Flashback: Almost One Week Later...

It has been almost a week since UI 2.0 and I attended the launch event for Animal Crossing: New Leaf at Nintendo World in NYC.  Having now spent a week with the game on and off, I'd like to give my impressions of it, if I may.  It's here you may expect to read lengthy stories about pitfalls, shady dock dealings, Hide and Go Seek, shark fishing jealousy, the music and my dwindling fear of Mutliplayer.  Consider yourself warned and turn back now while you still can.  Otherwise, Welcome to Flashback Friday Fun Times!

The truth of it all is that I have not been logging as much time into New Leaf as many of my fellow TAY'ers.  I am amazed when I may wander into the occasional town and find that hundreds of flowers are in bloom and Public Works Projects for a second and third bridge have been initiated as with ToxicBunnies' town.
There have been tales of endless Shark Fishing at night and stories of bell bank accounts so large that it has been nothing short of staggering to me.

What Have I Become?

Recently, I started up a new game of The Cave.

As the beautiful, hilarious introduction ended and after I took the time to read through the descriptions of my playable cast of characters, I had no idea what to do next.

Indeed, the game had already started and I was none the wiser.  I opened up the in-game manual and the controls were simple enough but what the heck? "X" did not start my game?!

What sort of shenanigans was this?!

I reached for my phone to see if there was something wrong with me because the Internet has made it so easy to just find a walkthrough and hide any and all embarrassment (well, there is that thing called personal shame but...yeah, no one has to know).

Flash back to last year.

I bought a copy of the Jak & Daxter HD collection because I had to replay that greatness and capture a piece of my youth again.  I loved the series so much, so why not?

Memories are a funny thing.

Or maybe, somehow, I've just grown a little bit dimmer as the years have gone on and my skill which one would think should increase as time goes, actually got dull.

I played through the first Jak & Daxter (the one that still had Daxter in the title.  Psh) and I adored it.  I absolutely loved it this time around.  I remember when I played it back at its release, I was so blown away by parts 2 and 3 of the series! I always thought Part 1 was just okay.

At it's HD release though? I collected every trophy (not a hard task by any means) and genuinely had a fascinating, fun time.

Given that, I booted up the 2nd game (my favourite back in the day) eager to feel that excitement again.  "It's going to be amazeballs!", I thought to myself.

It was anything but.

The controls on the hover devices were a lot harder than I recall.  And I died a lot more than I remember.  And how THE HELL did I manage to do all those blue ring challenges when I was younger? The game suddenly seemed near impossible! In fact, I stopped playing and have yet to go back.

What happened to me?

Who am I?!

With that I bring you back to The Cave.

I figured out what to do and was happily listening to the funny tale and plowing through my game, until I came to the part where I was supposed to throw a hot dog on a spike.

For the life of me, I could not figure out how to throw something.

Umm, what?

Maybe I want to excuse myself and blame it on recent real world stress in my life.

Or maybe I am shamefully admitting that I am no longer the sharpest tool in the shed.

Hi, it's me, Or 2.

And yep, I'm a rubber mallet.

Almost Time

Just a little bit longer now until November 1st and while I may feel slightly appalled by Sony's decision to 'whore' out the franchise to Subway (yeah, okay, I will admit that...I laughed at the $5 foot long taunt), Naughty Dog will put all my fears to rest as they *usually* *have yet to* to any major wrong in my eyes.



Watch this awesome movie* trailer, guys.  Watch it!

*Uncharted 3 - not actually a movie.

Added to the List

As if I needed to add to the video game list from that one time, here are some more things I need to keep an eye on:

The Last Guardian
Shadow of the Damned
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus HD Remake
Catherine (weirdness incarnate but the dancing sheep with ties - hilarious)

I almost hate myself for playing No More Heroes because now I love Suda51 and will follow whatever he does.  Oh, maybe I should go look for a copy of Killer 7 too... psh!

Back at the Top

I finished No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle last night, which means I'm currently ranked at No. 1.

