VenerableMonster Blog

It's Not a Console War, Let Me Explain:

VenerableMonster — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:09:44 GMT

I know at face value, many of you probably disagree with the title of this post. So, I'm going to try and explain this as clearly as possible with lots of metaphors and pictures. You following so far?

First off, this generation is not a console war. That would suppose there are sides battling against each other with their own just, evil, or maniacal causes using their own weapons and resources for domination. This is untrue. That would be like saying Microsoft is the galactic Empire, Sony is the Rebel Alliance, Nintendo is the Mercenaries/Gangsters/Bounty Hunters, and the PC is Ewoks (calm down you hardcore PC gamers, it's all in good jest). While some of you would gladly say this metaphor is right on (especially with Microsoft ruling the Empire), let me explain further.

Poor Ewoks don't stand a chance.

The thing to remember is they are all supporting the video game industry against other forms of entertainment. They are essentially all on the same side. Hell, the amount of common titles (we'll pretend the Wii doesn't exist for this point) between the systems is proof enough that they're all on the same side. It becomes a matter of who is on top. That's not a war; that's a hierarchical struggle. You see, every one of the systems is an Imperial. They are simply different ranks trying to assert their authority in the overall faction. After all, we all know that, internally, the Empire never really got along. The Emperor converts and uses Darth Vader who is secretly trying to overthrow the Emperor with secret apprentices and trying to lure his own son to the darkside. There is also the legions of identical mindless Stormtroopers who get used and abused and are usually under-appreciated but rather useless anyways. Then there are the Grand Moffs and other Generals who are constantly being strangled by Vader or failing miserably at their assigned tasks.

With that in mind, here's the breakdown as I see it: Wii is the legions of Stormtroopers. Sure, a few of them have done some killing and helped the Empire out, but in the long run, they can be out-smarted and out-gunned by a long smuggler, a couple of teenagers, two droids, and a senior citizen. This is a perfect representation of the kind of gameplay you expect on the Wii. Tons of identical shovelware with a few standout titles. Regardless of this, you see Stormtroopers occupying every planet (home).

Next, you have PC as the Grand Moffs and Generals. There are still people who prefer PC. They are not a majority, and they are losing more and more of their gaming share to Darth Vader who is strangling their numbers down to zero. However, you still have a couple developers who stick by the PC providing a few standout Generals, like General Veers who leads the assault against the Hoth Echo Base. Regardless, it is a dying breed that may not have a long future ahead of it.

After that, you have Darth Vader. He's badass, he wears black, and he'll kill you if he's bored. He is the PS3. He wants to be on top. He used to be on top. Everyone remembers when he was Anakin Skywalker and the chosen one (see PS2), but he has fallen to the darkside. He is constantly trying to get back on top of the totem pole by plotting to overthrow the Emperor many times, and even sending his apprentice out to slaughter stormtroopers wholesale. However, no matter what he does, he always seems to be lagging behind. We all still hope that one day, before his death, he'll be redeemed. He will then usher in a new era of gaming bliss for all the boys and girls.

Last, you have the one everybody loves to hate, the Emperor. Nobody likes him, but a lot of people hang around him. He shoots lightening out of his finger tips, of course you wouldn't want to be against him. He rules everything. Well, not really, but he likes to pretend that from his throne he knows all, sees all, and controls all. This isn't true. But he believes it, and his Imperial Guards encourage the delusion. This is not to say he does not have a lot of power. Microsoft is all about pointing out what they Xbox 360 can do. And look now, it's elite!! I've got two words for you: Death Star. Both of those red ringed and blew up too. Though they destroy planets before they do, and, hey, you can always build another.

With that clarification, I hope we all garnered a better understanding of this console "struggle." Each, group within the faction has plenty of strengths and weaknesses with a constant rotation of who is really in control of the Empire. There will never be a winner. Sure, in this generation, there may be one who sits on top, but as for any power struggle, everyone will be on top at some point. Hell, even Tarkin bossed Vader around at one point. Too bad he died soon after.

