Currently Playing:

Marvel Alliance

I wish it was a Spider-Woman game! Yeah right!

Final Fantasy I

Iron Man 3 the Official Game

So all of the games above I am playing in my iPhone. While I'm not avidly playing them like I do my console games(I don't play games as fervently as I used to anyways), they are a bit of a time consumer when I am out and about and killing time. None of them are ground breaking games but they are somewhat worthy of the time allotted! Iron Man 3 is like a Stark version of temple run while the other two are turn based rpgs. Though I have some major qualms with the Marvel one since it is more or less a gimmick to make money....

"V.V" and Kamea

Now this game has my attention(as sparse as it is) in gaming. D2 may have lost a few points when they took out a few things that the third and fourth one made(Monster weapon! The Monster riding does not fit my battle style!!!! Or aesthetics for that matter) adequate for my liking, it's still a good game. The return of the trio bodes really well and the chemistry is still refreshing as it was ten years ago! Some job classes are still needed, but I have a feeling I'll forget about some of them with the newest additions and the reviving of old classes and monsters.

Insanity can still pervade all over the place, but still missing a few more things that made Disgaea 3 and Disgaea 4 fantastic! But again, a really addicting game! 

2012 Gaming Sessions

So here we are! The 'end of the world' year! If that is the case, I guess it's time to take note on how cathartic this year is in regards to some aspects of my gaming time! Though suffice to say, because of certain events, I have not been TOO deep into gaming. In fact, there might be a new subject here if I have the 'NEED' to put in that section. Well, time will tell as I work on this blog.


FIGHTING GAMES: Year by year my 'love' for this genre has decreased because of a few certain issues; first and foremost, it's going to be the idea that they aren't as enamoring as they used to be because of their lifetime. Another issue that has become a bit more prominent that factors in to my 'love' for these kind of games is the act of treason of DLC's; and this is mostly on Capcom's doing. Anyways, I have only played two fighting games this year and to judge which one held my interest more is well....

Winner is: 

Dead or Alive. Why? Well, the story of this game isn't that enticing AT ALL. The gameplay is entertaining enough, but why? Well.... I have no real rhyme and reason. It held my interest far more than the other fighting game I did buy this year. Which of course would make the second game the 'runner up'.

(Past posts: Currently, Gaming for the next 2 months)


Runner up:

If I was to care about a fighting game's story aside from Street Fighter's, it would be Persona's. Even though this game has an otaku like sense behind it; deep, but still too Anime'ish for me to an extent. But the mechanics was smooth, the aesthetics are flashy, and the characters are mostly interesting. But again, it didn't capture my attention as much as DOA did.

(Past Posts: Yukiko Amagi)


Action/RPG(Sandbox): I have mentioned before that this genre can be a bit mixed in with another genre. It's few and far between as to how to really distinguish, again I have no real description as to why and how I pick it, I guess I use the 'RPG elements' that isn't completely on the RPG based world. To me, any sort of game that indulges in the notion of leveling up, equipment, character skill/s build up but isn't ENTIRELY leaning towards to the whole feel of RPG like some games like Final Fantasy, etc. is action RPG. It's obscure, and hard to put a grasp on it. But these are the two that stick out. Honestly, in this 'genre', I only have two that really concur in this category.


Winner: 

Dark Siders II Review

This game did a fine job picking up where the other one left off. I only had one play through, but I would say that it was something note worthy to mention as one of the games this year that kept me interested.

(Past Posts: Currently Playing, Currently Playing, Currently Playing: DarkSiders 2, On An Update)


Runner Up:

The Amazing Spider-Man Review

Movie games are hit and miss. Spidey's new game went back to the 'open world' roots, however, it still lacked the flavor that I would prefer. That and the graphics weren't that great and the whole movie tie in wasn't exactly enough to cajole me to think and feel it's Parker's best Video game appearance.

(Past Posts: The Amazing Spider-Man, Currently Playing)


Action/3rd person: This is the other genre that is far too similar with the previous category. Again, they might be one and the same but the fact that the whole 'open world' is taken out as a factor in some of the games, I considered this a completely and totally different game. I am obstinate at the notion that they are different even though the solidity of my argument may not be as tangible as I would like. But again, this is my blog, right?


Winner:

Lollipop Chainsaw Review

Sensual. Funny. Jovial. And not to mention that  there are elements of fan service that appeals to me. This game may not be receiving mainstream appraisal, to me however it is far too enjoyable to NOT claim it first in rank!

