Cold, With a Chance of Heavy Rain

So yesterday was truly an unusual day, with the tsunami that never really was and that weird feeling like we were living in a ghost town. Seriously, it is just unnerving to live in this city and actually come upon real silence! But what came about as a great surprise (for me) was getting Heavy Rain in the mail yesterday! Talk about unexpected!

While I admit that I have not played the game as much as I would have liked, the little I have played I have thoroughly enjoyed. The individual stories are interesting and the details contained in each are unbelievable!

Probably my favorite story (of those I have seen thus far) and also the one I had the most issues with, were the opening story with Ethan Mars.

Of all the characters I have seen so far, Ethan's story is probably the most emotional and traumatic. Yet there are moments where I found myself wondering why these scenes are just so damn awkward? For example, after playing with his kids, their mom calls out that lunch was ready. So the two boys and Ethan return inside their home and what is this? Jason (the birthday boy) was at the table, but their other son, Shaun, was not. Where did he go? Upstairs to find his bird was dead.

So apparently Shaun ran into the house, skipped the table where his mother and brother sat for lunch, and proceeded upstairs for no reason to find his beloved bird dead. And then he takes it out of the cage and lays it out on the floor!

My question is this: Why? What drove him to suddenly just disappear upstairs? It was an awkward scene to me, but maybe (hopefully) I missed something here?

Second issue with Ethan was after that weird lunch scene, Ethan and family are shown in the mall. As Ethan's wife takes Shaun with her to look at some shoes, Jason decides to just walk away from his dad. All this for a balloon. And even after being scolded by his dad, Jason proceeds to disappear with his newly acquired balloon. After a brief chase, Ethan finds his son had managed to get outside of the mall and across the street. He calls out to him and in a ingenious move, runs across the street without looking and both he and dad gets nailed by an oncoming car.

Again, why? Why did Jason just walk away from his dad in the first place? Just so he could demand a balloon? Didn't they teach their kids to NOT run away in the middle of a crowded mall of all places? And more so, he goes ahead and disappears AGAIN from his dad's side and manages to get across the street. What compelled this crazy kid to even do this? I began to wonder if maybe this kid had some kind of psychological issues or something?

Like I said, I am hoping there is more to these strange moments then just being outright weird and awkward.

But besides that, I am liking the story that develops becomes of the loss of one of Ethan's sons. There is a lot going on in that guy's head and it has me wondering if the obvious is just too obvious? Or can he be the one everyone is looking for...?

And I'd love to write more, but I gotta go dig around and figure this game out! Interactive drama indeed...

Tsunami in Hawaii...?

What a very strange day this Saturday is turning out to be! Of all the things I was expecting to happen today, a possible tsunami was not on any of those lists. I am curious to see if this will actually happen, I mean I've been alive for a few other possible tsunami warnings, but things were never as they've been today. I mean with the sirens and the evacuations, this is turning out to be a new experience.

The only frustrating thing has been trying to find out more information about what is happening. I mean I know these local news stations are doing their best, but man... I was a little ticked off to learn my work place was actually shut down and I never heard anything about it while listening to the radio for about a hour before actually leaving home.

Anyway, I hope things turned out well and this thing doesn't turn out to being anything truly serious. My girlfriend and I attempted to brave a nearby grocery store and that place was a bit of a madhouse. But all in all, it seems as though people aren't going crazy and losing their minds over this situation.

Xbox 360 VS PS3: Round 7,003,219,000!!

March 9th, 2010

Since the beginning of time, the battle between video game console owners has waged endlessly.

Day after day the factions have grasped every possible advantage that appeared before them.

One such 'ace' was the Final Fantasy series, and it's exclusive run on the Playstation consoles.

That advantage died when the announcement came that for the first time ever...

Final Fantasy XIII would be released for both the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Tempers flared.

Anger erupted through the streets.

The internet became the battlefield once more.

But on this date, the war for video game console dominance will reach a decisive crossroad.

The battle lines have been drawn.

The sides have been taken.

Final Fantasy XIII will be unleashed upon the masses and the ultimate question will be answered at last...

