I am posting this video in remembrance of all of the victims and survivors.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
My heart goes out to all of the victims and families affected by this horrible disaster. I really hope the situation starts to improve as soon as possible and I wish there was something I could do. I hope Japan and all of its people are in your prayers. They will be in mine.
I just wanted to comment on how integral games are to Japan, and the gaming community.
I just wanted to comment on how integral games are to Japan, and the gaming community.
Get out there and make a donation!
Sega announced 23 of its arcade centers in Japan will be closed to conserve electricity until further notices, including the ones in Tokyo, Chiba, Ibaraki, Fukushima, Tochigi, Saitama, Miyagi, and Iwate-ken. The lights on the exterior walls will be turned on for only 6 hours between 6PM to midnight.
Take Two Interactive announced two upcoming game titles have been delayed in Japan:- Top Spin 4 (PS3/360/PSP, Take Two) - before change: Apr 07, new date: TBD
- MLB 2K11 (PS3/360, Take Two) - before change: Apr 14, new date: TBD
Capcom announced it's upcoming Monster Hunter 11 Festival Tournaments will all be cancelled, with the first one at Fukuoka has already been cancelled on March 13, the remaining 5 tournaments in Nagoya, Tokyo, Sendai, Sapporo and Osaka, and the final tournament in Tokyo have also been cancelled. The reason is concerns to participants safety.
Nintendo of Japan announced its 3DS title Steel Diver will be postponed from March 17 to an undetermined date due to various factors.
Capcom has cancelled the Super Street Fighter IV Tournament on March 27 at Chiba Plaza Capcom Naganuma due to the earthquake, but Capcom is looking to reschedule the tournament sometimes in future. Capcom's Street Fighter IV producer Yoshinori Ono mentioned in Twitter that he could not go to work in his Tokyo R&D office due to knock out power and transportation problems. He and his team will not go back for a while. Konami's producer Hideo Kojima said he will be leaving work to save power, in the meantime he will work on his manuscript, and he praises the solar phone charger Sony gave out during the NGP Press Conference, it is now very handy.
Sega's Ryuga Gotoku: Of The End producer Toshihiro Nagoshi mentioned in his blog that the reason for the game's delay was made after considering the earthquake state, he said "I believe the day will come when I will be able to delivery this product to the world". It makes you wonder if the delay is actually longer than just a few days/weeks. Following Sony's donation, additional game publishers have announced donation campaigns to support disaster relief:
Irem announced its disaster survival game Zettei Zetsumei Toshi 4: Summer Memories [Disaster Report 4] has been canceled. Although a reason was not released, it is most likely related to the earthquake on March 11. Sega announced the release date of Ryuga Gotoku: Of The End [Yakuza: Of The End] has been delayed due to various factors. Originally scheduled for a March 17 release, a new release date has not yet been set. Sony announced that PlayStation related repair work will be suspended due to the Taiheiyou Northeast earthquake and damages to its Sendai factories. Due to partial meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant and rolling power outages in various cities, most of the online games in Japan will be shutdown temporary until further notice, here is a list:
 Microsoft announced its Kinect Trailer tour Kinect Experience Caravan Car Event has been canceled due to the earthquake. Microsoft announced three Xbox 360 products have been delayed due to distribution issues after the earthquake.