Why I Play, Don't Play, and Am Generally a Quitter

VenerableMonster — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:16:53 GMT

I have learned something about myself recently, and I figured as a follow up to my previous article it would be good to share and allow for a moment of reflection among all you reading. I love video games, but I am not good at them. Now, I know starting any video game there is a certain amount of learning involved no matter who you are. You just have to practice to get good. That's true. I won't disagree. However, people who get good at video games then are only those who have this crazy drive to keep perfecting their game. I'm not one of those people.

We all have our rhyme and reason for why we play games. Some play for the gameplay that's a lot of fun, some for the story that's told, some to horde achievements and trophies, others to yell "noob" over the microphone incessantly during an online match (usually those 13 yo or younger), others to get a level 80 so they won't have a life outside of guild raiding, most do it for some combination of all those.

Personally, I really dig story, but gameplay is important too, otherwise I'd be bored; though, sometimes, good gameplay can carry a game that's a little light on story (see Little Big Planet, that was one of the most fun games I've ever played. My friend and I had some good times with it). Anyways, point is, I dig games like Uncharted/2 that are almost movies with great characters and stories. This usually leads me to play RPG's but other genres have been really stepping up to the plate in this respect, see previous example of Uncharted. However, this all digresses from what I was talking about originally. I play video games to escape, and the piles of games I own but have never beaten bear witness to the fact that I have little patience for a game that is too difficult for me. For simplicities sake I will refer to the final boss of Uncharted 2. I'm burnt out on the boss. I can't even bring myself to play the battle anymore, and he's the final part of the game! After this I get to see the conclusion to the story I care about, but even now, that's not quite enough for me to sit my butt down and finish it. For some stupid reason, I refuse to turn down the difficulty, since I was priding myself so much on playing through the game on hard.

This leaves me with quite the conundrum. What is the lazy gamer to do in this situation? Move on? Look online? Give up? Hmmm. I'm all about changing my gaming ways, but no matter what, I can't change how fed up I get when I get stuck on a game. Hell, my favorite game of all time (one of three or so tied for first) is the original KotOR. I played through the whole game, got to the star forge, found myself in the area leading to the final boss but incapable of getting past the place. You see I was playing dark side and was out of med kits. And so, I have never beaten the game. Even though it is one of my favorites of all time!

The problem essentially is, I'm not playing for the challenge. Sure, a little challenge is good, but if I can't overcome it in ten tries or less the game may be dead to me. Of course that's not the only reason for all those unfinished games. Sometimes, I just get bored with what's happening in the game (see FFX, FFIX, inFAMOUS, Kingdom Hearts, etc...god, I'm gonna get flamed for that list). When one's main focus is the story and entertainment value of that, it is incredibly easy to give up on games. Something I wish I could get over, but if I'm no longer having fun then a game is no longer serving its purpose in my opinion.

So what about you? Do you have trouble finishing games? Why do you play them to begin with? Do you think I'm a noob or a care bear? Do you find my articles both shallow and pedantic? Even pointless? Let me know how you really feel, cuz knowing is half the battle!

The Path Least Taken

VenerableMonster — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:38:23 GMT

Let me preface this post with the fact that I have beaten very few games. I can count them on two hands I think, and I've played a lot of games over the years. In addition to that, I normally play games on a normal or sometimes *blush* on easy. Which brings me to Uncharted.

One of the games I had beaten though (rather recently in fact) was Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. I played through on normal and beat it in a pretty good mark of time. It had been a long time since a game had really drawn me in like that. It was fun, exciting, interesting, had a great story, great characters, beautiful environments. It was the new Indiana Jones movie that I had so wanted and had been shorted with the release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. So, when Uncharted 2 came out, I dutifully went out and picked up my pre-order on release day. The first had been great. I would give this my up-most attention. In addition to that, I wanted to relish this experience. I looked at the difficulty menu and I edged down to "hard" and began my adventure.