Which console will reign supreme?

I don't know folks, was that maybe... a little over dramatic? It is hard not to be, when it seems as though everywhere on the internet where there is an article about this game, there is the ever present debate. No, war. And what is this war about? What console does Final Fantasy XIII's graphics look better on?

And seriously, I know the internet always has a healthy dose of drama, but this is becoming insane. Why does every article or forum post related to this game seeming have to devolve into an insult filled soup opera? Wait, I can't even say it is filled with insults because more then half the time it is just the same shit going back and forth.

Oh, the PS3 has blu-ray!

Oh, but the Xbox 360 has a better graphics chip!

Oh, shut the fuck up already!

Really, I am surprised to see this many people out there fighting over this stupid shit. But I guess with the bad economy and all, maybe a lot of these folks are jobless and just pass the time away arguing on the internet about meaningless garbage?

Bottom line: Why can't people just chose a console to play the goddamn game on and just shut up! I just to get Final Fantasy XIII on PS3 because I felt like it would be superior to the Xbox. Besides that, any consideration on my part to purchase FFXIII on the Xbox 360 died the moment my original Xbox red ringed on me.

Would I want to become engaged in an epic quest, only to have to stop dead in my tracks to send my console to Texas? Hell. NO. So for me, the choice was pretty goddamn clear from the start.

But you know, drama and controversy is everything to society it would seem. I mean why else would stupid reality shows have been as successful as they've been right? So here is my proposal: Square-Enix! Do us all a favor and release Final Fantasy XIII on PC too while you're at it! That'll drag in the PC gamer crowd and if you've hung around any game site, you know the mixture of the PC and game console crowds just leads to a lot of childish tantrums.

Heh, that would twist some nuts....

Temptation Overwhelming

Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will.
-Yoda

I have tried to stay out of my local GameStop, long having grown tired of their idiocy to the point where I just get angry by walking into the place. Just thinking about it now is getting me a little irritated, but composed I must be or else this entire writing will be a wasteful bag of ranting, name calling, third grader level anger that will prove just one thing:

I'm a big kid.

What can I say? We all have things in life that just pisses you off and that company just happens to be it for me. But that is all besides the point! That does not having anything to do with why I just randomly bring up them and their goddamn name.

So anyway, I went about my reading of a few game blogs today as I tend to do and happen upon an interesting post. This particular post claims GameStop has a little promotion where, if you trade in two games from a decent sized list of games, you will save $40 of a new copy of either God of War III or Final Fantasy XIII.

Save... $40...?

That. Does. Not. Computed.

Isn't that kind of madness? For any store or company to take off $40 off of a new game? Oh, wait, no it isn't. Not when you take those two games traded in and resell those suckers for a fairly high price. So who makes out here? Who wins?

I suppose if you happen to have in your possession a couple of games that are on GameStop's list of eligible games and you don't care for 'em, then you'd win huh? And $40 off of a $60 game is huge... so huge...

Add onto the fact that any other trade-ins have an additional %50... whoa...

Now all of this news, while awe inspiring as it might be, does not change anything for me and my contempt remains as strong as ever towards these people. But... but I don't know if I can resist this! Maybe, just maybe I might suppress my extreme dislike and take advantage of this promotion of theirs.

I have no will...

Chance of Heavy Rain

Honestly the only games I had my eyes on were Final Fantasy XIII and maybe even Dragon Age: Awakening, both of which are being released in March. So needless to say, I really had no intentions of picking up any games this month. So was I expecting to pick up Heavy Rain?

Nope.

It just didn't sound like a game I'd like at all. I'd prefer a game with action and explosions and epic goodness! But a murder mystery? Investigations that don't involve space aliens or strange technologies? Hmm... might not be up my alley.

And yet here I am, anticipating the release of this game in the next few days. In some geek gamer sort of way, I am feeling like an addict who is just jonesing for another fix in whatever way I can find it.

What changed my opinion and ultimately got me to decide to buy this game? Easily the demo did all the convincing for me. I mean I read the articles about this game and they did their work of hyping this game. And all of that promised a lot of this game, but could it be right? So many times there is all this hype around a game and in the end it ends up falling flat on its own face.

