with the game once I started doing this. But the fact that I even had to resort to such tactics is a major problem.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N2Pcxr1YSC9LHiC1GtLqnL4JhfvBSMcP4ebqY4hFQWY9t5Q080RfHuBIieA2RfTJZSOvusTnnWIeEJCUtLwOCGgzrArEKm3daOMywxapv9422d3xYS9mCnbOFWwilO-dMrDmf13xjM0785lclxZ2OjtsHLBYh6GOj6CwkSeYW8_h8U46BbtnfE_mx0A/s512/SGnG-c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="512" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-N2Pcxr1YSC9LHiC1GtLqnL4JhfvBSMcP4ebqY4hFQWY9t5Q080RfHuBIieA2RfTJZSOvusTnnWIeEJCUtLwOCGgzrArEKm3daOMywxapv9422d3xYS9mCnbOFWwilO-dMrDmf13xjM0785lclxZ2OjtsHLBYh6GOj6CwkSeYW8_h8U46BbtnfE_mx0A/s320/SGnG-c.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Graphics:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a gorgeous game. It's probably my favorite looking Super Nintendo game, and that is really saying something. The graphics are big and bright and cartoony. Each stage and each environment has its own unique feel. Part of my desire to keep playing was tied into seeing what areas I was going to get to explore next. I already mentioned the pirate ship area earlier in my review. That stage is freaking beautiful. And so is the snowy stage. Some of the best snow effects I've seen in a video game. Outstanding stuff. This game really looks terrific. I was constantly impressed my whole way through this game.</div><div><br /></div><div>To think that this game was released over 30 years ago and it still looks so good. This is an art style that has a timeless appeal.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmjuuPpXMQi4Y8GNbgZgQaVH_kQ14FqNz7n05tfFp_NlZYFEm90ld8AS7wDMllGeSSbLPX4qUqjrJeW3JFX5js3Y9fkjOvPRacFXme4tuOGpQTNolV-CbwWr-2ddtY6Kc8G-VJdxaclXaXIL_6WSFP5xDahRqcu6srpMYM3s7ZaUg1dqAVSzlGYXFeq8/s301/super_ghouls_ghosts_image_oSJ6N.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="301" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmjuuPpXMQi4Y8GNbgZgQaVH_kQ14FqNz7n05tfFp_NlZYFEm90ld8AS7wDMllGeSSbLPX4qUqjrJeW3JFX5js3Y9fkjOvPRacFXme4tuOGpQTNolV-CbwWr-2ddtY6Kc8G-VJdxaclXaXIL_6WSFP5xDahRqcu6srpMYM3s7ZaUg1dqAVSzlGYXFeq8/s1600/super_ghouls_ghosts_image_oSJ6N.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game has some decent music, but to be honest it is probably the weakest sounding game of the entire series. I just doesn't have that "iconic" feel to it, at least in my opinion. I never caught myself humming along to the theme music. Maybe because it is because I grew up with the NES and Genesis games. Those games have great soundtracks that I would add to my video game playlist any day of the week - particularly the Genesis version. This game's music just doesn't quite do it for me. Feels a little bit watered down, to be honest. Not that the music is bad or anything. It just isn't as strong as the other games.</div><div><br /></div><div>The sound effects? They are fine, too. Again, there is nothing really wrong or bad to be found here. It just doesn't do anything for me.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3AB01hoeLSpvOwwio9jN74OnKBRgK9e7XRoHyW9XjZPUaVMMlinrF7DPIo85d4URM5ZNhPjLCwtU8XCt3kxenVrSJFo28XqY_fSXQJoE7IRxKuVqTqo4ps434qb8YLGVizkYMDqVNVpdtBCRPk5-9hx_IXvKpF4PLV2NEGXx-QcaQnBWJahiS7kWFEQ/s256/images.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="256" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3AB01hoeLSpvOwwio9jN74OnKBRgK9e7XRoHyW9XjZPUaVMMlinrF7DPIo85d4URM5ZNhPjLCwtU8XCt3kxenVrSJFo28XqY_fSXQJoE7IRxKuVqTqo4ps434qb8YLGVizkYMDqVNVpdtBCRPk5-9hx_IXvKpF4PLV2NEGXx-QcaQnBWJahiS7kWFEQ/w306-h235/images.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a really fun game, and I am glad I finally got off my butt and decided to play through the whole thing. I think tales of its difficulty had scared me away from it. But it isn't <i>that</i> bad (especially if you decide to save scum your way through it, like I did). I think even without the save scumming I would have been able to finish this with a few more days of practice. I just really don't have time for that anymore. I'm getting old and I still have a countless number of games out there that I need to play through before I die. It's definitely not as tough as Battletoads, or a few other games I've recently made my way through. It's completely manageable with a little practice.</div><div><br /></div><div>I found myself enjoying the stage design and the brilliant visuals a lot more than I thought I would. Everyone talks about this game's difficulty and how you have to play through it twice to see the true ending. No one talks about how fantastic the game looks. Even if I didn't like the gameplay, I would have been enthralled by the game's visual design.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts worth playing? Absolutely. How does it compare to other titles in the series? Let's see. I gave the original Ghosts 'n Goblins for the NES an A-. To be honest, I probably gave the game too high of a grade. It's not an A- title. Nostalgia played too big of a factor in that review. Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts is definitely the better game, although it is going to get a lower review score. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's definitely better than Ghosts 'n Goblins for the arcade, as well as Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins for the PSP. I didn't like either title. What about Ghouls 'n Ghosts for the Genesis? This one's close. Both games are a lot of fun to play, and I would consider both games to be the pinnacle of the series. But which one is better? Super GnG is the better looking game, with the better stage design. But regular GnG is probably the more fun and accessible game. Plus it has nostalgia going for it, since I grew up playing the game. Regular GnG gets the nod from me, but it is a lot closer than I would have initially expected. In fact, they are going to get the same review score of B+. Neither game is good enough to crack the A range for me, but they are both about as close as you can get to doing so.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now that all is said and done, I can safely say I am glad I played this game. It's a shame I dragged my feet on it for so long. It's a fun game, and I can easily see myself returning to play through it again someday in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-72199537950868920632024-02-07T16:08:00.002-06:002024-02-07T16:08:36.855-06:00Video Game Review #494: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NARD64knPgv9evwHoCs-HRXEXQgRXRr6PG5SpznaBh59PUyWocS7ZPY-ZDWVmYeiD8lIclmbHzJ6o6VoHaOPuzDGg0-w_MKRqg-nu1AaM-mwpWou9nDkZk_j2Qyc8h5Ecen3Mh6Nze6ls4b_ZBLoZ0yghne_OKfeC5J90klMNzqrSpden13n2fgEwys/s400/Umk3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="400" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NARD64knPgv9evwHoCs-HRXEXQgRXRr6PG5SpznaBh59PUyWocS7ZPY-ZDWVmYeiD8lIclmbHzJ6o6VoHaOPuzDGg0-w_MKRqg-nu1AaM-mwpWou9nDkZk_j2Qyc8h5Ecen3Mh6Nze6ls4b_ZBLoZ0yghne_OKfeC5J90klMNzqrSpden13n2fgEwys/w381-h242/Umk3.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arcade</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is now the third Mortal Kombat game for the arcade I've reviewed. I have to admit, I dragged my feet a bit when deciding if I should play this or not. The series (at least the arcade version of the series) has not held up well over the years. I reviewed the original Mortal Kombat back in 2015 and it got a D. I reviewed Mortal Kombat II in 2018 and it got a D-. And those were the Mortal Kombat games I remember really enjoying as a kid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why didn't I like them? A myriad of reasons. The top reason is the computer AI. They made these games tough on purpose - so you'd keep pumping quarters into them. Unfortunately, this doesn't translate well to the home experience. It makes it more frustrating than anything else. I also found the games incredibly limited. Fighting games have never been my favorite genre. You play them for five minutes, and you've essentially seen everything the game has to offer. Maybe you can extend the life of these games playing with a second player, but I didn't have the luxury of doing that when reviewing these games.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mortal Kombat 3 was never my favorite of the original games. If I didn't like the first two, playing them in modern times, what was I going to think of this one? Luckily, I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. They took some of my concerns about the previous Mortal Kombat games and worked to make this one a little bit more accessible for people looking for a good single player campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before we dive in too deep, I should note that this is Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, which is a revamped version of the original MK3 for the arcade. I was actually hoping to play the original game for review purposes, but unfortunately the original MK3 is not included on the "Arcade Kollection" I have for PS3. It's just I, II, and the "ultimate version" of III. I guess it is good that they put the best version of the game on the collection, but I have to admit I was curious to play the original version of 3. Oh well.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w1ei5xjutsgh-MMLi_KQnLTyv8ajA2ix1KMupkYkSr2cVMIx45QnWexW5SUe4FEIKqQMUBI0MIqvmlwFyQysYdYfCNAFjhnJcZ36DkKntSKPjWYrOSqz5T6vEI6D3HHq78Bqgqhsvg613WNzdbR6XUT2ZUZOCvz_nB7PZ9UYZHicNWc5AYSl-2j-Qn8/s3840/35-03_feature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2438" data-original-width="3840" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7w1ei5xjutsgh-MMLi_KQnLTyv8ajA2ix1KMupkYkSr2cVMIx45QnWexW5SUe4FEIKqQMUBI0MIqvmlwFyQysYdYfCNAFjhnJcZ36DkKntSKPjWYrOSqz5T6vEI6D3HHq78Bqgqhsvg613WNzdbR6XUT2ZUZOCvz_nB7PZ9UYZHicNWc5AYSl-2j-Qn8/s320/35-03_feature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>After losing the battle in Mortal Kombats I and II, Shao Kahn has decided enough is enough. He takes the fight to the Earth realm. Playing as one of the game's combatants, you fight through your competitors as you make your way to the final battle with Shao Kahn.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each character in the game has their own individual storyline, but honestly I wasn't paying too close of attention. Their story segments are explained through little snippets that play when the game is waiting for you to begin playing. So you just have to sit there for 20 minutes not pushing any buttons if you want to see everyone's little story vignette. Totally not worth it. I watched maybe three or four of them, and then I decided to start playing.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I <i>was</i> a little curious to see why Shang Tsung and Mileena were fighting against the Outworld forces, but not curious enough to wait around and find out. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H2PxjzT91Mx0Z0vWAs27H3XSFU63fgWrdPei9G_W3D1mLHqK2PCEk2mvbjgMCrwrZIMJRgeDa0FuoI_gF9ADUrzBxDH1M6_TxzmpmOzyL4dRCjAqAi9zcS3xHZhSGP7QVYa4o9r0y4mljMyBjhpH_pGe8Sx9sZE5HtrpDYSslKnhl4PG9Xu78fLfQG4/s400/sc81jz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="400" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4H2PxjzT91Mx0Z0vWAs27H3XSFU63fgWrdPei9G_W3D1mLHqK2PCEk2mvbjgMCrwrZIMJRgeDa0FuoI_gF9ADUrzBxDH1M6_TxzmpmOzyL4dRCjAqAi9zcS3xHZhSGP7QVYa4o9r0y4mljMyBjhpH_pGe8Sx9sZE5HtrpDYSslKnhl4PG9Xu78fLfQG4/s320/sc81jz.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When the game starts up, you'll notice how you are offered several different difficulty tiers to choose from. For my first playthrough, I chose the easiest one, Novice mode. Took me an hour or so, as some of the fights at the end are really hard, but I was able to make my way through the game and defeat Shao Kahn.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to try a second playthough with a different character. Went straight to Master difficulty this time. My understanding was that Master difficulty was just like Novice, except longer and with more fights. No, no. It's not just Master in name only. They crank that difficulty WAY up. I couldn't even make it through the first fight on Master difficulty. I probably gave it five or six different tries, each with a different character. Couldn't do it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I restarted the game and picked Novice again. Tried to do some fatalities, but couldn't pull off a single one. When I got to the endurance stage where you have to defeat two fighters, I decided to call it quits. I turned off the game. I'd seen enough, and I had no desire to play any further. The whole experience lasted two hours at the very longest. I was done with Mortal Kombat 3. Remember what I said about fighting games not being my favorite genre? I'm just not a big fan, I hate to say. They don't hold any lasting appeal for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, I did enjoy this more than the previous two Mortal Kombat games. The difficulty is much more balanced and fair, particularly on the easier difficulty levels. Beating the game doesn't seem impossible anymore. Well, except for the Shao Kahn, Kintaro, and endurance fights. They are absurdly difficult. But I approached these as a challenge to overcome rather than a nuisance, and it made my eventual victory that much more fulfilling. When you beat the game, they even give you bonus stuff to unlock and extra enemies to defeat. It gives this game a shit ton of replay value. If you like this type of game, you can spend days and days unearthing everything there is to unearth.</div><div><br /></div><div>As far as gameplay goes, not much has changed from the other MK games. Everything is pretty much the same, with the exception of added moves and combos. And of course there are new fatalities, too. The massive selection of fighters to choose from was nice to see. There's a character for every play style out there. Such a massive change from the first game in the series that had just seven people to pick from. The character list gets even bigger in subsequent games. I can't wait to tackle Mortal Kombat Trilogy someday. I remember playing the shit out of that game for the Saturn when I was a kid. But I'm getting ahead of myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this game fun? I suppose. As always, it is better to play with two people. I have no one to game with, as usual, so I just played solo. I found myself having more fun with this than I did the previous two games in the series, which I NEVER thought I'd find myself saying. I've always liked MK3 the least of the original games. I guess this one is better because it is Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. Maybe if that Ultimate wasn't there I wouldn't like it as much.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVy86YKpezr1A5lQM7QqfIi_l5TwijD0LU5lmDBUgSsfgLjH1R5EcxRQTBYcjzD-wRqTdylpKNbtWjsUfcYf7EmnQMWQwUOZF6WAUHSO958-B2iL9GDnMmXo5xpZBzEsjFcNETjFxDSokJktTscEXI0gK8r_TxpQjHblmzSeP4z6KyTtfIt4M_iOpEoI/s400/sc81jv.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="400" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVy86YKpezr1A5lQM7QqfIi_l5TwijD0LU5lmDBUgSsfgLjH1R5EcxRQTBYcjzD-wRqTdylpKNbtWjsUfcYf7EmnQMWQwUOZF6WAUHSO958-B2iL9GDnMmXo5xpZBzEsjFcNETjFxDSokJktTscEXI0gK8r_TxpQjHblmzSeP4z6KyTtfIt4M_iOpEoI/s320/sc81jv.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is the best looking of the original Mortal Kombat games. The animations are much smoother than what we've seen in the past. The characters are varied and diverse and fun to look at. I rotated through them each time I'd die, so I'd get to see them all. The blood effects are good. The fatalities are wild and over the top. I couldn't pull any of them off, but at least the computer used a few against me from time to time.</div><div><br /></div><div>The backgrounds and the setting have always been one of my favorite things about Mortal Kombat. This game delivers on that front, with very well-designed stages. There are even multi-level stages where you can knock people through the ceiling, which is pretty cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game won't win any beauty awards by today's standards, but you have to admit it looks pretty good considering its age. You can tell a lot of time and effort went into stage and character design, and it paid off. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVLMICeNG1S8zoJ2e9FQo-icF_9z1RdXi6e7A1hWPRJ2au7xmpQMY28Vu6QIs6YhtGD1NLJlFyLQRoPlgZHsBFA4ovTZ8FMSwtCW9I8qRqTOZ5BbQ5p6_T3gy5ZLCf5mbXbVZHBDnWP9_l9uDHE4DCdx63HDE1dC7KMaU27x_J_vlbZq1S0dHYssJnjo/s420/01a127bf36575723c1b58b35fae6ab51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="420" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVLMICeNG1S8zoJ2e9FQo-icF_9z1RdXi6e7A1hWPRJ2au7xmpQMY28Vu6QIs6YhtGD1NLJlFyLQRoPlgZHsBFA4ovTZ8FMSwtCW9I8qRqTOZ5BbQ5p6_T3gy5ZLCf5mbXbVZHBDnWP9_l9uDHE4DCdx63HDE1dC7KMaU27x_J_vlbZq1S0dHYssJnjo/s320/01a127bf36575723c1b58b35fae6ab51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game has good music. All Mortal Kombat games have good music. But it is lacking that catchy, memorable tune that would have put it over the top in the sound department. There is just nothing that stands out to me. I just wrapped this game up yesterday, and if you asked me to hum a tune from this game I would be able to do so. In one ear and out the other, I suppose.</div><div><br /></div><div>You've got the usual spot-on voice acting though. "Round one... fight!" "Fatality." "Toastie!" "Get over here!" You can definitely recognize that this is a Mortal Kombat game from sound alone. I've got nothing to complain about here. It all sounds great, as always.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAModjzCY4dpp8Qils7KZ_w0Br432fQ1vKC6FG1yKHjESs_12hWC3kvwczyLQIxkW91dVbTS8o_qmBDJ1i4TrvEGG_gkGZK5GRwPb3P5Gpi5HOBQzo8ZPTy85kvpTh1GMCajXwjeH11suZTxMHdivVzUVzg6_lylb9QjtSZaxGRfSuITagqjCh8wpXsx0/s1024/screen-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1024" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAModjzCY4dpp8Qils7KZ_w0Br432fQ1vKC6FG1yKHjESs_12hWC3kvwczyLQIxkW91dVbTS8o_qmBDJ1i4TrvEGG_gkGZK5GRwPb3P5Gpi5HOBQzo8ZPTy85kvpTh1GMCajXwjeH11suZTxMHdivVzUVzg6_lylb9QjtSZaxGRfSuITagqjCh8wpXsx0/s320/screen-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Overall:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>I had a better time with this than I did with Mortal Kombat I or II. That's indisputable. The quality of life changes, such as the improved enemy AI and the different difficulty tiers were a welcome change. Graphically, the game looks good. There are a ton of characters to pick from and a ton of stages to fight through. </div><div><br /></div><div>That said, I don't like fighting games. There is just no way around it. Even though I liked it more than the other Mortal Kombats, that doesn't mean I thought this game was great or super fun or anything like that. It's fine. It's okay. For a fighting game.