The wheel of fate is turning. This is one of the few fighting game series that I have actually gotten into. I'm nowhere near good enough at it to be playing anything other than the CPU fighters but I have attempted to play against friends in previous installments.
Just like the other Blazblue titles, this game is about Ragna the Bloodedge and what is happening to the world around him. If you haven't played a previous title in the series, I suggest you at least pick up the EXTEND version of the previous title to catch up. Most fighting games don't put a lot into their story modes but this is the exception to this rule.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy this series so much. Each character has decent enough depth that I can actually figure out who is going to be doing what and why. Sure, they are often twisted at times but each character has a quality that is humanlike. That said, the main plot is kind of confusing because it deals with time travel that isn't really time travel. There are different arcs for each of the different characters and it kind of ends well.
One of the shortfalls with this title is the fact that two of the newer characters are kind of just there in the story and not much is made known about them. Bullet is searching for answers about what happened to her in the past and Amane...I have no idea what Amane is doing. He is just chasing Carl Clover and not much else. I think both of these characters will get more integrated into the story in the next game but for now, they are kind of just there.
As always, the soundtrack for this game is superb. Just like Guilty Gear, there are lots of metal riffs and a few more playful songs. A lot is recycled from the previous title but each character's theme fits them and after a while you really look forward to fighting certain characters just to hear their theme.
The fighting is decently balanced and there hasn't been much change other than the new characters. I did notice the story mode was a little bit easier this time than Continuum Shift but it still had enough challenge to be a good introduction to the battle mechanics. The meat of this game is tied to the online fighting which is fun. Even though I only played once, I still had no issues with connecting and the lag was not bad.
If you are a fan of Blazblue, this is a title you should definitely not ignore. The new characters add a lot and fan favorite Kokonoe is finally playable...as DLC but still playable. The story does add to the series and will leave you wanting to finish the saga. I honestly cannot wait till the next game. I really want to know how this story is going to progress. Definitely a good game to jump into and have hours of fun with.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Code of Princess (3DS)
Early in the 3DS's life, there was a very good but unknown game by the name of Code of Princess. It was a fun beat'em up with multiple dimensions to move across. I didn't know it at the time but this was actually the spiritual successor to another title that I had never played. This game was fun but frustrating.
The story is pretty straightforward. The princess is ousted from her kingdom by an evil force. As she travels around the land trying to figure out what to do, she meets various characters and they join for various reasons. As the story progresses, the loose ends basically get tied up and there are a few plot twists. Although most of them are pretty predictable. This game wouldn't get the highest marks for it's story but it does drive the game along and gives the player something to think about while beating up enemies.
Fighting is the heart and soul of this game. Each character plays differently and has their own weaknesses and strengths. I mostly stuck with the princess, Solange because it was easier to level up one character than it was to redo every level. See, characters level up and as they do, the stats get better. Levels are important till a certain point. See there is a certain point in the game where the enemies just get so ridiculous that it is a rush to win each battle. My major gripe with the fighting engine is the fact that I was often stunlocked to death with no means to escape. Getting punished like this was often frustrating and really left a bad taste in my mouth.
The music is fun and fits the theme of the game. Each character has a track and the main enemies all have themes as well. My personal favorite is Tsukikage's theme. It has an interesting mix of flute and strange jazzy sounds. It was great to get the soundtrack with this game. I still listen to it to this day.
For the longest time, I couldn't see the appeal of beat'em ups. I had tried series like Double Dragon and Final Fight but they lacked something. I didn't find it in this game either but I had a better time with this game. There is a lot to do in this game and if you are looking for a fun romp through an interesting tale of a princess setting out to save the kingdom, I would suggest this title. Although the combat gets rough later in the game, it is certainly possible to beat this game. Yes, I had to abuse several of the game mechanics to do it but I had no other choice. I hate losing a battle because I didn't dodge an attack that came from off screen. Then being unable to move after the attack and being swarmed by more attacks. I still had some fun with this game.
The story is pretty straightforward. The princess is ousted from her kingdom by an evil force. As she travels around the land trying to figure out what to do, she meets various characters and they join for various reasons. As the story progresses, the loose ends basically get tied up and there are a few plot twists. Although most of them are pretty predictable. This game wouldn't get the highest marks for it's story but it does drive the game along and gives the player something to think about while beating up enemies.
