This is the Manic Gamer episode 4! The Manic Gamer Vs. Any Semblance of Structure? Question mark is a part of the title not my creation!
I posted another episode a bit ago, but thought I would share this one with you all again. If you guys aren't familiar, the manic gamer is a project from Doc Love who is too modest (or something along those lines) to post these himself. But they are really really quite funny.
This episode in particular is my favorite especially because of the intro, and if anyone has seen one of those heavily used Mario Party N64 controllers... You'll really enjoy this!
Anyways if you've got 5 minutes check it out, they are hilarious, short, sweet and to the point!
About 2 weeks ago I finally cracked and bought myself a PSP. I’m a little slow on the informing because, well for one I’ve been playing the crap out of Patapon and two I’ve been a bit bogged down with school work. But that’s ok, here I am.
When I bought it I was at home on my Spring Break/Reading Week and was having a really craptacular day, and went out and bought Patapon so that I would one day be able to play it. So I’m sitting there with a game I can’t play, and really wanted to play so with a little prodding from my mother of all people I went and bought a PSP for myself, the shiny, sexy silver Daxter package. Then I probably made way too big a deal out of buying it and had to assure myself it’s ok to buy things for yourself, just because I’m a starving University student and am always prepared for the apocalypse of my life shattering down on me. But I now have a PSP and I love it.
But there are only a few problems, for me there really isn’t a lack of games, there are lots of titles I would like to play. At the moment I only have the two games Daxter and Patapon which I’m content with since they’re both fun, I’ll find more games when I’m through with them. But that’s my problem there are lots of games I want to play, but I’ll be damned if I can ever find one! Lumines… no luck. Me and My Katamari? Even EB Games/Game Stop doesn’t have it on their website anymore. Loco Roco? I’ve only ever seen it in one store. So what the hell? I’m really glad I bought Patapon the day it came out or I may never see it again. Where are all the games? I don’t know, but I guess I’ll just keep looking. But I’m super psyched for Crisis Core! I think the system would be worth it for me for just Crisis Core and Patapon.
Ok I have to digress here for a sec, why does Japan get all the wicked sweet stuff!? Like the Crisis Core PSP bundle, sigh I want *pets screen*. Oh well maybe one day…
But there’s really so much more to the PSP than just games. I can use it as an mp3 player, watch movies (which I find useless to buy them, but you can), and I can access the internet on campus without lugging my laptop. But as for the movie thing, I find it excessive to buy UMD movies, but with the proper video file conversion I’m able to play my own movies. Now I can watch episodes of Cowboy Bebop between classes! And that makes me happy! The PSP has the ability to fill most of my needs on one compact machine. Not to mention it is one aesthetically pleasing piece of technology.
But my new interest is not meant to downplay my DS. The DS is great too, and has a lot of titles coming out soon that I’m really interested in. Harvest Moon DS Cute (with Plushie!), Professor Layton and World Ends With You just to mention a few. And I’m actually really glad I have both now, and that they both have title’s I want because now I can flip back and forth between two styles of games/game play/console ability which is what I think I was lacking before.
If only this would actually happen, I would be golden for life!
BS I say!
As if I didn't hate my school enough the school newspaper prints an article which just further proves they are a bunch of misinformed idiots my peers are.
First the article makes gaming sound like a bad thing, and I mean I have seen the Intervention where they had to physically separate the kid from his Xbox. But I mean come on.
Not to mention this article is completely biased. It was written by a girl, and she for one has no understanding of what it is to be a gamer, and is taking it upon herself to inform others. Not only does she not know what she's talking about, but the quotes she chose are completely biased also.
"Unlike men, while playing the game, females were turning a part of the reward circuit off," Dr. Hoeft said.
What the hell is that shit? I find it pretty freaking rewarding to destroy a boss. Especially if I've had to go back and level grind, when that boss is pwned... I feel pretty rewarded.
Then to top it off I have no idea where she found the guy she interviewed... He calls himself an avid gamer and yet states that "It's people who have too much time on their hands. It takes skills, but no effort."
2 problems!
1: I don't have too much time on my hands, I have no time on my hands, but I used gaming as a way to unwind just like other people might watch T.V. what's the difference? There is none! It's fun.
2: Takes skill but no effort? I don't even know what that kid means, it takes a certain amount of effort to become skilled, and to maintain your skills also requires effort. I have this sneaking suspicion he may be one of those "watch me crush this beer can with my forehead" type of gamers. There does seem to be an excess population of such gentleman on my campus after all.