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad I've knocked out all the Mortal Kombat games on the Arcade Kollection for the PS3. I bought this thing like 10 years ago and I can finally say I'm done with it, and delete it from my hard drive. That's not exactly glowing praise. I'm sure I'll visit the home console versions of Mortal Kombat at some point in the future. Now those I loved as a kid. But the arcade games are just not great. They were fun for the time they were released. It was always exciting seeing one of these units out in the wild. Unfortunately it just doesn't translate to a great home experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>Congrats, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, on being one of the best arcade versions of Mortal Kombat out there. Now get the hell out of here so I never have to play you again.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">C-</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-87391156329458742902024-02-06T02:09:00.004-06:002024-02-27T23:17:08.749-06:002024 Things (January)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1fJ-xHhfdB8_eFFQ5rgZ0dBzoXL0SXBmRvgaW1GYFRI4Fkj9-h2sdwoMZC_VkITH_hsX8RGHoj5Arw5YPhs0k4w_TRKeKQFcE6rue_vyDEDdmO8dmIsZj0g9ddxmQ5uq-yBxffC0aRXDoRZvJOlpbrxwLZUxz4weaN3bJMBCVryGeHnJE4KSLd9Ds_8/s640/the-complete-cast-james-rhine-will-kirby-jennifer-dedmon-news-photo-1591641416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1fJ-xHhfdB8_eFFQ5rgZ0dBzoXL0SXBmRvgaW1GYFRI4Fkj9-h2sdwoMZC_VkITH_hsX8RGHoj5Arw5YPhs0k4w_TRKeKQFcE6rue_vyDEDdmO8dmIsZj0g9ddxmQ5uq-yBxffC0aRXDoRZvJOlpbrxwLZUxz4weaN3bJMBCVryGeHnJE4KSLd9Ds_8/s320/the-complete-cast-james-rhine-will-kirby-jennifer-dedmon-news-photo-1591641416.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>A complete list of every podcast I listened to, every movie I watched, every TV episode I watched, and every video game I completed for the month of January, the year 2024.<br /><br /><br />1.1.24: Finished video game Dino Crisis. Watched 1 episode of The Devil's Plan (1.05). Listened to 2 Retrograde podcast episodes (eps 144 and 145).<div><br /><div>1.2.24: Watched 1 episode of Survivor UK (1.12). Watched 1 episode of The Devil's Plan (1.06). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.02). Listened to 1 Staff Picks episode: Johnny Dangerously. </div><div><br /></div><div>1.3.24: Watched 1 episode of Survivor UK (1.13). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.03). Listened to 1 Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 381). Watched 2 episodes of Big Brother US (7.10 and 7.11). Watched movie: Sound of Freedom. </div><div><br /></div><div>1.4.24: Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde podcast: (ep 162). Listened to 1 episode of Ear Biscuits podcast (ep 30). Watched movie: Mystic River. Watched 1 episode of Batman The Animated Series (Perchance to Dream). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.5.24: Watched 1 episode of Big Brother (7.12). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 214). Listened to 1 episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour podcast with Matthew Berry (1.4.24 episode). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.04). Watched 1 episode of Survivor UK (1.14). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.6.24: Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.07). Watched movie: Uncharted. Watched 1 episode of Behind the Attraction (2.05). Finished video game: Tiny Toon Adventures for NES. Listened to 1 Staff Picks episode: Wag the Dog.</div><div><br /></div><div>1.7.24: Watched movie: V for Vendetta. Watched 1 episode of Big Brother (7.13). Watched movie: Godzilla Minus One. Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.08).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.8.24: Listened to 1 episode of the Cartridge Club (Weekly #53). Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.09). Listened to 1 episode of But First: A Big Brother 4 Blockumentary (Week 10/Finale).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.9.24: Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde podcast: (ep 147). Watched 1 episode of Big Brother (7.14). Watched 1 episode of Survivor UK (1.15). Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.10). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.10.24: Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.05). Watched 1 episode of Survivor UK (1.16). Watched 1 episode of Big Brother (7.15). Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.11). Listened to 1 Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 382). </div></div><div><br /></div><div>1.11.24: Watched 1 episode of the Devil's Plan (1.12). Watched 1 episode of Big Brother (7.16). Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Gaming: Post-Holiday Edition: Top 5 Favorite Angry AVGN Episodes (Season 2). Listened to 1 episode of Stephen King Cast (ep 56). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 215). Finished video game: Firewatch.</div><div><br /></div><div>1.12.24: Watched 3 episodes of Big Brother (7.17 and 7.18 and 7.19). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.06). Watched movie: Old. Listened to 1 episode of Digging Six Feet Under podcast (S03E02). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.13.24: Listened to 1 episode of Keep Watching? podcast (The Devil's Plan Episodes 1-2). Watched 3 episodes of Big Brother (7.20 and 7.21 and 7.22). Listened to 1 episode of Stephen King Cast (ep 57). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (5.16).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.14.24: Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde podcast: (ep 146). Listened to 1 episode of But First: A Big Brother 4 Blockumentary (Jun Song Interview). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack (Dragon's Lair & Space Ace). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 216). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.07). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.01). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.15.24: Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.02). Listened to 1 episode of Sega Saturn Shiro podcast (ep 41). Listened to 1 episode of Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry podcast (1.15.24 episode). Listened to 2 episodes of The Loser's Club podcast (Secret Window, Secret Garden and Johnny Depp's Secret Window).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.16:24: Watched 2 episodes of Big Brother (7.23 and 7.24). Watched movie: Insomnia. Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 218). Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.08).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.17.24: Watched 1 episode of Marvel's What If? (2.09). Watched 2 episodes of Big Brother (7.25 and 7.26). Watched 1 episode of The Challenge Untold History (1.01). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.18.24: Finished video game: Star Wars Arcade. Watched movie: Memento. Listened to 1 Staff Picks episode (Friday the 13th Part 6: Jason Lives). Watched 2 episodes of Big Brother (7.27 and 7.28). Listened to 1 episode of The Loser's Club (Mick Garris on Nightmare Cinema and Interviewing Stephen King). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.19.24: Watched 1 episode of The Challenge World Championship (1.01). Listened to 1 Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 383). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.03). Watched 1 episode of The Challenge Untold History (1.02). Watched movie: Cowboys & Aliens. Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.01).</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>1.20.24: Listened to 1 episode of The Cartridge Club (ep 124). Watched 2 episodes of The Challenge World Championship (1.02 and 1.03). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.04). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.02).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.21.24: Listened to 1 episode of The Retrograde podcast (ep 148). Watched 2 episodes of Death Note (1.03 and 1.04). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast (The Sega 32X).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.22.24: Watched movie: Cloverfield. Watched 3 episodes of Death Note (1.05 and 1.06 and 1.07). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.05).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.23.24: Watched 2 episode of The Challenge World Championship (1.04 and 1.05). Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde podcast (ep 149). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 219). Listened to 1 episode of the Stephen King Cast (ep 58). Watched 2 episodes of Death Note (1.08 and 1.09). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.06). Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.01).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.24.24: Watched 2 episodes of The Challenge World Championship (1.06 and 1.07). Listened to 1 Dynasty Happy Hour podcast (ep 384). Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.02). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.07).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.25.24: Watched 2 episodes of Death Note (1.10 and 1.11). Watched 2 episodes of The Challenge World Championship (1.08 and 1.09). Listened to 1 episode of Staff Picks podcast (Borat). Watched movie: Legends of the Fall. Listened to 1 episode of The Loser's Club podcast (Stranger Things 3 Review).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.26.24: Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (ep 21). Listened to 1 episode of Sega Saturn Shiro podcast (BONUS 42). Watched 1 episode of The Challenge World Championship (1.10). Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.03). Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.08).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.27.24: Watched 2 episodes of The Challenge World Championship (1.11 and 1.12). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.12). Watched 1 episode of American Nightmare (1.01). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.28.24: Watched 1 episode of American Nightmare (1.02). Watched 1 episode of Death Note (1.13). Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.04). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 220).</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>1.29.24: Listened to 1 episode of Staff Picks podcast (True Lies). Listened to 1 episode of the Retrograde podcast (ep 150). Listened to 1 episode of Arcade Attack podcast (Ed Fries Interview). Watched 2 episodes of Death Note (1.14 and 1.15). </div><div><br /></div><div>1.30.24: Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.09). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.01)</div><div>Watched movie: A Star is Born. Listened to 1 episode of Collateral Cinema podcast (At the Movies Edition: Avengers Endgame). Watched 1 episode of American Nightmare (1.03).</div><div><br /></div><div>1.31.24: Watched 1 episode of This Is Us (6.10). Watched 1 episode of Secret Invasion (1.05). Listened to 1 episode of the 7th Rule podcast (ep 221). Watched 1 episode of The Amazing Race (10.02)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Most popular items:</div><div>19 episodes of Big Brother watched.</div><div>15 episodes of Death Note watched.</div><div>12 movies watched.</div><div>12 Challenge episodes watched (plus 2 "The Challenge Untold History" episodes)</div><div>11 episodes of This Is Us watched.</div><div>8 Retrograde pod episodes listened to.</div><div>8 episodes of The Devil's Plan watched.</div><div>8 What If? episodes watched.</div><div>7 episodes of 7th Rule listened to.</div><div>5 Staff Pick episodes listened to.</div><div>5 episodes of Secret Invasion watched.</div><div>5 episodes of Survivor UK watched.</div><div>4 video games finished.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Please note, I count something as completed for a day only if it is finished on that day. So if I watch half a movie on the 13th and then finish it on the 15th - I will put down that I watched it on the 15th. I am also not counting YouTube shows like Good Mythical Morning or SNES Drunk as episodes watched. </div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-66789102664067193922024-02-03T18:46:00.004-06:002024-02-03T18:46:42.319-06:00Re-Review #17: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDtciAULRJwArsmgFwX3ArQUNtsZT6cvQW0xXz5VgBZ7vWJUcaPzicixTvOeuFOrN-jYzQqa5wI73rPGGpP_Ll7luUdksoUNvc8E03If1py745bkI9yOTjPXE-HhaWYsFUfTC2AHVDrsQBa781kiEU7IL8cDFa91Ya5_xSZPQQqPxKtdR-olqqgV5F5A/s1152/71kmia2N4QL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDtciAULRJwArsmgFwX3ArQUNtsZT6cvQW0xXz5VgBZ7vWJUcaPzicixTvOeuFOrN-jYzQqa5wI73rPGGpP_Ll7luUdksoUNvc8E03If1py745bkI9yOTjPXE-HhaWYsFUfTC2AHVDrsQBa781kiEU7IL8cDFa91Ya5_xSZPQQqPxKtdR-olqqgV5F5A/s320/71kmia2N4QL.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Uncharted 2: Among Thieves</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation 3</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For my original review of this game, click <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/04/video-game-review-uncharted-2.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I first reviewed Uncharted 2 back in 2015. That's a whopping NINE years ago, if you're keeping score at home. My, how time flies. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the game back then. I even gave it the sacred A+ because I enjoyed it so much. Looking back on my review, I pointed out several times that I couldn't find any real flaws with the game. Great graphics, gameplay, and a fun story. It was the complete package.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why did I decide to revisit this game here in 2024? Heh. Pretty simple, actually. I've been playing through Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age the last month or two. This game has bored me to tears. It's slow, dull, boring, and I can't muster even the slightest bit of interest in the game's story or its characters. It's been a real drag to say the least. I needed to take a break from that game by playing something fun and exciting. Something I've already played before and I knew I'd like. Hey! Why not Uncharted 2?</div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as I started this game up, I knew I'd made the right choice. It's just as fun as ever. It starts off with a bang, with Nate desperately clinging to a train hanging over the edge of a snowy cliff. You climb your way to safety, and the game flashes back to tell you how you got to this point.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUq7dyGSdmX3FKrN_gycbkkf2kpdMZouwYxaE_sVrjGNM6DIbtwbfU6xbg4jpuobGBEGOgXPzSNr8YfB_8eMGJmXAFwQBQOG8KUiPtvPp7vdEuQ5xj8K_BPkyGSqiDpWKjb1QMxxzvs0xfnNxPo1qvkCQQDoWTGp3BIKJ1jv4q7NJ1uE4ZbvqRfgOP7Y/s1920/d9zhqr6-b218632e-ced2-4274-adc8-ceab8c603796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUq7dyGSdmX3FKrN_gycbkkf2kpdMZouwYxaE_sVrjGNM6DIbtwbfU6xbg4jpuobGBEGOgXPzSNr8YfB_8eMGJmXAFwQBQOG8KUiPtvPp7vdEuQ5xj8K_BPkyGSqiDpWKjb1QMxxzvs0xfnNxPo1qvkCQQDoWTGp3BIKJ1jv4q7NJ1uE4ZbvqRfgOP7Y/w359-h202/d9zhqr6-b218632e-ced2-4274-adc8-ceab8c603796.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is my favorite of the Uncharted games. The pacing is spot on. It never lags, it never feels boring. The first Uncharted is too action oriented, while the third is too plot heavy and doesn't have enough action. This game manages to find the perfect balance between story and action.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not going to recap the events of the entire game or break down its mechanics. I already did that in my original review. I'm just here to tell you if the game is still good or not. It is (especially when compared to a snoozer like Final Fantasy XII). I enjoyed myself thoroughly from beginning to end. I wouldn't say it is a flawless game. There were a few annoying moments when trying to line up jumps that resulted in some frustrating deaths. There are a few stages that drag on for too long. The duck and cover mechanic gave me some fits, too. Nothing is more annoying than trying to roll away from an enemy, and instead Nate takes cover against a wall - leaving him open to gunfire. Lots of frustrating deaths came from this, particularly in the train section with its tight corridors.</div><div><br /></div><div>All that said, this is still a fun game. I'm not going to give it an A+ like I did before. Best I can do is an A. But it is still a damn fine game. And still a gorgeous looking game, too! I couldn't believe this came out in 2009 as I was playing it. That's 14 dang years ago. To put it in perspective, there is a 14 year gap between The Adventures of Bayou Billy for the NES and Grand Theft Auto Vice City. Those games are worlds apart in their graphics. Uncharted 2 looks like it could have come out last week.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, should you play this? Heck yeah! Especially if you are new to the series. I'm sure this series has its detractors, but I don't see how you could not like it. It's fun as hell. Like video games are meant to be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-25868985338412116462024-02-01T23:52:00.005-06:002024-02-01T23:52:57.156-06:002024 Movie Rankings: January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwNxjChet9rQ5l93iAy8i-1JDeso8MAAgWolGishDG05IPNPryxwPGA0DKlbomul5btiPDky1cuRGKOXxLxkgz45IS_c8c9w0kFOL_IXQ22gjWcZ-UsbjDjRfXeBS56HMrcvnJP-cvAnTvchm17R5_UXReqqrwpkwXwu0gwyI1WChsmQkhV56Z15FFqY/s1344/4027142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="959" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwNxjChet9rQ5l93iAy8i-1JDeso8MAAgWolGishDG05IPNPryxwPGA0DKlbomul5btiPDky1cuRGKOXxLxkgz45IS_c8c9w0kFOL_IXQ22gjWcZ-UsbjDjRfXeBS56HMrcvnJP-cvAnTvchm17R5_UXReqqrwpkwXwu0gwyI1WChsmQkhV56Z15FFqY/s320/4027142.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div>Loyal readers of this blog (all three of you, haha) should be familiar with my yearly movie rankings. Most of the time, I wait until the end of the year and then rank every movie I watched from worst to best. I've been getting a little lazy with my rankings lately. Last year for 2023, I watched 78 movies but only decided to rank my <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2024/01/ranking-ten-top-movies-i-watched-in-2023.html" target="_blank">top ten</a>. It's just such a giant task to look back on so many movies and rank ALL of them from best to worst.