Fighting is the heart and soul of this game. Each character plays differently and has their own weaknesses and strengths. I mostly stuck with the princess, Solange because it was easier to level up one character than it was to redo every level. See, characters level up and as they do, the stats get better. Levels are important till a certain point. See there is a certain point in the game where the enemies just get so ridiculous that it is a rush to win each battle. My major gripe with the fighting engine is the fact that I was often stunlocked to death with no means to escape. Getting punished like this was often frustrating and really left a bad taste in my mouth.
The music is fun and fits the theme of the game. Each character has a track and the main enemies all have themes as well. My personal favorite is Tsukikage's theme. It has an interesting mix of flute and strange jazzy sounds. It was great to get the soundtrack with this game. I still listen to it to this day.
For the longest time, I couldn't see the appeal of beat'em ups. I had tried series like Double Dragon and Final Fight but they lacked something. I didn't find it in this game either but I had a better time with this game. There is a lot to do in this game and if you are looking for a fun romp through an interesting tale of a princess setting out to save the kingdom, I would suggest this title. Although the combat gets rough later in the game, it is certainly possible to beat this game. Yes, I had to abuse several of the game mechanics to do it but I had no other choice. I hate losing a battle because I didn't dodge an attack that came from off screen. Then being unable to move after the attack and being swarmed by more attacks. I still had some fun with this game.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk (PS3)
I've always had a thing for games with item creation systems. Be it simply boosting current equipment to creating things from scratch, it interests me to create things from the junk you usually get through a game. Loot is always fun to get but doing nothing with the loot is lazy. Luckily, this series exists for this reason.
Atelier Ayesha is a game about two things, time and resource management. See the premise is that the player is an apothecary that dabbles in alchemy, Ayesha. Ayesha has lost her sister to some mysterious force and now she is living a simple life. While picking herbs in her normal spot for picking herbs, her adventure of self-discovery, becoming an alchemist, and saving her sister begins.
The story for the most part is pretty straight forward. There are not really any huge twists and it is pretty easy to follow. The part that shines is all the character interactions. Be it from the tomboyish mercenary with a pickaxe to the fledgling witch, each character grows through the story and you start to appreciate them for their quirks.
The gameplay is broken down between making things in the workshop to help you in battle or move the story forward and going out in the field to gather materials or fight monsters. This is where managing what you are doing comes into play. See, there is a time limit to how long the player has before the story ends. It is never rushed like previous games in the series but it does drive the flow of the game.
Alchemy is the central way by which items are created. These items are used for combat, story progression, or for cash. It is easy to spend months in the workshop trying to make the best item possible or just spamming bread. The only downside is that some of the recipes open too soon for the items that are available and it gets confusing as to what to make. The menus work well and I never got confused as to how the item I was about to make would turn out.
Combat is simple but there is more strategy involved in this entry. Positioning the party is an important part of each battle and some monsters will destroy the player if they did not plan accordingly. The game does progressively get harder at times and there are lots of times where a boss will be too hard to defeat. Luckily, these are few and often easy to pass with newer equipment or better items.
The shining piece from this game that still sticks with me is the music. It is full of memorable tracks and each area has a theme. Wandering around the land and listening to these tracks makes for a great experience.
For the start of a new saga, Atelier Ayesha is a great start. The developers have learned from the Arland games and realized that the time management in those games was far to frustrating at the pace that was set. The pace in this game is much easier and makes for a much better experience. Having said all this, I would recommend this for anybody that is looking for a simple RPG to play. It is relaxing and hardly ever frustrating. Sure some of the super bosses are difficult but the main story is a fun journey through a young woman's coming of age story. If you want to relax for 40+ hours, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Special props go out to Linca and Marion as the two best characters in the game but you only find out more about them the more you play. So go play it.
Atelier Ayesha is a game about two things, time and resource management. See the premise is that the player is an apothecary that dabbles in alchemy, Ayesha. Ayesha has lost her sister to some mysterious force and now she is living a simple life. While picking herbs in her normal spot for picking herbs, her adventure of self-discovery, becoming an alchemist, and saving her sister begins.
The story for the most part is pretty straight forward. There are not really any huge twists and it is pretty easy to follow. The part that shines is all the character interactions. Be it from the tomboyish mercenary with a pickaxe to the fledgling witch, each character grows through the story and you start to appreciate them for their quirks.
