random updates
I beat Heavy Rain (PS3) last week. It was a pretty good game storywise. I’ve not played a “movie game” before, so I was not prepared for a bunch of walking around in small spaces with constantly changing, uncontrollable cameras, and extended quicktime events for every action sequence. But I enjoyed the game and hope to replay it sometime in the future (there are 7 endings and 22 different epilogues).
I also finished Half-Life today, more than 10 years after it was released and three attempts to start the game. I only played for 4 or 5 days, but it was an enjoyable game. Don’t think I’ll jump straight into HL2 right away, though. I’d hate to burn out on FPSs.
Up next… I dunno. I should put some hours into Star Ocean 4, which I’ve only just started, and I also need to put maybe 6-8 more hours into Tales of Symphonia to get past where the next OVA will end. And then FF13 comes out in a couple days, Resonance of Fate a week later… Busy busy. Not to mention that I’m back to working 32-36 hours a week again.
In unrelated news, my college sent me some little debit card. Apparently, my federal grant money will be put on this card for me to use on my school-related expenses. This begs the question: Could I use that money to, say, pay off my credit cards, which would save me money in the long run by avoiding all that interest? Mm… I should probably just keep things simple and use it directly for school…
wtb remakes
Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about “renewed interest” in a PS3 Final Fantasy 7 remake. Sure, it’d be cool and great and be, like, three Blu-ray discs or twelve DVDs, but hell, it’s what people want.
However, what about the original game is something that needs to be changed? Beyond improved graphics, added voice acting and switching the music from MIDI to symphony, of course. Bring back the “Aeris comes back to life” story that got cut? Or the Vincent storyline that got cut? Really, what more do people want? The original game was epic, had a well-developed world and stood out in the minds of gamers at the time. Why pay $60+ to relive that exact same experience with HD graphics?
Now, for me, Xenogears needs to be redone. But not with ossum HD graphics and character designs with millions of polygons. Hell, you don’t even have to redo Disc 1’s contents, but for the love of God, give Disc 2 the proper treatment it deserved. Give us an expanded view of the Eldridge and what happened to Earth that drove humanity off it and into the ship. Then they can roll that into a sequel, the Episode VI hinted at during Xenogears’ endgame. Do it on the PSP or a downloadable PS3 game because so few people would spend money on 1999 graphics for $60.
Also Chrono Trigger sequel where? And I don’t count Chrono Cross. The DS/Wiiware is perfect for it. I don’t even care what the conflict is. Something as cliche as someone traveling through time and doing evil deeds would suffice if the story is as well written as the original.
On a final note, Zone of the Enders 3 when?
Hurr durr
So my sister moved back in with my dad and I, which sucks because I now have to condense all my shit from two rooms to one. This means getting rid of my comfortable recliner and going back to watching TV/gaming on my futon, which fucking sucks ass. It also means carting her around because she’s a bitch when you don’t do what she wants (which is why I dislike living with her). She left her car (that my dad bought for her) back where she was because she lost her license months ago because she’s retarded.
Anyway, my hours got cut at work after a management switch, but I’m still working 4-5 days a week. Shitsux. Summer registration for classes at CC opens March 1. I am looking to take one class over the summer and then go full-time once the federal grants kick in this fall.
Remember my ‘I hate the USPS’ post?
Detailed Results:
* Processed through Sort Facility, February 18, 2010, 8:43 am, HAZELWOOD, MO 63042
* Processed through Sort Facility, February 15, 2010, 3:46 pm, WARRENDALE, PA 15095
* Processed through Sort Facility, February 15, 2010, 3:16 am, ALLEN PARK, MI 48101
* Processed through Sort Facility, February 10, 2010, 3:45 am, FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003
* Electronic Shipping Info Received, February 09, 2010
…Genius. And they wonder why people don’t send letters anymore. BTW this was sent from WA to IN.
wtf old-ish vidya game market
Since when is Super Mario World impossible to find w/ the fucking box and instructions? How many hundreds of thousands of those things were sold (wikipedia says over 23 million)? Looks like I’ll be trolling some garage sales this spring looking for SNES/PS1 games… Curse my sister, who stole my original SNES, SMW1, DKC1/3 and SM All-stars years ago to pawn.
Anyway, am I insane to think that I can make small gains on buying less-than-popular RPGs on current-gen consoles? Specifically, I’ve preordered tri-Ace’s Resonance of Fate, which is supposed to release here in June or something. I’m considering just putting it on the shelf for a few years and buying a used copy in the meantime to play. Star Ocean 2 sold 370K copies outside of Japan and sells now for around 3x the original sales price. SO3, on the other hand, sold 630K in the U.S., and a sealed, non-Greatest Hits version sells for $10 less than it did when released. On a personal note, I recently sold my new/sealed SMT Devil Summoner for $50, the same price it was new, which I guess was a bargain since the cheapest sealed one I see now is $75.
Then there are times when a game’s popularity makes the price of sealed/new versions go up. FFVII for example. Even the Greatest Hits edition goes for $125+, when the game probably sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. You could argue that FF7 was/is a special game for many people and that causes prices to rise as people still desire the game for either nostalgia or to experience the hype. FF8, though, which was/is not nearly as popular/loved… well, you can still find the Greatest Hits edition for sale in some stores. Seriously. For $20. Then you have the original black label version, which (sealed) starts around $70.
I recently went on a tax refund-induced mini shopping spree and snatched sealed copies of Xenosaga Episodes I, II and III. Why? First, backup copies should I ever break/lose mind. Second… Well, I feel XS is the kind of series that has a “cult” following. Even though the games sold poorly (in comparison to Namco’s bloated “this will sell as well as FF10″ expectations) and suffered through a poor sequel in Episode II, the series as a whole is one that lends itself well to the “love it or hate it” mentality, and I guess I’m banking on there being more and more people in the future who will love it. I mean, people of all ages still go online or to their nearest used video game store (not Gamestop) and try to find older games…
I’m rambling… time for bed.
Nyaar…
Beat Xenosaga Episode II this afternoon for… maybe the fourth time. Now, I have a couple days off later this week when I’ll be able to use the HDTV and play Star Ocean 4, but… I’m so tempted to start Xenosaga III in the meantime. I should probably put a few more hours into Tales of Symphonia too… OVA5 in six(ish) weeks… Picked up FF3/6 for the SNES too, since I never got past like 1/4 done on emulators… Decisions, decisions…
Ugh…
There are just some days when I want to be done with fansubbing.
Current State of Vidya Gamin’
Since I’m suddenly only fansubbing 2 shows (one of which takes an hour max) instead of five, it feels like I have a lot more time to sit down and grab a controller.
About halfway through my nth replay of Xenosaga Episode II.
Around 5 hours into Tales of Symphonia. This one I don’t want to rush because the second half needs to be fresh in my mind before OVA5 comes out 25 March.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope (International), about an hour in. Didn’t want to devote too much time to it today.
Heavy Rain comes out 23 Feb., and FF13 on 9 March. Finally, my PS3 will be getting some hours put on it.
Side note: I just realized I have a SNES, Gameboy Color, Gamecube, NDS (playable GBA), PS2 (playable PS1), and PS3 consoles… crazy.
Random thought, 08/02/2010
Anyone else feel like they have more dreams when your bedroom temp. is slightly higher than normal?
Random thought, 07/02/2010
I want to learn to play the piano.