Cheap Ass Gamer - Blogs - johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php A current listing of cheap video games, video game sales and video game deals: CAG en Sat, 25 May 2013 22:15:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg Cheap Ass Gamer - Blogs - johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php <![CDATA[I Don't Get It, Sony]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=23584 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:38:39 GMT Just captured this image from Destructoid for most commented news articles: Image:... Just captured this image from Destructoid for most commented news articles:



I want the Vita to succeed. It's pretty sexy hardware and I think it has a ton of potential. So I can't help but wonder why Sony is so insistent on shooting themselves in the foot so early in the game.

I recall hearing that the Vita would be able to play PS2 games off PSN no problem, at least after an update. Minus one potential selling point.

I know Japanese sales will pick up once there are some games that are system-sellers, but I'm definitely surprised by how slow the sales are even without a killer app. The PS3 launched at a high price point too, though, and had a slow build-up. The PSP has lasted ~7 years so it's definitely premature to call the Vita DOA. Still, it's a reasonable cause for concern.

What's most unusual is that they HAVE a system for converting UMDs and they aren't implementing it in the US. It doesn't make any fucking sense. I also think it's a huge mistake to rename PSN to SEN. PSN has a nice ring to it, and it was a new service with the current console. Why shit all over your brand name after working so hard to establish it? I know it ultimately doesn't change much and a lot of people won't notice, but there are tons of advertisements for games with the PSN logo that say, "Playstation Network." As long as their platforms are carrying the Playstation brand (PS3, PS Vita) it just makes sense to stick with PSN. What if XBL got renamed "Microsoft Entertainment Network?" You'd probably say, "that's fucking stupid."

/rant ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=23584 Move Over, Ocarina: Why Skyward Sword is the New Standard http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=23128 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:29:55 GMT I posted this on Bitmob, but wanted to share here on CAG too: ... I posted this on Bitmob, but wanted to share here on CAG too:

http://bitmob.com/articles/move-over...e-new-standard


When it came to the 2D Zelda's, there was always something that substantially set them apart. My personal favorite is Link's Awakening, because it took more risks and had way more character than A Link to the Past. Don't get me wrong – LttP is one of my favorite games. But Link's Awakening set out to do something different, and to me, it succeeded.

For the past 13 years, Ocarina of Time has been the standard by which all other Zelda games are judged. And rightfully so – gamer apprehension in the late 90's to one of the most beloved series in all of videogame history being made into 3D was high. Those fears were somewhat satiated when we saw how well Mario 64 turned out, but that was just platforming. There was still plenty of skepticism over whether or not Zelda would make the leap so effectively.

We all know, though, that it did, cementing its' place as one of the greatest games ever made. I think in every review for every 3D Zelda since then contains some semblance of the phrase, "But it's no Ocarina of Time." The same basic mechanics were put into Wind Waker, and Twilight Princess just felt like a bigger, darker, prettier OoT. Both were good games, of course, but they didn't do much in terms of offering something new or truly inventive.

Well, Skyward Sword breaks that tradition. I've found myself in an odd position where I have been concurrently playing the 3DS remake of OoT while I plow through SS. I can say without hesitation that Ocarina is starting to feel dated by comparison, and it doesn't all have to do with motion controls (we'll get to that).

Miyamoto and company have finally made a dense Zelda game that, generally speaking, keeps things interesting. Back in 1998, the expansive Hyrule Field was a sight to behold – there was so much space! Perhaps I'm spoiled by modern gaming conveniences now, but even with Epona, I find myself growing impatient as I traverse from one end to the other. One could argue the flying mechanic in SS is no different, but the overall distance is much shorter and condensed.

More importantly, the environments themselves serve as puzzles on your way to each dungeon without (usually) feeling cumbersome. Part of this is because the environments AND the dungeons all have save points throughout, which allow you to return to those exact locations when you boot up again. Returning to previously explored areas, you have the option of which save statue you want to begin at, and I look forward to this being implemented into future Zeldas.

Paired side-by-side, OoT's mechanics are showing their age. The dash ability in SS works wonderfully, although I'll be the first to admit that stamina shouldn't matter in places like Skyloft – what's the point? Otherwise, though, it feels completely natural. It's a subtle addition, but the difference it makes can't be overstated. Picking up my 3DS, I find myself holding down 'A' to make Link dash, and then being disappointed when he just rolls. It's ironic, then, that a game like OoT is more spread out but Link has less mobility, while SS is so dense but Link can now charge all over the place. It's not unlike the Pegasus Boots in LttP, and in retrospect it seems negligent that it's taken so long for there to be a 3D counterpart to them.