I'm not sure how I feel about this game after having really loved the first one.  I was incredibly happy at the end as the last boss fight was insane, and the end credits were just beautiful to watch and reminiscent of Kill Bill.

But herein lies the dilemma: Overall, the bosses mostly lacked personality, style and the technical oomph to beat.

The game's still pretty good though with the soundtrack amped up and much more bad-assed than before (read: A must-have, Bughie J.! Heh.), the 8-bit games were good times, Travis still has the best lines and I still found myself swooning over him and his twin Henry, dialogue was stellar as always but the story took too serious of a turn for me and the fact that Travis is not going to be in it anymore (eff you, Sylvia! Man, I hated her), I'm not sure what there is to look forward to.

Other than to ask H1 if she saw me coming for her rank, I am writing to report that I had a bit of nerd rush (and nervous scare) as the end credits rolled.

Takashi Miike.

Don't think I didn't see that!

I won't spoil it for Beetchie if she wants to play but talk about a.w.e.s.o.m.e - o.

Next up on the gaming list: Okami.

Hm, I can't remember the last time I burned through games like this (I finished Hotel Dusk: Room 251 yesterday as well).

All due to the fact that I had a pile sitting there and wanted to get as much done before FFXIII.  Though I have say, with Square Enix screwing 'me' over and the mixed reviews coming out, I'm not really feeling too excited to play this.

Obsession(s) of the Week: 01/16/2010 - 01/23/2010

No More Heroes

Frass did me a kindness and bought me this Wii game for my birthday last year. With the $18 price tag, and stellar reviews of this 2008 release even though not a genre I play, I decided I could not go wrong. Sometimes, there's nothing wrong with a hack and slash game (only in games!). I like the quirky art from the Assassination missions to my part-time jobs, playing a classic arcade game on the subway and feeling like I'm playing an arcade game in of itself, the crazy character designs and boss fights, and well - the boys humour while not the best, is still pretty funny but the game would be not as fun without its star...



Travis Touchdown

"Moe"

The man is an ass. An otaku, a loser and a foul-mouthed sweetheart (at heart?). Travis really is a crude, loveable character with the lame one-liners, and no brain. I like his style, I like his beam katana, and I like dressing him up before a killing spree. Having only started this game on the 16th - unranked and at No. 11; today I'm currently the 3rd highest ranked Assassin of the UAA and loving every minute of the journey. It's unfortunate I'm tearing through this but it certainly has been fun playing the boy with "quite the name". Anyone who makes liberal use of the word "bitch" any chance he can and properly, I might add, as well as throwing in the term "Ass Clown" (always a personal favourite of mine) demands that I obsess over him. Love that Travis Touchdown and can't wait for his second (and final ::sniff::) entry in this fantastic series.

Currently listening to: Murdoc Niccals on Pirate Radio 2.  Please do not disappoint me new Gorillaz album!

Observation(s) of the Week: 01/24/2010 - 01/30/2010

On the Wii:

There should be a warning in the manual for the Wii usage that states "Do not play around cats".

I know there's one to be mindful of people and objects around you and Jazzie was already a victim of the wiimote.

But where's the warning that says, "if you play the wii and your hand/cursor is spotted by your cat, be warned - cat may attack moving cursor"?

I really hope there are no scratches on the TV.  The sad part is is that I found it so amusing too until I realised the true menace Pumpkin was being to the flat panel.

On Final Fantasy Tactics:

Story wise, this game is amazing.  I am still having a few difficulties playing after all these years.  It's challenging and downright hard at times but I'm scraping by somehow.

However, I must remember to not go to bed with a battle weighing on my mind because all I can see in my dreams are ninja monks and the tiles on which they should be placed.  Ugh.

Nerd Quote of the Day:

"My Powerhouse of a Ninja Monk with his dual-wielding sword action is much more superb than your Ninja Monk! Unless of course you have better swords equipped..."