</div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite way of doing this was back in 2016. That year, I broke things down by month. At the end of January, for example, I would list everything I watched in January and then carry my top 5 over to the year end rankings. For February, I'd do the same. And March. And April, etc. At the end of the year I had 60 movies: my top 5 from each month. I then trimmed it down to 50 and proceeded to rank my top 50 movies of the year. That is how I am going to do it this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>I watched 12 movies in January:</b></div><div><div>Godzilla Minus One</div><div>Old</div><div>A Star is Born</div><div>Legends of the Fall</div><div>Sound of Freedom</div><div>Insomnia</div><div>Mystic River</div><div>Uncharted</div><div>V for Vendetta</div><div>Memento</div><div>Cloverfield</div><div>Cowboys & Aliens</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's break them down and pick out my top 5 - who will move onto my year end rankings. The rest will be left in the dust... forever!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Not moving on:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Godzilla Minus One</b></div><div>My wife and I had heard so many good things about this movie. But we heard these things so very very late - almost too late to see it in the theater. The first weekend in January, my wife told me to go see the movie in the theater by myself as a special get away treat. She'd stay home and watch the little one. This was the very last showing of the movie in our area. I was able to get in to see it JUST in the nick of time. </div><div><br /></div><div>While I wouldn't say the movie is as great as everyone says, I still enjoyed it. It is not just a mindless monster movie. It is gritty and realistic (as realistic as this type of movie can be) and really does service to the extremely flawed and accurately portrayed characters in the film. There is a feeling of dread that hangs over you as you watch this. It is just a really well made movie. I can see why people love it so much, but to be completely honest with you - it isn't good enough to crack my top 5 for January. Close, but not close enough. A very similar monster movie ended up just barely edging it out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sound of Freedom</b></div><div>I kept hearing about this movie last year during the Barbie/Oppenheimer event of the summer. Every comment section on Facebook was raided by people asking "What about Sound of Freedom?" "What about Sound of Freedom?" "What about Sound of Freedom?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I finally decided to check the movie out, to see what all the fuss was about. Meh. I mean, I understand this is an important topic, but as a movie it just isn't very good. It's not bad necessarily, it is just not very memorable in any way. I kept pulling out my phone and looking at is as I watched this, which is never a good sign. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Insomnia</b></div><div>I saw this movie one time, a loooong time ago. Probably back when it first came out. I remember it being a big deal because Robin Williams was a bad guy in it. That's literally all I remember about the movie.</div><div><br /></div><div>I decided to revisit it for the first time here in 2024. Meh is all I have to say. At its core it is a decent movie, but it is slow moving and I didn't really find myself liking any of the characters. I just don't feel it is very well written. Some of the character decisions were unusual, and many of the leaps in logic when it came to the story telling were head scratching. It is bit of a clumsy movie that could have been a lot more enjoyable with better execution.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Uncharted</b></div><div>I like the Uncharted games. Makes sense I'd want to check out the movie someday. My wife wanted to see it too. She's watched me play Uncharted a few times and she likes the Indiana Jones-like adventure and treasure seeking. When the grandparents were watching the little one earlier in the month, we decided to watch this and treat ourselves to movie night.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game does an okay job capturing the feel of the game, but it just doesn't feel right in live action. The big-time battle sequences just come across really cheesy and corny. Like when Nate is jumping from cargo container to cargo container as they fall through the air. It doesn't translate well from a video game to live action. I also feel as if the casting was poor. I like Tom Holland and all, but he is not Nate Drake. And Mark Wahlberg is not Sully. I guess this was an entertaining movie. Moreso than Sound of Freedom and Insomnia. But that doesn't mean it was a good movie.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>V for Vendetta</b></div><div>I watched this in the mid 2000s with an ex-girlfriend Jessica. I had never heard of V for Vendetta, but she was big into the comics and really liked the movie. Plus she was big into rebellion and anti-government stuff. Of course she had to show me this movie. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember thinking this movie was okay back then. I think it's okay now, too. Maybe it is because I am not familiar with the source material, but I had a hard time getting into the movie or finding any real interest in what was going on. It seemed very predictable with where it was heading as well. I guess I can understand why people like this movie. I didn't hate it. It was fine. Just not anything I was too nuts about. It's okay.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Memento</b></div><div>I've seen this movie small handful of times throughout my life. I always like the movie (kinda), even if I don't fully understand it. For some reason, I find it really hard to follow the backwards-moving narrative. I thought that this time, if I paid really close attention, it would be different. It wasn't.</div><div><br /></div><div>I understand this is a well-made movie. Very artistic. Great cinematography. It's a thinking movie, too. You have to use your brain when you watch this. Maybe that's why I don't like it that much. I'm too stupid to fully understand or appreciate it. Each time I watch this, I keep hoping something will click in my brain - and I'll be able to see what everyone else does. Most people like this movie. To me, the jury is still out on it. Maybe I'll watch it again in another 5 years and give it yet another chance.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cowboys & Aliens</b></div><div>I remember this was the first movie I ever burned onto a DVD. I probably still have it somewhere, buried in my storage unit. I watched it one time and then never again. I remember thinking it was okay, but nothing special. Decided to check it out here in 2024 to see if my mind had changed on it. Not really.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I was able to appreciate the movie more this time around. I like the characters and the Western element, even if it is trope-filled and not too original. The aliens add a much needed break from the cowboy action. The mashup of genres is certainly interesting. In the end, the idea turns out to be more interesting than the execution. It's an okay movie, but nothing that stands out to me. Ask me to recap this movie a few months from now, and I can guarantee you I will have forgotten most of the details. A decent popcorn movie, but ultimately forgettable in the long run.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Moving on:</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Old</b></div><div>I remember hearing the basic premise for this movie and being intrigued by it. A beach where people rapidly age. That's all I knew about it coming in. The movie starts like an episode of the TV show The White Lotus, with some dysfunctional families at an exotic resort managed by a sleazy guy with a mustache. He promises to take them to a private beach that not many people get to enjoy.</div><div><br /></div><div>These families are dropped off here, where they find themselves trapped. More families continue to get dropped off. When people try to leave, they pass out. They quickly discover that everyone is rapidly aging. I'm not going to recap the whole movie, but some crazy shit happens. The twist at the end is that this is some kind of government experiment that has been done like 90 some times with different combinations of people. It is never really explained why this is happening or what kind of scientific phenomena is causing this. Reminded me a bit of some shows like Lost or Westworld, with their unique mysteries. I don't think this movie will win my final ranking, but it definitely deserves to move on from January.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>A Star Is Born</b></div><div>This is a movie that I have avoided for several years now. It always seemed like something I didn't think I would like. I was very wrong about that. I highly enjoyed this movie, and I think it is going to be a serious contender for the #1 spot when all is said and done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything about this movie is just perfection. The cinematography, the music, the giant concerts, the characters, and the acting. The acting in particular is superb. I've never seen Lady Gaga in anything else, and she really kills it in this role. She is completely believable as Ally. She doesn't overact. It doesn't look like she is reading lines. She is a complete natural. You couldn't help but fall for her and her character as you watch this move. Bradley Cooper is great in this too. His chemistry with Gaga is a thing of beauty. I don't think I've been this invested in a love story in a movie in a long time.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a movie that has stuck with me. I keep thinking about it even though I finished it several days ago. I can't get it out of my mind. It's just so darn good. My favorite scene is when Jackson brings Ally onstage to sing her song with him in front of that massive audience. The acting in it is so incredible. The emotion that ran through me as Ally got up there and got to live her dream in front of all those people was something I haven't experienced in a movie in a long time. Pure joy. I'm glad there were no cameras on my face as I watched this. I had a big dopey grin on my face, and tears running down my face. It automatically became one of my favorite movie scenes of all time. </div><div><br /></div><div>The rest of the movie is pretty good too. Don't be surprised to see this movie in my top 5 at the end of the year. The only thing that could hurt it is recency bias. Am I going to remember next January how much I loved this movie? I hope so.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mystic River</b></div><div>I've seen this movie before, but it has been a long time now. Probably about 10 years, at the very least. I remember liking it, though. It got me into Dennis Lehane as an author, and I ended up reading all his books. I decided to revisit when I saw it was on Netflix. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is just as good as I remember. Star studded, full of great performances. The cast is terrific. The central mystery of the movie is gripping, and really keeps you watching so you can see what happens next. It all concludes in a very emotional and tragic way. I can easily recommend this to anyone who has not seen it before. It is well worth the watch.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Legends of the Fall</b></div><div>I've seen this movie before, too - maybe once or twice in my life now. My long time ex Colleen used to love this movie and quote it all the time. I remember liking this movie, but remembering almost nothing about its plot. So when I saw it on Netflix, I decided to give it a shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>This movie is so good. It has a great cast. The acting is superb. I question a lot of the choices of the characters, particularly Tristan. It seems like a lot of these tragedies could have been avoided if these characters had just made better life choices (like not going to war to begin with, cough cough). It makes for a great movie though, and one I am very glad I watched. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Cloverfield</b></div><div>I think Godzilla Minus One inspired me to watch this. I was in the mood for another good monster flick, and Cloverfield was it. This may be a controversial statement, but I liked Cloverfield more than Godzilla Minus One. It's close, though. It came down to these two movies for the final spot in my top 5. Cloverfield edges it out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love the handheld camera aspect to the movie. I've seen Cloverfield before, but this time I really decided to pay attention during the beginning of the movie with all the characters at the party. This isn't just some dumb monster flick, there is some emotional depth to be found here. I understand this is a fairly polarizing movie. Most people I know do not like it because the camera makes them dizzy, or they think it takes too long to get into the action. To me, though, it is perfection. The whole thing feels almost like a documentary with found-footage. I thought it was very believable - and a glimpse as to how things might actually develop if something like this were to happen in real life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There you have it! The five moving on from January are:</div><div>Old</div><div>A Star is Born</div><div>Mystic River</div><div>Legends of the Fall</div><div>Cloverfield</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This list will be updated at the end of each month. At the end of 2024, that will leave us with 60 movies. I'll trim this list down to 50, and then rank my top 50 movies of the year!</div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-32281794543456714142024-01-18T18:35:00.000-06:002024-01-18T18:35:00.876-06:00Video Game Review #493: Star Wars Arcade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfzcet837SL34E5wb5dysOx8DtK4QKW53KWZWzZEtgpJzMwvFrdb_tNW266xdR4lv1qYCi0w7LqRB4RNQqFUsAHgxDNN80U8-lYBNvMvnCwKPmkjHXEA6i6fhKp06tSv62WHoY5CLXQhmhXed3QZPSNMOBUGyPuyXGwaXVGH4halA7e8nesLq4z-2cs4/s515/hjgjhgkgjkhkj.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfzcet837SL34E5wb5dysOx8DtK4QKW53KWZWzZEtgpJzMwvFrdb_tNW266xdR4lv1qYCi0w7LqRB4RNQqFUsAHgxDNN80U8-lYBNvMvnCwKPmkjHXEA6i6fhKp06tSv62WHoY5CLXQhmhXed3QZPSNMOBUGyPuyXGwaXVGH4halA7e8nesLq4z-2cs4/s320/hjgjhgkgjkhkj.png" width="235" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Star Wars Arcade</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sega 32X</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I first played Star Wars Arcade back in the mid 90s. I remember desperately wanting a 32X so that I could finally play a Star Wars game on a Sega console. As both a Genesis kid and a giant Star Wars fan, I was starving for content. It made me sick to my stomach seeing Star Wars games for the NES, SNES, the PC, and even the Sega CD (which was out of my price range). But there was nothing for the Genesis. <i>Nothing</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 32X was (predictably) a giant flop. At the end of the system's life span, I remember seeing an ad in the paper for Toys R Us, where these systems were being sold at a discounted clearance price. Something incredibly cheap, like 25 bucks. I thought: here it is! I finally had a chance to go out and get one of these things without completely breaking the bank.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to Toys R us and nabbed a 32X, which came with a copy of Virtua Fighter. I didn't have the money to spend on any extra games, so right after Toys R Us, I went straight to Blockbuster Video to see what they had available to rent. There it was, right on the shelf: Star Wars Arcade. The game I had been pining for. I rented it, took it home, and dedicated that entire weekend to playing through this game. I barely even touched Virtua Fighter. It became a complete afterthought. My dream had come true: I was finally going to get to play <i>Star Wars</i> on a home console!</div><div><br /></div><div>It ended up being a somewhat frustrating weekend. I could barely get the 32X to work. I followed the instructions and attached it to the Genesis as I was supposed to, but the games simply would not work. It took hours of unplugging it, plugging it back in, wiggling it around, and blowing in the games before Star Wars Arcade finally decided to load up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I was able to get the game running, I didn't want to turn it off. I was afraid I'd never get it to work again! I dedicated so much time that weekend to Star Wars Arcade. In just 2 or 3 days I probably sunk 30 hours into the game. Amazing what you can do with some time and dedication. I wish I had that much time to put into a game nowadays!</div><div><br /></div><div>My memories of the game are somewhat incomplete. I remember the basic premise of the game. I remember it being difficult. But that's about it. I did not remember much else about the game, or even if I had fun playing it. After that weekend, I never played the game again. In fact, aside from being able to play a few rounds of Virtua Fighter, I don't think I was ever able to get my 32X to work again. I ended up trading it in to a used game store for a few extra bucks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to the year 2024. Nearly 30 years have passed since I last played Star Wars Arcade. On a whim, I decided to fire up my Retropie and see if the game was still worth playing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Spoiler alert: it is not. Read on for my full review.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LWdgKA4mkFmEdpk1WfeM5dlDdi5PDDiR19CV1VbaznURrFxQqq6li8PkNZmzaew1HrDR8bP7TNQCkEFOAZtu58UCeWBMCIbe3zL7yOYxdFOrak3tVgaU_JGAngH6zoiGl_xhVdWYrJHkA0OvfLX4elVGtPvE-thFNaXGt8ay7L-f3AnLuLh-b-eVsEU/s320/40245_39e4cb028e720404af9f5503823556f9d0d3dbd1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LWdgKA4mkFmEdpk1WfeM5dlDdi5PDDiR19CV1VbaznURrFxQqq6li8PkNZmzaew1HrDR8bP7TNQCkEFOAZtu58UCeWBMCIbe3zL7yOYxdFOrak3tVgaU_JGAngH6zoiGl_xhVdWYrJHkA0OvfLX4elVGtPvE-thFNaXGt8ay7L-f3AnLuLh-b-eVsEU/s1600/40245_39e4cb028e720404af9f5503823556f9d0d3dbd1.