Power of the Moderator
There used to be a blog that I would frequent and from time to time I would comment. Well I noticed recently that my comments had been altered. Well the comment itself was not altered but my name was. Normally my name would show as Gil (which I prefer to go by) and it would link to my site. Well they were all changed to my full name (Michel Ngilen) and had no link. Now I don’t know if I should be offended or not. I actually don’t mind that the link was deleted but changing my name? I’m kind of torn about it.
The thing is, I don’t think that my name would have ever have been changed if it hadn’t been for the fact that the blogger began dating someone who goes by Gil. I think that’s what gets me most. It makes me feel like I am less of that person now. Someone felt that I shouldn’t go by that name and someone else deserves that name more than I do. Perhaps it’s just petty of me. It’s just a blog right?
Braid
I don’t think I can say enough about this game.
I am more than pleasantly surprised by it. Its simple play style opens up to some very complex puzzles. You really need to think outside the box to figure some of them out. Oh and the final level – Brilliant!
Story is quite touching as well. Thought provoking yet presented in simple text format. Love that contrast.
In a time when graphics are a huge selling point, Braid shows that it’s not the biggest selling point. It’s simple, clean and quite honestly, the perfect way of presenting this game. I love the artistic flair to the graphics. The brush strokes give it a natural and organic feel to the world. It’s a visual treat.
If you were to ask me what dollar value I’d put on the game… I couldn’t. I will simply say that it deserves every penny of the $15 price point that it goes for. People have argued that the price point is too high because of the games length. I believe the length has no bearing on the quality of this two man show. It has definitely made me rethink what is truly necessary in a game. Its value goes beyond generic dollar terms.
A simply amazing game that has deserved all of the rave reviews that it has received.
My Thoughts – Darksiders
Well I have finished it… On Apocalyptic mode I might add. Twas much easier than expected but I would have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s a great third person hack and slash game. Anyone who has played any Devil May Cry or God of War will be comfortable in the apocalyptic lands of Darksiders.
Actually, anyone who has played either of those should jump straight to apocalyptic mode. It’s a much easier and forgiving game than those.
Controls are tight which is one of my favorite aspects of the game. There was just enough story to keep my interest but not too much to detract from the core purpose of the game. That would be to just kick ass all over the place (don’t even bother with taking names). Considering that this game is about the apocalypse or end of days or whatever you want to call it, the art style had a punch that I didn’t expect. It looks amazing! Sharp details and bright colors aplenty. The contrast of gritty demons to bright and vibrant angels looks pretty awesome. I especially liked the glow of War’s Sword with different enhancements. Purple flames look pretty sweet on his obscenely large sword.
The one thing they could have done away with was Mercy. Seriously guys, what would War need with a revolver? Couldn’t you have thought up some much cooler projectile weapon? The only time I used the silly thing was to kill the worms… which was unfortunately the ONLY way to kill them.
Anyway, this game is a great fill in before God of War III gets released. Don’t expect anything new here though. Darksiders plays it safe. It takes the great parts from so many other games and melds them into one tight little package and it does a surprisingly good job at it.
Overall I’d give it a $55/$60 for the mere fact that it tries nothing new but does an excellent job with combining the tried and true.
Winter Blahs
This is the kind of crap we’ve been dealing with here in Iowa. Looks kinda nice but I think I’ve had enough winter… this winter. I’m ready for warmer weather. The ice and snow just needs to go.
xBox Live Silver = Almost Useless
I ran out of my Gold subscription to xBox live last month and never bothered to renew it. Just didn’t find it necessary since I’m on the PS3 more often and it has free online gaming. Anyhoo I logged onto my xBox live account online and wanted to send a message to one of my gaming buddies. Well guess what I learned? You can’t send messages if you don’t have a Gold account. WTF! You serious Microsoft!? One of the most basic features of any internet connection in this age is completely devoid of message sending???? I mean, gmail is free and it has instant messaging. Hell it has video chat… and it’s FREE! Yahoo even has those options. I just don’t get it. I can justify (to myself) a cost for online gameplay but message sending? Man that’s stooping pretty low. Less respect towards Microsoft I tell ya.
Club Nintendo
Woo Hoo!
As you can see, I have broken Platinum Status in Club Nintendo! Now this may not mean much to any of you but come November, I’ll get a sweet Club Nintendo Platinum status gift from Nintendo. Last year it was a replica Mario Hat. I wished I was platinum status last year but alas, I only made gold. Even so they sent me a pretty cool Nintendo calendar for making gold status. It’s nice to at least get some rewards for buying games no matter how small. Oh and I have 1060 points to burn on Club Nintendo merchandise which is a nice bonus as well 
Snow Anyone?
Forgot to post this last week when I took the pics.
Anyway, this is what our picnic table looked like at work.
This is looking up at the pile of snow waiting to fall on some unsuspecting employee.
Bioshock… The first one
Well I have officially completed Bioshock. Yeah it took me a while cause I actually didn’t buy it until mid last year. Anyway I would have to say it’s a good game. It’s debatable whether it’s just as awesome as all of the reviews are for it. Good, not amazing but definitely good.
Some things I loved about it:
Story. It was well written and I liked the way that you learned about everything through recordings rather than some NPC telling you what has happened. Makes you feel alone in the game. Unfortunately the major plot twist was quite obvious within the first quarter of the game. It doesn’t detract too much but it’s been done before… many times.
Weapons. Loved the steampunk style weaponry and upgrades. visually impressive with some weapons quite unique to the game. Plasmids would pretty much be considered weaponry and these are what make the gameplay unique. I loved electrocuting enemies that were roaming around in pools. Also the telekinesis was great when you used it in conjunction with explosive canisters. Fun times.
Puzzles. Unique way of hacking systems and safes. Perhaps there were too many but overall pretty fun.
Graphics/design. Rapture is a treat to explore. Visually a top notch production in every way.
Music & Sound. Perfect for the setting. Truly added to the ambiance of the entire game.
Big Daddy & Little Sister. These are the things that separate this FPS to others.
Things I didn’t care for:
Seemed too much like any other first person shooter (gameplay wise). Not unique enough in itself to say the gameplay was awesome. Perhaps I’ve just played too many fps games lately.
Overall I’d give this a $50/$20. Which of course means that anyone with a PS3 or a 360 should get this game. Definitely worth the twenty dollar price point for a new copy.
Trophy Level 10
(Not so) Random lyrics/quotes 0017
Sometimes you’re asleep I whisper “I Love You.” in the moonlight at your door
As I walk away, I hear you say, “Daddy I Love You More.”
from “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw
