My Gamingesque Blogtard

Just a stray thought I had back in October, but didn't get around to finishing until now. Do I like sequals? And I don't just mean game sequals, but sequals to anything: books, movies, comics? Let's look at each individually. Comics Well, the "episodic" nature of comics guarantees there will be a sequal, so it almost isn't a fair question, however, there is the habbit of revisiting a particular story arc or series again and again. For example: in the DC universe there was a series back in the 80's called Crisis on Infinite Earth's. Lots of people like it, so the made a follow up later on called Infinite Crisis. Again, popular to the point where they brought it to the table again with Final Crisis, which is wrapping up in the next few months. Now, I don't know all the details of the stories, not having read them completely, nor the stories that led up to each of them, so I really don't know if the sequals were necessary to explain more of what w...

So, I really like the Art Deco style. Don't know why, but I do. Games that use this however are even better. Two that come to mind are Bioshock and LA Noire . The former came out at the end of summer, 2007. The latter has yet to come out, but should be by end of 2009, and I hope it doesn't become vaporware . I remember when I first played Bioshock . I had just gotten my 360 and only had the couple of games that came with it. Marvel Ultimate Alliance didn't interest me at all, despite my love of Marvel, and Forza Motorsport 2 was a racing game that would have eventually required skills to master I wasn't willing to develop. I started going through all the demos and arcade games available and downloaded everything that even looked remotely interesting. I came across Bioshock and thought I'd give it a try. Now I don't watch horror movies, and I've only played a couple horror games, and FPS's aren't really my thing, but this was different! The style...

I've found myself playing a lot of flash games recently. I think that is because most of them don't involve a great investment of time. Some do, and those ones hold my attention for a few days, but the rest I can play for 5 minutes to an hour and get my fill of them. There are some however that transcend both, simple yet elegant games that stick with me to the point where I play them to the point of complete memorization and eagerly hope for a sequel . The follow are some such games. Submachine . This was of the earlier "series" that I found that stood out. A point and click adventure that takes you through the puzzles of the vast " submachine ", an extra dimensional machine that many people have lost their lives in. What started out as an escape from what looks like the bowels of a ship in Submachine 1, spreads to sewers, temples, castles, laboratories, and submarines through to Submachine 5. At the start you don't really know where you are or why, bu...

I don't know why I keep reading forum's, most of them are pointless. Wait, I know why. It's to try and find some new information on whatever (usually gaming) that hasn't made it to mainstream news sources or other, more traditional forms of information. The thing that is really starting to get to me is these new trolls. For those who don't know, trolls are people who go to forums or message boards on certain topics and make posts that are intended to upset people. For example: On a kitting forum, someone might come along and say "Knitting sucks!" And everyone else would yell at him and complain about him and get all riled up. Meanwhile, Mr. Troll would love the attention he's getting, and would continue egging everyone one until he either got bored or banned from the site. The process continues with the creation of a new account or the masking of an IP address. This is the simplest method of trolling and is rarely acknowledged these days. So, the trol...

Ugh. Okay, so much for updating in a timely manner. WoW takes up way too much of a person's time. I've stopped playing for now, to try and save some money, but I'll probably take it up again once the Wrath of the Lich King is released. So, now that I'm loose from Blizzard's ball and chain for a while, I have time for updates! Updates for things such as my opinion on games, or more Gars' Journals. I know I'm probably the last person who should "review" game, because I like most things. I'm not a critical person, I find it makes everything less fun to nitpick. So, how to sum up the last 8 months or so in gaming... Well, things have been quite on the Wii front for me. I've really really cut down on my game buying, so I haven't gotten any of the big games for it, like Super Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3, Smash Bros Brawl, Mario Kart... or really anything else for that matter. I do plan on getting them once the price drops, but that will...

So, here we are 4 months later. Didn't mean to not update, it's not like the gaming didn't stop. I have a lot to go over, and I'd like to do it all justice, so I'll split it up over multiple posts, just to keep things simple.