(Past Posts: Damsel of the Month, Lollipop Chainsaw MV, Why Lollipop Chainsaw?)


Runner Up:

Asura's Wrath Review

While this game wasn't entirely heavy on the aspect of gameplay, it did serve enough purpose on the story element and when it was indulging in gameplay, it was entertaining enough. QTE is the theme of this said game.

(Past Posts: Currently Playing, I am Enamored, Currently Playing)


BEST RPG: Eventually in the future I want to make it 'Western RPG and JRPG' into two separate category like I did for last year. That is if the case being that JRPGs can actually MAKE a good rpg in this day and age suitable for the need of a much more mature and extensive gamer like me. Truth to be told, what was the biggest JRPG that came out this year? Final Fantasy XIII-2? Suffice to say, while I did eliminate a category in my gaming likes, some games this year like the infamous FFXIII-2 DID help me make a new category in which we'll see later. But anyways, reverting the attention back to the this notion. Role Playing Game. Those three words. With that said, it would be plainly obvious as to why the choices are make are what they are.


Winner:

Mass Effect 3 Review

Why won't it be Mass Effect 3? Aside from PC games (in which I do not indulge) who else will stand in the way of Shepard and his endeavors? The most complaints I have ever received from this game are either Premature and the uneducated kinds, lousy and rather love lost JRPG'ers, non hardcore gamers, and then there are those supposedly fan of the series who allow the ending to completely annihilate the the past decade the game had offered. Sure, the ending is quite important, but Bioware rectified, didn't they? Unlike games like Final Fantasy where if you don't like the ending its your endeavor lost, Bioware made a effort, and although in the end it didn't please everyone, still! Suffice to say, no words I can say will TRULY be enough to capsulize as to why. Mass Effect is the RPG of the year.

(And there are too many posts relating to Mass Effet 3 that I'll leave this 'past posts' side out of the way for the given moment.)


Runner Up:

Mass Effect 2?! Really?! As much as that thought would be cool...

None. I only really finished a few Rpgs this year including Mass Effect 3 (and Mass Effect 2), however there isn't one that is noteworthy to put as runner up. None of them were memorable and the other one that DID stick out is Final Fantasy XIII-2 and that game is atrocious!


Best Humor: Laughter is universal but the quirk that makes one laugh isn't so much. So what I'm really trying to point out is what elicited a few chuckles and grins in the two games I'm going to lay out will probably not be the best games that will adhere to everyone's sense of humor. And if one must scrutinize the humor that concurs with the two games, it's not that hard to tell that I like the more sexual but over the top humor, with some good use of vulgar and articulate words behind it. So...

Winner:

Yes. Lollipop Chainsaw made me freakin laugh! The sexual themes, yes was a good perk, but the dialogue is where it's about as well as the overzealous parody in the whole 'zombie' apocalypse hype. There isn't really much to say aside from the fact that the hours I have put in this game was never short of a 'WTF' moments as well as some rather entertaining game time. Hearing Tara Strong say 'What The Dick' is rather erroneously hilarious.

Runner Up:

NONE as well. No other games had humor that stuck out to me like a sore thumb. So suffice to say we shall leave it as it is, just Lollipop Chainsaw getting the said award.

Best Dialogue: Now this is a new topic I started this year. This can be a tricky one as well, but I'll be eloquent about this, it's not so much as the way the voice actor conveys the dialogue, although that has a big facto to it, it's also in WHAT is being said. How words are articulated, what words are being used, and is it cliche and insipid phrases? Or does it have a very rich and thought provoking verbal usage behind it? So, with that said, here we are!

Winner:

This game is a testament on how gaming should be dictated for the next generation. The last real game to have gameplay, a plethora of good characters, an engaging story that spans through three games, and a real engaging character rapport within side characters and the protagonist regardless of the choices the player makes. A codex that is well written and a good ability to make players comprehend the lore behind it, and with voice acting able to bring forth the character and a well written dialogue that has articulation as well as quirks within each one; well, let's just say, This game is the pinnacle of RPG. 

Runner Up:

It's a pity it's one of those games that I didn't beat this Record of Agarest War II (who's to say I won't beat it sometime in 2013?) because of major flaws within the 'flow' of the game. While gameplay itself isn't entirely the most exhilarating, I have always found them engaging enough and there is still that side of me that loves the classic RPG feel despite it being a 'thing of the past' for me. Though the one thing I would say about Agarest War (all three) is that despite the sexual themes, the rather 'too anime'ish' ambiance, looking past all the rather repetitive character personalities, within the dialogue is a rich and very articulate usage of words. 