The gameplay is broken down between making things in the workshop to help you in battle or move the story forward and going out in the field to gather materials or fight monsters. This is where managing what you are doing comes into play. See, there is a time limit to how long the player has before the story ends. It is never rushed like previous games in the series but it does drive the flow of the game.
Alchemy is the central way by which items are created. These items are used for combat, story progression, or for cash. It is easy to spend months in the workshop trying to make the best item possible or just spamming bread. The only downside is that some of the recipes open too soon for the items that are available and it gets confusing as to what to make. The menus work well and I never got confused as to how the item I was about to make would turn out.
Combat is simple but there is more strategy involved in this entry. Positioning the party is an important part of each battle and some monsters will destroy the player if they did not plan accordingly. The game does progressively get harder at times and there are lots of times where a boss will be too hard to defeat. Luckily, these are few and often easy to pass with newer equipment or better items.
The shining piece from this game that still sticks with me is the music. It is full of memorable tracks and each area has a theme. Wandering around the land and listening to these tracks makes for a great experience.
For the start of a new saga, Atelier Ayesha is a great start. The developers have learned from the Arland games and realized that the time management in those games was far to frustrating at the pace that was set. The pace in this game is much easier and makes for a much better experience. Having said all this, I would recommend this for anybody that is looking for a simple RPG to play. It is relaxing and hardly ever frustrating. Sure some of the super bosses are difficult but the main story is a fun journey through a young woman's coming of age story. If you want to relax for 40+ hours, just sit back and enjoy the ride. Special props go out to Linca and Marion as the two best characters in the game but you only find out more about them the more you play. So go play it.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Legend of Mana (PS)
I'm not going to lie, I have always been a fan of the Mana series. Secret of Mana is my favorite game and this game is a very close second. Everything about this game is superb. The music is great, the combat is simple and fun, and the story while a little light fits with the series.
Let me get started with the music. This game has a very simple soundtrack but each track fits with what is going on. It is often that you will find yourself in very intense moment in the game and the music will match it. It can be light when it needs to be or make your blood rush when wanted.
The key thing I like about this game is the gameplay and especially the combat. Being able to use so many different weapons helps keep the game fresh. Find a weapon type you like, keep with that type and just upgrade your equipment as you need. The game allows you to strengthen your weapons using a smithing system. Although I never understood what a lot of the effects that you would get from the system, I would play around with it for hours.
The combat also rewards you by giving you all sorts of abilities ranging from a quick backstep to a high flying moonsault. These are not only important because they help you get around on the battle field and avoid damage but they also can be combined at times. For instance, if you equipped certain abilities, you could learn new special attacks for the weapon you were using or even a new ability.
While fighting, you can make your own combos and unleash some very awesome looking moves. The special attacks are awesome and each one feels unique. Each of the weapons plays a little bit differently and if you want to play around with them, you can. But one of my favorite features is having a pet or golem come with you into battle.
Pets are monsters that you grow in the monster ranch. They can come on your adventure and many of them have some great abilities. If you stay close to your allies, they will give you a link ability. My favorite being the spring ball monster, which when you are touching him you are invincible. Comes in handy in some difficult fights.
Golems are creatures that you essentially create an AI for using leftover equipment and you equip the golem with these things like a Tetris puzzle. You only have a certain amount of space to put in attacks and abilities for the golem to use. They can be very powerful allies if you give them the correct equipment.
Monsters and Golems aren't the only things that can join you in battle. Throughout the story, you will get access to certain characters that are important to the story. They range from a magical child with a frying pan to a legendary gem knight. The story branches off at times and a lot of the side stories are great. It can sometimes be a little hard to figure out what to do in a particular story quest but I made it through the whole game without looking at a guide.
There are a few flaws that I feel I can't overlook though. First, monsters only get experience if they touch the EXP crystals when an enemy dies. This can lead to some very underleveled monsters and make them useless at times. I have fond memories of me fighting a boss over and over just to get my Rabite some experience, trying to push him into the crystals.
The other major flaw is the fact that you can lock yourself out of several areas and quests because finding or completing them is incredibly esoteric. If took me 5 playthroughs just to find out how to get to the legendary jewel city that I forget the name of now. Some side-stories can be completely missed and may be hard to trigger at times.