Capcom announced that the Marvel vs Capcom 3 Jill Valentine and Shuma Gorath DLC has been delayed due to the earthquake, the DLC was originally scheduled to release on March 15. |
After the Japan earthquake, in Amazon Japan the preorder ranking chart, Irem's Zettei Zetsumei Toshi 4: Summer Memories [Disaster Report 4] has jumped up 76 positions from No.86 all the way to No.10. The game is about survival after devastating earthquake. Sony announced they will donate 300 million yen to reconstruction and relief of victims of the earthquake. Sony will also donate 30,000 units of radio products to victims in the area. Sumiyoshi-kai, Japan's second largest Yakuza group, announced through Twitter that they are providing emergency relief to all earthquake victims in Japan, they will provide food and their district offices will be opened as temporary shelter. After the Japan earthquake, many game producers, voice actor/actresses have reported their safety in various websites, including:
Sony announced the release date of Motorstorm: Apocalypse has been postponed in Japan, due to certain stages are in a devastated city by devastating earthquake. Sony has shut down six factories in Fukushima and Miyazaki in Japan due to the earthquake. The affected factories were responsible for producing Blu-ray disc and other products, all staffs have been evacuated. Sony is still assessing the damage. Preliminary reports stated that the tsunami has swept away 12,000 PlayStation 3 and 5,600 Xbox 360 consoles; in addition, a number of anime TV and manga series will temporary cease production due to damages to the studios. nVidia announced its Tegra 2 processor will support Sony's PlayStation Suite, in future any smartphones and tablets that uses Tegra 2 will be able to run games for PlayStation Suite, including PSone games and new titles designed for the suite. Inside news also reported that PlayStation 2 games will also be coming to PlayStation Suite in future. After the massive earthquake, all game events in Japan have been cancelled for the weekend, including:
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Sunday, February 13, 2011
No online play Nintendo?
I know this probably isn't very relevant but I felt like I needed to discuss this issue. No matter how amazing Nintendo games are (and they usually are), I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. Online play is a staple of most of the gaming consoles of this generation. The PS3 offers FREE online play for countless games. The XBOX 360 has free online play for certain games and a pricey gold membership for others.
Regardless of the console, Nintendo is really falling behind. Creating a console without HD is one thing but the lack of online play is killing me. Graphics don't mean everything to me, in fact I think the reason so many SNES games and PS1 games are amazing is simply because of the graphical limitation. Game designers had to think outside of the box to make engaging stories and memorable characters. I can't say that is the case with our more powerful systems. Instead of focusing on graphical innovation, Nintendo introduced a motion controller, and I have to give them some credit even if the Wii let me down for the first two years after its launch. The game library was really lacking. I remember buying Wii game after Wii game hoping for a true "Nintendo" quality game. Recently, Nintendo has changed their focus from casual gamers to hardcore gamers, or rather they have developed a nice medium for both parties. 2009 and 2010 were great years for Nintendo! Games like Kirby's Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, among other games speak for themselves. They have a wonderful throwback feeling while adding subtle innovations. I think the main reason I love these games, is because they include cooperative multiplayer gameplay! Something Sony and Microsoft game libraries severely lack. I do not consider FPS, running around and killing each other (even if it is on teams) as cooperative gameplay. Rather FPS, like fighting games, foster competition and gaming trolls.
This being said, I really love playing Kirby's Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong Country Returns with friends but we have to be in the same room physically to have these great co-op experiences. What if I moved somewhere else but still wanted to play games with my friends? What if my friends didn't live close by?
The most upsetting consequence of lacking online play- I play these games pretty rarely. Yet I play Little Big Planet 2 a lot more primarily because I can play with my friends online. With voice chat it feels like we are playing the game with each other in the same room even though it is online. This is how games should be, especially the creative two player Nintendo games because I think two player (or more) adds so much to the overall gaming experience. Unfortunately, these games simply are not as fun when you play by yourself.
There is nothing I can do now but continue to play Nintendo games with my friends in person. I just hope Nintendo knows (and they must) holding back in almost every avenue will create dissatisfied loyal fans.
Last point. I really hope the 3DS isn't another gimmick like the Wii. Don't get me wrong. I love my Wii now but at first the game library was horrible and it just felt like a huge joke. I have more faith in Nintendo now, but they still need to prove themselves! I know they can and will :).