Then to top it off yet another person from my campus, a professor quotes to close the article:
"...the best way to avoid a video game addiction is to not begin playing."
Sigh, that makes me so incredibly frustrated and I just don't understand what the big deal is with playing video games, and why it is necessary to create such a focus on things involved that can be potentially negative.
Yes for a very small portion of people it can become an addiction, but that works the same for gambling and for alcohol... But wait gaming won't put you in debt (well not as quickly hehe) and you can't destroy your liver...
I say, Lighten UP! And that people should try to understand more about our culture before make us seem like we have a problem just because we have a hobby.
And to close off I'm going to share said intervention video on the video game addict... Not contradicting to my entire rant because... this is the one and only game intervention mixed in with pretty much every other episode dealing with drugs and alcohol.
I love my Gamecube oh so much but I just have to accept that it is a dead system. There will be no more games made for it and when the used ones dissipate it will be just like with the Dreamcast where every once in a while I come across a lone game in a cash converters or a goodwill.
So imagine my surprise when I was in my local devil store, Walmart, when they had nearly 30 Gamecube systems for sale. I have more understanding coming across a NGC in an EBgames/Gamestop, but not a Walmart. They don't even sell any NGC games, reduced or otherwise. I don't understand why they would have them in the first place, and secondly why they would have so many. I mean they may have been left over in the stockroom, but I didn't think they would put so many out on display. I have no idea, but that is just my observation for the day... Random.
Manic Gamer Vs. Under Defeat
"The Manic Gamer hits you upside the head weekly with his personal take on videogames and the industry"
And does he ever. I'm sharing this with you in case you for one haven't already seen the Manic Gamer on Doc Love's post since it is, after all his project but I've been helping out with it.
So anyways it's a game review with a lot of humor and a dash of WTF? Which sounds perfect to me. How can I not want those three things combined in the best way possible! The idea is to get you to check out the games you should have already played, but if you missed them you need to check them out...Immediately. That seems to be the agenda, but then again there could be no agenda and the Manic Gamer just wants to show you how wicked sweet these games are and you inadvertently want to check them out after...
There's a combination of images, as well as video of in game play with voice over narration. They're short, snappy and to the point, and Awesome.
If you've got the time, check it out and let me know what you think. It's still new, fresh of the drawing board so constructive criticism and input is always welcome, especially from you guys because it is an audience like you we're trying to reach and entertain.
If you like this one make sure you check out Episode one: Manic Gamer Vs. The Red Star... Thanks guys, Happy Gaming!
Today I started playing Final Fantasy III, by which I mean Final Fantasy VI and don't even get me started on how confusing that whole skipping of episodes and renaming them gets. But I did get it right in this case... I hope!
My disclaimer for tonight is that it is late at night, and I should be asleep... so I'm going to apologize in advance for my circular post that this may turn out to be. But I do find the renaming of Final Fantasy games very complicated but I went and did my homework today and I think I've finally sorted it out in my mind.
In other news I'm really loving it. I have been absolutely craving an RPG and lately I've just heard a lot of people talking about old school FF. I'm ashamed to admit that my venture today is my first time playing any FF game, ever. ouch... I know. But on the other hand my consoles have been the Sega Genesis (2, Sega's consoles are also incredibly convoluted oh my goodness... But I'll save that for a more alert evening), and then the N64, and then a Gamecube. So in general I'm somewhat console deprived. I never had an NES, or and SNES or a Playstation 1 or 2. So really I've never had access to any of the FF games, until this year when I borrowed a Dreamcast in September for my apartment. And I'm currently "not" playing FFIII/VI on DreamSNES on this wonderful, possibly favorite console of all time. The DC is definitely up there, I love this machine.
I haven't played a lot of RPG's in my time only because I was unfamiliar with the game play so I guess I just didn't get any, plus I really didn't own many games so I just played the crap out of the ones I had, none of which were RPG's. But! In September when I was introduced to the DC I played through Grandia II, and wow did I love that game. I absolutely fell in love with this style of gaming. The turn based fighting I found really enjoyable, I had yet to find a story that I was as attached to as I was to this one and my love for RPG's began. I also realized what a time commitment they were, so I haven't played another one since my first one in September. But the past week or so I've been in withdrawal. So I thought I "wouldn't" take a look through DreamSNES to see what it had to offer and I saw FF and it caught my attention. And once again I'm in love, RPG's make my life complete.