This Week(s) Obsessions: 12/07/2009 - 01/02/2010

The Legend of Zelda: The Spirit Tracks

There's probably one other character in my gaming nerdity that I love more than Link. Link is so adorable, with his little green hat of which I am a little green over and wished I always had. From a horse, to a boat to rail, Link continues to entertain and the LofZ series continues to be one of the most amusing, well-thought out gaming mechanics adventure ever to be created.

The Diabolical Box

Some may claim that it is "Elysian" but that box had nothing on this one:

'Tiled', you say?







H1 and I showed you, BOX!

Ah the lengths we go to solve a puzzle.

If only we could do same for the "trash" puzzle that doesn't involve our dealing in trash...

Observation

I just started playing Final Fantasy: Dissidia.

The voice acting is horrendous as it usually is in these English voiced dubbed games but is it just me or does Cosmos look like Cate Blanchett?





I smell shenanigans!

Currently listening to: "If You're Into It" by Flight of the Conchords.

Obsessions of Week(s): 7/19/2009-7/25/2009

Patapon 2



I just finished this game last night and it was scary times fighting that last demon. Many times my little one-eyed army got wiped out but they love me, their leader, the Great Znyx. And I love them. I miss playing that game already but the influence is present in most things I do. Just today for our arts and crafts project of wrapping presents for A'Face, H1 and I managed to stick Patapon eye(s) on his pyos. Obsessed, I tell you!

Fran



Another new character in Hitman Reborn - Fran the new Varia Mist Guardian. He's dry, crazy and awesome. I need to have a deadpan character in my fauxanga. I wonder who's most suited...probably Raphael at this point.



He's a smart ass, who is the kind of guy that needs to have a pose to unleash his special powers. Yep. Who doesn't need one of those? Um, maybe...no one.

Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei



I finally started watching this and it's as insane as I imagined if not more. The soundtrack including opening and ending theme is fantastic and I like all the crazies in Itoshiki Sensei's class. I do love Sensei too. He's...not quite right but he's often got a point.

Vizards



The return of the Vizards and in particular, Hirako Shinji. I'm always obsessed with him but damn it, he's still just friggin' awesome. I hope he kicks ass like nobody's buisness but I'm fearful for him. Aizen's a complete bad-ass and I don't think it'll end well for the Gotei 13 and the Vizards. I'm also obsessed with Ukitake's unconfirmed death but I don't really want to talk about it right now. Curse you, Tite Kubo!

Currently listening to: "Twilight" by U2.

Missing Wesker

Just shy of 3 or so hours, 1 week ago this moment, Bunji and I finished Resident Evil 5.

I have to say that I miss Wesker terribly.

I know he was an ass, kicked my (and Bunji's...mostly Bunji's) asses, and he had a comical voice actor with the exaggerated "Chrrrriiiss" British type accent put on but it was funny to me and I loved him.

That effer did not want to go down. Even in lava he could not be stopped! It took lava and two rocket launchers to the head to do him in and oops, sorry for the spoiler with no spoiler alert for anyone who might be reading it and wanted to play.

So the bastard's gone but I suspect this isn't the last Chris Redfield (Bunji), Jill Valentine (hideous hair dye job or maybe that was the Progeniture virus?), Sheva (me! I'm a hero lady!), Claire Redfield, or Leon Kennedy (he's so lame) will see of Wesker in some form or other, considering there was talk of "Wesker Children".

I also suspect this isn't the last post about Resident Evil 5 nerditure that I have to post. In fact, I know it isn't because I have at least 2 more related posts coming involving zombies and lickers.

Did I mention I miss that ass Bunji too?

Yeah.

I miss him, as well.

Crippling Lucca's Mother...Again.

Replaying Chrono Trigger, makes me realise (and Bughie J., I'm sure) that I don't remember much about one of the greatest games I have ever played.

I know it's great because everyone says so, and I did play it almost ten years ago and enjoyed...so why did I just not remember anything about the story?