Believe it or not, articulation is present through wording as well as limb movements!

Though I wouldn't recommend the english VA, the dialogue when read is rather refreshing for me and something very rare in the gaming industry. If only Agarest would improve on its rather stale story and characters, the perhaps there is hope in JRPGs for me in the form of Record of Agarest War.

(Past Posts: Fan Service: Agarest War)

Worst of the Year: There are games that are just so damn bad that it helped me make a new category for my yearly gaming. I don't think I have to scrutinize the meaning of the topic since it is self explanatory! With that said, let's just list the games, shall we?

Final Fatnasy XIII-2

Ninja Gaiden 3

Resident Evil 6

All three of these franchises used to be enamoring! Now the only erroneous thing that reminds us of what they used to be are the title. The names are what carries them on but inside the package or what not are poorly polished games that shouldn't even BE called what they are called.

Missed Games: These are some of the games this year that came out that I didn't have the opportunity to try out. Eventually next year when they are in a bit more affordable price, I'll be trying them out I hope, but regardless...

Assassin's Creed III

Hitman

Tranformers 2

Prototype 2

Street Fighter VS Tekken

Game of the Year: It's hardly a contest for me this year because of a myriad of factors: lack of games to my liking, lack of sufficient funds for all the games that I would want to play, lack of motivation to finishing a lot of my games, and the fact that Mass Effect 3 kicked some serious ass! So suffice to say...

Winner:

Nuff said.

(Okay, past posts: Extended Cut, Leviathan, Omega, Mass Effect Trilogy, ME3 Memories, ME3 Stills, Mass Effect 3)

The Unfinished: For a number of factors, there are games in my shelves that have yet to see the light at the end. Some are just not enamoring enough to get me going, while others just got pushed away for reasons I have forgotten or know not. The reason why I still claim them as part of the section is because in some aspect, I still enjoyed them, however I just didn't have that much incentive to beat them. Maybe in a dry season of gaming I'll have my chance. But alas, here they are.

Hyperdimension Neptunia MK II

Reckoning: Kingdom of Amalur

Record of Agarest War 2

2013 Prospects: There are a few in the crosshair that caught my attention that might make 2013's gaming session either as fun, or mediocre in contrast to 2012. Mass Effect made my gaming year, so to me, there's a lot to go against; regardless, there are some good prospects. Here are four of them that are in my definitive sights!

Tomb Raider Reboot

Deadpool the Game

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Devil May Cry Reboot

Afterword: Though I must admit that my gaming endeavors had decreased this year since I have started to delve into a hobby that I haven't been as constant and adamant about in the past and that is just this: Writing. So needless to say, the nights when I would come home from work and focus my time on Gaming became more for writing and such. So I'll have to admit that my days this year hasn't exactly been abundant when talking about Gaming; so my choices are sparse this year so maybe things are a bit more biased and lacking a real source of options. However with that being said, I still believe that the ones I have been exposed of this year had given me enough point of views. There was a couple of games I had been waiting for, a few games that came into the radar that proved its worth, but of course there are some disappointment and perhaps a scar in some genres that would perpetuate for years and years. So 2012 has ended and these are the results for me. I can only fathom what would 2013 would give me...

My Words On:

Story/Plot: Starting on the worst end of the stick when it comes to this game. Resident Evil 6's main flaw from my judgement is the story and execution. What was once seemingly a good base starting way back when with the original Resident Evil, which passed on to the second, and I'll even be close to admit that the direction they took on Resident Evil 4 (digressing from the full idea of Zombie apocalypse notion) was in a fair direction. Resident Evil 5 got a bit complacent with the idea that shying away from zombies ... so here comes Resident Evil 6 tying it back in to their roots with four choosable campaigns and a convoluted mess of a story!

Leon and Helena ... Ask a Zombie a question before shooting.

Their idea was very interesting to say the least. Done right and well, we could've had a very good Resident Evil in our hands, but IF is a big two letter statement. What made it so bad story wise? It was so mixed up and they were everywhere! I mean don't' get me wrong, for the most part I was able to keep up despite the rather unsettling method they used to tell a story. There were times when I was a bit lost in translation like the 'other Ada' for one. Maybe there was something in the Resident Evil mythos that I seemed to have overlooked? I didn't play every single game so suffice to say, there might be some chasms I am unable to fill, however, I am still a bit on the other side of the fence that a game that is trying to be stand alone in its own way should still have the capability of keeping the player in tuned with the story even without the whole facts! 

