Target had TRON: Evolution on sale the other day for 37.99. Back to Gamestop I went to return the game I got after returning the TRON: Evolution Collector's Edition.
I've now saved myself over $90 on this game from my original purchase.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Silent Protagonist
For some reason, developers have this crazy idea that if they don't make the player's character talk, then it allows you, the player, to 'become one' with the character and somehow allow you to identify with him/her better.
Loads of crap.
I recently finished Dead Space and other than a few grunts and groans here and there, I never spoke a single word. I was talked at a whole bunch but I never uttered a single phrase. Never acknowledged a single message, never any reaction to the nasty things he encounters, not even a, "Phew, glad that is over" when it is all over.
Far from helping me be the character, I found myself wondering why in the world this guy is such an emotionless tool. And he's not alone. Gordan Freeman is a mute. Meets all sorts of people in course of his games, never says a word to any of them. Not even a simple, "Hey what's up?" People through the course of the game have entire conversations with him, even to the point where they act like he's actually responding to them. To me they seem like crazy nut jobs who are talking to themselves.
Sometimes the developers go so far as to give you character who has no identity. Last year's Halo: ODST didn't even give you a name. You are simply known as the "The Rookie". And on top of that, you don't even have a face. You're the helmeted unknown. I guess that makes it nice for all gamers as it really could be anyone in there (male or female) but it also makes the protagonist rather uninteresting.
As I said earlier, I recently finished Dead Space and the whole time I was bothered by the lack of reaction from Issac Clarke. I compare this to some other titles I played this year, such as Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Red Dead Redemption, and Mass Effect.
In all of these, I became engaged with the protagonist in a way that would not be possible with silent method. I cared about the plight of John Marsten and his desire to see his family. I understood Ezio's motivation's and what drove him to Rome.
And Shepard from Mass Effect, far from being a silent protagonist, I got to not only become engaged in his/her story, I got to shape the character into something that I wanted without the character being silent. I identified with the character because I shaped the character.
Here's the deal, I like Half-Life. I like BioShock. I like Dead Space. But I often wonder if I would have liked them more had I been allowed to get know the protagonist better.
Loads of crap.
I recently finished Dead Space and other than a few grunts and groans here and there, I never spoke a single word. I was talked at a whole bunch but I never uttered a single phrase. Never acknowledged a single message, never any reaction to the nasty things he encounters, not even a, "Phew, glad that is over" when it is all over.
Far from helping me be the character, I found myself wondering why in the world this guy is such an emotionless tool. And he's not alone. Gordan Freeman is a mute. Meets all sorts of people in course of his games, never says a word to any of them. Not even a simple, "Hey what's up?" People through the course of the game have entire conversations with him, even to the point where they act like he's actually responding to them. To me they seem like crazy nut jobs who are talking to themselves.
Sometimes the developers go so far as to give you character who has no identity. Last year's Halo: ODST didn't even give you a name. You are simply known as the "The Rookie". And on top of that, you don't even have a face. You're the helmeted unknown. I guess that makes it nice for all gamers as it really could be anyone in there (male or female) but it also makes the protagonist rather uninteresting.
As I said earlier, I recently finished Dead Space and the whole time I was bothered by the lack of reaction from Issac Clarke. I compare this to some other titles I played this year, such as Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Red Dead Redemption, and Mass Effect.
In all of these, I became engaged with the protagonist in a way that would not be possible with silent method. I cared about the plight of John Marsten and his desire to see his family. I understood Ezio's motivation's and what drove him to Rome.
And Shepard from Mass Effect, far from being a silent protagonist, I got to not only become engaged in his/her story, I got to shape the character into something that I wanted without the character being silent. I identified with the character because I shaped the character.
Here's the deal, I like Half-Life. I like BioShock. I like Dead Space. But I often wonder if I would have liked them more had I been allowed to get know the protagonist better.
Friday, December 17, 2010
I just couldn't do it
Earlier this month I bought the Tron: Evolution Collector's Edition. It was pricey. And what does that extra CE get you?
