This week's video is my favorite clip from The Office (it's not called "The UK Office," it's called The Office because it's the proper one). It may very well be my favorite clip of all comedy in the history of everything. It is rather awesome indeed.
I must say though that I've become somewhat addicted to The US Office (and that's what it's definitely called). When I was super sick last weekend I just sat and watched over four hours straight of it. Now I keep wanting to watch more. It's very rare I get into American comedy, so I am quite pleased.
Speaking of American comedy, we played videogames this week. Hit the jump to find out which ones.
Bennett: Muramasa: The Demon Blade has captured my attention completely, and I'm happy to report it's all I hoped it would be and more. After I needed a break from it, Niero and I checked out some Contra: Rebirth, which was actually pretty decent -- I suspect it'll make retro fans happy.
Razak: I tried to dive back into RE5, but I just can't. It's worn off on me. I was player though, so I'm going to attempt to bring someone else in and see if it re-sparks my previous excitement for the game. Otherwise I've just been Laytoning it up. With Mario and Luigi and Scribblenauts landing next week my DS is easily going to be my most played system of the month.
Aziz: I played EMBARGOED for two days straight. Look for a review of EMBARGOED soon!
Cantler: I didn't play any of the games you probably wanted me to have played this week. Sorry.
Sterling:Darkest of Days was finally completed as should be evident by now. I washed the foul taste of that game out of my mouth with a little Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. I used to play the demo on PC over and over again when I was a child. It's fun having the full version on my PSP now. Same goes for Final Fantasy VII, which I've also been playing some more of.
Zimmerman: I've been playing Castlevania: Dracula X Chornicles now that I have a PSP and enjoying it quite a bit. I also fired up some Rock Band 2 to play the new PAX and Freezepop packs of DLC which came out this past week.
Grim:Arkham Asylum! Seriously, I wish I hadn't put off buying this game for so long. I got it on Friday, and practically beat it the same day. Now the collectathon lover in me is having a blast going back and finishing up the Riddler challenges. Also, IMAED A GAM3 WITH ZOMBIES IN 1T!!!1. Best. Soundtrack. Ever.
Burch: I JUST GAVE A TERRORIST A SHRINK GUN AND HE MADE ME SMALL SO I COULD GET INTO A HOLE AND GET THE STARITE
North: Demon's Souls is a demon. Phantom Brave is...a phantom? I also played Pangya 4 for PC but I got nothing for that.
Aziz: Pangya is a pain, ya?
Chester: I've been sick most of the week, but when I have been feeling well enough to play games they've been: Borderlands, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, and various types of games with Rock Band in the title. Also, the three song DJ Hero demo over and over and over again. I think I like it. It's hard to say.
Holmes: I encourage Razak to power through RE5's campaign mode to unlock the game's Mercenaries mode.I think it's worth it. Mercenaries fixed all the stuff about RE5 that I didn't like, including Chris's stupid right arm.
It's also exciting to here that Conrad is playing Rondo of Blood. I love Rondo.
As for me, I've also been playing Muramasa. People that imported it months ago have been telling me for a while that the game looks good but has no soul. So far, I haven't found that to be true (on Hard mode anyway). It could use a little more platforming, but other than that, the game's giving me everything that I want from it.
I haven't been playing the game as much over the past few days. I got the Bonk's Adventure Gamecube remake in the mail on Friday, and I'm totally smitten. It's even better than Bionic Commando Rearmed, and probably takes the cake as my #1 retro-remake (at least, for the moment). Hudson should really toss this sucker onto XBLA/PSN/WiiWare, or localize it for retail, or put it on that new PSP store or something. I can see why they didn't bring it out of Japan when it was first released in 2003, as interest in 2D platformers was pretty low at that time, but these days, with New Super Mario Bros Wii, Shadow Complex and all sorts of 2D gaming tearing up the scene, I think that Bonk remake could really bring in the bucks.