Looking back at this game, this was the first game I played through more than twice. I loved every minute of this game. I trained every monster I could get. I mastered every weapon I could. Sure there are times where I was completely lost but the game is just so beautiful and fun that I overlooked it. If you have a chance, play this game. Yes, it is not as good as Secret of Mana and many claim it is not as good as the Japan only Seiken Densetsu 3 but it is a great game. Sadly, this is the climax of the series. The games that followed this game sullied the series to the point of it being reduced to a mobile game at this point in time. Would I love to see a game like this again? Of course. Will I ever see another game like this? A game with so much lore and beautiful artwork? I hope so but not likely with Square Enix in the state it is in. Which is just a heartbreaking thought.
Let me get started with the music. This game has a very simple soundtrack but each track fits with what is going on. It is often that you will find yourself in very intense moment in the game and the music will match it. It can be light when it needs to be or make your blood rush when wanted.
The key thing I like about this game is the gameplay and especially the combat. Being able to use so many different weapons helps keep the game fresh. Find a weapon type you like, keep with that type and just upgrade your equipment as you need. The game allows you to strengthen your weapons using a smithing system. Although I never understood what a lot of the effects that you would get from the system, I would play around with it for hours.
The combat also rewards you by giving you all sorts of abilities ranging from a quick backstep to a high flying moonsault. These are not only important because they help you get around on the battle field and avoid damage but they also can be combined at times. For instance, if you equipped certain abilities, you could learn new special attacks for the weapon you were using or even a new ability.
While fighting, you can make your own combos and unleash some very awesome looking moves. The special attacks are awesome and each one feels unique. Each of the weapons plays a little bit differently and if you want to play around with them, you can. But one of my favorite features is having a pet or golem come with you into battle.
Pets are monsters that you grow in the monster ranch. They can come on your adventure and many of them have some great abilities. If you stay close to your allies, they will give you a link ability. My favorite being the spring ball monster, which when you are touching him you are invincible. Comes in handy in some difficult fights.
Golems are creatures that you essentially create an AI for using leftover equipment and you equip the golem with these things like a Tetris puzzle. You only have a certain amount of space to put in attacks and abilities for the golem to use. They can be very powerful allies if you give them the correct equipment.
Monsters and Golems aren't the only things that can join you in battle. Throughout the story, you will get access to certain characters that are important to the story. They range from a magical child with a frying pan to a legendary gem knight. The story branches off at times and a lot of the side stories are great. It can sometimes be a little hard to figure out what to do in a particular story quest but I made it through the whole game without looking at a guide.
There are a few flaws that I feel I can't overlook though. First, monsters only get experience if they touch the EXP crystals when an enemy dies. This can lead to some very underleveled monsters and make them useless at times. I have fond memories of me fighting a boss over and over just to get my Rabite some experience, trying to push him into the crystals.
The other major flaw is the fact that you can lock yourself out of several areas and quests because finding or completing them is incredibly esoteric. If took me 5 playthroughs just to find out how to get to the legendary jewel city that I forget the name of now. Some side-stories can be completely missed and may be hard to trigger at times.
Looking back at this game, this was the first game I played through more than twice. I loved every minute of this game. I trained every monster I could get. I mastered every weapon I could. Sure there are times where I was completely lost but the game is just so beautiful and fun that I overlooked it. If you have a chance, play this game. Yes, it is not as good as Secret of Mana and many claim it is not as good as the Japan only Seiken Densetsu 3 but it is a great game. Sadly, this is the climax of the series. The games that followed this game sullied the series to the point of it being reduced to a mobile game at this point in time. Would I love to see a game like this again? Of course. Will I ever see another game like this? A game with so much lore and beautiful artwork? I hope so but not likely with Square Enix in the state it is in. Which is just a heartbreaking thought.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Doom II (GBA)
First review of 2015 and I get to do Doom II for the GBA. Yes, Doom II for the GBA. This doesn't make sense to me at all either but it is there. I'll keep this short at least. The game is simple, works well, and is fully featured. You don't lose much when you move from a PC to a GBA. The game just works. Not the best version of Doom II I have played but it gets the job done.
If you don't know what Doom II is, you obviously haven't been playing games long. It is an FPS that is basically the grandfather of FPSes. Go play Doom and then Doom II. Seriously, these games still hold up today. They are fast paced, simple, and fun. Sure there are some dark themes but honestly, if there was a gate to Hell on Mars. Well, it is an interesting premise to say the least. Go play this game if you haven't already. If you have, pick this up if you can find it. Portable Doom action is always fun.