Graphically, it wouldn't be fair to pit OoT and SS side by side due to the platforms of each respective game. But I will say that with SS, Nintendo has finally found a graphical style that suits and compliments the series. Half-way between WW and TP, the almost-cartoony look of the game combined with its' detail work very well, and you'll be privy to some of the most impressive facial expressions you've ever seen in a game. There's no L.A. Noir caliber realism here, but there doesn't need to be. Eyebrows, chins, cheeks, and mouths all move together to convey tons of emotion and character, and I can't wait to see what a more powerful system can do with the foundation they've laid here.

I won't say much about the story because I don't want to spoil anything, but it's the most fleshed out story of any Zelda game and breaks the mold of essentially retelling the same story in a slightly different way. Zelda herself has the most central role she's ever had in any game, and they do a good job establishing the friendship between her and Link. Nintendo made it clear throughout the game's development that Skyward Sword was telling the very beginning of the Zelda series, and I love how they tied everything together.

I've saved controls for last, because that seems to be what everyone else is talking about and I wanted to mention some of the less obvious charms of SS. When it comes to swordplay, SS has set a new standard. It feels natural, it works, and it makes combat far more involved.

Near the very end of the game, the primary antagonist is throwing hoards of enemies at you. Legions. I can't imagine a scene like this in Ocarina or TP. In previous 3D Zelda games, multiple enemies seem to be programmed to attack one at a time, because the targeting system doesn't really allow you to fend of multiple attackers effectively. The problems I had during this truly epic battle were more on my end, although I'll admit the combat shines more when it's not against quite so many enemies. Either way, it's an accomplishment and testament to controls that it's even possible to do this.

Don't believe me that it becomes second nature? Going back to my 3DS, I actually gave a slight shake to the system on reflex, expecting Link to draw his sword and attack. When I came to my senses and realized I needed to hit 'B', by comparison it's rather underwhelming. The motion-infused combat really does make you more involved in a way that no other game ever has before. It has a steep learning curve, but the pay-off is worth it. The first dungeon boss had me wanting to chuck my golden Wiimote though my TV screen because the controls didn't seem to be working. Later in the game, you get an opportunity to replay boss fights for prizes. Re-doing that fight after playing through the game, the difference was night and day.

Yes, there are some nuances to the controls, and the implementation of motion to other things – for example, throwing bombs – seems unnecessary, and I'd much rather control Link's bird with the analog stick. These are minor issues, though, compared to everything the game gets right.

Ocarina of Time will always be a landmark in the series, and a masterpiece of it's time. Skyward Sword, though, successfully sets a new standard in almost every way, from gameplay mechanics to combat to storytelling. ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=23128 <![CDATA[I can't see the 3D on the 3DS. Am I Alone?]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=20420 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:02:17 GMT I tried, I really did. Last weekend I found myself near a Best Buy and got very excited when I... I tried, I really did. Last weekend I found myself near a Best Buy and got very excited when I remembered they had demo units. My friend and I went in to take a look, and I was very impressed with the graphics and vibrant screen. Analog nub feels really good, and the demo (Pilotwings) controlled really well.

But, even with the 3D slider all the way up, I saw no images popping off the screen as they're supposed to. My friend looked at it and could see them instantly, so I know the unit was functioning properly. No matter how many different angles or distances I attempted, I couldn't see a damn thing. All I could see was a double/ghost image of the renders on-screen, disappointingly trapped in two dimensions.

I should mention, my right eye is dominant - I don't look out of both of my eyes equally. Generally, my left eye is only utilized for periphery vision. It's difficult to explain, but the muscles in my left eye have always been weaker than in my right. I even had eye surgery when I was about 6 years old in an attempt to correct it. Oddly enough, after my surgery, my doctor told my parents that I should play MORE videogames so that it would force my eyes to work together and improve eye-hand coordination =)

If I close my right eye and force my vision to be focused through my left eye, things become slightly blurry and the tones of colors even change - almost like playing with the blue and red tints on your television in the settings menu. Old-school 3D with the blue and red glasses NEVER worked for me - all I saw was a ghosting image in a red tint, with occasional flashes of 3D images.

I was hoping this glasses-free 3D would be different, and perhaps it's effectiveness will vary from game to game, but even in the menu I didn't see any 3D images, just more ghosting. Has anyone else encountered this problem? ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=20420 More Gamestop Haiku http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=12980 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:06:54 GMT Inspired by randomthinker's post to try his hand at Gamestop Haiku, I found myself leaving a bunch of these in the comments section & I decided to post them as an entry to continue the trend. Enjoy!

Gamestop employees:
Life ends before it begins
Drowning in retail.

Accost customers
Who do not want preorders
Life full of hatred

Stupid customers
And stupider employees
The cycle goes on

Minimum wage hell
Jumping through corporate hoops
Pointless existence

Offend a CAG:
Glitter and magazine racks
Justice will be served ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=12980 New SMB Wii Impressions http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=11466 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:31:34 GMT 10284 It seems all the top entries with the most views are discussing Modern Warfare 2. For some...