OK, rant over. The rest of the week consisted of the Katamari Forever demo, which was disappointing, and some KoF XII, which was fun as always. Going to try and sneak in on Nilcam's tourney, if he'll have me.
Orcist: Since someone between Sea-Tac and Nashville stole my goddamned DS, I won't be playing Scribblenauts, even though I'll have to go pick up my pre-order Tuesday. I've been filling the void with Dragon Quest VIII and Beautiful Katamari.
Sarkar: I've been spending most of my time with NHL 10 this week, but I can't talk about it until tomorrow. What I can say, though, is that it is a hockey videogame from EA Sports.
While doing some reading for class on Thursday, I happened to be listening to Steve Miller Band on my iPod, so I popped in Rock Band 2 on Friday and played "Space Cowboy" (among other songs). That song is really fun on drums! I don't have The Beatles: Rock Band yet, but that's probably for the better, since it would just distract me from NHL 10.
I also checked out a couple of PSN demos. After I got back from PAX, I tried the WET demo. It was kinda fun, but the overwhelming impression I got from it was "janky." Last night, I played the Katamari Forever demo, which is the first Katamari game I've ever tried out (I own the PS2 original, but I've never actually put the disc in my PS3). It was alright, I guess -- but is it just me, or are the camera controls absolutely broken (or nonexistent)? I don't get why the camera can't stay behind your Katamari at all times, because you seem to go much slower when you're not moving forward. Or maybe I'm just dumb.
Concelmo: This week was an amazing week of gaming: 'Splosion Man. Effin' incredible. Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box. Even better than the first. Batman: Arkham Asylum. Maybe the best superhero game ever made. Muramasa: The Demon Blade. GORGEOUS! And just when I think it can' t get any better? Next week Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story and Scribblenauts are going to enter my life.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Beat Professor Layton 2 last night, and now I'm trying my hardest not to look stupid in Scribblenauts. I refuse to look at word lists or faqs... this game is much too solid to give up on. A little Guitar Hero 5, a little Rock Band Beatles... Muramasa is waiting to be played and I'm ashamed to have put it off this long.
Really though I'm excited to try out Mana Khemia 2 which is being shipped from gamefaqs right now squeee!
Such an awesome fighting game. I'm going through (the retarded, non-sensical, confusingly branching styled) Story Mode with various characters while at the same time getting learn some doods. It's a combo friendly game, but still technical enough to be a challenge, especially online (I assume). I'll jump online when I get the feel for everyone and pick a main or two.
I first got to know The Office US, and got addicted to it. After seeing every episode out thus far, I decided to check out the origins and watched every episode of The Office UK. Er, The Office. I gotta say, Tim has absolutely no charm compared to Jim. And Michael has absolutely no balls compared to David.
Also, Dwight has forehead where Gareth has neck. Both of which freak me out. And I would totally hit both Pam and Dawn. But I would only call Pam up the next morning.
But yes. Video games. I'm not into handhelds at all anymore, but Scribblenauts has been the closest thing to draw me back in. Can't wait to see how the community reacts to it.
I played the demo for Half-Minute Hero. It's pre-ordered. It's probably the best RPG that will ever be made.
I spent most of the week playing King of Fighters XII, especially today. I put in 30 games with Dtoiders today thanks to my contest. It was an epic day.
In what could only be called the greatest triumph of 2009, I am back at Persona 4 and kicking its ass all over the place. It thought it had me, but I am resilient! It can try to convince me to quit all it wants, I will persevere!
Then Scribblenauts will come along and ruin everything.
-Backed off on Muramasa a bit, mostly to savor it. Got back into Wii Sports Resort (Table Tennis and Swordplay are great latenight games for some reason) and played another round of my Tiger 10 career (I suck, but its fun!)
-Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, I wanted to like it, but it so getting sent back to GameFly. Far Cry 2, you stay for another week.
-WoW, I really enjoy playing a paladin
The original The Office? Ew. I'll take my Americanized version thank you kindly.
