Happy Holidays
Hello everyone, I'm just wishing everyone Happy Holidays, and I hope you get the gift you always wanted. 
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Digg thisSo, I now have a 360...
I come home, and I find a 360 lying on the stairs. I wish all nice things waited for me on the stairs.
I knew for some time that I'd be getting one, but I wasn't sure of the circumstances that led to me getting one. Actually, it was through my brother's girlfriend that we now have a 360. So it's here, still in its box...I also got some games with it: Ridge Racer 6, Lego Star Wars, and the two pack-in games, Live Arcade Unplugged and GRAW.
I need some recommended games, so just throw them out there. If you want to know the types of games I like, just check my collection or my reviews. I already have my eye on Virtua Fighter 5, so there's no need to recommend that game to me. You can also recommend some Live Arcade games, too...now that I think about it, I can get Puzzle Quest, but I'm waiting for the PC version, and I already own the DS version. Anyway, fire away!
I knew for some time that I'd be getting one, but I wasn't sure of the circumstances that led to me getting one. Actually, it was through my brother's girlfriend that we now have a 360. So it's here, still in its box...I also got some games with it: Ridge Racer 6, Lego Star Wars, and the two pack-in games, Live Arcade Unplugged and GRAW.
I need some recommended games, so just throw them out there. If you want to know the types of games I like, just check my collection or my reviews. I already have my eye on Virtua Fighter 5, so there's no need to recommend that game to me. You can also recommend some Live Arcade games, too...now that I think about it, I can get Puzzle Quest, but I'm waiting for the PC version, and I already own the DS version. Anyway, fire away!
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions Early Impressions
I picked up FFT for PSP two days ago. I haven't played much of it so far, so these are very early impressions, but they are significant.
First of all, the cutscenes really are impressive. I like the "sketchbook" look to it. The voice acting is not bad, either. The translation has been changed for the better, although you may or may not like the "Olde English" that's used. FFXII used it, and FFT uses it too, since they're both related. I haven't done any of the tavern quests yet, but I imagine the "I got a good feeling!" message was kicked to the curb. The character names have been changed significantly. Algus is now Argrath, for example. Many of the skill names have changed, too; some examples include the Squire's and Knights skills, which are now called "Fundaments" and "Arts of War" respectively.
One thing that was added to FFT that wasn't in the PS1 version is slowdown. Every time an action is made, for some reason the frame rate drops until the animation is finished. This happens even for simple effects like using a potion or casting a low-level spell. This causes the sound to go out of sync with what's happening on screen. I can only chalk up this problem to lazy programming, as the PSP is way more capable than the PS1 and the in-game graphics have not been improved at all.
The other issue is the sound. Both the SFX and music suffer because there's no reverb. Because that effect is missing, things don't sound as nice, even with headphones. In other words, the PS1 version actually sounds better even though the PSP is superior in every way. So yeah, lazy programming strikes again.
If you can overlook those two problems, you'll otherwise find the same great game that you fell in love with nine years ago. Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to try out the multiplayer because I don't know anyone with a copy of FFT. I don't want to write a review without trying out all the features, you know?
First of all, the cutscenes really are impressive. I like the "sketchbook" look to it. The voice acting is not bad, either. The translation has been changed for the better, although you may or may not like the "Olde English" that's used. FFXII used it, and FFT uses it too, since they're both related. I haven't done any of the tavern quests yet, but I imagine the "I got a good feeling!" message was kicked to the curb. The character names have been changed significantly. Algus is now Argrath, for example. Many of the skill names have changed, too; some examples include the Squire's and Knights skills, which are now called "Fundaments" and "Arts of War" respectively.
One thing that was added to FFT that wasn't in the PS1 version is slowdown. Every time an action is made, for some reason the frame rate drops until the animation is finished. This happens even for simple effects like using a potion or casting a low-level spell. This causes the sound to go out of sync with what's happening on screen. I can only chalk up this problem to lazy programming, as the PSP is way more capable than the PS1 and the in-game graphics have not been improved at all.
The other issue is the sound. Both the SFX and music suffer because there's no reverb. Because that effect is missing, things don't sound as nice, even with headphones. In other words, the PS1 version actually sounds better even though the PSP is superior in every way. So yeah, lazy programming strikes again.
If you can overlook those two problems, you'll otherwise find the same great game that you fell in love with nine years ago. Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to try out the multiplayer because I don't know anyone with a copy of FFT. I don't want to write a review without trying out all the features, you know?
Picross DS -- Get it!
Wow, three consecutive blogs for three great puzzle games!
Picross DS is the first time I've played a game in the Picross series of games, but I'm glad I bought it. I haven't tried the online play yet, but from I read it sounds like a lot of fun. I like the fact that you can make your own puzzles, but you know that people are going to make...questionable...pictures (no one said the Internet was civilized). However, I hope that people will make some great pictures to solve; there are plenty of talented artists who can make great images. I'll do my best to make some cool stuff...I was thinking of making a Kirby picture, to start. I'm not sure how detailed I can make pics, but I'll just have to work within limitations.
If you don't own Picross DS, go get it. It only set me back $25 CDN, and you get a lot of value for your money.
Picross DS is the first time I've played a game in the Picross series of games, but I'm glad I bought it. I haven't tried the online play yet, but from I read it sounds like a lot of fun. I like the fact that you can make your own puzzles, but you know that people are going to make...questionable...pictures (no one said the Internet was civilized). However, I hope that people will make some great pictures to solve; there are plenty of talented artists who can make great images. I'll do my best to make some cool stuff...I was thinking of making a Kirby picture, to start. I'm not sure how detailed I can make pics, but I'll just have to work within limitations.
If you don't own Picross DS, go get it. It only set me back $25 CDN, and you get a lot of value for your money.
Planet Puzzle League -- See You Online
The Nintendo DS is on a roll when it comes to puzzle games. First the excellent Puzzle Quest surprises everyone with its puzzle/RPG mechanics, and now we have a Wi-Fi game that's essentially Tetris Attack. I picked up Planet Puzzle League for that reason only--I can't say no to online Tetris Attack.
The stylus is so much better than using the D-pad. You can make some interesting chains that wouldn't be possible on a pad, and using the stylus is generally faster. The competition online is pretty fierce. I've won some games, but the games I lost, I lost hard. I had a huge garbage block dumped on me--it must have been at least nine rows tall. I think my opponent had a 20x chain or something like that...it was ridiculous!
Here's my friend code: 223441-369036. Post your friend code if you reply. See you online!
The stylus is so much better than using the D-pad. You can make some interesting chains that wouldn't be possible on a pad, and using the stylus is generally faster. The competition online is pretty fierce. I've won some games, but the games I lost, I lost hard. I had a huge garbage block dumped on me--it must have been at least nine rows tall. I think my opponent had a 20x chain or something like that...it was ridiculous!
Here's my friend code: 223441-369036. Post your friend code if you reply. See you online!