If you don't know what Doom II is, you obviously haven't been playing games long. It is an FPS that is basically the grandfather of FPSes. Go play Doom and then Doom II. Seriously, these games still hold up today. They are fast paced, simple, and fun. Sure there are some dark themes but honestly, if there was a gate to Hell on Mars. Well, it is an interesting premise to say the least. Go play this game if you haven't already. If you have, pick this up if you can find it. Portable Doom action is always fun.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Devil May Cry 2 HD (PS3)
I played all the Devil May Cry games in order because I had nothing better to do one month. I am not usually one for games like this, I don't have the muscles for twitch movements and the like. This was a very difficult series for me to get into but I made it through this game.
Devil May Cry is a series of games about a half-human/half-demon character by the name of Dante. The story is honestly well written in all the other games but in this one, it is easily forgotten. In fact, I don't remember much about this game at all. I know it has all the over-the-top action that the series is known for and Dante is supposed to be a badass above all other badasses.
The gameplay of this was less than stellar, namely the difficulty. I'm not huge on difficult games but this one compared to 1 and 3 is just a huge step backwards. The game is really easy no matter what you do. Now I don't see that as a terribly bad thing but many people will. The combat works and the platforming and puzzles are bland, again this game was so forgettable I don't even remember anything about it at all.
I think to sum things up, if I can't remember much about this game. It must not be a very good game in the first place. My friends told me not to play this game because it tarnishes the series as a whole and I really feel it does. I have only completed the first three games and did not want to move on in the series. I'm sure there will be somebody that sticks up for this game but I honestly can't think of anything that redeems this game.
Devil May Cry is a series of games about a half-human/half-demon character by the name of Dante. The story is honestly well written in all the other games but in this one, it is easily forgotten. In fact, I don't remember much about this game at all. I know it has all the over-the-top action that the series is known for and Dante is supposed to be a badass above all other badasses.
The gameplay of this was less than stellar, namely the difficulty. I'm not huge on difficult games but this one compared to 1 and 3 is just a huge step backwards. The game is really easy no matter what you do. Now I don't see that as a terribly bad thing but many people will. The combat works and the platforming and puzzles are bland, again this game was so forgettable I don't even remember anything about it at all.
I think to sum things up, if I can't remember much about this game. It must not be a very good game in the first place. My friends told me not to play this game because it tarnishes the series as a whole and I really feel it does. I have only completed the first three games and did not want to move on in the series. I'm sure there will be somebody that sticks up for this game but I honestly can't think of anything that redeems this game.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (NDS)
As the second Dragon Quest game I ever played, this was a good way to get acquainted with the series. Having played other titles now, I can say that though they don't change the formula that much there is something about the series that is so endearing. Sure there are games with better graphics, battle mechanics, and stories but this series has so much going for it.
The game oozes nostalgic tones of RPGs in the NES/SNES days. You can only save in certain places, random encounters, and very straightforward progression. What sets this game apart is the story. I feel that by splitting each section of the game across the various heroes that you meet is a great way to build the story. You gain a connection to each character and their struggles. The story does end quite well and I have to say it was intense to say the least.
If you have never played a traditional turn based RPG, this is a great place to start. Battles are as simple or complex as you want them to be. I never had a difficult time with just attacking everything, except with bosses. Some players don't like this and feel that it makes the enemies all out to be cannon fodder. I like this way better as I hate losing to small fry enemies. The bosses should be the challenge but it falls to a matter of taste.
There isn't much else to say about this game. If you want a classical RPG adventure full of dragons, magic, and random encounters. This is the game for you. Sure it doesn't have all the modern RPG staples but it is still a fun ride. The story is well worth the time and some of the characters will stick with you.
The game oozes nostalgic tones of RPGs in the NES/SNES days. You can only save in certain places, random encounters, and very straightforward progression. What sets this game apart is the story. I feel that by splitting each section of the game across the various heroes that you meet is a great way to build the story. You gain a connection to each character and their struggles. The story does end quite well and I have to say it was intense to say the least.
If you have never played a traditional turn based RPG, this is a great place to start. Battles are as simple or complex as you want them to be. I never had a difficult time with just attacking everything, except with bosses. Some players don't like this and feel that it makes the enemies all out to be cannon fodder. I like this way better as I hate losing to small fry enemies. The bosses should be the challenge but it falls to a matter of taste.