Hmm, let's see. I get the game, a big box, and a lightcycle with a display case. Oh, and a $10 movie pass.
So, assuming no sales on this you are paying $130. That's $60 for the game, $10 for the movie pass, and $60 for a lightcycle? Wow that is steep.
For $60 I could go to Amazon and get the Sam lightcycle, the runner, and Flynn's white lightcycle.
Yeah can't justify that. So back to the store it went and I swapped it out for the regular version.
I feel better now.
Hmm, let's see. I get the game, a big box, and a lightcycle with a display case. Oh, and a $10 movie pass.
So, assuming no sales on this you are paying $130. That's $60 for the game, $10 for the movie pass, and $60 for a lightcycle? Wow that is steep.
For $60 I could go to Amazon and get the Sam lightcycle, the runner, and Flynn's white lightcycle.
Yeah can't justify that. So back to the store it went and I swapped it out for the regular version.
I feel better now.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wampas like to exercise too...
I think this guy ate too many rebels and needed to work off the extra weight.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Tron is coming...
The new Tron movie is coming and it makes me feel like a kid again.
Daft Punk has taken the reigns on the soundtrack front and has given us this lovely preview of one of the tracks from the movie. The video itself is not from the movie, and in fact looks like what we may have gotten if they released the movie 10 years ago and decided to stick with the 1980s aesthetics.
Man, the sounds of that arcade at the beginning sure takes me back...
Daft Punk has taken the reigns on the soundtrack front and has given us this lovely preview of one of the tracks from the movie. The video itself is not from the movie, and in fact looks like what we may have gotten if they released the movie 10 years ago and decided to stick with the 1980s aesthetics.
Man, the sounds of that arcade at the beginning sure takes me back...
Sunday, December 5, 2010
This month in collecting - November 2010
It's been awhile since I posted. I've been very busy of late. So this post will cover the tail end of October and all of November
Click on the images to enlarge.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood: Collector's Edition (PS3 and 360)
I wanted the collector's version but then I found out that the depending on which retailer you bought from, you'd get a different Jack in the Box. So, I ordered one from Gamestop (Jester) and one from Amazon (Doctor). Now I have both. Excessive? Yes, but since Assassin's Creed is my absolute favorite IP from this generation of consoles, a little indulgence is okay. Right?
Click on the images to enlarge.
Driver 2
I picked up a little bit ago and so when I found this really nice copy of Driver 2, I couldn't pass on it. It's a Greatest Hits but I'll survive.
Enslaved
I enjoyed the demo, reviews were good, so when Amazon had this on for only $25, I couldn't resist.
I enjoyed the demo, reviews were good, so when Amazon had this on for only $25, I couldn't resist.
I wanted the collector's version but then I found out that the depending on which retailer you bought from, you'd get a different Jack in the Box. So, I ordered one from Gamestop (Jester) and one from Amazon (Doctor). Now I have both. Excessive? Yes, but since Assassin's Creed is my absolute favorite IP from this generation of consoles, a little indulgence is okay. Right?
Monday, November 8, 2010
A brief update...
My new PS3 is on it's way! Should be here by Wednesday.
Also, I've decided to stop doing weekly collection updates and will move to a bi-monthly format. So one on the 15th and then the last day of the month. So next update will include everything since my last update so it will catch the tail end of October. Not that you care, but in case you were wondering.
I started playing Shadow of the Colossus and I can see why everyone goes on about this game. I'm only an hour in and I'm really enjoying it. It, like Ico, are very unique experiences.
Also, I've decided to stop doing weekly collection updates and will move to a bi-monthly format. So one on the 15th and then the last day of the month. So next update will include everything since my last update so it will catch the tail end of October. Not that you care, but in case you were wondering.