I guess I was just not paying that close attention and was probably too wrapped up in acquiring that asshole that I adore Magus and being depressed when Bughie J. led me to kill him. On purpose, I might add.

Whatever the reason, I'm once again (of that I'm sure) thoroughly enjoying my replay of this fabulous game on the DS.

I set it to classic mode because DS mode just became way too confusing for my little brain, but the point is - what an incredible, complex story!

The characters are loveable but the story line and attention to details is just absolutely amazing.

It's got everything a person could want! It's got heart, an awesomely timeless soundtrack, time travel, gurus, a festival, comedy, Taban (everything's your fault, ass!), Tata, a nerd, a princess no one could possibly want other than to hate, a pre-historic bad-assed cave woman, a gorf, an asshole prophet, Ozzie, Flea, Slash, a robo, a crono...and a mop!

A mop that I stole!

Make that, a mop that I charmed off the back of some Nu. I was told that this Nu needs it to sweep his flat, so I'll give it back but I keep getting headbutt.

I suppose Nu don't forgive that easily when they've been wronged...uh, charmed.

It also has lots of something a person does not need, and that's heartache.

I'm sorry Lucca's Mom.

Luckily for you, I didn't save and will try again tomorrow.

Like A Loser

Friday happened and I happened upon Nintendo World.

H1 thought it best to not have a "loser" status but I think she was wrong.

I still think I'm a loser, even though I did pre-order. It's the kind of loser feeling one gets from seeing the DSi in stock.

Ah well. I don't like taking chances sometimes.

But man, am I liking my little DSi.

And man, am I a loser for gifts - of the threebie variety!






I know B. is thinking about swiping my little charm thingie there...aren't you, B.?



It's a sad thing when the box is so heavy because of the manual. I'll have to take a picture of that sometime to show just how massive it is. Which DSi camera to use? Bwahahaha. Lame.

You know what's also lame? The DSi trying to blind me!

I turned it on and was not expecting to look upon the sun when I flipped that screen open. I actually had to look away because of that damned backlight but it was pretty frickin' hilarious, in my mind, but not to my eyes.

Little red DS of H1's...you are still awesome!




And it's not just because of your awesomely placed racing flame, either.

But man, did I do a pretty awesome job there.

Ha.

Currently playing on the DSi: Chrono Trigger and watching KRONUS kick the bucket at 6:40 AM this morning. Awwww =(
That game is still the most brilliant thing ever.

O.M.G.

I am so excited right now!!!!!

A new The Legend of Zelda game at some point this year!



Ooooo, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks...

Could it just be a gross misuse of the DS? I don't really care!

I'm happy to see that KuSeph (or is it KuSep or KSep? I can't keep track) has returned, and with a conductor's hat! He's so cute!

Does this mean I should wait to see if they release a bundle for the DSi?

Hmmm...

Currently listening to: "Penny Lane" by The Beatles.

More Zombies, More Debacles

There was a panic attack.

You'd panic too if a chainsaw weilding zombie was chasing you! I couldn't think straight to get my gun out to blast through the heavy duty chained pad lock... instead I tried cutting it with a knife, and the zombie cut off me 'ead with a chainsaw. See? Another year, another incident involving my being knicked in me 'ead. Tch.

There was a Zombie Field Day.

Literally.

Bunji and I must have had a hundreds of them to slay only to be slain multiple times ourselves, while they rode after us on their bikes through the deep Kalahari...uh, Savannah.

There was a boat.

He says I can't drive the boat. He lies. I am still awesome. I don't see me driving us into flambeau throwing zombies!

There were two gators.

Gators? They'll pick you off your raft and eat you. That's why I'm never going to the FL Everglades, or Kikuju in RE5.

There were chickens.

Zombie chickens or regular chickens that will peck you if provoked? Yeah...I'm pretty sure they were just regular chickens and we got what we deserved for trying to cut them for their eggs.