There isn't much else to say about this game. If you want a classical RPG adventure full of dragons, magic, and random encounters. This is the game for you. Sure it doesn't have all the modern RPG staples but it is still a fun ride. The story is well worth the time and some of the characters will stick with you.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Persona 4 Arena (PS3)
Coming off my initial playthrough of Persona 4 Golden, I purchased this game. I thought it would be a good idea. I love Blazblue and this seemed very similar. I was only slightly disappointed by this game but not for the reason that I was thinking.
To begin, this is a fighting game that takes place after the events of Persona 4. The premise being that the main character from Persona 4, in this case named Yu, has returned to Inaba for a vacation. During this time, it appears the Midnight Channel from the previous game has returned and it is up to the Investigation Team to find out what is going on.
This story setup is not the problem. The problem with this game is the story is incredibly slow and there is far too much text on the screen for a fighting game. Now I don't mind Blazblue because usually there is a lot of fights. In this game, it is the opposite. During one story section, there is literally 40 minutes of talking and one fight. The fights are fun but often are very easy.
I couldn't actually finish the story mode because there was just way too much text. I feel disappointed in myself for this because I really wanted to like the story but I just could not get into it. This was just so slow and really was not interesting. I'm sure that I am the only one that feels this way but it is my opinion.
The fighting in this game is superb and fluid. Every character is awesome and plays just as you would expect them too if you had played the RPG. Even some characters from Persona 3 make an appearance and it just brings more for players of both. It is great to finally be able to settle who would win a fight between Teddie and Aigis.
I must give a special nod to the music in this title. Most of it is remixes from Persona 4 but it really makes you feel nostalgic if you played Persona 4 beforehand. It really pumps me up and makes me want to play both titles whenever I hear it.
All in all, if you are a fan of Persona or Blazblue, you should buy this or the new enhanced version that recently was released. They are solid games and worth it. Although the story mode was incredibly slow to me and with little reward, it by no means should ruin the game for you.
To begin, this is a fighting game that takes place after the events of Persona 4. The premise being that the main character from Persona 4, in this case named Yu, has returned to Inaba for a vacation. During this time, it appears the Midnight Channel from the previous game has returned and it is up to the Investigation Team to find out what is going on.
This story setup is not the problem. The problem with this game is the story is incredibly slow and there is far too much text on the screen for a fighting game. Now I don't mind Blazblue because usually there is a lot of fights. In this game, it is the opposite. During one story section, there is literally 40 minutes of talking and one fight. The fights are fun but often are very easy.
I couldn't actually finish the story mode because there was just way too much text. I feel disappointed in myself for this because I really wanted to like the story but I just could not get into it. This was just so slow and really was not interesting. I'm sure that I am the only one that feels this way but it is my opinion.
The fighting in this game is superb and fluid. Every character is awesome and plays just as you would expect them too if you had played the RPG. Even some characters from Persona 3 make an appearance and it just brings more for players of both. It is great to finally be able to settle who would win a fight between Teddie and Aigis.
I must give a special nod to the music in this title. Most of it is remixes from Persona 4 but it really makes you feel nostalgic if you played Persona 4 beforehand. It really pumps me up and makes me want to play both titles whenever I hear it.
All in all, if you are a fan of Persona or Blazblue, you should buy this or the new enhanced version that recently was released. They are solid games and worth it. Although the story mode was incredibly slow to me and with little reward, it by no means should ruin the game for you.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Metroid II: Return of Samus (GBC)
Looking back on my time with this game, it brings back fond memories of playing through this whole games in a span of two days on a very long road trip. I still remember where most of the items are and I remember the excitement of meeting my first Zeta metroid. I've always been a fan of the series and this was just a continuation of my love.
The story premise is simple. After the events of the first game, Samus Aran must go hunt metroids on their home world. The story is very simple and to the point. This game is meant to instill a sense of adventure and solitude. You feel as if you are the first human to ever visit this place just as it should be because you are the first to visit. Or at least the first to survive.
See, the planet SR388 is a dangerous place full of enemies and metroids. Just about everything in this game is trying to kill Samus and it is your job to survive. Most of the enemies are simple and have very predictable patterns. Metroids on the other hand are difficult. There are four types and they will destroy you very easily if you are careless. Why fight these things then? Well, you can't advance without killing them. The whole point of the game is to eradicate all the metroids.
The only part of this game that is a huge hindrance is the fact that there is no map. Just like the first title, unless you are keeping a map, there is nothing. It is incredibly easy to get lost in this game. It is also easy to miss things that you need to advance. Unless you know where to go, get ready to wander. This does bring a sense of realism but mostly it is just a limitation of the Gameboy.