And an adventure was had. I was loving every moment of my play through. I found something new in the satisfaction I received in clearing an area after my second, third, sometimes fourth attempt. Sometimes, I yelled and cussed at my TV, but that only increased the pleasure I got out of killing them folk dead. I am glad I nudged that difficulty switch down. Because when I do beat it (I am currently working on my 20 billionthxjasbnku32h837%&^$&@^@(* run through), I will have a whole new feeling of accomplishment, and would have enjoyed a whole new facet and experience of the game play.

Which brings me to the evil ones. Those who seek to ruin this experience. Now consider this recent conversion of mine to have completely altered my former thought process of how playing a game works for me. On the first Uncharted I used a treasure guide and referenced a walk through guide once or twice to help me out. This was an idea, that upon my starting of the second, I found both distasteful and detracting from the whole experience I had just purchased. Why would someone want to, at least on their first play through, ruin it with assistance (I am reformed or a hypocrite, you can decide). Well, needless to say, the thought of a guide did not even cross my mind this time. That was until yesterday afternoon when IGN posted their walk through and treasure guide. My twitter desktop app dinged at me while I was climbing temples and killing mercs. When I looked down, I was horrified. The game came out yesterday. And they were not only offering their guides but encouraging people to use them. I responded by asking how that would be any fun? Honestly, thinking back, I did not enjoy games when using a guide in the past. Sometimes they help me beat it, but ultimately they take away from me actually getting to play the game. I need to figure it out and experience. I did not buy a game so I can read through a guide and play through the game like a chore.

This whole change in my game play style has increased my enjoyment (frustration, anxiety, Tourettes, but mostly enjoyment) ten fold. I guess the point of this post is to tell the rest of you folks if you are like the old me (I think very few gamers are these days) to stop being a *** and play the games you paid for. I just do not want anyone to miss out on the exciting experiences of the games they are playing. Especially if it's Uncharted 2.

Now, **spoiler**Zoran Lazarevic**spoiler**, I'm coming for you!!

Rants and Revelations [10/2/09-10/9/09]

VenerableMonster — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:24:22 GMT

It's that time again. That's right folks, for my thoughts, opinions, and general ranting for the week. A lot has happened in the past week. There have been new TV shows, new movies (GREAT movies!), general happenings (that have no bearing on anyone but me), new announcements, revelations, and [insert surprising reveal from a popular soap opera here]. Most of you ask now, why should I care? What do you have to say that could possibly edify me as a person? Let me tell you in what I am hoping will become a weekly occurrence on this edge of the interspacenets. Welcome to Rants and Revelations.

First off, let me set the record straight, clear, and generally confusing to you. This is not necessarily all new and recent stuff, just my thoughts, opinions, and rants about what is new and recent to me. Understand? Good. If not, feel free to leave or continue reading for some masochistic amusement (I have been known as a notorious abuser of my blog readership in the past though. You have been warned!).

My week in passing has had several highlights. Let me expand on them for you. STAR WARS IN CONCERT. Jealous? You should be. Last Friday I had the distinct pleasure of journeying ten minutes down the road to the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA to view one of the best concert/entertainment experiences of my life. For those of you who have been living under a rock and have not heard of this, click here. An entertainment extravaganza filled with costumes props, a couple stormtroopers walking around, C3-PO (Anthony Daniels in person and dramatically narrating!), crazy lights and pyrotechnics, footage from every Star Wars movie edited expertly together, oh and did I mention the music?! That's right, Star Wars as you have never seen or heard it performed by an amazing orchestra in sync with a huge media event. I have to say, I did not expect anything like what I experienced at that concert. It was more than a concert. It was a Star Wars experience that made me feel like a kid again and that I won't forget anytime soon.