Regardless of the console, Nintendo is really falling behind. Creating a console without HD is one thing but the lack of online play is killing me. Graphics don't mean everything to me, in fact I think the reason so many SNES games and PS1 games are amazing is simply because of the graphical limitation. Game designers had to think outside of the box to make engaging stories and memorable characters. I can't say that is the case with our more powerful systems. Instead of focusing on graphical innovation, Nintendo introduced a motion controller, and I have to give them some credit even if the Wii let me down for the first two years after its launch. The game library was really lacking. I remember buying Wii game after Wii game hoping for a true "Nintendo" quality game. Recently, Nintendo has changed their focus from casual gamers to hardcore gamers, or rather they have developed a nice medium for both parties. 2009 and 2010 were great years for Nintendo! Games like Kirby's Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2, among other games speak for themselves. They have a wonderful throwback feeling while adding subtle innovations. I think the main reason I love these games, is because they include cooperative multiplayer gameplay! Something Sony and Microsoft game libraries severely lack. I do not consider FPS, running around and killing each other (even if it is on teams) as cooperative gameplay. Rather FPS, like fighting games, foster competition and gaming trolls.
This being said, I really love playing Kirby's Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong Country Returns with friends but we have to be in the same room physically to have these great co-op experiences. What if I moved somewhere else but still wanted to play games with my friends? What if my friends didn't live close by?
The most upsetting consequence of lacking online play- I play these games pretty rarely. Yet I play Little Big Planet 2 a lot more primarily because I can play with my friends online. With voice chat it feels like we are playing the game with each other in the same room even though it is online. This is how games should be, especially the creative two player Nintendo games because I think two player (or more) adds so much to the overall gaming experience. Unfortunately, these games simply are not as fun when you play by yourself.
There is nothing I can do now but continue to play Nintendo games with my friends in person. I just hope Nintendo knows (and they must) holding back in almost every avenue will create dissatisfied loyal fans.
Last point. I really hope the 3DS isn't another gimmick like the Wii. Don't get me wrong. I love my Wii now but at first the game library was horrible and it just felt like a huge joke. I have more faith in Nintendo now, but they still need to prove themselves! I know they can and will :).
Fact of the Week
I'm starting a new fun fact of the week that most of you probably don't know. (Or do you?)
What song does this Water Land (Super Mario Bros. 3 map theme) remind you of? Any guesses?
I'll give you a few hints. It's in another nintendo favorite series. It's a hidden location in caves, or you fall into it.
DAVID WISE of Donkey Kong 1 and 2 COMPOSED THE MUSIC FOR THIS HORRIBLE GAME. I can't believe it. Simply amazing with the hardware.
What song does this Water Land (Super Mario Bros. 3 map theme) remind you of? Any guesses?
I'll give you a few hints. It's in another nintendo favorite series. It's a hidden location in caves, or you fall into it.
Do you hear it? Let me slow it down for you.
Pretty awesome right? I've been playing Zelda since ALTTP (A Link to the Past) and I never picked up on it. Did you?
Sort of related in terms of being about video game music. Have you ever played that horrible NES game, Beetlejuice. It's considered to be one of the worst NES games for a number of reasons. I've tried it out myself and I have to say, it's pretty horrible. I didn't recognize the music though. A friend of a friend highlighted something amazing about it. Take a listen:
What does this remind you of. Just take a wild guess.
DAVID WISE of Donkey Kong 1 and 2 COMPOSED THE MUSIC FOR THIS HORRIBLE GAME. I can't believe it. Simply amazing with the hardware.
This is why I love video games folks- the endless possibilities the genre allows. Like works of fiction, devices and themes are used over and over. Nintendo never fails to amaze me :). I love finding out little things like this.
That's the fact of the week. I hope you learned something new :).
That's the fact of the week. I hope you learned something new :).
Friday, January 14, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Can't You See Gabriel?
When I downloaded the demo for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow for my PS3 a few months ago I was blown away by the visuals, the epic music, and the intense nature of the first two stages. Not to mention Patrick Stewart, Captain Jean Luc Picard, narrates and voices a character in the game.
A good friend of mine introduced me to the Castlevania series about a year ago and even though I've only played Super Castlevania IV, Rondo of Blood, and Circle of the Moon (the best one right!?!?!) the beautiful Gothic imagery with the smallest attention to detail, the atmospheric pumping music that accompanies your epic quest , and the difficulty factor definitely peaked my interest. I've basically only played the side-scrolling originals and Metroidvanias. Lords of Shadow was my first action-oriented Castlevania.