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game loosely follows the events of the original Star Wars movie. You play as a fighter pilot. You have to do battle against the forces of the Empire. You go into combat against TIE Fighters, Star Destroyers, and you even make a run at the Death Star at the very end of the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two different game modes: Arcade and 32X version. In Arcade mode, you only play four stages: a TIE Fighter dogfight, a stage where you fly inside a Star Destroyer and blow it up from the inside, another TIE Fighter dogfight on the surface of the Death Star, and a final run at the Death Star's trench. Blow up the station and you win the game. Yay. This is the game mode that I played. I didn't even bother with 32X version. From its in-game description, it is more challenging and contains more levels.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had such a rotten time with Arcade mode that 32X mode didn't even appeal to me. Arcade mode was hard! And 32X version was supposed to be even harder? No thanks. And more stages, too? Sounds like more opportunities to torture myself. I'll pass.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZqJ32YWX6N0zo7_dyINQ3P2W-KVgXf2r1PmxSiwXH9JZXxd8n3N7wrXAUyIsO7Uk1NHzPpD7pivyfgqXm7edxelzIVmlEDeH0xn-4zpto6QQNOFiP_1LcWntlIrZhRN9umo6l-hg7WnlUxeJZngIowD2tH_uv6N_LJse9OIHCOtUKPyTb-g0FHpRDSs/s640/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZqJ32YWX6N0zo7_dyINQ3P2W-KVgXf2r1PmxSiwXH9JZXxd8n3N7wrXAUyIsO7Uk1NHzPpD7pivyfgqXm7edxelzIVmlEDeH0xn-4zpto6QQNOFiP_1LcWntlIrZhRN9umo6l-hg7WnlUxeJZngIowD2tH_uv6N_LJse9OIHCOtUKPyTb-g0FHpRDSs/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>In case you can't tell, I did not like this game. It's ugly, it's boring, it's repetitive, and it's way too difficult and unforgiving for someone like me.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a 3D space shooter. On the surface, it looks similar to Star Fox for the SNES, but that's where the comparisons quickly fall apart. Half the stages involve simply flying around trying to defeat a set number of enemies within the time limit. The other half are on-rails and involve trying to stay alive as you fly along a linear path. These stages probably carry the most similarities to Star Fox, but even then they are clearly not as fun.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can switch between two perspectives: cockpit view and behind-the-ship view. Cockpit view is the way to go, here. You have a proper aiming reticule and you have access to a radar that shows enemy positions. Behind-the-ship view provides something more interesting to look at visually, but something almost completely unplayable as far as gameplay goes. Do yourself a favor and stick to cockpit view.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two of Arcade Mode's four stages involve flying around a 3D area trying to gun down TIE Fighters. In the first stage, you have to defeat 20 within the time limit to move on to the next stage. It seems simple enough, but the controls are a little wonky. Even though it is an open 3D environment, you seemingly can only move your ship left and right. You can't go up or down, even though your enemies can. So if a TIE Fighter streaks by in front of you and starts to go up and off the screen, you can't follow it. WTF? It's open space. Why can't I go after it? At least the other stage where you have to defeat TIE Fighters takes place on the surface of the Death Star, so the movement restriction makes a little more sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, the game often tells you to hit the brakes whenever there is a TIE Fighter behind you. The goal is to have them go racing in front of you when you slow down, so that you can shoot them. Too bad this tactic only works like 40% of the time. The other 60%, you are just making yourself an easy target by slowing down and making it easier for them to hit you. Am I doing something wrong here? It's not like I was just hitting the brakes and sitting still. I was jitterbugging all over the place and still getting hit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other two Arcade Mode stages involve flying through a series of obstacles. The first one, you fly through the innards of a Star Destroyer trying to blow it up from the inside. You have to shoot down TIE Fighters that are chasing you and wall-mounted turrets that fire missiles at you. You also have to avoid running into obstacles. The other stage like this is your typical Star Wars video game Death Star trench run. Even though this is the New Hope Death Star, for some reason you have to fly inside it and blow up the core, while Lando talks to you on the intercom. Okay. </div><div><br /></div><div>This does a decent job at recreating an intense battle from the film(s), but is it any fun to play? No, it is not. It is mind-numbingly frustrating. Fail enough times and you have to start the whole annoying game over again from the beginning. SIGH.</div><div><br /></div><div>Normally I like to complete a game to 100% before I review it, but Arcade mode is such a chore, I was not tempted at all by 32X mode. I had had enough misery for the time being. I already knew by this point that I didn't like the game. Absolutely no need to put myself through any more pain.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnZgur4xTDClVfsbm1W08Aqjkh06vu439ui5WnuXP5y6z4FeBXMD9w4VEDT7-yedInY5fOEWSeB94GLHE-Dq7gfUXd8Fsud9BWPD9ctAG3enNtJvvVnOFDJ7LxCWb_kyKsGYSIld-LRvxk0kZWp_1UknIEip3Kxx9M1Do6C2rY3AU1L_IMWOtLgaJPU0/s952/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="952" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnZgur4xTDClVfsbm1W08Aqjkh06vu439ui5WnuXP5y6z4FeBXMD9w4VEDT7-yedInY5fOEWSeB94GLHE-Dq7gfUXd8Fsud9BWPD9ctAG3enNtJvvVnOFDJ7LxCWb_kyKsGYSIld-LRvxk0kZWp_1UknIEip3Kxx9M1Do6C2rY3AU1L_IMWOtLgaJPU0/s320/maxresdefault%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This whole game is kind of a joke to look at in present day, but back in the mid 90s this was considered fantastic looking. I suppose Star Fox for the SNES is a decent comparison visually. This game contains the same blocky 3D space ships that were so popular back in the day. It essentially looks like Star Fox but with a Star Wars skin. Despite the improved technology, however, it still manages to look worse.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjltgP_o5VbvGh7VvwXuAXnuPJsWm3jD8plJFRbbjSro3G7PFiSYSxX64d4zykwIzzRyu7qcK5HPPivkrr5zWrRaAtN8KAUPZBoxYuw1XPZjYwgzFtaSfqY6fV0leZXBye-w3ynaPxWnLzmosI6lUiLcQdUN80cNB1In8LTSIcnQNPJRsZGdxz775900A/s320/star-wars-arcade_8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjltgP_o5VbvGh7VvwXuAXnuPJsWm3jD8plJFRbbjSro3G7PFiSYSxX64d4zykwIzzRyu7qcK5HPPivkrr5zWrRaAtN8KAUPZBoxYuw1XPZjYwgzFtaSfqY6fV0leZXBye-w3ynaPxWnLzmosI6lUiLcQdUN80cNB1In8LTSIcnQNPJRsZGdxz775900A/s1600/star-wars-arcade_8.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose this game's sound is its one saving grace. It's almost impossible to have a Star Wars game that sounds like crap. The sound effects are great. You hear the same classic Star Wars laser blasts you hear in the movie. Get hit too many times and your R2 unit emits its signature screech. I always thought that was a nice touch. There are a few interspersed moments with voice acting from the movies. These voice clips sound pretty good considering this is cartridge based technology.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stage music itself is fine. You definitely feel as if you are playing a Star Wars game as you make your way through these levels. The classic opening crawl music is pretty good as well, but personally I'd rather have a game that's actually fun to play.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FmHSQhiqaIJpHLQXpQzUKkcvTrHL17_NSKjhTY4k-aS4Vc8yPiDdus8XxDfRvsI1rpSxcamNt0mGAc8Acf7HMHMwVUxoTZJnj3Oto36yD3meN-rtwvsJjaKvJiXL27OfNv4xevrabQWD7lpoC0Me4oQlqOCD_Vi6F_t9OeB_tn0JlTTY8s2X1-xHDZI/s640/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FmHSQhiqaIJpHLQXpQzUKkcvTrHL17_NSKjhTY4k-aS4Vc8yPiDdus8XxDfRvsI1rpSxcamNt0mGAc8Acf7HMHMwVUxoTZJnj3Oto36yD3meN-rtwvsJjaKvJiXL27OfNv4xevrabQWD7lpoC0Me4oQlqOCD_Vi6F_t9OeB_tn0JlTTY8s2X1-xHDZI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is not a good game. It may in fact be the worst Star Wars game I have ever played. I'm actually a little disappointed I decided to come back and play this. If I was reviewing this solely based on memory, it probably would have gotten something in the B or C range. Playing it now, I don't see how it could get anything but an F. I had an awful time with the game, and I have no plans in my life to ever come back to it again.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game isn't unplayable or anything like that. I'm sure there are games out there that are more poorly made than this that I've managed to like. It's just not fun. I enjoyed myself 0% of the time as I played through this. I wanted to give it a chance. I wanted to like it. But there is nothing here to like.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I've made my thoughts on the game quite clear. It sucks. It should only be played out of morbid curiosity. Avoid it if you can.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-28590420340967821562024-01-13T02:29:00.004-06:002024-01-13T02:35:22.062-06:00Video Game Review #492: Firewatch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn_PvQ93Ehdy76eWezK5_6k3TskDaACT6tOUvKWiLT5Uo3qvhSAgbdfzMaDKcGm8mLTEm0d-KXxT3PJmqk1YtcZwDgA4YQD-ZqjAfMQglL2xe2w1tl2q92xJppkgxV7RjWHOBdP-N0XSi7yIzNhsbU_qupYz4PynXvIidILwEPe0fnSOTOoJLTWBNwDM/s243/116675.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="200" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn_PvQ93Ehdy76eWezK5_6k3TskDaACT6tOUvKWiLT5Uo3qvhSAgbdfzMaDKcGm8mLTEm0d-KXxT3PJmqk1YtcZwDgA4YQD-ZqjAfMQglL2xe2w1tl2q92xJppkgxV7RjWHOBdP-N0XSi7yIzNhsbU_qupYz4PynXvIidILwEPe0fnSOTOoJLTWBNwDM/s1600/116675.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Firewatch</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation 4</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have known of Firewatch for a long, long time. This game came out in 2016, which is two years before I even got my PS4. I have read the rave reviews of the game, and it is always something I have wanted to check out. The only problem is that the game has never been on sale. I'm not paying 20 or 30 bucks for a walking simulator, no matter how good it is supposed to be.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other day I was perusing the PlayStation Store, as there was a New Year's sale going on. None of the games on sale caught my eye, and I was about to exit out and resume playing Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. I decided to do a quick search for Firewatch, just on the off chance it was on sale. And it was! After nearly 5 years of waiting for it to show up at a discounted price, I finally got my wish. I paid the 5 bucks or whatever it was, and began downloading the game immediately.</div><div><br /></div><div>Would it be worth the long wait? That's what we are here to find out.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq2pmPZWZYKaGudfQLvgWbQxP9q5EqgmAqK-T4GPvqB2oJvvKZltNk9RHC_YJJLgGldOcRe-Nztfn2ggHyl-n8XjLNK-i9pw-28a3lXNo5aDHM15BgXvwEbJa8SZcjxdBeEGmmYdHEZDKPsxqLCtKs25_w21FYRIBtUUaYp1qiEAT0XBF0H0PSFifW6Y/s1280/1utxvdzywud51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq2pmPZWZYKaGudfQLvgWbQxP9q5EqgmAqK-T4GPvqB2oJvvKZltNk9RHC_YJJLgGldOcRe-Nztfn2ggHyl-n8XjLNK-i9pw-28a3lXNo5aDHM15BgXvwEbJa8SZcjxdBeEGmmYdHEZDKPsxqLCtKs25_w21FYRIBtUUaYp1qiEAT0XBF0H0PSFifW6Y/s320/1utxvdzywud51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The entire game revolves around its story, so this will probably be my longest section of the review.</div><div><br /></div><div>You play as Henry. When the game begins, you are briefly introduced to his backstory. He meets this woman in a bar. They fall in love and get married. She starts to develop early onset dementia. Her parents take her back home to Australia to take care of her. Henry, suffering from depression, takes a job as as a fire lookout at Shoshone National Park. It's a remote job, where he is isolated by himself. His only company is a woman named Delilah, who is stationed at another lookout point, who he communicates with via walkie talkie.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right away, things start to get weird. Someone starts shooting off illegal fireworks in the area. Henry goes to investigate and finds two teen girls shooting them off. He chases them away. He goes on a walk. When he comes back, he finds his watchtower has been vandalized, presumably by the angry girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>The next day, he finds their abandoned tent, which has been ripped to shreds. There is an angry note addressed to him from the girls. Apparently they thought Henry was stalking them? Things are further complicated when Henry spots a man with a flashlight watching him in the dark.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Henry continues to get to know Delilah over walkie talkie, he learns that a previous watchman lived in the park illegally with his son, but Delilah didn't report it because she liked the kid. The watchman and the kid abruptly went missing, never to be seen again. This seems like background information at first, but it comes into major play later.</div><div><br /></div><div>Odd things continue to happen. He discovers a strange fence in the middle of the park that should not be there. He learns that the teen girls he scared off have been reported missing. He finds transcripts of his conversations with Delilah. He finds an unreported and abandoned laboratory in the middle of the park. It seems like he is being monitored by an unknown party. This belief is further compounded when someone sneaks up behind him as he's walking in the woods and knocks him unconscious.</div><div> </div><div>As things get stranger and stranger, Henry and Delilah begin to believe that there is a major conspiracy happening that they've been pulled into. A government experiment? Aliens? Are they getting set up because of the missing girls? The whole game has a very Lost-esque vibe that I was enjoying. You also begin to wonder if this is all in Henry's head. He's gone through a major traumatic event back at home. He could be hallucinating or going insane. He's never actually met Delilah, after all. Is she even real?</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to spoil the ending here, so be warned: there is no conspiracy. In fact, the answer as to what is going on turns out to be quite simple. The previous watchman, who I mentioned earlier, is still living secretly in the park. His son, who wasn't supposed to be there, died in a hiking accident. Stricken by grief, his father decided to stay living in the park in complete isolation. Fearing Henry is "onto him" and what happened to his son, he tries to scare him away. The missing girls? They make it home safely. The secret laboratory? Just regular scientists studying plant growth. All's well that ends well, sort of.</div><div><br /></div><div>A major fire starts to sweep through the park. Henry is forced to evacuate. He finds out that Delilah, who he's been crushing on since day one, has a boyfriend and doesn't want to meet up with him afterwards. As Henry leaves the park in a helicopter, the game ends.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first I had mixed feelings about the ending. I was kind of hoping it was a conspiracy or some kind of experiment they were involved with. Or I was hoping it would all be in Henry's head. But there is a much more grounded and realistic explanation behind everything. It kinds of takes your expectations and tosses them aside. Not only with the events in the park, but with Delilah too. Not everyone gets a happy ending.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6aae-2XuUetfTjLADIMMw65rQw0Ca1b02U0DAL_qh2swJCN19XFksQM2TEn-8gyON-vbZlQZsNGSl2Edm4Foih4EWQtxKoWbCbrrR7JpK-IqOuwmntqFNr-yEVcud2wU1TBGtGAYKiMnA3zdJkTsI1WiI3hwHbha93DANR0Fwn3exMKadS4SrpIpBcU/s639/cac040f45943af6b6668821d6481924853b1f98d6ca523f1ebd112459fc17876_product_card_v2_mobile_slider_639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="639" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6aae-2XuUetfTjLADIMMw65rQw0Ca1b02U0DAL_qh2swJCN19XFksQM2TEn-8gyON-vbZlQZsNGSl2Edm4Foih4EWQtxKoWbCbrrR7JpK-IqOuwmntqFNr-yEVcud2wU1TBGtGAYKiMnA3zdJkTsI1WiI3hwHbha93DANR0Fwn3exMKadS4SrpIpBcU/s320/cac040f45943af6b6668821d6481924853b1f98d6ca523f1ebd112459fc17876_product_card_v2_mobile_slider_639.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned before, Firewatch is what is known as a "walking simulator." This isn't a game where you battle enemies, solve puzzles, or jump from ledge to ledge. You just kinda walk around and let the story play out around you. </div><div><br /></div><div>The controls are very basic. Left analog stick makes you walk. Right stick has you look around. Click L3 to run. You also have a button to pick things up or to examine them. Mainly what you'll be doing is using your walkie-talkie. You take it out using the L2 button. Doing so brings a list of conversation choices on the screen. Simply make your selection to keep the conversation with Delilah rolling. Henry talks to Delilah about freaking <i>everything</i>. You find a beer can on the ground, call Delilah. See a tree with bear marks on it, call Delilah. Encounter a small pond? Call Delilah.</div><div><br /></div><div>The conversation choices you make do affect the story, although I am not sure how drastically it changes things. There were a few conversation choices I made that were mentioned later on in the game, but I'm pretty sure the game takes you to the same place in the end regardless. I'll have to play this again someday and make some new choices to see if it changes anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>There isn't much to do other than walk around and talk to Delilah. You are occasionally tasked with finding things, like cache boxes. Other times you'll have to check out special areas marked on your map. Navigation is a little annoying in this game. You have to manually pull out a map or a compass to orient your location. There is no onscreen map or HUD. Trails and walking areas are not always obvious visually, so I found myself pulling out the map quite frequently. You can't run with the map out, which is a pain in the behind. My biggest complaint in the game is definitely the navigation system. Could have been done a lot better.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXP288T2TYvHcwmKF4UDE-alxkULTdaXiLUT2DWoP_Qx4M-vmdWmhiGKZ00JIdV_fDqUg6N8bAj6OvSHXo_6KD5D1zz-x4x30o6txDmOfu1RgnTDwQRZlRxyqC183Ng2Koo6LrVJPdGqwdLWXADHaqvw7x4shsvL6hi_gSL9sKdv4YTLZLFNXz81V0oQ/s1400/firewatch_review_screen_4.0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXP288T2TYvHcwmKF4UDE-alxkULTdaXiLUT2DWoP_Qx4M-vmdWmhiGKZ00JIdV_fDqUg6N8bAj6OvSHXo_6KD5D1zz-x4x30o6txDmOfu1RgnTDwQRZlRxyqC183Ng2Koo6LrVJPdGqwdLWXADHaqvw7x4shsvL6hi_gSL9sKdv4YTLZLFNXz81V0oQ/w355-h200/firewatch_review_screen_4.0.