Love stories... 

Or a perpetuated rapport that surrounds itself in side stories and movies...

So if the base of the story wasn't enough to dissuade me that this game wasn't exactly the zenith of the Resident Evil franchise, the characters themselves seems to have a bit of a loss in translation, or perhaps, asinine and out of character quirks to them. I have Chris Redfield fluctuating from his ever so calm and cool self, to the raging alcoholic and the vengeance ridden idiot he was throughout the whole game, then on a whim was able to shift back to the Chris Redfield that Sheva Alomar spread her loins to. Leon spent a lot of time pointing his gun at a zombie, inquiring and wondering if the Zombie would actually adhere with logical human reaction by stopping all chaotic intention when a gun is pointed at it. We have a Wesker jr and a 'super girl' that I can't help but picture as Sherry from Resident Evil 2 and now all of a sudden a super secret agent? Ada Wong ... now I absolutely adore this girl but her in Resident Evil 6 sends some of her credibility to the pits. 

 

It just seems that there were a myriad of conflicts but they tried to converge it to be one problem that a certain few are tied into. Their attempt to make a game widespread with many different avenues to explore but in the end it was just one campaign told from different point of view; and that may not be a testament of failure, of course not! But execution has to done with flawless hands! Characters also have to be competent from what supposed caliber they came from and there has to be rhymes and reason as to why and not just happening just because.

That's how I felt, Chris.

In the grand scheme of things I am always one to say there is something to find in a game and enthuse oneself in the fine and small lines. I will say that I enjoyed Leon's somewhat and Ada's was fun because it was Ada. Other than that, I didn't care much for the story ... I wanted it to be over and I wanted to get to the action far more than I wanted to get to know the characters.

 4/10

Gameplay: Running and rolling. Shoot while walking. When the situation dictates, melee was a valid tool on the player's disposal. These were the things that gave Resident Evil 6 a far too promising addition to the franchise. But first and foremost, let's look at these supposed additions, Resident Evil 5 was still under the 'stop and shoot' process. So bringing up RE5 does what? Well, suffice to say that the gameplay of Resident Evil have been outdated for a long long time! The modifications only meant catching up to a modern must in the gaming world, least in my opinion. Then there is the ever so popular QTE (quick time events) of the gaming world. There is a plethora of them in RE6. Some rather fitting, others a bit frivolous and just placed in the game for the sake of!

This can actually either fun, or tedious, or just plain annoying.

Outside the aspect of combat, Resident Evil threw a lot of other components of other games into Resident Evil and I can't exactly say that it helped the game. I mean, one minute I'm killing zombies or mutated chinese terrorists, next thing you know I'm flying a plane and riding in a motorcycle! Partner system seems like one of the 'good things' that came out of RE5 according to al to of people. Never was a big fan. It took away from the whole 'survival' feel. But I do like how playing character over the other does give the player a different view point. Still, partner system seems a bit too unfitting in a 'survival' based game.

I was not lying! Airplane battle!!!

It just felt off and not to mention it perpetuated the annoyance I felt for the game since I just wanted to beat the damn thing, but here I am flying airplanes and how odd that I HAD to learn a bit of need for speed in the 'racing' part of the game. The thought process is prudent in its own way, however, the way it was all jumbled in there made it so off! One or two 'side games', that's fine. But a helicopter, a motorcycle, an airplane, and then a 'racing' sequence? A bit too much for me. And that's just me speaking in regards to the vehicle side quests/whatsoever; Resident Evil 6 also had a bit of a problem in regards to its camera angle. It wasn't the it was too thin as most complaints were spitting out, although that is one major flaw, it's the fact that it just didn't work for melee!!!

Good thought. Bad finishing.

So it seems repetitive in my tirade in regards to gameplay that there were a lot of good thought put into it. How it came out to be, well, that was what the problem was. They tried to do too much and the result came out very little to please. 

6/10

Graphics:  Resident Evil 6's ability to showcase Capcom's graphic strength is something to adore but far from being enamored by. It's good, don't get me wrong, I mean, I didn't really complain at all when I was going through the game. The zombies and all the monsters that Capcom laid out for our heroes to encounter are adhering to certain lore that most of us would not like to encounter in an alley. There are a plethora of these beasts and their variety comes in many different forms! From simple zombies, humanoids with insect like form, beasts that are somehow intangible to really describe, then to the more 'nemesis' looking variation, and of course the bosses don't fall short in their zest and Capcom tries very hard to give its hand on making sure we get a fill of these abominations!