My emotions were running high, and I was feeling like blowing off projects some more last weekend. So, what did I do? Saw Zombieland. Twice. If you have not seen it yet, you do yourself a disservice. I used to think Shaun of the Dead was the pinnacle of zomcoms (god, did I just say zomcom?), but I was proven wrong. Not that Zombieland was necessarily better, but it did establish itself as its own entity that did not regale us with more zombie standards that you would think have begun to wear thin. With witty dialogue, hilarious acting (in a talented and good way), and plenty zombie shooting to go around (don't forget BM's big cameo!) this movie does not disappoint. So much so, that when another friend asked not even 24 hours after my first viewing if I wanted to see it, I was back in the theater. Enjoying it just as much as the first time. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Emma Stone is amazingly attractive (I'm a sucker for brunettes, what can I say?). All in all, a home run of a movie that was a standout from the last couple months of movie viewing.

Humdidum, gosh, that was only my weekend. Don't worry the rest of my week was mostly filled with school work. However, there were a couple more highlights for me. I picked up season 4 of How I Met Your Mother. Same great show I had grown to admire in the previous three seasons. I am now almost up to date (still need to catch this last Monday's episode >_<). If you have never seen this show, check it out. For that matter, check out Barney's Blog, the womanizing hero lends his advice to the hopeful wingman.

I think that's most of my thoughts for the week. Sadly, I have been so burried in work that I have not been able to stay up to date on much in the way of world or pop culture news. However, don't rely on getting a by-week like this every post. I will have my rants, whether you like it or not. Stay classy, kids.

Gaming for the Broke College Student

VenerableMonster — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:18:22 GMT

First, props to Game Informer for the great site set up. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of the many shinies in this cesspool of gamerdome.

Anyways, that is not why I'm writing today. I'm here to address the modern college student and how to accomplish all the gaming purchases, especially those during the big holiday season. Some of us have jobs, others don't, and either way most of us don't really have the disposable income to throw away on games.

For instance, I have my pre-ordered copy of Uncharted 2 at Gamestop, that at this point, I'm pretty sure I will not have the money to buy. That's fine, I will wait, maybe wait until Christmas or something. However, most of us don't want to wait, or, with the multitude of games coming out, do not want to wait on all of them. So, the question is now what do we do?

I personally have considered getting a job I really don't have time for, trading in large amounts of games I have (but honestly, those of you who have traded games before know that you get jack *** for them, and that it is a better value to just keep them for replay), and selling my "services" (to be interpreted from sexual favors to assassinations) to the highest bidders. However, simply put, none of these work (unless you have some business for me, in which case, feel free to message me). So, how do we afford the plethora of great games coming out over the next few months?

The answer is something I like to call game sharing. Many of you who have a PS3 and frequent PSN are aware of game sharing as a way of sharing games with other users a certain amount of times to avoid everyone having to make the purchase. Using this method, games are "traded" amongst users. Sony has even publicly announced that they condone the method. So, why not apply this same method to hard copy games. First off, you need to know someone with a PS3 and similar game tastes that lives near you. I would never recommend doing this long distance or with someone you met online (though if you are feeling brace, go for it). For me, this idea hit me with my roommate who has a PS3 as well. We moved in together about two months ago, and my roommate used the opportunity to play through the games I had accumulated in the past such as Uncharted, InFAMOUS, Resistance, and Batman: Arkham Asylum. So, with the new games on the horizon, I am now considering the game sharing idea. Now there are two ways to approach the game sharing technique. First, there is the way analogous to the PSN game sharing, constituting a temporary trade of the disc for the other to play until finished. The other, and the one I am hoping to use, is a joint purchase system. Two friends (whether it is me and my roommate or one of my other trusted friends) would go to Gamestop on release day of Uncharted 2 to purchase the game between us. Now, you have to also remember to evaluate a game like Uncharted 2 that has both campaign and online gameplay as well as coop gameplay. With games that have multiple levels of play like that make sure that you have an agreement that is clearly worked out between the players.

It is a simple concept, and, by no means, a new concept. However, it is, I believe, a great way to stay on top of the great new releases for this season. Maybe, if you see yourself having enough money for the game at a later date, work out with your game share partner to purchase the second half of the game from them for sole ownership at a later date. Is it ideal for us compulsive gamers in the peak of game release season? No, but it is a great alternative to getting in debt or not playing any of the great new titles out there.