I started playing Shadow of the Colossus and I can see why everyone goes on about this game. I'm only an hour in and I'm really enjoying it. It, like Ico, are very unique experiences.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Oh Noes! The YLOD on my PS3
I've had 2 RRODs on my 360s, but through all of that my PS3 has been solid. I was very surprised (and sad) when my PS3 died tonight.
So, my choice is $178 and I get a refurb of my 60GB (yes the backwards compatible one) or $145 and they will send me out a refurb slim.
I think I'm going with the slim. Bigger HD, uses less power, gives off less heat, and theoretically, is quieter. I don't need backwards compatibility so that's not a huge deal for me.
Regardless of which I do, it sucks.
Oh, and my new Star Wars the Force Unleashed II disc is stuck in the PS3 as well.
So, my choice is $178 and I get a refurb of my 60GB (yes the backwards compatible one) or $145 and they will send me out a refurb slim.
I think I'm going with the slim. Bigger HD, uses less power, gives off less heat, and theoretically, is quieter. I don't need backwards compatibility so that's not a huge deal for me.
Regardless of which I do, it sucks.
Oh, and my new Star Wars the Force Unleashed II disc is stuck in the PS3 as well.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
This week in collecting Vol 2010-4 Oct 17 - 23, 2010
Konami is the winner this week with a couple of PS2 acquisitions both from Konami (obviously).
Click on the images to enlarge.
My collection total at the end of the week is 1,418 titles. Backloggery game count is 1,482.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Shadow of Destiny
I've been wanting this title for awhile, but I've never really actively looked for it. This was a totally random find, and I had actually forgot that I was even looking for it (I really need to update my Blackberry's want list).
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
This is actually kind of a duplicate. I already have this on the Xbox, but I like to keep series on a single platform. So since I have Symphony of the Night on the PS1, Lament on PS2, and will most likely be getting the new Castlevania on the PS3, I felt the need to get all the Castlevania's on the PS platform. I still haven't decided what to do with my Xbox Curse of Darkness.
This is actually kind of a duplicate. I already have this on the Xbox, but I like to keep series on a single platform. So since I have Symphony of the Night on the PS1, Lament on PS2, and will most likely be getting the new Castlevania on the PS3, I felt the need to get all the Castlevania's on the PS platform. I still haven't decided what to do with my Xbox Curse of Darkness.
My collection total at the end of the week is 1,418 titles. Backloggery game count is 1,482.
Monday, October 18, 2010
This week in collecting Vol 2010-3 Oct 10 - 16, 2010
Here's the breakdown this week: 1 DS (sort of), 1 PS1, 1 PS2, and 1 X360 titles. In total, 4 new titles. However, the DS title somehow didn't get entered and accounted for last month so I'm adding it in now.
My collection total at the end of the week is 1,416 titles. Backloggery game count is 1,480.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Amped 3
Koudelka
My collection total at the end of the week is 1,416 titles. Backloggery game count is 1,480.
Click on the images to enlarge.
Etrian Odyssey III: The Drowned City
Ok I forgot to add this into my collection last month so I'm finally getting around to it. It came with a nice art book that includes are from all three Etrian Odyssey game so I'm quite pleased with that.
Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb
I like Indiana Jones, and I kinda don't really care what the critic ratings were on this one. There's enough user reviews that I've seen that are positive to warrant giving this one a try.
I like Indiana Jones, and I kinda don't really care what the critic ratings were on this one. There's enough user reviews that I've seen that are positive to warrant giving this one a try.
Amped 3
Awhile back I picked up 1080º Avalanche for the GameCube. Then I decided I needed to pick up the predecessor, 1080º on the N64. Then I got this crazy idea that I should collect all the system exclusive snowboarding games. I already have Amped, so Amped 3 is to fill out the Xbox snowboarding series. Now I just need to get a clean copy of Amped 2 and I'm good. I don't think there was a system exclusive Playstation series so no need there.
I'm very pleased to add this to my collection. I have all the Shadow Hearts games but I've always felt that the Shadow Hearts collection wasn't complete as I was missing Sacnoth's first RPG entry, Koudelka.
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