Currently listening to: "Mama Minku" by Tsuyoshi Sekito, from the Brave Fencer Musashiden Original Soundtrack. Well, Well. Minku... man, I love them. That game needs to be released for the psp or ds. I'd be all over it! That and original Ape Escape. Oh hells yes.

Burn!

It was an insult to Paramore and Hot Topic.

I was playing Rock Band 2 last night and chose some song in Austin TX. I think it was Sonic Youth but I'm not sure. Whatever it was, it was totally cool rock song by a considered to be cool rock band.

The joker creators at Rock Band tossed Zarnyx a question.

Essentially I was asked, "Hot Topic wants to sponsor your gig but wants you to sing Paramore's 'That's What You Get' instead. You'll get lots of cash for it. Do you want to switch songs?"

Well, that certainly sounded fishy - Hot Topic and Paramore in one sentence? Yeah. I mean, it sounds about right but suspect at best.

Anyone who knows Paramore is probably an emo I don't want to deal with. Probably. The lead singer surely is an annoying little emo girl but I digress.

Anyone who knows Hot Topic knows that it was slightly cool when it was unknown all the years when. And then emo happened and Hot Topic thought they should go in the direction of the Emo. You can't really blame them because Emo kids are usually privileged children who have their parents money (and lots of it), self-made depression, and less than stellar taste in music.

Beetchie, shut up! I am not Emo! And I'm not whining, that was a forceful "Shut Your Ass" kind of Shut Up, I can assure you.

I digress again.

So, lured by curiosity and extra money to get more piercings (not that I would spend money without your approval, Band Manager H1), I went ahead and sold out.

After I finished the gig, Rock Band made sure to drive it hard that I had Sold Out in case I was Emo and didn't realise that having Hot Topic sponsor me and singing Paramore is anything but the coolest thing since crying.



You see that, right?

I LOST 30,000 fans.

Ahahaha. That was true greatness. I only got $250 too. Tch. Cheap bastards.

To the assholes who are paying attention to the fact that I got five stars on Paramore, it's just that like that time with that ass song by Fall Out Boy, I had to learn the damned song in order not to fail and I'd be damned if I let any of those assholes make me a fail a song.

Anyway.

They're grainy but here are some pictures of my beloved Zarnyx in Rock Band 2 form. I'll take better pictures at some point.





He is of course, wearing an awesome red jacket that he was born with, Band Manager H1 and not bought without consulting you first.

Currently listening to: "Get Clean" by Anarchy Club. I finally found this song. I didn't unlock it yet in Rock Band 2 but I always hear it at the start up load screen and I love the music. The lyrics leave much to be desired but I can just ignore them.

Rock Band 2

Man, I sound extra REALLY horrible when I've got a frog in my throat. It's a good thing no one's around to hear me massacre the already awful "Living on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi. Effin' Bon Jovi... Though, I did get five stars, so I'm wondering if this frog is the key to Jovi and will help get five stars on that other ass song, "Wanted Dead or Alive"...

Also, I love Rock Band Zarnyx.

I made him and while he's not exactly how I draw him, he's still pretty cute. For a while there he had a goth personality but then when he did some sort of shimmy that pissed me off so bad (and as a goth, why was he always bopping his head and smiling??!!), I deleted him and remade him with a Metal personality.

Now he's an asshole.

Ha.

Metal Heads.

Currently listening to: "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads. I forgot how damned cool this song is.

08/08/08

I felt it necessary to post on this day, the only time we'll ever get to see all those 8s together.

Apparently the Atom Smasher will be turned on September 12th, so Operation Impending Doom II.V is forthcoming.

In the meanwhile, I found a thing that looks really familiar to me, H1. Very, very familiar. It's called "Flock" and it comes out in September. Suddenly, I feel slightly scared.



Currently listening to and watching: The Marching of the Countries at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics on TV.

Say It Ain't So

Really now.

What?

No No.

Currently listening to: "Snake Charmer" by Rage Against The Machine, and a headache. No relation.