It seems all the top entries with the most views are discussing Modern Warfare 2. For some reason, I don't think I could care less about that game, but I'm not sure why. Regardless, another new release which I think deserves some attention is New Super Mario Bros Wii.

While even the name sounds like a rehash, I can easily say that it isn't. I was replaying the DS version from 3 years ago (has it really been that long?) the past few days after I placed my order on Amazon for the new game. It's just as fun and innovative as it was when I first played it, but NSMBW manages to take that formula and make it feel original all over again.

On the DS, NSMB felt like a tribute to the original Mario Brothers. The only power-up was the fireflower, so no flying or crazy heights without a spring board or something, just a lot of jumping and goomba-stomping. Even so, with some of the additions from the 3D games, like the quick-turn jump, it felt like Mario 64 and SMB1 were combined.

I just finished 1st world of the Wii iteration, and I can say the 2 are quite dissimilar. 1st, there's Koopa Kids! I don't think we've seen a Mario game with all 8 kids in it (maybe Mario & Luigi did... but I mean a more traditional game) since Super Mario World. Same for Yoshi! Yoshi hasn't been in the game as a companion that Mario could ride for just as long, and it's nice to see a return to form. This isn't a SMW rehash, either, though. The game manages to still feel new and original enough that it's worth playing. I haven't had a chance to play multiplayer yet, but I've heard nothing but positive things and should find out this weekend. The lack of online multiplayer (you read that right, I couldn't believe it either) seems absurd for a game where multiplayer is emphasized, especially when other flagship 1st-party titles like Mario Kart Wii and SSBB are already there. WTF Nintendo?

Anyway... one of the reviews I read said that this is basically the sequel we've been waiting for since SMW 1st came out, and so far I think I'd agree. They're few and far between but this is one of the must-play games for the Wii - perhaps not reason enough to own the system on it's own, but if you have the system then you won't regret it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpcJNEWKzCY ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=11466 What Should I Play Next? http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=11248 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:14:30 GMT So I'm home sick from work for the past 2 days, and have Uncharted 2, Batman AA, and the new Ratchet & Clank. I just finished U2 and must say that it's one of the few games that lives up to all of it's hype. It's not without it's flaws but it's overall execution, pacing, and attention to detail are second to none. I've enjoyed other PS3 exclusives just fine, but I think Uncharted 2 is the new obligatory must-play if you own the system, with InFamous being perhaps a close second.

So now it's a toss up between Batman and Ratchet & Clank. I also want to spend some time in the Uncharted 2 multiplayer but my throat is ruined from my cold so I don't want to have to talk any more than I have to.

I also have Resistance 2 sitting on my shelf from Circuit City's liquidation. Honestly, though, I played the 1st level and the new weapon system reminded me so much of Halo that I got annoyed and haven't played it since. Not because I hate Halo (although I'm not especially fond of it either) but because Resistance 1 stood out some by not completely emulating other games, though I'll admit once you get past the few things that make it stand out it was a pretty standard shooter.

Tell me what I should play! ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=11248 CAG Finally Blocked at Work... http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=10004 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:53:54 GMT ...along with all other gaming-related sites. On the one hand, the only thing that surprises me is... ...along with all other gaming-related sites. On the one hand, the only thing that surprises me is that they waited so long (at least the 18 months I've been there, and probably years before that).

What I don't get is the seemingly double-standard basis for blocking sites. If a URL has the word 'game' in the title, they automatically ban it, while sites like Myspace, Twitter, and Facebook (which you can waste infinitely more time in than a site like CAG or Gametab) are blocked. Furthermore, sites like CNN are still available, as are sites CNN links to like People which are nothing but celebrity gossip. Ultimately, it just seems like a value judgement - a gaming site clearly has no worthwhile purpose while on the job, but I can go read about Michael Jackson's doctor, whatever useless things my friends have posted on Facebook, or watch endless crap on Youtube and no one bats an eye.

Does anyone know how management is done for a university-sized network? I'm assuming they just block sites entirely for all users, but now I'm quite paranoid that my log-in to the network is being singled out (IE I'm being monitored more than other employees). In a network with thousands of users, do they waste time singling individuals out, or is it more likely to be a network wide ban? If I see my 40 year old, mother of 2 supervisor posting on CAG, I'm going to be pissed (and really quite surprised, haha). ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=10004 <![CDATA[Airport Ramblings Pt 2, OR Legacy of Ys ain't half bad]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=9200 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:36:53 GMT 6/26/09 11 am I’m sitting in Richmond International waiting for my flight to Atlanta. When... 6/26/09 11 am

I’m sitting in Richmond International waiting for my flight to Atlanta. When I took this job I had no idea I’d get to travel this much – I get back tomorrow evening, and then have the annual conference in DC Monday-Wednesday. It can be tiring but it’s definitely a nice change of pace, almost like a vacation but not quite. At least things stay interesting.