But even with what little the game demo provided, the promise of the game looks to be on par for a change. I am actually curious to know more about this Origami Killer. Why does he/she do it? And how does this killer tie in with the various characters that make up this game?

Man I've said it before and I will say it again: I am a sucker for hype. At least this time it would appear as though the hype is actually for real. I suppose I will find out for myself within either this Tuesday or anywhere until March 1st.

I hate ordering games online...

Venting

For whatever reason, I often try to limit down to number of personal posts on my blog to as few as I can these past few years. I suppose one of the main reasons for that is because I'd rather use this blog to share my interests (some might say obsession) in video games. Perhaps this blog is my place to escape from the daily grind and all of the headaches in between. Here I can forget my troubles and just write what interests me and that has worked out in helping me relieve some stresses.

But lately I think things have begun to break down for me and even these little escapes are not having the effect they once had. Things I used to be able to ignore without care now just bug the shit out of me to no end. I know in my mind that I shouldn't let the idiocy of others affect me negatively, but I just cannot help myself anymore. Where did this all change? I can't put my finger on it, but I guess finding out that sort of information is a little useless in the long run.

One of the biggest irritations for me is to see how so many people around me claim to have a difficult time in life, and yet they take a ton of trips and ride around in brand new cars. And these guys don't even work that much! What is the secret here I have to wonder? Did I miss the boat or was I asleep during this life lesson? Why am I struggling so goddamn bad and yet these people just happen upon easy street? Let me clarify what I mean by 'easy street'...

These fine folks (all around my age *23-25*) live at home with mom and dad, pay no rent and barely any bills outside of their own gas for their cars, maybe insurance and whatever personal spending money they care to use. Otherwise, they live FREE. I mean what the fuck? And some of these guys actually go to college and draw an fuckton of free money too! Why? Well they only work part time and because of this, they can look like the poorest sons of bitches around! And they are old enough to where they can claim their taxes by themselves and their parents' earnings don't affect anything for them. So ta-da ladies and gents! Rich ass bitches these guys become!

Maybe I am not using our government properly or rightly, maybe I am just not utilizing everything that could be at my disposal. Maybe I am going through life the wrong way here? I mean I can't even afford a used car, much less keep from bouncing my rent every month because of a mountain of bills. Maybe I should start to look for more ways of pulling "free" money like EBT and what not? I mean if there are so many people in this world that can get this stuff whether they need it or not, then why the hell not me too right?!

No, fuck that... no way... I don't intend on going that route and just taking the easiest road I can find. Yes, I am stupid like that but this has always been the story of my life. I learn the lessons the hard way. It just pisses me off whenever I hear one of these guys complaining about how hard it is for them, when in fact their lives are fucking easy in comparison! I would gladly trade any of those HUGE $150 worth of bills that my dear friends complain about with my rent ANY DAY!

But I guess at the end of the day the truth of the matter all comes down to the choices we make in life. I suppose in a way I could have stayed at home with mom and dad and just tried to live the easy life. But my parents were NEVER the types to just allow me free reign and just do whatever the hell I please. They made me work throughout high school and I was told that if I stayed and lived at home, I'd be paying rent and an equal share of all the utilities as well. A far cry from a lot of people I've run into since moving out here to Oahu.

Forgive me, I honestly don't really know the purpose of ranting about all of this. I know this is just the way life works itself out sometimes, but I can't help but be ever so slightly pissed off about it. Meh...

Looking Ahead in 2010

The past month or so, gaming-wise, has had my brain locked in an RPG dominate state. And really, if you are a fan of RPGs, how could your mind be anything but? I mean with Dragon Age at the end of last year and with Mass Effect 2 in January and Final Fantasy XIII in March, I can't seem to look at other games right now. I am just intent on saving the galaxy, destroying hordes of monsters and just leveling up like a mad man!

But yes, life must go on and it continues beyond that next level or piece of gear. While the journeys are usually fun and memorable and the characters feel like old friends by the end of that 60+ hour odyssey, the fight just can't last forever.