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I've never seen a game that is more of a mixed bag graphically than this. When it first started, I was a bit put off by how ugly things were. I remember coming down from the watchtower for the first time and seeing the messy green grass and the jagged pixels. Definitely looked like a low rent PS3 game.</div><div><br /></div><div>The more I played, the more I began to change my mind. The forest setting is vast and impressive, if you can ignore the occasional technical glitch or limitation. Despite the fact that I enjoy being at home and playing video games, I'm a big nature person. I love the woods. I love camping and hiking outdoors. This game definitely brought me to a place of comfort and escapism, as I am in Wisconsin in the middle of January with a snowstorm going on outside right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved looking at the scenery, with the lake and the beautiful sunsets. The interior of the watchtower looks like a real location. Overall, my impression of the graphics are favorable. You kind of have to take the good with the bad in this game. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh6YSP5MCny4-OikdnNphOOeegeGEwxUejuUoXYFaLtpaPySEZbCrFQgsFu1HWxDohcPNIOARonegbc6AGPX-XXR2cJ0scjD-0LJoVdTRyZ3I0EeReyNM5qMxphdFSAUpxGNAsb1ESHXonQnBCwMLkTkmd3Ll9qnIkN-f-O0megoO_P2t513x-_dKtWA/s878/firewatch-screen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="878" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZh6YSP5MCny4-OikdnNphOOeegeGEwxUejuUoXYFaLtpaPySEZbCrFQgsFu1HWxDohcPNIOARonegbc6AGPX-XXR2cJ0scjD-0LJoVdTRyZ3I0EeReyNM5qMxphdFSAUpxGNAsb1ESHXonQnBCwMLkTkmd3Ll9qnIkN-f-O0megoO_P2t513x-_dKtWA/w388-h221/firewatch-screen.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This game would not work at all if it did not have good voice acting. Thankfully, it does. Henry and Delilah feel like real, fleshed out people. Delilah has this charming and magnetic quality to her voice. Henry falls for her quickly, and we as players can't help but feel a kinship too. </div><div><br /></div><div>I loved the ambient sound effects as I walked around the woods. Birds chirping, wind blowing, branches falling, the occasional snapping sound. This whole game has a very tense and paranoid atmosphere to it. I can't tell you how many times I heard a noise behind me and I whirled around, only to find nothing there. Good stuff.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5uaY31UwqxrHQF1ywwTuGgiTYe2ot0LMkz0b-s4-sEmKnHNzEsovvDKbQzXtfd6xQX5Sj0OGI1lbx0U19Hk4pnCdhpy8q1OPPCHBRbK402KA1Um2yIgnumugH2GvOCdbxXUyIsiSOjNpfUR71q7uM7Q-O9faL67Y9jSevYJ3r4Fp2PCstw0v2zZgm6o/s3000/firewatch-e3-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="3000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5uaY31UwqxrHQF1ywwTuGgiTYe2ot0LMkz0b-s4-sEmKnHNzEsovvDKbQzXtfd6xQX5Sj0OGI1lbx0U19Hk4pnCdhpy8q1OPPCHBRbK402KA1Um2yIgnumugH2GvOCdbxXUyIsiSOjNpfUR71q7uM7Q-O9faL67Y9jSevYJ3r4Fp2PCstw0v2zZgm6o/w389-h219/firewatch-e3-5.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>While I've never been a huge fan of walking simulators as a whole, I have to say that Firewatch is probably the best of the genre that I have played. The story alone makes it worth it. It is very entertaining. If this was a movie or a miniseries, I would have really enjoyed it. As a video game, the gameplay is mediocre. But as an experience, it is very engaging and enjoyable. The story, the atmosphere, the tension, the exploration: all of it makes you want to keep pushing forward and forward until you find out what is going on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Even two days after finishing it, I still can't get the game out of my head. Normally I don't come back and play a game two times, but I might do it this time. Maybe make some different choices this time around to see how much it changes the experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is definitely worth checking out. I'm not going to go too crazy and give this game anything in the A range. I don't think it is quite at that level. But it's close. </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-19279851385787874512024-01-11T13:20:00.002-06:002024-01-11T13:25:19.524-06:00Ranking the ten top movies I watched in 2023<div><div>Welcome, everyone, to my annual year-end movie ranking. I'm about to take a look back at 2023 and list my ten favorite movies I watched this year. These movies don't necessarily have to have been released in 2023. I just have to have watched them this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I watched 78 movies in the year 2023, so 68 of them will not make the list. Only the best of the best can be found here! I'll start at the bottom and work my way up:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#10:</span></b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv9eUM1YZ18PcMxvsqJDA5hpYjIPAVwCcVSQyahn2q7SKQAj_Eb-qkeVec0VHqvL4GpX02RqbSLzAK56SnHgqLhiKL6cVVrvni9t39U9Rt9pTTy-p_d3i5ZPRW4m1sh4MU8yxAQS0OUEyJ7KFhbDDobPP5EL2ZbAIJgYSsYg8jz0cou5cveDDMMfrsB4/s2048/p8676_p_v10_ar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv9eUM1YZ18PcMxvsqJDA5hpYjIPAVwCcVSQyahn2q7SKQAj_Eb-qkeVec0VHqvL4GpX02RqbSLzAK56SnHgqLhiKL6cVVrvni9t39U9Rt9pTTy-p_d3i5ZPRW4m1sh4MU8yxAQS0OUEyJ7KFhbDDobPP5EL2ZbAIJgYSsYg8jz0cou5cveDDMMfrsB4/s320/p8676_p_v10_ar.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Unlike many 80's kids, I didn't grow up watching the Beverly Hills Cop movies. The only one I was familiar with as a child was part 3, which I know a lot of people do not like. On a whim, I decided to revisit the series in 2023. The first movie is the one that stood out to me. The other two are not so great, but this one is gold. Eddie Murphy is so funny and charismatic as Axel Foley. He can fast talk his way out of anything. His dedication to his police work is admirable, despite his unorthodox methods. It's part of what makes him such a fun character. You never know what he is going to do. Axel Foley has to be one of the greatest movie characters of all time. The first movie is also the most original of the three. Things are fresh and exciting in this movie, whereas in the sequels they reuse the same jokes and wear them out. This is a standout 80s action comedy, and it's too bad I didn't give this series much love growing up.<div><br /></div><div>Also, you can't talk about Beverly Hills Cop without acknowledging its killer theme song.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V4kWpi2HnPU" width="320" youtube-src-id="V4kWpi2HnPU"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#9:</span></b></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bkQj_bPQU-1Q3ig8z99Ff-a3JLIhxxns0ZtIFA1oa3GycUD5l87a1YTe29FzB2LFhuFvch9haCQJRTsjVvnMSWtJrz4b4RWg8Cyr7Ym2_m7p4-dh3QXc15k1_9xL0tuGSgrFkIbgWZXpw-TFQc96sTXFjV_58VBSUHOoIwkWRIANIHh_lGRguGyTlLM/s1500/sadness.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bkQj_bPQU-1Q3ig8z99Ff-a3JLIhxxns0ZtIFA1oa3GycUD5l87a1YTe29FzB2LFhuFvch9haCQJRTsjVvnMSWtJrz4b4RWg8Cyr7Ym2_m7p4-dh3QXc15k1_9xL0tuGSgrFkIbgWZXpw-TFQc96sTXFjV_58VBSUHOoIwkWRIANIHh_lGRguGyTlLM/s320/sadness.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Sometimes you come across a movie that is so indulgent and over-the-top, that you just have to admire it. The Sadness is a movie that pulls absolutely no punches. It is about a virus that spreads quickly, turning people into homicidal maniacs that brutally attack whoever is closest nearby. Blood, guts, and gore is the name of the game here. Usually it takes a little bit more than gimmicky violence to impress me. It's the tone of the movie that does it for me. It made me so uncomfortable to watch. It's hard to illicit much of an emotional reaction from me, but this one did the trick. <div><br /></div><div>It's the scene on the subway car with all the random knife violence that really put me on edge. I started thinking about what I would do if this was happening around me. And how I would protect my family. And just how hopeless and lost of a cause that would be! In addition to being gory, the way the infected become evil with their words is just as bad. They really go all out in this film to disturb you. This is a movie that stuck with me for a while. Definitely worth the hassle of signing up for a one week Shudder free trial. <br /><div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#8:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcXjACltRbXR91h_pnUbfI-hZuaBOxl3hRBZK55wfQIt4UmkVfM2mWDwTd6PlxG7QAkWfRV4zYqao1P9GJtkdrqL2up3ZIMsZagwrpiQnchp8MlOxr7Q4Nq1VX4OXVT7ySWLM5xShsLVvOwim5hWLBtP546Ov7zOMPD4G6LEfERG9nuoLe9llv9nPVRU/s275/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcXjACltRbXR91h_pnUbfI-hZuaBOxl3hRBZK55wfQIt4UmkVfM2mWDwTd6PlxG7QAkWfRV4zYqao1P9GJtkdrqL2up3ZIMsZagwrpiQnchp8MlOxr7Q4Nq1VX4OXVT7ySWLM5xShsLVvOwim5hWLBtP546Ov7zOMPD4G6LEfERG9nuoLe9llv9nPVRU/s1600/download.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is a whole world of movies out there I have never heard of before. I had certainly never heard of Brigsby Bear until I listened to an episode of Staff Picks about this film. The host and co-host of the podcast kept saying over and over again before diving into their recap that this movie was so unique, you really had to watch it first before listening to the podcast. You know what? I actually listened to their advice. I stopped the podcast and went out and got this movie.</div><div><br /></div><div>The basic premise is that there is a young boy who is taken from his real parents as a toddler and raised by kidnappers on an isolated and remote property. He is told that these people are his parents. They lead him to believe that the outside world has been destroyed and they live in a safe zone of some kind. They raise him from childhood to adult age. The main way they keep him entertained is by showing him episodes of a puppet based kids show named Brigsby Bear. These episodes teach lessons like how to read and write. This kid's whole entire life revolves around Brigsby and when the new episode will come out.</div><div><br /></div><div>He is raised well into his 20s when the FBI raids the compound and arrests his "parents." The rest of the movie revolves around him meeting his new family and coping with the fact that his entire life has been a lie. He finds out that his fake parents worked in a TV studio and would secretly record episodes of Brigsby after-hours when all the staff was gone, so it was not even a real show.</div><div><br /></div><div>The boy decides as a way of coping that he'll make a Brigsby movie to share with the world. He collects a ragtag group of followers that help him make his dream become a reality, and make the Brigsby movie happen. </div><div><br /></div><div>It really is a unique story that is funny, interesting, and touching in many different ways. I really enjoyed it. Definitely check it out if you have never seen it. I think recency bias plays a role here. I watched it way early in the year so that may be keeping it from ranking higher than it could or should have.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#7:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuYUfpQQLQIUjCL32O_sNyxL9FdN9u2BdrAp7mZ1c-KnWQ_SRsaUU9fs_egpVuiiU4dlNjUV0hoenzFd7UCANt5QrGF9qs57Mo7TBuey0dML5eIhw494Kn4u28Aoo4CT2-ta23xfkmhfI2CMb-1O5UKY7QOy0a19azPS9YtLREIMmYxZ4oeey_cc7ibw/s4096/MV5BY2ZlNWIxODMtN2YwZi00ZjNmLWIyN2UtZTFkYmZkNDQyNTAyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODkzNTgxMDg@._V1_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="2764" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuYUfpQQLQIUjCL32O_sNyxL9FdN9u2BdrAp7mZ1c-KnWQ_SRsaUU9fs_egpVuiiU4dlNjUV0hoenzFd7UCANt5QrGF9qs57Mo7TBuey0dML5eIhw494Kn4u28Aoo4CT2-ta23xfkmhfI2CMb-1O5UKY7QOy0a19azPS9YtLREIMmYxZ4oeey_cc7ibw/s320/MV5BY2ZlNWIxODMtN2YwZi00ZjNmLWIyN2UtZTFkYmZkNDQyNTAyXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODkzNTgxMDg@._V1_.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br /><div>I watched this movie back in 2022, but I wasn't really paying attention to it, as I was dicking around on my phone while this movie was playing on the TV. I decided to give the movie another chance, because from what I saw of it - I liked. I'm glad I decided to watch it again because I really loved it this time around.</div><div><br /></div><div>I understand some of you may be wondering how this movie could have made it all the way to #7 on my list. I'll admit this movie isn't any kind of cinematic masterpiece. But it's fun, darn it. It is just as good, if not better, than the 90s Mortal Kombat movie. The cinematography is great, and I found the storyline to be quite interesting as well. The fighters having "marks" that identify them, and the marks passing to the victor if the fighter is defeated was a neat twist. I like how it explains the characters' magical fight powers, too. I'm sure the logic of the movie does not hold up under much scrutiny, but I still had a great time with it. It's one of the best video game movies I have ever seen.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#6</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHCH4HuWK6CTAmzc2cnyI8E8U6R9rysNUffVtdYe8GloaKLOiM3b3wR36Gx8Gj-hFSLlrxfLW_PeWvdXmdd-NopGrN_J4VMwd0-aezEZcCuvZ3pkHeP1kxHDN0VUHOvPdEohK4_8mUUhsxnSS4pdlnyMuioqPhX6qI21DWICCke_FcNneiNDZA94UQjw/s1600/A_Quiet_Place_Part_II_poster_7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHCH4HuWK6CTAmzc2cnyI8E8U6R9rysNUffVtdYe8GloaKLOiM3b3wR36Gx8Gj-hFSLlrxfLW_PeWvdXmdd-NopGrN_J4VMwd0-aezEZcCuvZ3pkHeP1kxHDN0VUHOvPdEohK4_8mUUhsxnSS4pdlnyMuioqPhX6qI21DWICCke_FcNneiNDZA94UQjw/s320/A_Quiet_Place_Part_II_poster_7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>The fact that I liked this movie so much kind of came out of left field. I wasn't a huge fan of the original movie, although I wouldn't say I disliked it. It was okay. I was in no rush to watch the sequel. I decided to throw it on one night, on a random whim. Immediately the movie hooked me. It is so fast paced and tense and full of thrills that I could not take my eyes off of it. It is almost like a video game how it moves so quickly from one tense moment to the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>I absolutely loved this movie. It's just perfect from start to finish. It has made me want to go back and rewatch the original, which I probably will at some point in 2024.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#5</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8OxoEwJgp9YJp8yu4ZI4NrR41coFyHs8Frny1gHZgDa-Et1Duw8_ke1ZwYX0ZcJczjadeW-BIS8trkxbHcrw_Ob4lhJuj8Gq07FFOdz-jXYA1T_vv-Zje3B9rfGeL2pOBiPh1G-a_FKdOuJjlL0RCwb0EKPG7eRCGWAnSkvqnDTMMkDq0W9FBakjNK0/s305/p21980_p_v8_ai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="206" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8OxoEwJgp9YJp8yu4ZI4NrR41coFyHs8Frny1gHZgDa-Et1Duw8_ke1ZwYX0ZcJczjadeW-BIS8trkxbHcrw_Ob4lhJuj8Gq07FFOdz-jXYA1T_vv-Zje3B9rfGeL2pOBiPh1G-a_FKdOuJjlL0RCwb0EKPG7eRCGWAnSkvqnDTMMkDq0W9FBakjNK0/s1600/p21980_p_v8_ai.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div>If you've seen American History X, you probably have strong feelings about it one way or the other. I personally think it is a great movie. I've seen it probably five times throughout the course of my life, and each time it gets better and better. The key is that I haven't watched it too many times. Each time watching it, it is almost like seeing it for the first time. I notice something different or pick up on something new. This 2023 viewing was probably my favorite one. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's a complex movie because its main characters aren't exactly heroes or upstanding citizens. But it also shows how people can change and turn their lives around, so you find yourself rooting for them. And then it ends in needless tragedy. This is definitely a movie that is designed to make you uncomfortable. A lot of the racist talking points of Edward Norton's character you see still reflected on social media in 2023. Almost verbatim, word for word. It's like they haven't gotten any new material in the last 25 plus years. And people are so open about it now. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few of my favorite scenes are: the big fight at dinner (yikes) and the curb stomping scene (double yikes). I don't know what it says about me that I like things that are supposed to disturb you or make you uncomfortable. I'm just a morbid person, I guess. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#4:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYFJVvvPC8FiGPqZQirTFNIMc8VV4UJdZiZbbkDIpSqB1NpChHo2HPOXA82V6t245NtH5wi-narqLSjHP-eedn6lPMG59lfDoCplnXYfzx2A7BSDEaJLGcvm0iws9q3cBVRWycGAIeFSXNnwcMalc-8STVxHncOqnQLPeJjRBtkxKTIgYyvl7EVNMXTY/s1440/p25574_p_v8_am.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYFJVvvPC8FiGPqZQirTFNIMc8VV4UJdZiZbbkDIpSqB1NpChHo2HPOXA82V6t245NtH5wi-narqLSjHP-eedn6lPMG59lfDoCplnXYfzx2A7BSDEaJLGcvm0iws9q3cBVRWycGAIeFSXNnwcMalc-8STVxHncOqnQLPeJjRBtkxKTIgYyvl7EVNMXTY/s320/p25574_p_v8_am.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>Speaking of movies designed to make you uncomfortable, here is probably one of the most famous examples. A lot of people say they can't watch this movie more than once, but man do I love it. I watch it nearly every year or so. And it never gets old.</div><div><br /></div><div>The cinematography, music, the in-your-face delusions of the characters. All of it is so intense and so unique. You can't help but just get sucked right into this movie and its messed up, drug fueled world. This is a top ten movie of all-time for me. The fact that I've seen it probably at least 15 to 20 times in my life and it doesn't get boring should tell you something right there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#3</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3F3f7yroHkDQ1-XdKbgUJqLNUwe1S7TQFmlseNmNMefoVk5UrHnmjVklkm0PHnjhNFZoMz13zq0fpBglUHK9Yz_sribEfEb3L4F-PlFTjJfzvw3l5WbXnzkzXM5fy4b7DveThYVtBOe4NjXPn7IvYcmSVpnmNawXQKFYtFyq4he38p3cdg706m2NHMU/s1476/MV5BMzkzMmU0YTYtOWM3My00YzBmLWI0YzctOGYyNTkwMWE5MTJkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3F3f7yroHkDQ1-XdKbgUJqLNUwe1S7TQFmlseNmNMefoVk5UrHnmjVklkm0PHnjhNFZoMz13zq0fpBglUHK9Yz_sribEfEb3L4F-PlFTjJfzvw3l5WbXnzkzXM5fy4b7DveThYVtBOe4NjXPn7IvYcmSVpnmNawXQKFYtFyq4he38p3cdg706m2NHMU/s320/MV5BMzkzMmU0YTYtOWM3My00YzBmLWI0YzctOGYyNTkwMWE5MTJkXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzkwMjQ5NzM@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br /><div>I absolutely love Braveheart. It is another top ten all time movie in my books. It might even be top 2 or 3. I <i>love</i> it. I have to have seen it at least ten to fifteen times in my life now.