The only real complaint I have is that you have to front all the travel expenses, and then get reimbursed by the university after providing documentation. I’m double-renting right now until my current lease ends in August (had to secure the new place I’m moving into) so cash is a little tight right now, and I’m having to pay for 2 hotels, 5 days worth of food, the flight itself, and parking. Speaking of which, I’m trying to sell a bunch of shit right now, CML?

Whenever I travel it reminds me of how much my daily life revolves around technology. I’m writing this on my laptop, which it seems impossible to travel without for endless reasons. The internet is such an ingrained way to stay in touch with the world now, and I have this impulsive need to check my email (both personal and work) countless times a day. If there’s one thing that’s a bigger hobby than games, it’s music, so the iPod is beyond necessary; I should just have it grafted to my body somewhere. While the DS is far less essential than the previous 2, I definitely make a point to bring it with me. Add my cell phone into the mix and I feel like a fucking cyborg, unable to function without electronics (ironically, I plan on reading on the plane to try and finish East of Eden). You may be thinking, ‘Why not just get an iPhone?’ While the ability to condense all these items into one amazing device has it’s appeal, my contract with Verizon isn’t up for another year, and I have/listen to so much music that I feel I have no use for an mp3 player with less than 80GB. Once the iPhone has that kind of storage, we’ll talk. Any other music lovers who refuse to upgrade despite all incentives to purely for storage?

There’s a group of high-schoolers that were in front of me for security, I forgot how annoying groups of 17-ish year olds can be. I was hoping they weren’t on my flight but all 12 of them or so are waiting for the same plane. Here’s hoping for a quiet flight.

I finally got around to putting time into Legacy of Ys, the remake of the 1st two games in the series for the DS. It reminds me a lot of Crystalis (which is a very, very good thing), but more linear. I’ll join the chorus of people who praise the game for it’s music – it’s got an excellent score that really drives he gameplay, even during some of the slower parts of the game or while level-grinding. Being originally from 1986, it’s not breaking any new ground in the realm of RPGs, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Book 1 (the 1st game) suffers far more from bad pacing, awkward dungeons, clichés, and archaic mechanics. I almost didn’t finish it, but felt like I should since I was so close. I’m glad I did, though, because it’s more of a prologue to the 2nd game than anything. Book II has a much more interesting premise from the very beginning, and has a magic system which makes combat much less mundane. If you like old-school RPGs, I recommend it, and I think you’d be better off with the DS remake than with the original (which is available on the Wii VC). I watched a few Youtube videos of the original, and while the cutscenes and music are still quite impressive for their time, the combat looks so dated that I think it would be hard to play. That, and I’ve heard complaints about the dungeon layouts in the original being overly confusing and full of dead ends, which isn’t a problem in the DS version thanks to the map on the 2nd screen.

3:29pm

Made it to the hotel in Atlanta. Work put me up in the Embassy Suites, not the fanciest hotel but it’s still incredibly nice. Waiting for my patient to show up for testing, and then I’m hanging out with one of my best friends who moved to Atlanta a few years ago. Work keeps sending me places where I know people, I could get used to this. ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=9200 Rudeness? On CAG?!? The horror! http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8841 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:16:37 GMT I don't encounter it as often as I do on other sites, and when I do see it on CAG it's usually isolated enough that I just ignore it.

Something about this thread, though, just makes my skin crawl. I won't elaborate, I think the posts speak for themselves.

To all of you who are interested in maintaining the quality of this site and having some semblance of a community, I salute you.

To everyone else... go do your math somewhere else:
]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8841 <![CDATA[Airport Ramblings, OR If You Haven't Read Ender's Game You're a Communist!]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8588 Mon, 25 May 2009 07:04:25 GMT 5/24/09, 4:32pm I’m sitting in Dulles International outside of DC, waiting for my flight.... 5/24/09, 4:32pm

I’m sitting in Dulles International outside of DC, waiting for my flight. I’m typing this as a word document because the airport wifi is pay-only, and I refuse to put my credit card in to use the internet for 2 hours, so this will likely be posted long after it’s been written.

I’m waiting on a pretzel from the pretzel stand next to my gate – they had to make one special for me, because apparently they now have butter on them (I recall getting Auntie Ann’s pretzels years ago and the original ones were totally vegan. When did this change?) I have almost 3 hours until my flight, though, so I don’t mind waiting. They also have new pretzels with pepperonis baked into them, and they looked so gross it almost made me not want to order. Blech.