I absolutely loved Lords of Shadow when I started playing it. Between the beautiful visuals (and when I say beautiful I mean it! This has to be one of the prettiest games on the PS3), good voice acting(it exists??), and engaging action sequences (complete with command triggers!) I thought, "How can people say that this was just another God of War Clone?", even though I said the same thing at release.
Developed by a relatively unknown studio based in Madrid, Spain, MercurySteam has enormous potential. One of the things I like best about Lords of Shadow is the incorporation of Spanish culture and mythology. When I first encountered Pan, the Faun, I instantly thought of Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. When you finally meet Pan, he appears out of thin air. There also is a deep, spiraling hole at the final point of Pan's sanctuary. Clearly this invokes imagery from Del Toro's movie.
Created by Spaniards, rather than Japanese developers, this Castlevania certainly has a European feel to it. One that I believe is very fitting for the series. In addition to the beautiful ruins and cathedrals the ghastly vampires look like actual vampires. They also remind me of creature from Pan's Labyrinth- the one that eats children if they partake in his feast.
Die hard fans may shudder at the fact that there is no "actual" battle with Death or Dracula.Perhaps MercurySteam wanted to create a new Castlevania- their original interpretation of the cult series. I say actual, because this can be left open to interpretation. Even though this game may not look like a Castlevania, it still maintains the Castlevania spirit. For at certain points in the game I became frustrated when I couldn't beat a boss, or get past a certain part. Something most Castlevania players can relate to on the first play through of any Castlevania game.
I can't say that I harbored the same enthusiasm for the game towards the final chapters. I don't know if MercurySteam was rushed but the closing segments of the game felt very weak. The storyline had a lot of potential but it all kind of fell apart towards the end. I really expected an epic final boss battle but in order to avoid spoilers I won't divulge why the final fight was less than riveting. In addition certain boss battles felt too reminiscent of Shadow of the Colossus. Too close to be coincidental. Let me also add, the "Colossi" battles weren't that fun.
After you finish the game, a teaser trailer for the next game plays. At first, I have to say I was disgusted. I couldn't believe MercurySteam would take this direction, especially after creating such an immersive environment in Lords of Shadow. Yet as time passed, and I discussed the various interpretations of what happened in the teaser trailer with my friend, I realized maybe I shouldn't doubt MercurySteam. I reviewed specific battles with the Lords of Shadow, scrutinizing their warnings and actions but I can't figure it out.
This game also allows you to unlock beautiful concept art with points you've earned in battle. I'm really glad that MercurySteam included this feature because I think it adds a lot to the entire experience. Known for its beautiful art, specifically by Kojima (not related to the Metal Gear Creator) Castlevania really is more than just a video game. The art and soundtracks prove this again and again. MercurySteam continued the tradition but added a European spin to the art, and the symphonic music fits the game so perfectly.
This game also allows you to unlock beautiful concept art with points you've earned in battle. I'm really glad that MercurySteam included this feature because I think it adds a lot to the entire experience. Known for its beautiful art, specifically by Kojima (not related to the Metal Gear Creator) Castlevania really is more than just a video game. The art and soundtracks prove this again and again. MercurySteam continued the tradition but added a European spin to the art, and the symphonic music fits the game so perfectly.
I'm really looking forward to the sequel and I say if you have a PS3 (or 360) pick up this game! It is definitely worth playing.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Games that have impacted my life (and that I would recommend to almost anyone in no particular preference or order)
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Silent Hill
Chrono Trigger
Phoenix Wright
Final Fantasy VIII
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Kingdom Hearts 358/2
Silent Hill 3
Breath of Fire II
Shadow Hearts
Flower
Secret of Mana
Valkyria Chronicles
Chrono Cross
Donkey Kong Country 2
Heavy Rain
Final Fantasy XI
Silent Hill 2
Fatal Frame II
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Super Mario World
Final Fantasy IV
What's your list?
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