The Journal of Gars Sithersay : Golden Guardinel of Garland's Guardians Day 266 I joined the Brotherhood after my parents were killed. I wanted to stop the groups and organizations who felt they were above the law, free to do whatever they liked. Over time, thoughts of vengeance faded, but the desire to protect the innocent and punish the unjust remained. The laws of Snatta and the rights of her people must be upheld. But what of the rights of those who seek to subvert our ways and impose their own? If they cannot be reasoned with, then they should be stopped. And what of those who follow them blindly, not knowing the cause they are aiding? Ignorance isn't an excuse, however if laws cannot be bent then our rigidness would be our own undoing. The last of the problematic gnolls were slain a few days ago. Our worries are over, however the worries of their families is just beginning. Over two hundred gnollish women and children, left to fend for themselves. While capable of p...

The Journal of Gars Sithersay : Golden Guardinel of Garland's Guardians Day 263 Our companion Kamtari has returned from his homeland and rejoined us in our travels. He doesn't always think his plans through, but he is good to have around in a fight none-the-less. The construction of my keep is well underway, thanks to generous contributions from the local nobility. One day I hope to have my own contingent of guardians to keep law and order. We are about to head out to find the last of the gnolls that have been harassing the city. Hopefully we will put that threat to rest once and for all.

The Journal of Gars Sithersay : Golden Guardinel of Garland's Guardians Day 200 Things have been eventful to say the least! So much so that I haven't had time to put pen to ink until now. Our mission to Grumdorak Pass Keep was successful, although only two of the six thousand men took with us made it back. We honor their deaths by continuing to uphold the laws of our nation. The battle was fraught with much danger, at one point it seemed the oceans themselves were drained upon us, but we prevailed. Inside however, something much more sinister than mere skeletons and wights awaited us. Inside, we found spectres and mummies: the former warning us of the latter. The mummies themselves guarded what turned out to be a prison for some of the most foul creatures in the land today. To be sealed once all the inmates had arrived, the evil power of the ones already there was enough to corrupt the Guardians near by and the keep fell to the undead soon after. When we had gathered all th...

The Journal of Gars Sithersay : Golden Guardinel of Garland's Guardians Day 163 My mind is at peace. I have come to terms with the death of Stalos . A hole still remains in my mind where I had felt his presence and I feel that it will be there for a long time to come. I think back to two months ago, when we arrived back in the city with the news we had to tell, and of the news that waited for us. After speaking with Jarconi , proxy for Sir Kedrith and Wabkeh of the Temple of Sho - Lum , we were brought before the spiritual and military leaders of the city. There we were tasked with the liberation of Grumdorak Pass Keep and given the command of a full contingent of Guardians to get the job done. I look forward to working with them. Another matter was brought to our attention. Six books, that had originally been until ted became so. They were to be ours on the successful completion of our mission, granted that we could translate them from the ancient language they are written i...

So yes, I've "finished" Final Fantasy IV. Final Fantasy IV: Complete! Time: 64:56 Level: 72 Characters: Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Rydia , Edge I actually beat Zeromus in the Lunar Core many levels and hours prior, and I've been spending my time unlocking the Lunar Ruins for everyone. I've just been going through said Lunar Ruins repeatedly with everyone. I may finish that some time soon, I may not. Incidentaly , I've already started on FFV . Final Fantasy V: In Progress Time: 7:07 Level: 14 Characters: Bartz (Knight), Lenna (White Mage ), Galuf (Monk), Faris (Black Mage ) I'm currently in the Fire Ship. This is the FF I've played the least. Was never really into emulation back in the day, and even with the option to play it on PC, I found it difficult to get into. Even with the Anthology and GBA releases, I still didn't get more than maybe halfway through the game. I think it's the whole job system. While a good system, I always feel obligated t...

I know it's been a while since I last posted about it, but I have continued to play FFIV . I'm almost done too! Here's where I stand: Final Fantasy IV: In Progress Time: 47:28 Level: 59 Characters: Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Rydia , Edge I'm just about done too, been wandering around the Lunar Core for a while. I think I'm gonna get in the habit of completing the story portion of the game, and go back for bonuses and extras later. I want to finish the Lunar Ruins, but I also would like to get up to the PSX FF's some time soon, so they will have to wait. Crap, haven't updated the side bar much lately. I'll take care of that soon.

Well, I managed to pick up a couple of games in the last month: The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, and Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword. Civ IV is more then just more of the same. There are lots of new scenarios yes, but they are heavily customized. There are also some really good mods on the main game included as well, especially the Final Frontier one. Great fun. TLoZ : PH has been one of the most fun Zelda games I have played in a long time. The Wind Waker style of animation fits very well on the DS and I would not be surprised/displeased if they made another such game for the DS as well. I've finished it already, so on the list it goes! I hope to be able to make more updates in the near future, after I get some projects out of the way, so keep your eyes peeled.