On a completely unrelated note, I forgot just how fucking good Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card, was. I’ve always listed it as one of my favorite books, but I haven’t read it in almost 10 years and I’m finding I forgot many details about the last third of the book. If you haven’t read it but are reading this, it’s absolutely necessary that you acquire and absorb this book. Despite it’s sci-fi setting, it has more character development and focus on social interactions than the average novel. The plot is centered around a war with an alien race, but it isn’t about the war. It’s about a child robbed of his innocence and forced to grow up to be something he doesn’t want to be, a Superman without any superpowers or invulnerabilities, just a violent killing instinct which he has tried his entire life to ignore and grow out of.

Some of Card’s imagined future hasn’t aged well, such as the videogames they use to train soldiers. As it was written in 1985, the programs are so fantastical that they seem too far out of what we’d expect by modern standards, even far in the future (excluding the flight simulator). However, his vision of a society which uses computer and web-based news and personas via websites and forums couldn’t have been more accurate. Two young characters manage to pose as columnists with detailed, intelligent opinions on world affairs, and eventually get syndicated into major internet publications. Their anonymity gives them power, since the only representation of them that exists is in their writing and politically divisive opinions. The fact that he conceived of such a thing in 1985 is quite impressive, and it makes the book feel even more relevant in it’s themes of social perception, deception, and identity. If you haven’t read it, read it! ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8588 Fans of Good Games: You are Morally Obligated to Play Henry Hatsworth http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8076 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:33:09 GMT An exaggeration, I know, but seriously. Don't let the silly-sounding name fool you - this game is one of the best games I've played in a very long time (on DS or any system for that matter), and is proof that you don't need ridiculous amounts of power to make something fun. The platforming is as solid as it can be, and gets incredibly difficult in the later stages (though the difficulty level never becomes intolerable).

While it would be a good 2D platformer on it's own, the bottom screen's puzzle game adds a lot of depth and strategy. Power ups (from 1-ups to hearts that heal you) don't just get picked up and applied to your game, but appear in the puzzle, and you have to clear them in order to officially obtain them. The puzzle itself is a generic, simplified Tetris-Attack. While it could be deeper and sometimes feels under-utilized, there are some wonderfully creative ways that they make the puzzle screen interact with the action on the top screen, and it's absolutely essential during boss fights to be tactful with your puzzling.

So while the game's individual parts aren't all that original (a 2D game with an SNES-era feel and a puzzle game), they've been melded together into something who's sum is much greater that it's parts. Plenty of games have proven 2D isn't dead, from Castlevania, New SMB, Contra 4 (to name a few) as well as a ton of GBA games which are still completely relevant and fairly recent. Hatsworth, though, makes use of the DS hardware in some of the most practical and original ways you've ever seen, and is a game that wouldn't work on any other platform because of it. I suppose a single-screen system could have you switching between each, switching between a map and the action in Metroid for example, but it just wouldn't be the same.

The game has a ton of charm, too, from funny enemies to absurd gentlemanly cliches. Oh, and he has a super-powered robot suit that looks like a diving suit from the 1920's, which gets activated when you initiate "Tea Time". He sips tea with some croquet players, and then flies across the screen anime-style in front of a blurry British flag.

If you need further convincing, here's the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK7Tqqvmkbw

A video review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpjE12swfJE

And here you'll find the the CAG thread where everyone is thoroughly addicted to it. I might even say this game is worth buying a DS to play, on top ofthe tons of other DS games I could recommend.

Best of all? It's only $20 used at Gamestop, although I encourage everyone to buy a new copy if you can afford it, so that the sales will reflect the demand for great games like this one. Perhaps most surprising is that it's published by EA, who have been taking more risks and experimenting more than in the past. Between Burnout Paradise, Mirror's Edge, Dead Space, and this, my opinion of them has changed drastically.

What are you waiting for? Buy it! ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=8076 Spotlight on My Favorite Musicians: Kevin Devine Edition http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7930 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:13:35 GMT With a new album coming out this month, I've been meaning to make a post about Kevin Devine & the Goddamn Band. If you like Elliott Smith, Brand New, Bright Eyes, etc then you should give him a listen. Honestly, though, he has so many diverse songs that he's kind of difficult to classify. Just a really great independent singer/songwriter from Brooklyn with a penchant for incredibly clever lyrics.

I really think he's one of the best people making music right now, and he's definitely the "best artist you've never heard" - despite being active since 2002 or so as a solo artist and being on the verge of releasing his 5th album, there are tons of people who have never heard him. Well, I'm here to fix that!