This is a great game and really should be played by anybody that likes Metroid. Sure there are lots of times you will get lost but it is worth playing. The battles are fun and exciting. This is a great game to play on the run.
The story premise is simple. After the events of the first game, Samus Aran must go hunt metroids on their home world. The story is very simple and to the point. This game is meant to instill a sense of adventure and solitude. You feel as if you are the first human to ever visit this place just as it should be because you are the first to visit. Or at least the first to survive.
See, the planet SR388 is a dangerous place full of enemies and metroids. Just about everything in this game is trying to kill Samus and it is your job to survive. Most of the enemies are simple and have very predictable patterns. Metroids on the other hand are difficult. There are four types and they will destroy you very easily if you are careless. Why fight these things then? Well, you can't advance without killing them. The whole point of the game is to eradicate all the metroids.
The only part of this game that is a huge hindrance is the fact that there is no map. Just like the first title, unless you are keeping a map, there is nothing. It is incredibly easy to get lost in this game. It is also easy to miss things that you need to advance. Unless you know where to go, get ready to wander. This does bring a sense of realism but mostly it is just a limitation of the Gameboy.
This is a great game and really should be played by anybody that likes Metroid. Sure there are lots of times you will get lost but it is worth playing. The battles are fun and exciting. This is a great game to play on the run.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Persona 4: The Golden (PSVita)
As my second foray into the world of Shin Megami Tensei and specifically the Persona series, I was excited. Persona 3 left me wanting a little bit more and that is just what I got. This is a great game and encompasses everything that I want from an RPG. The battle system is solid, the story is absolutely wonderful, and the characters are all memorable in their own way.
Let's start off with the gameplay, this game is cross between a life-simulator and an RPG. You can venture into the various dungeons with your friends or just try to live a normal life as a high school student in Japan. Well as normal as you can get with the fact that you are the only people that can solve a murder mystery where people are dying from unknown ways and you somehow can go inside the TV. The combat is solid and venturing through the dungeons is never dull. Sure there can be some grinding when you are looking for a certain item or when you need to level up a Persona to get a skill you need but it is always fun.
The story in this game is my key appeal. Everything is fleshed out and you never feel like something is just glossed over or forgotten. Each part of the main story involves the aforementioned murder mystery but there is more to the game than just that. Through the social link system, you learn more about your party members, family, and people in the game world. Not only are most of these interesting but they give you in game perks from new Persona's to party member skills. You can do as much or as little as you want. I never felt forced to do a social link.
I consider this game a must own if you own a Vita. Even if you don't like the anime style or even want to listen to all the high school angst, the game is just too good not to suggest to anybody with any interest in RPGs. The battle system is solid to the point of hindering no part of the game experience. Even the story will keep you guessing as several times I was second guessing what was going to happen. It is very rare that I care about characters in a game but this game made me care about all of them. I don't care if you played this on the PS2, buy this game on a Vita and enjoy it. The added content is well worth it.
Let's start off with the gameplay, this game is cross between a life-simulator and an RPG. You can venture into the various dungeons with your friends or just try to live a normal life as a high school student in Japan. Well as normal as you can get with the fact that you are the only people that can solve a murder mystery where people are dying from unknown ways and you somehow can go inside the TV. The combat is solid and venturing through the dungeons is never dull. Sure there can be some grinding when you are looking for a certain item or when you need to level up a Persona to get a skill you need but it is always fun.
The story in this game is my key appeal. Everything is fleshed out and you never feel like something is just glossed over or forgotten. Each part of the main story involves the aforementioned murder mystery but there is more to the game than just that. Through the social link system, you learn more about your party members, family, and people in the game world. Not only are most of these interesting but they give you in game perks from new Persona's to party member skills. You can do as much or as little as you want. I never felt forced to do a social link.
I consider this game a must own if you own a Vita. Even if you don't like the anime style or even want to listen to all the high school angst, the game is just too good not to suggest to anybody with any interest in RPGs. The battle system is solid to the point of hindering no part of the game experience. Even the story will keep you guessing as several times I was second guessing what was going to happen. It is very rare that I care about characters in a game but this game made me care about all of them. I don't care if you played this on the PS2, buy this game on a Vita and enjoy it. The added content is well worth it.
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