</div><div><br /></div><div>My 2023 viewing may be the best of all of those viewings. I don't know if it is because I am older or wiser or what, but I picked up on a lot of stuff I missed out on in the past. That whole intro scene with the people hanging in the empty barn - I never knew what was going on or why those people were there. Not once in my previous 15 or so viewings did I ever pick up on that. I did this time. I picked up on a bunch of other things, too.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is truly a remarkable movie. It hits all the right cords. Romantic, tragic, action packed. The acting is fantastic and it has a wonderful soundtrack too. Epic movie.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#2:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9JMcWA1AvrXoEB0fY4zf99fFXCRK6bGWxX8JeXwCTuvqksE6Yq_dzq04pBuG7flO32L4fDQd2vdgYKRFVwAjTPBn1In0mV6BIgPxGwH1KkVM1Jh3o2NsfFBWn73crnaf9iFE4F4Md_HK8yKuI4MZNJdX6AXMX1utzcdaBDeG-xj5t4nGJRrvsZsZSAQ/s460/the-dark-knight-dvd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="329" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9JMcWA1AvrXoEB0fY4zf99fFXCRK6bGWxX8JeXwCTuvqksE6Yq_dzq04pBuG7flO32L4fDQd2vdgYKRFVwAjTPBn1In0mV6BIgPxGwH1KkVM1Jh3o2NsfFBWn73crnaf9iFE4F4Md_HK8yKuI4MZNJdX6AXMX1utzcdaBDeG-xj5t4nGJRrvsZsZSAQ/s320/the-dark-knight-dvd.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've seen this movie so many freaking times in my life. I always hear the hype about how it is so good, and it is the best Batman movie ever, blah blah blah. I've always thought it was overrated. <i>Always</i>. But every few years I find myself coming back to it to give it another shot.</div><div><br /></div><div>It only took me 15 years since the movie came out to finally appreciate it. I really, really enjoyed it this time around. Maybe it is the fact that I am a more mature father now. Maybe I was just finally in the right frame of mind to appreciate it. I don't know what it is, but I thought it was just superb. I watched this with the lights off and my earbuds in. I was on the edge of my chair, really absorbed in the movie the whole way through it. It is so intense, and the stakes just feel so high. The whole movie gave me anxiety in the pit of my stomach, but in a good way. What a roller coaster ride.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't understand how I thought the movie was only mediocre on my previous viewings. But I loved it in 2023. I finally see what everyone else sees in this movie. It's damn good.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">#1:</span></b></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ba3B-JzsesTaASiwir6jxQ0JCzsy20VtRHXuXOBwDXNtepCCFNOQ02l-mVWGejrkMm2ygjr3eNCu7om5gwxzRNbDkc-AaYWyUogYCbJlXJAk36ja_SfH_1s9NrAuOdnsJhxmxSW1drIhyphenhyphenHnEOtt-6xbxLjXaXPYD5-GMzdZqh70UdIhP6wYZA80y_U/s2452/2667124_so.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2452" data-original-width="1951" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1ba3B-JzsesTaASiwir6jxQ0JCzsy20VtRHXuXOBwDXNtepCCFNOQ02l-mVWGejrkMm2ygjr3eNCu7om5gwxzRNbDkc-AaYWyUogYCbJlXJAk36ja_SfH_1s9NrAuOdnsJhxmxSW1drIhyphenhyphenHnEOtt-6xbxLjXaXPYD5-GMzdZqh70UdIhP6wYZA80y_U/s320/2667124_so.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I first watched Prisoners back in 2014, which was nine years ago if you are keeping track. It ranked 92nd on my movie ranking list back then. 92nd. Here is what I had to say about it:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"I like the basic premise of the movie, but things moved a little too slowly for me. I was often bored while watching this, and eventually started to lose interest. I remember there being some kind of twist at the end but by then I was too out of it to really care or remember what happened. Maybe I will give it another chance some day."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>What the heck, Dan? Seriously, what the heck??? This movie is absolutely fantastic. How did you not like it??? I guess I sort of get it. The movie is a slow burn. If you don't have a few hours to set aside to immerse yourself in it, or if you have something else on your mind, it might be hard to get into. But I was able to carve out a little bit of time when the kiddo was in bed to devote to this movie, and it was well worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It tells the story of a father whose daughter has gone missing. A mysterious van was seen in the vicinity when she went missing. The father tracks down the owner of the van, who turns out to be mentally handicapped. All evidence seems to point to him, but the police's hands are tied. The father takes matters into his own hands, capturing the man and trying to torture information out of him. While this is going on, the investigation into the disappearance takes some dark and unexpected twists and turns.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole movie has a very gritty and unsettling feeling to it, similar to The Silence of the Lambs or the first season of True Detective. I found it to be very gripping. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. The ending is great, too. Open ended, but moreso to the positive side of things. </div><div><br /></div><div>Prisoners left a giant impression on me. It's just such a great movie. There's a reason it is ranks #1 on my list. If you haven't seen it, go out and do it now! You won't regret it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>That's the end of my list! Here are some honorable mentions for movies that didn't quite make my top 10:</div><div>The Super Mario Bros. Movie</div><div>Ghostbusters Afterlife</div><div>Home Alone</div><div>The Terrifier 2</div><div>The Bad News Bears</div><div>Midsommar</div><div>My Bodyguard</div><div>T2: Judgement Day</div><div>The Sixth Sense</div><div>Unfriended</div><div>Fall</div><div>The Quick and the Dead</div><div>A Knight's Tale</div><div>Jojo Rabbit</div><div>Avatar: The Way of Water</div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-82102194402791149522024-01-09T17:01:00.003-06:002024-01-09T17:01:39.052-06:00Video Game Review #491: Tiny Toon Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1Vop7JJ6ckevKrW4S-Whu3Ecclo3m7Rx3FfRbffiFZEuGQ29y0kLPK5UxvcF5c0o80L36PMiMW7MJHX1lkLgghqRn7Cbo9o-8k8vRKZqi7JjPWelFA0FJDuRe-KHB4cS7ZAsnnQ6mok2oV74p4_nKA9NwhTxgWCbj3LYPLjjQosvQn8NBCzoFE4H3O0/s414/tiiiny.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="303" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1Vop7JJ6ckevKrW4S-Whu3Ecclo3m7Rx3FfRbffiFZEuGQ29y0kLPK5UxvcF5c0o80L36PMiMW7MJHX1lkLgghqRn7Cbo9o-8k8vRKZqi7JjPWelFA0FJDuRe-KHB4cS7ZAsnnQ6mok2oV74p4_nKA9NwhTxgWCbj3LYPLjjQosvQn8NBCzoFE4H3O0/s320/tiiiny.png" width="234" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tiny Toon Adventures</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nintendo Entertainment System</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>When I turned this game on last night, I was convinced I had played it before. I liked the Tiny Toons TV show when I was a kid, and I played a lot of games on my NES. You'd have thought that I would have played this growing up. And I really thought I did. But when I started playing it, nothing looked familiar. Surely I would have remembered the overworld map, the ability to switch to different characters mid-level, or the upbeat rendition of the Tiny Toons theme song. But nothing was ringing a bell as I played.</div><div><br /></div><div>I shrugged my shoulders and continued playing anyway. Would I have liked this as a kid, and how would I like it now in present day? Let's dive in.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg747AMSP9CAauMs52I5Y0m8VIaWMSlOJhX9FPMmNlBtv1GLBStlESAnp8oSe2Douq8nmPTjOlPaH4k7eJq3lftEiSbg_R7vLClseIaquY6465U_CSdamBHAkVXJsazkHJOM2po4AdLqeIhlUVlmYwjsLtXRBhjQ9572K3TYHkWG2Y8NG9Qt-70Yt00Fj0/s256/316760-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-buster-is-the-default-character.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg747AMSP9CAauMs52I5Y0m8VIaWMSlOJhX9FPMmNlBtv1GLBStlESAnp8oSe2Douq8nmPTjOlPaH4k7eJq3lftEiSbg_R7vLClseIaquY6465U_CSdamBHAkVXJsazkHJOM2po4AdLqeIhlUVlmYwjsLtXRBhjQ9572K3TYHkWG2Y8NG9Qt-70Yt00Fj0/s1600/316760-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-buster-is-the-default-character.png" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><u>Story:</u></b><div><br /></div><div>Buster Bunny is at home, chillin' and watching some TV. His regularly scheduled programming is interrupted by the evil Montana Max, who announces that he's captured Babs Bunny. He issues a challenge to Buster to come rescue her. So Buster gets off his couch and races off into battle against Montana Max and his evil forces.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is absolutely nothing special about this game's story. It is your classic damsel in distress tale that we've seen hundreds of times throughout the history of video games.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmYo8Rhdk-kUQcSKe955lU-ltax82880MD0LtTSdCebKwrJqqHbv8odoSlQfW9r6Fh2ztNvnPdbhUVClbIorlzzsenlcDqhfuVtM_7cWqMzatu3VBMkVRbQ69nxJaGjLicIElLXZmPIAFHAkxzbgRC_B4hcR9glwgMFc9VbxIGzXAADevxSS039zLcVs/s256/16232112-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-select-your-partner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmYo8Rhdk-kUQcSKe955lU-ltax82880MD0LtTSdCebKwrJqqHbv8odoSlQfW9r6Fh2ztNvnPdbhUVClbIorlzzsenlcDqhfuVtM_7cWqMzatu3VBMkVRbQ69nxJaGjLicIElLXZmPIAFHAkxzbgRC_B4hcR9glwgMFc9VbxIGzXAADevxSS039zLcVs/s1600/16232112-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-select-your-partner.png" width="256" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a very traditional 2D platformer. There are 6 worlds to conquer, each one split up into several stages. At the start of each world, you are asked to pick a partner. Your choices are: Plucky Duck, Dizzy Devil, and Furrball. When the first stage of the world begins, you start out as Buster Bunny. Buster controls similarly to Mario. You've got two basic actions: jump and run. You defeat enemies and bosses by simply jumping on their heads.</div><div><br /></div><div>As you make your way through the game, you'll encounter floating balloons that contain one of two items: a heart or the ability to switch your character. You start with an empty health meter. Just one hit will kill you. If you collect a heart, it will take two hits to kill you. If you have a heart in your inventory when you collect another heart, it gives you an extra life. If you pop a balloon and it gives you the character switch item, this is where the choice you made at the beginning of the world comes into play. If you picked Plucky Duck, he has a special ability where you can glide through the air. Dizzy has a special attack that turns him into a tornado (although he does not possess the ability to run). Furrball can slide down walls and jump off of them if need be. Furrball seemed the most useless to me. I picked him once and then never again.</div><div><br /></div><div>You collect carrots as you play. Every once in a while (maybe once per world) you'll encounter a white door frame. Enter the door frame and you can cash in 30 carrots for an extra life. Nice. Otherwise, these carrots have little to no extra function.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most worlds consist of three stages. The first stage, you simply have to make it to the level exit. The second stage, you make it to the level exit - and then have to avoid Elmyra who tries to kiss you. If she gets you in her clutches, you are sent all the way back to the beginning of the world, which sucks. I learned this the hard way on my first attempt through this game. I tried to jump on her head like I would with any other enemy, and got sent back to the beginning of the game. The third stage of each world usually starts with a standard "make it to the end" platformer level, which ends in a boss fight. None of these bosses are too hard. Just watch their patterns and try to jump on their head three times in order to defeat them.</div><div><br /></div><div>I played through this game twice before reviewing it. On my first playthrough, I became frustrated with the game and how I kept dying and/or getting sent back to the start of each stage or world. I was having to replay large chunks of the game I'd already beaten, which was not fun. I decided to just start using save states to make my way to the end and beat the game.</div><div><br /></div><div>I revisited the game this morning and gave it a go without using save states. Now that I knew how the game operated, I had little to no trouble with it. My extra lives were maxed out by the end of the second world, and I didn't die or lose a single life for almost half the entire game. There is a definite difficulty spike about midway through the game. It starts in that stage where there are enemies popping out of windows and garbage cans to throw things at you. They just <i>appear</i> mid-jump before you have any chance to react to them. I suddenly found myself dying left and right. My stock of extra lives which had been maxed out dropped precariously low. I was able to make it through the rest of the game and beat it for a second time, but not without great difficulty.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I would have loved this as a kid. It's tough, but it eases you in with the difficulty level. While the second half of the game is a big challenge, it never feels too unfair. Undoubtedly I would have played this game over and over again when I was a kid, to the point where it wasn't even a challenge at all to me anymore.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaC4Ann33JKQVISq-nnjIc1sR-zx_1vLs5luKdfvop6NssDMBqlfCv200dw63gjITdnSNrvhUQiSgkK7-d8jeJbLKqvS5mJGT0LyURkqKBY9mA1SWUCBCjA7Y5MNEu_VylhTgSPW1Ap5WYDdzuaxq7kspQ3tRv2Z6eg9XhLaiCoKEUK42PQMjqUSMcys/s256/316944-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-furball-can-stick-to-walls.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaC4Ann33JKQVISq-nnjIc1sR-zx_1vLs5luKdfvop6NssDMBqlfCv200dw63gjITdnSNrvhUQiSgkK7-d8jeJbLKqvS5mJGT0LyURkqKBY9mA1SWUCBCjA7Y5MNEu_VylhTgSPW1Ap5WYDdzuaxq7kspQ3tRv2Z6eg9XhLaiCoKEUK42PQMjqUSMcys/s1600/316944-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-furball-can-stick-to-walls.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div>This is not the best looking NES game of all time. It is very generic and basic looking. There is almost no detail in any of the stage backgrounds. This game looks like an early generation NES title, even though it came out in 1991. </div><div><br /></div><div>If there is any saving grace to the graphics, it is in the boss and character design. All your favorite characters from the cartoon are represented here. They look good. You can tell who is who, and they don't look ugly. Not exactly glowing praise from me, but I suppose this game could look a lot worse.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKU3FHQvt9qaVusggXH9vegYikHMMSoa5ckIYTTJmgou9EGYhq_vZr3fWiZijTiivBtkegdv-rw9WeLpj3frs0OMhM0RKw2cOBWXw8noRLBNSY3cMyQ9ya5B5CDL8C5A6Z7vxBbhihPTfwSW0sWPAJt5wRiXU2S4XSlFnyF7UKhPg8dXU01LX87JcpVM/s256/16233261-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-dizzy-can-whirl.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="256" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKU3FHQvt9qaVusggXH9vegYikHMMSoa5ckIYTTJmgou9EGYhq_vZr3fWiZijTiivBtkegdv-rw9WeLpj3frs0OMhM0RKw2cOBWXw8noRLBNSY3cMyQ9ya5B5CDL8C5A6Z7vxBbhihPTfwSW0sWPAJt5wRiXU2S4XSlFnyF7UKhPg8dXU01LX87JcpVM/s1600/16233261-tiny-toon-adventures-nes-dizzy-can-whirl.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>If you like the classic Tiny Toon Adventures theme song, you'll like its 8-bit musical rendition that they use in the game. It's cute and charming and brought a smile to my face when I first heard it. Be prepared to hear it a lot, though. It's the stage theme for quite a few levels in this game. The other music you hear is pretty good, too. It's got that signature Konami feel to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sound effects are nice as well. Some sound effects were pulled straight from Mario, which I thought was funny. The entire game seems like an homage to the Mario series (the game's ending even has curtains and a stage that look identical to Mario 3's), and I am totally okay with that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg26BLTrY79uapmFuIZKTR6mgp5vRRwX1n8c7LYBdGARgTsDYpXe4OkX0OkKli9sbipgutAKoAoLNXL910776Zfq750pO3FyGNIHBRJF2_J1F2ecUBIILOkpFsePCAvFTmiccA4Ip8OuL63G0eebm9iOqdEs5Bi2j0AMqBXIXVg7W4QO4PgRBvhc81vvQ/s256/016802.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg26BLTrY79uapmFuIZKTR6mgp5vRRwX1n8c7LYBdGARgTsDYpXe4OkX0OkKli9sbipgutAKoAoLNXL910776Zfq750pO3FyGNIHBRJF2_J1F2ecUBIILOkpFsePCAvFTmiccA4Ip8OuL63G0eebm9iOqdEs5Bi2j0AMqBXIXVg7W4QO4PgRBvhc81vvQ/s1600/016802.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You know, I had a surprisingly good time with this game. I wasn't sure what to expect of it when I first began playing. I thought I'd played it as a kid, then quickly figured out that I didn't. I would have loved it as a kid, though. It checks all the boxes for being a fun and engaging 2D platformer.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game isn't very long, so it can be beaten in just about an hour. Maybe even less. But it is a fun hour, and a challenging one at that. It can be a bit frustrating at times, but a little practice makes perfect. I actually enjoyed it much more on my second playthrough. As a kid, I would have fired up this game dozens and dozens of times. I am positive I would have loved this growing up.</div><div><br /></div><div>Is it as good as Ducktales? No. But I still had a fun time with this game. And I'd return to it again in the future. This is definitely a quality title. While I wouldn't say I was <i>ecstatic</i> about the game or that it is one of my new favorite NES titles, I can still freely admit I had a good time with it. It's definitely worth checking out if you have never played it before.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-40797975111720483602024-01-02T01:28:00.002-06:002024-01-02T01:28:25.811-06:00Video Game Review #490: Dino Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgkxUS3FzUibSK1IltheBO75O7lKNivqa5Qgj9Zsv4m6IkIH8ubTakV0jtcz8m11147URYtxA77t33FFg3PmuqnENMLr1rbFeq1pW18m5e-Q5qUDcYVK1OfuLK-iwSc2kNxgfGdOiow_EkS5nRPbBPC79PzQaI054ULg0V3t-zpXGTtiIQqbatpxwAb8/s800/4094243-dino-crisis-playstation-front-cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="794" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgkxUS3FzUibSK1IltheBO75O7lKNivqa5Qgj9Zsv4m6IkIH8ubTakV0jtcz8m11147URYtxA77t33FFg3PmuqnENMLr1rbFeq1pW18m5e-Q5qUDcYVK1OfuLK-iwSc2kNxgfGdOiow_EkS5nRPbBPC79PzQaI054ULg0V3t-zpXGTtiIQqbatpxwAb8/w299-h301/4094243-dino-crisis-playstation-front-cover.