I have to make a little comment though, I told my roommate I'd started playing it today and that I have never played a FF before and he was so appalled and ready to flame me for it that I had to stop him and explain myself. And I feel like I shouldn't need to explain myself, plus I'm playing it right now!
When I find myself in these situations I realize that my growing up gaming works a lot differently than other peoples, (broad generalization but I need something to juxtapose with) my love of gaming had, since I was really small, always been combined with my Dad's love of gaming. So if my dad wanted a certain system, that's the one I opened Christmas morning. I wasn't one of those kids that begged for a system or knew what they wanted, which I think is great! And I'm really like that now, but at that time for me I was just happy with what I had and played the crap out of it. I took what I had and I loved it! Which explains why I'm a Sega-girl, my first system was the Genesis because I was living in Europe at the time, and compared to North America, Sega was a bigger seller in Europe and among the other kids there than SNES but that's just my understanding of the situation.
In any case it's time for me to call it a night, goodnight everyone!
My post alas is not about Oddworld mwahahaha, but rather, about the oddities involved in my day and how gaming made it better. Although I did see Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee for sale today...
Anyways, my day started out really good, I got some sleep for the first time all week, I was generally feeling good, then dipped really crappy, then I went to go game shopping to feel better and had no luck, not to mention a total lack of funds to buy some DVD's I saw that I've been looking for.
So lamenting my day I come home and get a phone call from my mom. And this is where my day gets better, and stranger. I mean before this the day was typically blah, but now it was abnormally awesome! My Mom, bless her heart isn't really a spring chicken. And hasn't really shown a lot of interest in my love and my Dad's love of gaming... But today out of the blue she asks:
"Have you heard of a dancing game for the Wii coming out?"
In my head I think nooooo she can't mean DDR!? I tentatively ask:
"Dance Dance Revolution?
And she exultantly replies:
"Yeah, doesn't it look like it would be so much fun!?"
"Umm Hells yea! I would love to finally have DDR!"
So I don't know if anyone has had their mom approach them about a game, let a lone DDR, but wow, what a crazy experience that was, and I'm totally psyched and totally confused because I was pretty sure they thought I was crazy for my love of gaming. And I can guarantee I've mentioned it before and they couldn't imagine ever playing the game.
It turns out that one of her work friends told her about it. Which is even stranger, but really has convinced me that everyone even your Grandma is playing the Wii.
That was turning point number one. Number two was a happy nostalgic moment with my bf over "All You Base Are Belong To Us" Which is just fantastic, and just for the fun of it, shits and giggles if you will, I'm going to attach that video :) with a little remix on the end.
And lastly I was super excited to see the RetroforceGo! Podcast was ready and I've been really looking forward to it because it was on the TurboGrafx-16 and the post was awesome, and they mentioned the awesomosity of Devil's Crush one of my all time favorite games. And the terribly horrible game J.J. and Jeff, thank you guys for making my day better and complete!
A new phenomenon has happened to me that has never happened before. I've bought a game and am going to continue to buy games for a system I don't own, let alone have access to. I can get away with buying PS2 games because I have access to one any where I go... But the PSP has sold me. Sold me so much that I can't afford the system yet, so I'm collecting a library for when I do get one.
It's funny this doesn't really happen very often, once it has happened to me with a movie. When the first Spiderman came out I'm positive there was some sort of subliminal messaging. I really should have had no interest in that movie, just because I wasn't familiar with the Spiderman story previously. Obviously I knew who he was but I had never read the comics and so forth. But for some reason when I saw those trailers, not to mention I saw them 100 times a day on every station, I was frothing to see that movie. I HAD to see that movie, I went opening night.
The point I'm making is that this is how the PSP is making me feel right now. I keep hearing about more games, first it was Me and My Katamari and I am a huge fan of the Katamari series, but one game at the time wasn't enough to sell me on a system because I had We Love Katamari. Since that time however Little Big Planet has me frothing for a PS3 hehe I'm pretty sure with that game I'll be content forever, but I guess that remains to be seen. But the PSP, so it all really started when I bought Wipeout Pure for my partner in crime, who also doesn't have one. I guess it sort of justified the craze.
Now that we own games, it is set in stone that a PSP will enter into our lives. And of course now that the initial shock of owning a game for a system we don't have I'm looking for Me and My Katamari, I've been pondering PaRappa the Rapper, and most excitedly Patapon! AND! Loco Roco! I haven't in a long time seen a trailer for a game and get as excited as I have been lately, and especially for the titles appearing on the PSP.