Sadly however, that also becomes a bit of a downfall for me. While originality and the seemingly infinite well of ideas are a strong side, Capcom delves TOO HEAVILY on the crazy designs that in their first appearance seems naturally somewhat impressive, but as they got crazier (speaking boss wise for the most part) they just became more and more annoying. 

What The Hell?!

Character design, definitely not the strongest point, but I can't help but notice that graphic wise, they serve their purpose. I've always been a fan of Ada Wong, and the asian double spy is the same gal that I  am so enthusiastic about every time she comes on the screen in this game. While no trying to delve into the whole story part with Ada on this section, I'll just talk about how her sass, her rather calm persona was very drawn out in the graphics of the game. But on that same note, visage wasn't always Capcom's main flaw, but their priorities do somewhat tends to lean on some wrong aspects. Ada's (along with Leon's) has health and vigor in them through the way they shine, but they tend to be a bit anti gravity. Wind doesn't damage hair posture because beauty shouldn't be scathed by mother nature's wrath!

Environment wise, yeah it was well done. But then again, the atmosphere is repeated in all three campaign so I would say consistency was one of the strong points in that aspect. CG and in game has a great distinction, but again, I'm not one to complain that much about in game as long as the game adheres to idea of the standard graphics of this day and age. Special affects do well with every intended purpose on the situation, again, Capcom had always been good with their graphics, no doubt about that, however it's pretty apparent where most their effort goes.

Now that's sensually horrifying. That and it can be incest.

 7.5/10

Difficulty:  I found this game rather tedious more than difficult. That is my problem as a gamer, when one game loses its zest, I just merely want to finish it for the sake of not wasting my investment and such. So in that sense, I think my need to be terse with this game had been my downfall for some parts of the game. Though having a myriad of weapons to choose from was a blessing that made it so much easier! The perks and the constant barrage of healing items and ammo (though sometimes the replenishment from the game and killing enemies seems sparse) made the game easy enough to manage. The QTE however sometimes proved to be a bit of a hassle than anything else which raised the bar of difficulty for a moment or two.

Ah... choices! Too bad making it a better game wasn't an option!

The side games became the bane of me at times. I just didn't feel like the game flowed with a need for speed section. That and sometimes the uncooperative camera angles made trained law enforcement and soldiers alike (speaking of the characters of course) inept at their certain forte (and not to mention their not-so-smart actions that are a bit out of character). And if one want to capsulize where my average deaths came from, it's from the out of place side games like the racing and some from the QTEs that seemed a bit redundant. 

7/10

Voice/Audio: I didn't notice the music enough to give it some thought. It didn't exactly hinder anything for me, but it didn't do anything great. Voice? Well in my honest opinion they did a damn good job. The actors, although given lousy script and as I have already expressed, some stupid choices which also sums up some abhorrent comments, I think they did a good job expressing emotions and voice fluctuation when needed. None seemed to lack any real character and as long as Ada Wong kept her rather provocative tone, the sass and all that, I'm happy. If there was one person in this game that I'll be complaining about is Sherry. Again I have a hard time putting her as this badass secret agent because I remember her as this 8 year old girl that Claire had to rescue 90% of the time in Resident Evil 2. It also doesn't help that she still had the perky voice to pair along with that.

There should be a voice changer option for Sherry.

Overall: I heard and read reviews that are vehement in how terrible it was. Some people say it's a huge stumble from the 'progress' that Resident Evil did with RE4 and RE5. At first that was a bit harsh, but as I got to feel and know the game, FORCED myself to beat Chris' campaign, and barely found myself enjoying Ada Wong's missions, well, the score I am going to put will be more than Adequate. It's a damn shame too. For the part of the game that felt fun and compelling, there are five other parts of the game that I scoff and detest! I think capcom TRIED too hard to make it something that it was not; they added in a little too much aspects that just doesn't give anything but instead it deters any sort of enjoyment. I mean, yeah, graphics are nice to an extent, but when Ada and Leon's hair are immaculate and shining amidst the chaos of a zombie apocalypse... and then we have Chris trotting about like a dumb muscle head, and we have Wesker's son running about (Can the Wesker legacy die, please?!) as one of the good guys... argh! They either really need to reboot this franchise big time or just let it end! It's like a zombie on its own! It's hanging on to every bit of its humanity but every time it speaks its nothing but unintelligent groans that makes you cringe!

5.5/10

Ada: "I'm still hott!"

Sherry: "My come back, and it all went to hell..."