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Dino Crisis</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">PlayStation</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have fond memories of renting Dino Crisis back in 1999 when the game first came out. I was in love with the idea of playing what was essentially a Resident Evil game with dinosaurs. I struggled mightily with the game the weekend that I'd rented it. Normally I breeze through Resident Evil games, but I kept getting stuck on Dino Crisis left and right. I specifically remember the puzzles being very challenging.</div><div><br /></div><div>I never beat Dino Crisis that weekend, but I came back and rented the game again a few weeks later. This is where my memories start to get fuzzy. If you'd asked me just two weeks ago if I'd beaten the game, I would have said yes. But now that I've played through the whole thing here in present times, I can safely say that I never beat this as a kid. None of the endgame looked familiar, and there is absolutely no way I would have been able to do this without the help of the internet. So I guess my memories were wrong. I never beat this game when I was younger.</div><div><br /></div><div>I still have fond memories of it, though. Would it hold up in the modern day? Debatable. Read onward for my full impressions.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uq35mQXF0_scqv9sQAldnHzWIQ5d_uVeipZHLJBYtBOhXD4f3sUwfHvshllK7_PvO3W14o4yK_uAihAOIq2bIEi4caXJxaguoiXL1cONoQTjT0evAzb4WdiwZONLaF-IpFgBNYPF_gOSpNoJ8aEVeFmUJJDrB11PZsDF0me6OwvcXgNUqxCNBltBTqk/s450/20110807-212612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="450" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uq35mQXF0_scqv9sQAldnHzWIQ5d_uVeipZHLJBYtBOhXD4f3sUwfHvshllK7_PvO3W14o4yK_uAihAOIq2bIEi4caXJxaguoiXL1cONoQTjT0evAzb4WdiwZONLaF-IpFgBNYPF_gOSpNoJ8aEVeFmUJJDrB11PZsDF0me6OwvcXgNUqxCNBltBTqk/s320/20110807-212612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>You play as Regina, a special forces agent who is dropped onto an island where a scientist (who is long believed dead) is doing top secret work. Foul play is suspected, so with some inside help from someone on the island, you are sent in to retrieve the scientist and bring him back for questioning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Immediately, the plan falls apart. Your team is disbanded by dinosaur attacks. Everyone on the island is dead. You have to fight through an island full of dinosaurs to uncover the mystery of what is going on and track down the missing scientist. As you can probably guess, it was his experimentation that led to the dinosaurs appearing on the island.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game's story isn't particularly interesting, but it does throw multiple branching paths in your way, which adds to its replay value. I believe there are up to three different endings as well. I certainly won't be playing through this game a second (or even a third time), so I guess the only way I'll ever see those endings is if I look them up on YouTube.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiesbVIF0CM29cgctf_T-f4RLH29FQWy0v8J69nB4efgRM1Cx1ayXgOWhasfJRfbBqGtie8S8ygk1z02iiYsaksENTVWJSrH5ndXeWHUjOjM49kU2O8ovcfhjKgTFQNY1oaFStMkvabToxHkCiZvZXr3b3oQ99g1jngCOeS6F6H12K9RQSDhTpTXH8kc/s1024/Dino%20Crisis%20(USA)%20(v1.1)-231227-125100.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiesbVIF0CM29cgctf_T-f4RLH29FQWy0v8J69nB4efgRM1Cx1ayXgOWhasfJRfbBqGtie8S8ygk1z02iiYsaksENTVWJSrH5ndXeWHUjOjM49kU2O8ovcfhjKgTFQNY1oaFStMkvabToxHkCiZvZXr3b3oQ99g1jngCOeS6F6H12K9RQSDhTpTXH8kc/s320/Dino%20Crisis%20(USA)%20(v1.1)-231227-125100.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyone familiar with classic Resident Evil will feel right at home when playing Dino Crisis. It utilizes the same tank controls, similar item management, a similar map system, similar puzzles, similar combat, and similar gameplay mechanics, all of which you've seen in classic Resident Evil games before. They don't even try to hide it. This is a Resident Evil game in everything but its name.</div><div><br /></div><div>Your goal is to traverse the facility on the island and track down the missing scientist. Along the way you'll encounter dinosaurs that you can either battle or run away from. Ammo is scarce in the early goings of the game, so I mainly chose to run. Later on in the game, I often opted to fight. It all depends on the situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unlike Resident Evil, you can't just stand there and shoot an enemy until it dies. The enemies in this game are quick and fast. If you stand in one spot emptying your handgun into a raptor, you are going to take a lot of damage from it. That's where the tranquilizer shots come in. You can hit your enemies with a dart and make them fall down, at which point you can unload your weapon into them.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the game goes on, you pick up things like shotguns and grenade launchers. They definitely come in handy, as some of the late game dinosaurs can be quite tough.</div><div><br /></div><div>An interesting mechanic is how dinosaurs will follow you from room to room if you do not kill them. This gives you some incentive to take them out, so you don't have to run from them all the time. They just keep coming after you if you don't take care of them. I like how they do this. Makes it feel suspenseful, like you are being stalked. Just like Jurassic Park when the raptors have learned how to open doors. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dino Crisis is much more puzzle heavy and much more map-reliant than Resident Evil. The puzzles in Resident Evil tend to be pretty simple and obvious. The puzzles here are much harder. I got lost, or didn't know what I was supposed to do sooooo many times playing this. Luckily I could just look up where I was supposed to go online. Back in 1999, I didn't have this option. That makes this game so much more difficult than Resident Evil. There is no blowing through this game in one weekend. If you want to beat Dino Crisis, you've got to sit down and get serious.</div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest gripe about the game is its lack of direction. They purposely seem to make things difficult for the players. When you read a journal entry in this game, it will often contain a number combination for a safe, or some important information that you need to know. But for some reason, this game doesn't track your journal entries like Resident Evil. You can't pause the game, open your menu, and read through them to locate the password you need. No, no. The game makes you memorize these things. If you don't write them down, you might as well forget about it. You can backtrack and find the journal and read it again, but nothing is marked on the map, so good luck finding that specific journal entry you need.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game also has some annoying puzzles when it comes to opening certain keypads. You have to use your brain and decipher the password using clues listed on the side of the screen. They start out easy, but quickly get too complicated for my dumb ass to figure out. What is this, a video game or a homework assignment?</div><div><br /></div><div>It's never quite clear where you need to go on the game's map. Sometimes they'll mark your destination with a glowing red icon, but for the most part you are left to wander aimlessly on your own. Key items that you need to pick up, or computers you need to access blend into the background. I found myself walking past something obvious that I should have seen dozens of times as I played. Imagine the frustration when you've explored the entire map, there are no glowing destinations to head to, and there absolutely no hints as to where you are supposed to go or what you are supposed to do next. I am not saying the game needs to hold your hand, but abandoning the players and forcing them to wander aimlessly is very frustrating game design.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the end, I was surprised to find that I didn't really have much fun with Dino Crisis. I love the concept, and I seem to have some fond memories of the game growing up. But it just didn't quite do it for me at the age of 41.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_VAEsQC6jlPOiqOXLiQcTajYLA0W6kUDk95m_58XnUsIiafrSdF55tv7WMa3RErglkj75aGbRaqR8pGURq3rBV6wK2LLY7puus1Bu_G4VG3egpnyq_xzYE7UBEL_Fi2seRVpJnK0WkBP1aH9cGEh5N0BF6ZmcgAkUl8HmYOn13Fyz_k5jO8YZr1NqfI/s320/15884897-dino-crisis-playstation-t-rex.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_VAEsQC6jlPOiqOXLiQcTajYLA0W6kUDk95m_58XnUsIiafrSdF55tv7WMa3RErglkj75aGbRaqR8pGURq3rBV6wK2LLY7puus1Bu_G4VG3egpnyq_xzYE7UBEL_Fi2seRVpJnK0WkBP1aH9cGEh5N0BF6ZmcgAkUl8HmYOn13Fyz_k5jO8YZr1NqfI/s1600/15884897-dino-crisis-playstation-t-rex.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I think the game looks pretty good. The environment of the game, with its sterile offices and laboratories, isn't very visually stimulating. The characters and the dinosaurs are the bread and butter of this game, especially the dinosaurs. This is everything you'd want in a game that is essentially a Jurassic Park/Resident Evil hybrid.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything in this game is fully rendered in 3D, even the environments. This isn't like Resident Evil with its 2D environments. I'd say the look and feel of the game is more like Metal Gear Solid than anything else. I personally like this game's graphics quite a bit, although I admit it could have used some variety from its endless hallways, laboratories, and offices. Everything is just so <i>grey</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWmqwnOsDCVJMoFCEDswQg3CEEFioUTzHMgRMQsSFv8_uDKVXZ9wnpOETs58npT2Rv8VqrzSgB4cewAVFlYZ_TIY3WtqQ-kmg-_-yneAfneFO7HAKpgC8e-geItMqr9s7R3fVYK3uqcFCWOdt8RAMTKn7oOgFJ2IAEgZANyL9aVOnpFMFrCA9lIyhyphenhyphenVk/s984/FPyYLtQXoAAFkU4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="984" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWmqwnOsDCVJMoFCEDswQg3CEEFioUTzHMgRMQsSFv8_uDKVXZ9wnpOETs58npT2Rv8VqrzSgB4cewAVFlYZ_TIY3WtqQ-kmg-_-yneAfneFO7HAKpgC8e-geItMqr9s7R3fVYK3uqcFCWOdt8RAMTKn7oOgFJ2IAEgZANyL9aVOnpFMFrCA9lIyhyphenhyphenVk/s320/FPyYLtQXoAAFkU4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Sound:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>The music and voice acting is on par with anything you'd hear in a Resident Evil game. Even the sound you make when you make selections on the menu is identical. If you closed your eyes and didn't know any better, you'd swear this was a Resident Evil game.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM03oMmP7_OTrsJ3YdSjlOgm8JaiUkNnWZfmVEhmXP4IVZlTJMO17Fso_a-HkpbT4VMjfhpam5yC7xfoJuRw8T6-F5x1mp95fnICxH6_7HglKOFRIPOWO0W7YK2X3xyZo8DWiewp4C1j7BfNUH3sf8Jsgogmd_P9rgwNbA15zgRtCiAlLq4N_PITR2bEU/s1443/does-anyone-know-what-i-need-to-solve-these-kinds-of-puzzles-v0-scurt34aiyba1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1443" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM03oMmP7_OTrsJ3YdSjlOgm8JaiUkNnWZfmVEhmXP4IVZlTJMO17Fso_a-HkpbT4VMjfhpam5yC7xfoJuRw8T6-F5x1mp95fnICxH6_7HglKOFRIPOWO0W7YK2X3xyZo8DWiewp4C1j7BfNUH3sf8Jsgogmd_P9rgwNbA15zgRtCiAlLq4N_PITR2bEU/s320/does-anyone-know-what-i-need-to-solve-these-kinds-of-puzzles-v0-scurt34aiyba1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I really wish I'd have had a better time with this game. I had such high hopes for it, such fond memories playing it as a 17 year old kid. But as an adult, I just didn't find much joy in it. It's confusing, it's meandering, it's slow moving, it's bland, and I get the feeling that it thinks its better than it actually is.</div><div><br /></div><div>If this was a mainline Resident Evil game, it would rank as the worst game in the series for me. In fact, I'd compare it more to something like <a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2022/12/video-game-review-417-deep-fear.html" target="_blank">Deep Fear</a> for the Saturn. It gave off a lot of similar vibes. Two games that look, feel, and are obviously inspired by Resident Evil, but are lacking that element of fun, joy, accessibility, and surprise that the RE series contains.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is definitely a better game than Deep Fear, but to be honest, I do not see a future in which I ever return and play this game again. I'll still check out its sequel, because I am curious about it. But this game? Not really my cup of tea. Which is sad, because you'd think it would be right up my alley.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">C-</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-53686001154493992102023-12-29T21:26:00.000-06:002023-12-29T21:26:01.698-06:00Video Game Review #489: Growl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJXCeF5gJTx4n-AItI5vZ5OBK7SNgtXcV9pHI3wNSAkcC_f2RLlXH1kGD737tBbFeclWvm3at8aMYSoYrJQ4ztrABcxN8KqjcmxPo1mS7WwGnEab5LEUkrinupGEildqhZJM4m8TB0tLlaX4-vF_VXH8EeLL5PYeNwzgYJ8LYD13xikLYcqX2WK4ATSM/s329/Growl_arcadeflyer.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJXCeF5gJTx4n-AItI5vZ5OBK7SNgtXcV9pHI3wNSAkcC_f2RLlXH1kGD737tBbFeclWvm3at8aMYSoYrJQ4ztrABcxN8KqjcmxPo1mS7WwGnEab5LEUkrinupGEildqhZJM4m8TB0tLlaX4-vF_VXH8EeLL5PYeNwzgYJ8LYD13xikLYcqX2WK4ATSM/s320/Growl_arcadeflyer.png" width="243" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Growl</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Arcade</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have no nostalgia attached to this game. In fact, I didn't even know of this game's existence until just a few days ago. I saw some screenshots of it and thought "whoa, this looks awesome", so I decided to check it out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Growl came out in 1990, when I was eight years old. I would have absolutely loved this game when I was eight. How did it manage to fly under my radar for 33 whole years? No idea, but let's go ahead and dive into my full review.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCXnDCdUEl4pWZSONfxTk9w4i8c5IVLrIGJC7PuwvdYHeI7SPt-UVJrc7cpJskpdgrm8lQ_Ps7SVYl3LSW8EhyphenhyphenGEfAMMn96liWltf0OHhTyfQaFqo0SQl06D1ycznJZ8FKVZiaB8VkgwKryiI5ZbUrhspXVeilUWG2kBci6AhgcXFRbdBLfNgHKJtCck/s320/Growl_Arcade.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCXnDCdUEl4pWZSONfxTk9w4i8c5IVLrIGJC7PuwvdYHeI7SPt-UVJrc7cpJskpdgrm8lQ_Ps7SVYl3LSW8EhyphenhyphenGEfAMMn96liWltf0OHhTyfQaFqo0SQl06D1ycznJZ8FKVZiaB8VkgwKryiI5ZbUrhspXVeilUWG2kBci6AhgcXFRbdBLfNgHKJtCck/s1600/Growl_Arcade.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure it ever specifies where this game takes place, but judging by the clothing of some characters I am going to say India? Don't quote me on that. You play as one of four different characters. The main character is an Indiana Jones lookalike. The others look like they could have been wrestlers or extras in a Crocodile Dundee movie. Even though this game came out in 1990, it definitely has a very 80s feel to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Your ragtag band of roughnecks is called into action to take down an evil group of poachers who are killing and capturing all the exotic wildlife in your vicinity. Lions, monkeys, birds, elephants, even deer. You have to beat the poachers up and free the animals from their cages. Sometimes they'll even join you in battle after you have freed them.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the game you defeat the poacher king, a weird Penguin-looking guy with Wolverine claws. After you beat him, he morphs into his final form - a giant snake. Beat the snake and you beat the game. Take that, you rotten poachers and your, um, uh... snake morphing leader guy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcc0DguWzxnH01JRJLSXT7wm7n0IZ4DRtRJ2TM5Mk1WZqvKzdxOCzYIOEvmOpOrD2I47sjSlpcnqaDopMpUkjVkfAVyP2lyI0VIo1jYIHjbI1Csfd3KU3Dk92hPsqjFA5yVph6kQuyqIUJTNENvnKJlqMcOvTa21CEkLoDrd1CGOlYVZCACzbzn5J16w/s469/kkkkk.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="469" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcc0DguWzxnH01JRJLSXT7wm7n0IZ4DRtRJ2TM5Mk1WZqvKzdxOCzYIOEvmOpOrD2I47sjSlpcnqaDopMpUkjVkfAVyP2lyI0VIo1jYIHjbI1Csfd3KU3Dk92hPsqjFA5yVph6kQuyqIUJTNENvnKJlqMcOvTa21CEkLoDrd1CGOlYVZCACzbzn5J16w/s320/kkkkk.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is really no different from many other beat 'em ups I've played over the years. You walk left to right. You can move up and down on a 3D plane. You fight through waves of enemies by punching them. You can jump. You can jump and kick. You can string together combos. You can pick up things in the environment like barrels and boxes and throw them. All very basic stuff.</div><div><br /></div><div>This game is a little bit more weapon-oriented than most beat 'em ups. You can pick up machine guns and rocket launchers that will defeat your enemy in a matter of seconds. There are other, more standard weapons like knives, swords, and baseball bats. My favorite was the whip. It's slow, but it is powerful. And because you swing the rope over your head, it hits enemies behind you as well as in front of you. It's quite OP. If you see a whip, you are going to want to grab one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Action is pretty much the same from beginning to end. Fight through a level, beat the boss. Fight through another level, beat the boss. There is one stage near the end that functions as a 2D platformer of sorts, but it still has that 3D beat 'em up plane of movement. It's weird. I died a bunch of times on this level. I like that they tried something different, although it didn't really work too well. Not that it wrecked the game for me or anything.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since this is an arcade game, it is designed to keep you pumping quarters into the machine. I don't think the game was particularly difficult until the end. There was that 2D platform level that I just mentioned. The final boss of the game is a major drag as well. There's almost no strategy or rhyme or reason to it. Just mash the attack button and hope you are hitting the right spot on the snake's head. You are going to die quite often. Luckily, I emulated this game, so I didn't have to worry about putting a ton of quarters into the machine. Although the game is relatively short (20 to 25 minutes), you are going to find yourself running out of lives and having to "put a quarter in" pretty regularly.