No games for me this week. I finally got to release release my pent up Beatlesmania in the firey orgasm that is The Beatles: Rock Band and between that and my new guitar shit my wallet needs a break real bad.
I may get some movies. I haven't gotten a new movie in for-fucking-ever.
I totally agree with what Jim said about The Office, only I don't care what you call it. In fact, that whole episode is great, for example, Gareth's ultimate fantasy.
The two (english language) versions have their own strenghs. The original has believability and awkwardness, the US version has been allowed deeper character/story development.
To any fans of the original who have yet to give the US adaption a try, I suggest skipping the first season. Most of it's just the same jokes recycled poorly.
"If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain... and do you know which philosopher said that?... Dolly Parton.... and people say she's just a big pair of tits..."
I have a mere five weeks left. Then I can put full weight on my leg again. Sad news is, I got a hard cast on Friday. With a soft cast I had no problem if some part of my leg itched. Now I CAN'T SCRATCH IT. I WANT TO SCRATCH MY LEG. I WANT THAT MORE THEN ANYTHING I'VE EVER WANTED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
Otherwise, I started Devil Survivor over. I'm way too excited for Persona PSP.
My English mom refuses to believe that the American version of The Office possesses any sort of originality at all in it, despite never having watched it or ever wanting to. But yes, out of my two favorite English comedians, Gervais is one of them (Eddie Izzard is the other).
Oh right, video games! Got around to Saints Row 2, aka the game that's blatantly better than GTA IV and it's actually a whole lot of wacky, heavily customizable, cockney fun. Still missing the charm that Liberty City has, but it's just as good in a different sort of way. Last night I started Dead Space which has the best lighting I've ever seen in a video game. Aside from that, I finished Arkham Asyum, which was good up till the last twenty minutes and played the Katamari Forever demo, which was exactly what I expected it to be.
Seeing as how most of my week was spent partying and performing other random acts of debauchery, I didn't play too many games. When I wasn't having too much to drink in a random studio apartment though, I was being blown away by the majesty of The Beatles: Rock Band. And to think I used to be merely a casual fan of them...
When I wasn't devoting my time to The Fab Four though, I spent a little bit of time in Rock Band 2 (I -still- need to get that damn Clothes to The Edge achievement...it's the only one I have left to get and it annoys the shit out of me), and devoted a chunk of my gaming time to Guitar Hero 5 (Thank you Activision for temporarily holding off on the suck...I'll make sure not to get used to it, knowing how you guys work). Oh, and I played about 48 seconds of Battlefield 1943. Woulda played more but, I had a movie to catch. It was fun for all the 48 seconds I played it though! Killed a couple dudes.
I like the American version of the office better then the english version. That may sound like hieracy, but I do love both versions, but the American one is just my preference.
Thank you Jim. Thank you so much for reminding me of the Free Love Freeway. That episode was my favourite of the series.
I've been playing Scribblenauts and HeartGold this week- and I will be buying both of them when they're released here in Aussie-land. So should all of you.
I finally defeated the ultimate optional boss in Persona 3 *wink, wink*, then I had to burn 20 hours on GTA IV to relieve the stress. Also, The Office is made of win.
I like how Jim can enjoy both versions of The Office on their own merits, but so many comments feel like being snooty about one version or the other.
Anyway, I played some Retro Game Challenge, various Rock Band games (got 'em all), and finally checked out Let's Tap, which was more fun that I expected.
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Contest:
9:00 PM on 09.13.2009
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Next week is gonna be amazing!
Also, Burch: I JUST GAVE A TERRORIST A SHRINK GUN AND HE MADE ME SMALL SO I COULD GET INTO A HOLE AND GET THE STARITE. Greatest sentence ever.
Also, also, I thought Jim hated FFVII?
I raise you this-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRyhay3lJi8&feature=related
Really though I'm excited to try out Mana Khemia 2 which is being shipped from gamefaqs right now squeee!