And I mean getting excited for games is all well and good, and I'm psyched for getting a PSP, but my problem is that these were the types of games I was hoping to see on my DS. And I understand with the touchscreen game changes, but aside from Nintendogs, the only game I got remotely excited for was Cooking Mama, which I heard about because it was coming for the Wii. Which also made me want more exclusive titles to just my DS. Not to mention all the Brainage and similar titles make me shake my head, they are flooding the shelves when the whole idea of the DS should be leading people to do what these games are "strengthening". The other DS games play on a sort of hand-eye coordination that those silly Brainage games are testing you on.
To top it all off the possibility of an affair with another company led me to visit with my Nintendogs last night. Poor neglected bastards made me feel worse about it all...
I guess what I'm trying to say... in the words of taumpytears "The PSP does what Nintendon't" (for the time being anyways)
I would just like to announce that I might have to take a blogging hiatus outside of my weekends only blogging since it appears the motherboard in my laptop is going to die at any point in time...
I'm actually really upset, but there's nothing I can do about it but curse and swear... And that is what I intend to do.
I just hope it's still under warranty....
On the agenda: what I played, what I set aside and what I shook my fist at!
First on the list what I've just picked up. I only have a bootleg of Chu Chu Rocket(DC) and since a legit copy is entering the collection soon I figured I should give it a fair chance. Wow did this game ever kick my ass at first. It's one of those games I guess that practice makes perfect and my mind just wasn't in the right place to keep up with those damn mouse-mongering cats! But if anything it has just made me more determined to tackle this game, it was a bit frustrating at first because I really enjoy these types of addicting games, like Bust-A-Move, Puyo-Puyo Fever (yes it's the Japanese import, actually really hilarious to play because I have no idea what's going on in between gameplay and the instructions are constantly getting yelled at me, good times). Mr. Driller which is in my favorites, Lumines and all kinds of online games. These little addicting puzzle games are my crack, what I use to unwind. So I will tackle this game before it becomes the bane of my existence!
Next Phantasy Star Online: Episodes I&II(GC), the usual dealie with this game, playing on my own to keep up with my far more addicted gaming partners and playing with them when we all have time, adding up to some good teamwork and the occasional, well let's be honest often, slaughtering of me, since I'm about 10 levels behind.
The Legend Of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass(DS) put aside much to my dismay. The thing with this is that I love my DS because I can pick it up play for 20 minutes and find myself right where I left off. I'm finding that with this game I can't do that as easily, it requires a much more focused time commitment than what I have to offer it right now and if I turn it off I'm back at point a. So the 20 minutes continually takes me to the same spot. It's a really awesome game so I know I'll be coming back to it, maybe over my spring break or in the summer, but for now it has taken up its spot sitting on my shelf.
Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked(PS2) is also on the shelf, but again not forever. I bought this game because I was a fan of the show and heard that the game does some neat things. Which it does and I was having a lot of fun with it, but there's only one PS2 in the house and only one main TV, me being the considerate person I am, tries to avoid playing single player games that are going to require my other three roommates watch me play when they really aren't interested and probably just want to watch TV. Although not only bad has come of this since I'm now looking into finally getting myself a PS2 I can hook up to my own TV with the Dreamcast.
Lastly my addiction to Guitar Hero was temporarily restored when my friend's BF brought it with him when he came to visit. I spent a couple hours getting it all out of my system again and kind of shaking to say goodbye to it again... I'm thinking it is best that I don't have it or I would get nothing else done. Although the more I play Guitar Hero III(PS2) the more I want to get my hands on Rock Band...
In conclusion:
Chu Chu Rocket: I will dominate *shakes fist*
Phantasy Star Online: addicting
Phantom Hourglass: Time commitment central
Samurai Champloo: is 'Sidetracked' (bad pun)
Guitar Hero III: addicting but leaves me dissatisfied
PS2: I WANT!
Rock Band: *drools*
Happy Gaming Everyone!
Systems:
Nintendo DS (Not Lite, *shakes fist at Nintendo*)
Dreamcast
Gamecube
Wii
Playstation 2
Sega Genesis
Nintendo 64
PSP
Playing Now:
Lumines II (PSP)
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)
Patapon (PSP)
Daxter (PSP)
Some Favorites:
Katamari Damacy & We Love Katamari (PS2)
Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (N64)
Mr. Driller (DC)
Grandia II (DC)
Space Channel 5 (DC&PS2)
Jet Grind Radio (DC)