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdDUoWTkt5g_fmgGzcLTKytDYlh9yIppfxHDZKEVy8jNjBaU7hW9MfsXW7-ge6ku9KmUIU6n-Wk-eplL4eBQ7gGSjm006_HaulsKyO7RYdp_e1oOIgN7c6Q61lZVDgIjJJmfj8zBZxDvhVJy_0lCIeYg5uYUtNBKpzsewvrJDm1dkyshnTleZ9nfWopo/s640/0044.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="640" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdDUoWTkt5g_fmgGzcLTKytDYlh9yIppfxHDZKEVy8jNjBaU7hW9MfsXW7-ge6ku9KmUIU6n-Wk-eplL4eBQ7gGSjm006_HaulsKyO7RYdp_e1oOIgN7c6Q61lZVDgIjJJmfj8zBZxDvhVJy_0lCIeYg5uYUtNBKpzsewvrJDm1dkyshnTleZ9nfWopo/s320/0044.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a very fun-looking game. It's not even that the graphics are too outstanding or anything. They look like your average beat 'em up graphics. It's the theme that makes this game special. The Indiana Jones meets WWF meets Crocodile Dundee characters, the jungle setting, the diverse enemy types, the crazy bosses, the animals that fight alongside you in battle. It's just all so fun to look at. I like the old school Batman-ish text that pops up when there is an explosion or something chaotic happening onscreen. Bam, pow, shbroom!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qxSjI4yNpQctfUGTUhXvOFLQ9Hn40YM7a2TydVwPRLp6faQJqK2XC3QWjbIBEbkBcQCkdzbJ6sPijzE35XPWPtZEvTfkTiJYor7H_xwI7t8_1QieqJAvAq41SMiDMwG54m50EJPqsi9y6RGUkAW5gCiTJsHvrzq5mKZ2rFNb8KZCfNd8a0wxD-6LDIg/s320/16169875-growl-arcade-lion.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qxSjI4yNpQctfUGTUhXvOFLQ9Hn40YM7a2TydVwPRLp6faQJqK2XC3QWjbIBEbkBcQCkdzbJ6sPijzE35XPWPtZEvTfkTiJYor7H_xwI7t8_1QieqJAvAq41SMiDMwG54m50EJPqsi9y6RGUkAW5gCiTJsHvrzq5mKZ2rFNb8KZCfNd8a0wxD-6LDIg/s1600/16169875-growl-arcade-lion.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Sound:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm a game reviewer. Every game I play, I know I'm going to have to talk about the game's sound. You'd think I would have learned to pay attention to it by now. But I haven't.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember nothing, and I mean <i>nothing</i> about this game's music or sound effects, and I just played through it last night. That's either a good thing, meaning it fit in so well with the gameplay and the graphics that I didn't even notice it, or it is a bad thing, meaning it was so forgettable I don't remember a single thing about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll let you decide which one is the truth.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQicjxyfiKqi40B0VlrjVqe-BpM_sVjDUH6s1nLODwdJswzhG5oV2TmXkqQX9oTSnmMamI8HcwPzlkPj7O7_NQteeY3h5bdeqhMvdR50AUclDUzfsowdLuLfXDgcFws71A66G239fdOEBpE5JgJqrAO-3F-VtdRR_Qf1p2azRknzKjLcKEGUp-kYPOV-A/s320/16170319-growl-arcade-fat-men.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQicjxyfiKqi40B0VlrjVqe-BpM_sVjDUH6s1nLODwdJswzhG5oV2TmXkqQX9oTSnmMamI8HcwPzlkPj7O7_NQteeY3h5bdeqhMvdR50AUclDUzfsowdLuLfXDgcFws71A66G239fdOEBpE5JgJqrAO-3F-VtdRR_Qf1p2azRknzKjLcKEGUp-kYPOV-A/s1600/16170319-growl-arcade-fat-men.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Growl is a fun beat 'em up. Nothing more, nothing less. If you like this type of game, you'll have a good time with it. If you don't, this game will do nothing to change your mind on the genre.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it is worth it, if only for the fun theme, the various weapons, and the overall absurdity of the game's story. I mean, how many games have you joining forces with a stampeding herd of deer as you fight hookers and enemies that look like they walked straight out of the Temple of Doom? Not many. Gameplay wise, Growl doesn't do much to elevate it past other beat 'em ups of this era, like Final Fight, Double Dragon, or the TMNT games. It sure does try, though.</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to rate the game higher on its wackiness alone, but due to its short length and its "been there, done that" gameplay, I'll have to settle on a B-.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B-</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoklbCai-fMu_tEDsOJEgIBk5uOauB4b0jqo2aKwL3vJ6LNmMG2mZ3j8nB7G-1WZZWNhglZBeY2Job6VuoXBlgTPrFZSoE_iy3Eq6iA7S9F1g_qnMGOb-TUifrN6_y_xnQyM8EokK5_U5bCNpICDcR0mPNMA-O6mmo6jqgA-HtGGNK2euViXHlVi8TgCY/s320/16170553-growl-arcade-charge.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="320" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoklbCai-fMu_tEDsOJEgIBk5uOauB4b0jqo2aKwL3vJ6LNmMG2mZ3j8nB7G-1WZZWNhglZBeY2Job6VuoXBlgTPrFZSoE_iy3Eq6iA7S9F1g_qnMGOb-TUifrN6_y_xnQyM8EokK5_U5bCNpICDcR0mPNMA-O6mmo6jqgA-HtGGNK2euViXHlVi8TgCY/s1600/16170553-growl-arcade-charge.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4584834046961167462.post-36840321345895301112023-12-21T16:18:00.005-06:002023-12-21T16:24:02.129-06:00Video Game Review #488: Super Metroid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI3OzAEozraYLo5OgffjfngeZhEv8Gq-duL0MEZNC5FDAZ5bjWYk0AQ5Ej1Y6WbOLga9C4wp-qmgdBH8G1yV-A3SNdaKi_JjDjuHmMADXOWY94YN988eh2VlIZi4Vf-Fjjr2KkxFPvJ5_H2-tNWxROt9vWCLvszdyjfKxOAvxXCBcMtLrWIoJusG5pYc/s2101/il_fullxfull.2635426870_ac97.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="2101" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLI3OzAEozraYLo5OgffjfngeZhEv8Gq-duL0MEZNC5FDAZ5bjWYk0AQ5Ej1Y6WbOLga9C4wp-qmgdBH8G1yV-A3SNdaKi_JjDjuHmMADXOWY94YN988eh2VlIZi4Vf-Fjjr2KkxFPvJ5_H2-tNWxROt9vWCLvszdyjfKxOAvxXCBcMtLrWIoJusG5pYc/s320/il_fullxfull.2635426870_ac97.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Metroid</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Super Nintendo</span></b></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Nostalgia Factor:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I have only played through Super Metroid once in my life, and that was back in 2013, a few years before I started this blog. I was a Sega Genesis kid, so I never had the chance to play this for the Super Nintendo growing up. I know how well-revered the game is, so I've always wanted to like it as an adult. My 2013 playthrough of the game left me relatively unimpressed, however. It was a good game, but it didn't blow me away like I thought it was going to.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ten years have passed, and I am ready to revisit this game one more time. Would I change my mind on the game, or would I find it to still be underwhelming? Let's find out!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNwdbFiNKT7nUKPHtPY6yoyzhu859IqJIT4Hwp_dHkpZYtAE2qKBFbpAhvlMIASsm2tCE93NWWu-QJob0cK3bWl6iFRv5-wdrS6fe-QZQrAzhG5ebVOiDQh6f87uxKZUol0LOlYXOTXAUQXR9lyuktFaTE3LmxcCDkGXhNLr9BbPpk76QbNua3WumSBg/s512/metroid3_05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="512" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNwdbFiNKT7nUKPHtPY6yoyzhu859IqJIT4Hwp_dHkpZYtAE2qKBFbpAhvlMIASsm2tCE93NWWu-QJob0cK3bWl6iFRv5-wdrS6fe-QZQrAzhG5ebVOiDQh6f87uxKZUol0LOlYXOTXAUQXR9lyuktFaTE3LmxcCDkGXhNLr9BbPpk76QbNua3WumSBg/s320/metroid3_05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Story:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is technically Metroid 3, even though many people consider it the second game in the series. It takes place after the original NES Metroid and Metroid II for the Game Boy. At the end of Metroid II, Samus rescued a baby Metroid from annihilation. The Metroid has now been taken by the Space Pirates down to Zebes, the location of the first Metroid game. Samus is sent to the planet to defeat the pirates and retrieve the stolen Metroid.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the game, Samus fights Mother Brain, the leader of the Space Pirates. After an intense battle, Mother Brain overpowers Samus and is about to defeat her, when the baby Metroid (all grown up now) swoops in and sacrifices itself in order to defeat Mother Brain and save Samus from certain death. Samus is infused by the power of this young Metroid, and uses her newly found hyper-beam powers to escape the planet before it explodes.</div><div><br /></div><div>The end.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Ko-Zuu93chFas1G4Aut_fL3R6Ky3fDdvQEtjd1u18BKPCOQe05W9KUUhEJQ8PLaxQvMowkQvFcUSwqGSK6BigahW1WVPLp-zxHbHlftMoqMFeyCKsZ5R3aVSALeOGgTC0UWEY3ZFEO3bJjMuWTfsIE49nmIz6NXWHbRVzRQFE6_ZDQ-Dm9ld6vUSlk/s512/metroid3_36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="512" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3Ko-Zuu93chFas1G4Aut_fL3R6Ky3fDdvQEtjd1u18BKPCOQe05W9KUUhEJQ8PLaxQvMowkQvFcUSwqGSK6BigahW1WVPLp-zxHbHlftMoqMFeyCKsZ5R3aVSALeOGgTC0UWEY3ZFEO3bJjMuWTfsIE49nmIz6NXWHbRVzRQFE6_ZDQ-Dm9ld6vUSlk/s320/metroid3_36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Gameplay:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This is now the fourth Metroid game I have reviewed. I've reviewed: the NES original, Metroid: Zero Mission, and Metroid Fusion. I've had a pretty good time with all these games, in particular Fusion, which I gave an A+.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll probably take a lot of heat for this opinion, but I prefer both Fusion and Zero Mission to this game. I found myself getting lost quite often as I played this. No idea where to go next, no idea which locations on the map were accessible, and no idea which areas were for advancing the story and which ones simply took me to power ups. I felt as if the game lacked focus at times. You almost needed a guide handy in order to advance. Fusion and Zero Mission both mark on the map where you need to go in order to advance the story. Everything else on the map was optional, leading to items or power ups. But you always had a general idea of where to go next. That's not the case here. Super Metroid is just like: here ya go! Figure this out yourself.</div><div><br /></div><div>I made the argument in my previous reviews that those other games were a little bit too hand-holdy. This game is not hand-holdy enough. I feel as if there is a perfect balance somewhere in the middle that Metroid hasn't quite hit on yet. I know that things were different back in the 90s. If I had a SNES and I received Super Metroid as a gift, I would have played the ever loving crap out of this game. I'd have dedicated weeks, months even to this game. I'd have gotten lost or stuck along the way, sure, but through trial and error I would have figured it out eventually. Unfortunately, I just don't have that kind of time to dedicate to one single game anymore. Whenever I'd get stuck, I'd turn to the Internet to tell me where to go next. As a result, I beat this game in about five hours or so.</div><div><br /></div><div>The gameplay itself is great. Samus is easy to control. The controls are intuitive and get the job done, although I did wish there was better way to cycle through your weapons. Some enemies can only be damaged by certain weapons, and it was always a pain in the butt having to cycle through so many different weapon types in the heat of battle. That's about my only complaint with the gameplay, though. Well, that and the fact that I got lost so often.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you've played the other Metroid games, you should be familiar with how this works. You start out with minimal powers and abilities. You explore the big world you've landed in, grabbing power ups, special abilities, new weapons, and new suits. There is a heavy amount of backtracking and exploring involved. Using your newfound powers and abilities, you return to old areas you've already explored, accessing new locations and bosses using your new powers. For example, there might be an area early in the game you can't access because you don't have the ability to swing from the ceiling yet. You have to mentally remember that area and then come back later once you get your grapple beam.</div><div><br /></div><div>The goal of the game is to explore this giant map and defeat the game's four major bosses. Doing so will unlock a secret passage underneath a room that has statues of these four bosses (similar to the original Metroid game). This new area is the final area of the game, where you battle Metroids, square off against Mother Brain, and witness the game's ending.</div><div><br /></div><div>The fun of Metroid for a lot of people is the exploration. Gaining new powers and abilities and discovering everything hidden there is in this world. I understand why this game is so popular. Like I said, if I had played this back in the 90s, I'd be one of those people screaming "A++++" to the rafters. But playing it in present times, and in my present circumstances (working a full time job in addition to raising a three year old), I just didn't have time to focus on all that extra stuff. It's like, just point me where I need to go so I can finish this game.</div><div><br /></div><div>So my opinion here is a little skewed. I liked the game, absolutely. But am I ready to instantly label it an all-time classic and slap an A+ on it? Not quite.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyw-nK-maY96tf6lY1jAd5jW_j7PHUXSqbXwyqDAe4Q6aQp-2zflfu5gVoJ7mLyTNKh6QulZBY0nXdtiXsPNvfQzXO4PDKmyKxjoVk1uFBdPDiG4QP5nUYsEte4BroPu0CF5yvd1Cjlqe8VODZfk2pVPohuF0U-LJU5MZwqDDTBjVPttejvKmqCGd7QY/s256/2185266-super-metroid-snes-save-spots-are-scattered-throughout-the-world.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="256" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyw-nK-maY96tf6lY1jAd5jW_j7PHUXSqbXwyqDAe4Q6aQp-2zflfu5gVoJ7mLyTNKh6QulZBY0nXdtiXsPNvfQzXO4PDKmyKxjoVk1uFBdPDiG4QP5nUYsEte4BroPu0CF5yvd1Cjlqe8VODZfk2pVPohuF0U-LJU5MZwqDDTBjVPttejvKmqCGd7QY/w293-h255/2185266-super-metroid-snes-save-spots-are-scattered-throughout-the-world.png" width="293" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Graphics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This has to be one of the best looking 16-bit games I have played. The graphics are so colorful and vibrant. The sprite detail with the characters and the backgrounds are fantastic. Each area of the game has its own distinct feel and personality. The special effects are cool, too, such as the the lava, the water, the blue-Samus effect when you use the hyper-dash. The hyper gun is visually pretty awesome too, with its rainbow colored effects.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite being so colorful and vibrant, the game also manages to set a dark and mysterious atmospheric tone. You really feel like you are exploring this hostile alien world, and uncovering its deep mysteries. The music plays a big part in that too. We'll be getting to that next.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nY56YnHWyx1ALWUNk711BotNkL5uw2OQtTUrEo8A5EttRVi5OdBX_Et8wwsbNHLopsSV4J1PYmTsKqZZcyIS3zOKiiWGK9ycS3aDZ1bbH_OM22uvJC6bUGwU7paSixqNB-nokFdfwI3sy5RZyofg8DnqsisVJ9-Xvp0ugjrcb21lEG6g1CDvN4Z37ug/s1024/super-metroid-japan-usa-enja069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1024" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nY56YnHWyx1ALWUNk711BotNkL5uw2OQtTUrEo8A5EttRVi5OdBX_Et8wwsbNHLopsSV4J1PYmTsKqZZcyIS3zOKiiWGK9ycS3aDZ1bbH_OM22uvJC6bUGwU7paSixqNB-nokFdfwI3sy5RZyofg8DnqsisVJ9-Xvp0ugjrcb21lEG6g1CDvN4Z37ug/s320/super-metroid-japan-usa-enja069.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>Sound:</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>This game has always been critically acclaimed for its sound, and I wholeheartedly agree with that acclaim. The music is fantastic. Can be moody and atmospheric at times, while upbeat and adventurous at other times. It always seems to fit what is happening on screen and in the environment. Lots of catchy tunes to be found here, whether or upbeat or more low-key. I'll definitely be adding some of this game's music to my gaming music playlist.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so glad I like this game's music. I remember playing Super Castlevania IV back in 2021, and I thought its music would be great because of all the hype I'd read about it. Instead I just kind of ended up laughing and saying to myself: what the hell is this? Luckily the music of Super Metroid actually lives up to the hype.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-mDTFR1GfhBpFDJCJt8DXkk__TboLqaxxVyfCKubnaR2cYSArKcd7MXKc6LOl_7MsMimK1rmqZXNy06UN_jFS_fmCDiAG3NGBmDqTZ-j9WRlraJXsTeh3DYhVV4HgcphnmZnAwa1-e5oFQqOze1igb3en7S_owkmmr519IiLsco7PjhF2BT3aJvfrXk/s256/supermetroid-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="256" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-mDTFR1GfhBpFDJCJt8DXkk__TboLqaxxVyfCKubnaR2cYSArKcd7MXKc6LOl_7MsMimK1rmqZXNy06UN_jFS_fmCDiAG3NGBmDqTZ-j9WRlraJXsTeh3DYhVV4HgcphnmZnAwa1-e5oFQqOze1igb3en7S_owkmmr519IiLsco7PjhF2BT3aJvfrXk/w277-h242/supermetroid-2.png" width="277" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div><b><u>Overall:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I was starting to feel like a hater. As an adult, I've come back to play all the classic SNES games I missed out on as a kid, and most of them I haven't liked - or only mildly liked. Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, A Link to the Past, Super Castlevania IV, etc. I haven't exactly been gaga for any of those games. But Super Metroid? Now this game I can get behind.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know I'll probably take heat because I like Zero Mission and Fusion better. I like the more direct approach as to where you are supposed to go next, as opposed to just figuring everything out on your own. That's just a personal preference. A "me" thing, if you will. I still think this is a very good game.</div><div><br /></div><div>I can easily see myself coming back to Super Metroid in a couple of years, armed with the knowledge of the game that I possess today, and finding that I actually like how the game makes you struggle a bit with what you are supposed to do next. Even though I may have enjoyed those other games more than this one, I am wondering if this one will hold up better long term. I can't wait for that day to come when I play this again. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is Super Metroid as good as the hype? Almost. I think if I had grown up with this game, like I said before, this would be an easy A+ for me. Instead it'll have to get a B+. Still a very good game, but not something I would put among my top favorites. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE GRADE:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B+</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete index of all my past posts and game reviews, click</div><div style="text-align: center;">><a href="https://dangeeksout.blogspot.com/2015/01/it-begins.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><</div></div><div><br /></div></div>Gamer Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06365804051186581551noreply@blogger.com0