Such an awesome fighting game. I'm going through (the retarded, non-sensical, confusingly branching styled) Story Mode with various characters while at the same time getting learn some doods. It's a combo friendly game, but still technical enough to be a challenge, especially online (I assume). I'll jump online when I get the feel for everyone and pick a main or two.
Also, Dwight has forehead where Gareth has neck. Both of which freak me out. And I would totally hit both Pam and Dawn. But I would only call Pam up the next morning.
But yes. Video games. I'm not into handhelds at all anymore, but Scribblenauts has been the closest thing to draw me back in. Can't wait to see how the community reacts to it.
I spent most of the week playing King of Fighters XII, especially today. I put in 30 games with Dtoiders today thanks to my contest. It was an epic day.
GAMES? I played through HL2: Epsiode 2. For the first time. Amazing.
Also playing Arkham Asylum, TF2, SF IV, and Ninjatown.
Then Scribblenauts will come along and ruin everything.
-Backed off on Muramasa a bit, mostly to savor it. Got back into Wii Sports Resort (Table Tennis and Swordplay are great latenight games for some reason) and played another round of my Tiger 10 career (I suck, but its fun!)
-Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, I wanted to like it, but it so getting sent back to GameFly. Far Cry 2, you stay for another week.
-WoW, I really enjoy playing a paladin
No games for me this week. I finally got to release release my pent up Beatlesmania in the firey orgasm that is The Beatles: Rock Band and between that and my new guitar shit my wallet needs a break real bad.
I may get some movies. I haven't gotten a new movie in for-fucking-ever.
Also found a copy of silhouette mirage and i have been enjoying the ever-loving crap out of it. really interesting if inconvenient mechanic.
The (US) Office is in-your-face, over-the-top slapstick.
I've been playing 'Riddick' and 'Defense Grid' this week. Loving both of 'em.
All great games, specially Muramasa.
LOL
Also, I agree with you on Katamari, Samit.
The two (english language) versions have their own strenghs. The original has believability and awkwardness, the US version has been allowed deeper character/story development.
To any fans of the original who have yet to give the US adaption a try, I suggest skipping the first season. Most of it's just the same jokes recycled poorly.
- David Brent
Disclaimer: I still watch Michael Scott's antics every week!
I actually like the drag-on-ness. I dunno. I like that kind of stuff.
I like Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof though so that should pretty well define my affinity for slow ass entertainment.
Otherwise, I started Devil Survivor over. I'm way too excited for Persona PSP.
Oh right, video games! Got around to Saints Row 2, aka the game that's blatantly better than GTA IV and it's actually a whole lot of wacky, heavily customizable, cockney fun. Still missing the charm that Liberty City has, but it's just as good in a different sort of way. Last night I started Dead Space which has the best lighting I've ever seen in a video game. Aside from that, I finished Arkham Asyum, which was good up till the last twenty minutes and played the Katamari Forever demo, which was exactly what I expected it to be.
When I wasn't devoting my time to The Fab Four though, I spent a little bit of time in Rock Band 2 (I -still- need to get that damn Clothes to The Edge achievement...it's the only one I have left to get and it annoys the shit out of me), and devoted a chunk of my gaming time to Guitar Hero 5 (Thank you Activision for temporarily holding off on the suck...I'll make sure not to get used to it, knowing how you guys work). Oh, and I played about 48 seconds of Battlefield 1943. Woulda played more but, I had a movie to catch. It was fun for all the 48 seconds I played it though! Killed a couple dudes.
I've been playing Scribblenauts and HeartGold this week- and I will be buying both of them when they're released here in Aussie-land. So should all of you.
Oh, and i played the Batman AA demo while waiting for my copy to arrive.. le sigh.
My friend and I started new files in Banjo Kazooie and DK64 recently so those have been taking up some of my time.
Also I'm looking forward (read: super f*cking excited for) to Scribblenauts. Would British people spell it Scribblenaughts?
Anyway, I played some Retro Game Challenge, various Rock Band games (got 'em all), and finally checked out Let's Tap, which was more fun that I expected.