Here's one of my favorite songs off the new album:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s27ZxpUKbuY


Here are the lyrics, which I'm quite fond of:

this is the window where
i watched the future start
my pupils dilated
the shock sped up my arms
i shut my ambushed eyes
and turned my face towards the heat

i felt the city choke
i heard the world at war
i prayed for providence
god said, ’don’t pray no more
you went and made your mess
now keep your blame off my feet’

so i got off my knees
i faced the devil’s day
the sky was murder red
the streets were headstone gray
a flaming ferris wheel
spun where the sun used to be

i watched its buckets dip and dance
i saw a couple making love lock hands
they were pushing for abandon and the answers it could bring
90 million miles from the graveyard growing over everything

i saw my lover chased
through fields of sugarcane
she clutched her belly close
and whispered, "keep us safe"
they ground her down to dust
no more miracles today

i dreamt myself awake
in a resort hotel
above a golden coast
beside my Southern belle
we heard the sea reborn
in each singing shell

and every coughing car
and every coiled snake
and every shrieking star
and every burning stake
dissolved to atmosphere
all of everything, erased

i spread into a distant hum
i droned along with everyone
and the earth grew green and nursed herself to what she used to be
all our senseless shouting calmed to quiet in her ancient memory

and oh!, what a joy,
to be free.

More:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNH65daSytM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DxEhq28TBE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDusCVqKg8



Also, spinner.com has him as a featured artist today and is offering the title track of the new album as a free download. This song is incredible, I encourage everyone to download it:

Brother's Blood

You can hear more songs on his Myspace page. If you like what you hear, you can preorder the new CD on the record label's site. Hope some of you enjoy it, there are few things I like more than exposing people to good music. ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7930 <![CDATA[My Impressions & Hippy Interpretation of Killzone 2]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7850 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:16:22 GMT Just finished the single player campaign of Killzone 2 and I'm not sure what to think. Being no stranger to shooters, I played on Veteran, which is probably one of the reasons I got my ass kicked so much at times.

There were a few times, though, where the game seemed almost unreasonably hard. Advancing has less to do with defeating however many soldiers are defending an area than it does with fighting your way up to them. Take a guy out, and within seconds someone else has taken his cover. Because of this, I died frequently and half the battles felt like D-Day, you just get shredded by an endless stream of soldiers until you push far enough forward. It's not a terrible formula, but there were more than a few times where I almost quit playing out of frustration.

Part of that has to do with the aiming and lack of auto-aim. As much as I hate auto-aim, KZ2 unapologetically gets rid of it, and the difference between controllers and mouse/keyboard is clear. It definitely challenges you to do your best and accommodate the short-comings, so despite my gripes I'm probably more skilled than I was before playing.

(Discussion of plot/ending... read at own risk)
What's really disappointing, though, is the lack of story and empty characters. The ending touches on some arguably deep concepts about war, martyrdom, and the reason people fight. Killing one person, no matter how emblematic they are, can't destroy an ideology. Nazism didn't die with Hitler, terrorist activity wouldn't die with Bin Laden, and (on the flip side) non-violence didn't die with Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. Seeing Sev walk out of the palace only to be greeted by another Helgahst fleet hit that point home rather bluntly, to the effect that I would almost say the ending is promoting an anti-war message - fighting and killing won't achieve peace.

It's for this reason I'm disappointed they didn't flesh out the characters or storyline much. They're all flat, stereotypical military grunts, and at times it feels like the game was just made for frat boys. I was actually laughing when Garza died and the dramatic music came in. Really? I'm supposed to give a shit that this walking stereotype got shot? What about that magic medic gun I have that lets me revive my downed comrades, why couldn't we have used it on him?

Which reminds me - the AI is fucking stupid. The easiest Trophy, by far, is Babysitter (revive downed allies 25 times), because they get themselves killed constantly. Meanwhile, if I get taken out, those bastards just shout, "Sev! Sev's down!" and it fades to black. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they can't revive me with some Army of Two crap, but come on.

Haven't gone online with it yet, I don't really have time for a lot of multiplayer gaming. UT3 once a week takes enough time as it is, although I did enjoy MP in CoD: World at War while I had it. Anyone care to make a case why I should keep KZ2 around for the multiplayer? ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7850 Quick Updates, Impressions for Recent Pickups http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7784 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:44:08 GMT So I amassed about $200 in store credit at Gamestop thanks to the tiered trade-in deals, often... So I amassed about $200 in store credit at Gamestop thanks to the tiered trade-in deals, often getting more than I paid for some of the games originally. As they were probably intending, I spent a decent amount of that credit on the "Gamedays" sale. (Side note: am I the only one who thinks that's a shaq-fuing stupid name for a sale at a store that specializes in selling games and game-related merchandise?)

So, the new games and impressions:

Sonic Rush Adventure:

I really loved Sonic Rush, and this one continues the old-school feeling that made the 1st one so good. Same development team from the Sonic Advance games, though I didn't really enjoy those nearly as much. The sailing aspects feel like they were ripped out of Phantom Hourglass, but they're mildly entertaining and always brief.

The story - as usual - is complete and utter crap. They've managed to create a character (Marine) more annoying than Tails ever was, despite the lack of spoken dialogue. Yes, you can skip the cutscenes, but there's been one or two instances where they actually tell you something worth knowing in the cut scenes, so I've been skimming through them and cringing at the awful humor.