Well, I just finished Final Fantasy III today. It's kind of weird how they throw so much story at you during the last hour of the game, but that's fine, makes up for the lack there of through the rest of the game. Oh, I had previously finished Final Fantasy II, however I didn't post my final stats, so I shall do so now: Final Fantasy I: Complete! Time: 20:57 Level: 64 Characters: Cecil (Knight), Kain (Knight), Rosa (White Wizard), Rydia (Black Wizard) Final Fantasy II: Complete! Time: 51:45 Steps: 47,400 Level: N/A Characters: Cecil, Rosa, Edge, Kain Final Fantasy III: Complete! Time: 43:37 Level: 60 Characters: Luneth (Knight), Arc (Devout), Refia ( BlackBelt ), Ingus (Summoner) Now, in FFII , I didn't finish the Soul of Rebirth part, but since it's just grinding, I'll leave it at that. In FFIII I skipped getting all the Onion equipment, ultimate weapons and beating the Iron Giant, but I'll probably go and do that at a later time. Onwards to Final Fant...

Well, I know this isn't in keeping with my gaming theme here on my blogtard , wait... yes it is! There's a new gamer in the house! :D He came flying into the world at 3:03am, August 28 th , 2007. At a respectable 7lbs, 15 oz he is healthy and likes to be held. Here's a few pictures for those who like little babies!

The house cleaning is coming along well, we are on our way to having everything cleaned up before the little one arrives! Wow, I've totally forgotten to start doing more Gars Journals, been too preoccupied with others things. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will be caught up with all the little projects I've started or want to start. So, saw a really cool came I want to try when it comes out: Guitar DS : Jam Sessions. You can find out more about it at: http://www.myspace.com/jamsessions Oh, started playing WoW again recently, this time with the wife. We're having a lot of fun and hope to get a lot out of it. Hmmm , there was another game I really wanted but forgot it. It might have been Civilization: Beyond the Sword . Anywho , off to play more WoW ... oh and wish me luck, I'm installing Vista next week :P

Well, I finished Hotel Dusk... not just now, it was like a couple weeks ago, can't quite remember when. I know, I'll boot up the game and check, that'll give me a rough idea. Hmmm , apparently it's in my wife's DS , and I have no idea where that is right now. I know it was a couple weeks ago, so let's just say... July 12 th . Great, great game. I plan to do another play through at some point to get the better ending, but that'll be a bit down the road. Just finished installing Civ IV, I think I'll go give that a shot for a while.

Hmmm , where's that from... Advance Wars DS ? Not sure. Anywho , I'm back from vacation, managed to make some more gaming progress. I had rented Elebits , Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and Mario Party 8. I didn't unlock everything in MP8, so I won't consider that beaten. It's good for 2 or more people, but 1 player is almost pointless. I'll probably get it to play and family get togethers , but probably not much else beyond that. Elebits was interesting. Basically you have to collect all th e Elebits which have gone AWOL for some reason. As their name suggests, they are electrical and with them not around, electrical appliances don't work. The more you collect, the more electrical devices turn on, ready to be used. To capture them, you use the aptly named Capture Gun, which not only can collect the little rascals, it can pick up and move objects. The more electronic things you turn on, the more powerful the gun becomes and the heavier the object you can lift, ...

Well, what can I say, I've been busy! Not to busy to game though, mwahahah ! I am thoroughly enjoying my Wii . It's the best thing since sliced bread! I just now beat Pikmin in one sitting. Yes, 8 1/2 hours of solid gaming, with small breaks of course. Had an urge to play it, that urge has been filled... until I take a stab at Pikmin 2 that is! :) I've been doing a lot more D&D related work and projects, so gaming time is less, but it's fun! Anywho, so many games, so little time.

I could have sworn I 'd posted sooner than back in April. I must have started a post and forgotten to save it or something. Oh well. What have been up to on the gaming front you ask? Well, I picked up Rise of Legends finally. It's good from what I've played so far, but I've decided to wait until I finish Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth first before I really get into it. Oh, I finally got a Wii !!! I'm very happy about that; Nintendo's got a really winner on their hands with this one. That's all I'll write for now, I want to spend some time updating the side bar.