Still, quite enjoying it, and if you love the 16-bit Sonic of your childhood, this game will make you feel at home.

Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

I'm late to the Wii game, but this is one of the games I had my eye on. The GS sale put it at $30, which was easy to fork over since it was all store credit anyway.

As a huge RE fan since the original, I have to say I'm really enjoying this game. I never played any of the Gun Survivor games, as they received fairly mediocre reviews and it took me surprisingly long to get a PS2, but it seems Capcom's dabbling in the genre last generation has paid off. I love lightgun games (HoTD is next on my Wii pick-up list) but they're usually over so quickly. This game has plenty of length to it, and a decent amount of depth for a rail shooter. All the destructable environments remind of of Area 51 from the arcades like 10 years ago, which my friends and I sunk a ton of time into back in middle school.

This game gets surprisingly hard towards the end of each section, though, partially because the counter-attack mechanic only works about half the time. I'm not sure if that's intentional or just bad programming, but since the reload mechanic isn't as responsive as it should be either, I'm assuming it's the latter. Far from a game-breaker, though.

For those that have played this game, do you use a Zapper or other peripheral? GS actually had one for $12 (with Link's Crossbow Training for only $3!), which was a pleasant surprise. I found the game a little cumbersome and uncomfortable without the Zapper, and holding the remote up so long really killed my wrist. Took some getting used to, but I'm converted now.

Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition

Not a GS pickup, but I got it recently (thanks to that Twitter coupon on Amazon!) and it's excellent. Controls are spot-on and I don't think I'll be able to play RE5 with dual analogs now that I'm used to the Wiimote. Seriously, it's like the game was designed for the system. I haven't played through it in almost 4 years, so it's nice to go through it again, especially with the new content I missed out on from the PS2 version.

Other Stuff

Also got Valkyria Chronicles and FFTA2, but haven't played either yet. Still want to finish Killzone 2 before I start up another game, especially strategy games which take up more time. I'll probably go grab Henry Hatsworth with the rest of my credit after hearing such good things about it.

I must say that thanks to the RE games, I'm currently quite satisfied with my Wii purchase. Between the handful of other games I want for it and the limited gaming time I have, it'll be awhile before I get bored with it. Of course, that's what happens when you buy a system 2 years into it's lifespan - if I got one at launch I think I would have been starved for good games by now, so I can understand the disappointment some have experienced. ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7784 <![CDATA[State of the Industry: It's Broken!]]> http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7389 Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:48:04 GMT There's been a lot of discussion lately (especially here on CheepAssGamer) about the pricing of games, the effects of the used market on publishers, how publishers can make more and continued revenue, and how much of a role DLC should play in all of it. Well, my most recent game purchase at MSRP (something that happens once, maybe twice a year) tells me only one thing: the current system is broken.

Games are too Expensive
Sites like CheapAssGamer, Goozex, and the booming used market routinely demonstrate this, I'm not saying anything new. The biggest question is usually, is _________ worth $60? Well, if that game is Fallout 3, many will say yes, yes it is. But if that game is The Incredible Hulk, or any other licensed game where name recognition takes precedent over gameplay, then even the most die-hard of fans might have trouble defending it. I honestly don't think any games are worth $60, as I had trouble buying new games at $50 during the PS2/Gamecube/Xbox era. $40? Now you have my attention.

It's absurd to think that all new games coming out require an MSRP of $60 to get a return on development time. A good example would be some of the Xbox/PS2 games which were ported over to the 360 and released simultaneously (Gun, Tony Hawk, a few others did this) with virtually no additional content, no improved graphics beyond running at a higher resolution, but still costing $10 more than the other systems. I realize that's an outdated comparison, but honestly, times haven't changed in terms of content vs value. Enter: downloadable content.

DLC Is Out of Hand
It started with some horse armor. Now every major publisher is releasing $2, $4, $10 add-ons that seem like they should have come with the game in the 1st place. Hell, sometimes all they provide is a 500k file which unlocks content that's already on the retail disc that you have already paid for! Lately, Capcom is an excellent whipping boy for this example, and it ties well into the 2nd part of this writing. CAG's own Cheapyd had a lot to say on this subject, as well.

Mega Man 9 was the 1st real offender, offering nearly $10 worth of DLC for a game that cost $10. Different modes, time attack, Proto-Man, you name it. Most recently, Resident Evil 5 and Street Fighter 4 are carrying the torch for these issues. SF4 is slightly forgivable, as Capcom stated that they wanted everyone to be playing the same game with the same characters - we won't be seeing Yoda or Darth Vader on PSN or XBL for any extra cash. Instead the entirely optional new costumes are on sale, and while overpriced, they're hardly essential to the gameplay. But in RE5's case, they're releasing an entire multiplayer mode which is going to cost $5 extra. CheapyD and Wombat hit the nail on the head in the latest CAGCast when they brought up the Collector's Edition - some people paid $90 for the complete package of RE5, but if you want the entire game you need to pay $5 more.

A Capcom rep responded to these criticisms by saying that DLC gets it's own budget and isn't taken into account by the MSRP or development costs of the original game. Does that mean it cost the same amount of money to develop and test an entirely new game mode as it does to develop new skins for Street Fighter characters? What about Proto-Man, was he really that expensive to develop that it cost 20% of the entirety of Mega-Man 9 to develop? I didn't think so.

My Own Experience Buying New
As a long-time Street Fighter fan, an Capcom fan in general, I decided I wanted to both support Capcom for the time and money they'd invested in developing Street Fighter 4, as well as be able to play online while the community was the most active. Capcom had a promotion giving 10% off any order for taking a survey on their site, and was also one of the few sites that wasn't completely sold out of the tournament edition fighting sticks. I decided to splurge, and in a bit of an impulse buy I ordered the Limited Edition SF4 and a TE stick for PS3. This was in January, about 2 weeks before the game came out.

Release date comes and goes, I receive no game. The sticks are delayed, but I realize demand far exceeded their expectations and they had to make more, no big deal. But 2 weeks pass and the game never arrives. Well, I call them, and I'm told that they don't usually split up orders. You can read the details on what they said here, as I don't know it's worth rehashing in it's entirety. Long story short, the 3rd party company which handles their orders tells me to contact Capcom directly. I end up doing so via their message board at capcom-unity.com, and within a week receive responses from 2 moderators who say that they'll help get my game shipped to me.

Along the way of performing the difficult task of splitting up an online order, their computer or some new guy accidentally place a cancellation on the order of my game after it's shipped. Two days later I get an email saying my refund has been approved for the cost of the game. Well, I requested no refund and planned on keeping the game, so I called them to tell them not to refund my money. Well, once a refund has been issued, it can't be cancelled, and a supervisor at Digital River (Capcom's 3rd party for online sales) says he'll email me in a few days with what to do. The email never came.

But, the game did. I call Capcom directly, as I don't want to be accused of fraud or dishonesty, and he says he'll contact Digital River on my behalf and they'll get back to me 'early next week.' Well, that was almost 2 weeks ago, and in that time the money was reissued to my Paypal account. Perhaps the biggest irony here is that I set out to support a publisher that I've always loved, but because of their poor online sales organization and lack of communication between the company and their 3rd party, not only was my pre-order delayed by a month, as of now I got it for free. This brings me to my main point.

Publishers Need to Change the Way They Do Business
Game sales have always been dependent on the retail market. But, one of the biggest (or at least most recognized and associated) chains, Gamestop, is one of the main reasons publishers are complaining due to GS' stranglehold on the used market. When you consider this, it makes no sense that publishers often have exclusive pre-order deals through Gamestop, often ones that end up not being much incentive for consumers anyway. Killzone 2 is the most obvious example, with the infamous 'free demo with every preorder!', which is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard, but that could be an entire rant of this length on it's own.

What's stopping publishers from selling games themselves? Music artists have already done it, skipping the middle man and selling directly online, and often make far more per album than they would through a large record company. If you cut out the cost of retail stores, all the people in between that are involved in distributing games to retail outlets, etc, then I have trouble believing that they would still need to charge $60 for a new game. What if Sony, Microsoft, or Capcom (to name just a few) were selling the games they published for $50 instead of $60, had an exclusive preorder bonus for ordering directly from the publisher instead of from a retail store which is actually discouraging the sale of new games? Sony's attempted this in a way by having the Sony Store, and there's also the Nintendo World Store, but both of these have the problem of being physical retail locations with paid staff, property taxes, etc. and doesn't lower the cost of games.

The way I see it, the gaming industry's dependence on brick & mortar retail is one of the biggest problems in terms of profit. A lot of people say that digital distribution is the way of the future because of that, and the success of Steam definitely favors that claim. But it seems like everyone is skipping over a very obvious and easy way for publishers to sell directly to consumers through their website.

My experience with Capcom is a clear indicator that for this to work, they (and likely plenty of other publishers) need serious revisions on the way they do business online. I'm so frustrated by that whole situation, I'll likely never purchase from their online store again, which is a shame because it felt good to be buying new, directly from a company that I've always supported.

As long as publishers continue to nickle and dime people for things that used to be in games (cheat codes, costumes, entire modes of play) we'll just keep going in circles until it gets out of hand. I know it's the job of PR guys to be pretentious, but I don't want to hear any more spins about devleopment costs, DLC pricing, or (most of all) how used games are killing the industry until they make a better effort to interact with their customers and offer an incentive for us to buy games new. ]]> johnnypark http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/blog.php?b=7389