It just can't! I mean surely you could just keep replaying the same game over and over and over again. But there life is too short for that and I don't imagine that sort of living is too healthy for neither your mind or your body. Besides that, good games are springing up left and right these days! Unless of course, you own a Wii....

Har... har... har...

Then again, the games that have caught my attention recently are not, by any means, must-buys in my book. At least not a good portion of them (Final Fantasy XIII is LIFE... don't judge me). Take for example, the game called Heavy Rain.

I've been reading what people are saying and I have kept on eye on this for a little while now. Am I interested in it? Surely. It does sound promising with the amount of freedom to chose how you interact with everything that happens around the character.

But at the same time, I can't help but be wary about a game like this because it feels like it is hyped up to be so many great things. It reminds me a lot of the original Fable, which was hyped up to be a godsend of a game that would change the face of the universe as we know it. And failed.

For me personally, the make or break on this deal is how the demo for this game plays out (the demo is set to be released on February 11th on PSN). That will decide if I should bother to buy it now or save it for sometime down the road.

Hey, hey! I saw some interesting news about a previous double delayed RPG, Alpha Protocol! Great news game fans! It got delayed... again! I read something about the developers wanted to add more polish? What the hell is this, a car or a video game? Seriously though, With the number of delays and amount of "polish" this game is getting, it damn well better blow away games like Mass Effect and Dragon Age.

Pictured up top (with that huge guy *Current UFC Heavy Weight Champion, Brock Lesner* punching the inside of the game case) is UFC Undisputed 2010.

My hope is that this game will manage to make the fights a bit more playable and at least a little easier to learn the ground game. Last time around I spent my character's entire UFC career just throwing a ton of head kicks to take out everyone that stood before me.

What I am hoping for here is maybe a little more unpredictablity in the career mode. As for the game itself, what else can really be done? I mean they can't throw in other match types (it ain't pro wrestling!) and... and it will be something to see if THQ can keep things fresh with this new iteration. Besides, I believe they have to bring their A-game as EA has their own MMA video game in the works too.

Ah, Final Fantasy XIII... the only question I have on my mind that has lingred for some time now is this: Will there be a US release for that spiffy collector's edition? And if not, WHY?! Why no love for us folks in the States? What have we done that deems us unworthy of throwing more money at a bunch of extra stuff that we may never use for anything besides collecting dust?

Deja vu? I feel like I've wrote about that one before... hmm....

Lastly, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4! Wow. Just watching that quick promo video on the game's site brought back a lot of memories for me of when I was a kid. Yeah, just like those old school Mario games, Sonic also helped me develop my rage as a gamer and there were times when that controller learned to fly man!

Wait, am I really interested in this game? Besides it going back to it's roots and dumping the cast of about a half million other animals, do I want to go back to my angry childhood? Considering the fact that game controllers cost about as much as a game these days, smart money says.... maybe?

I just hope it plays well without having to resort to a bunch of weird crap like the last many of Sonic's games have featured. Just let the hedgehog run free damnit! Let him blaze so fast across the screen that it can't even keep up with 'em!

Ah, the good old days playing through levels as Super Sonic...

Galaxy Saved...!

So I've gotten through Mass Effect 2, saved the galaxy from the Collectors, kept my entire crew alive (Jack still tells me to f*ck off) and even went as far as to tell the "Illusive Man" where he can take his ideas and where he may shove them.

All in all, I think my favorite characters have changed from the last time I wrote about all of this. Jack is/was okay, but I didn't really care all that much about her overall story and the same goes for Grunt too. On the other hand, however, the characters I did find pretty interesting and drawn to are Thane, Mordin and Samara. This trio has a lot of personal issues and they've all dealt with a lot of situations which test their beliefs and their morals.

Also stated before, I was quite disappointed with not being able to import my character from the original Mass Effect and that fact stung me throughout Mass Effect 2. For example, I did not kill Wrex and I did not leave the Council behind to die during the end of Mass Effect. About the only thing that I did do that was present was saving Ashley Williams.

Still, having absolutely no way of bringing that save over, I was stuck with the default game. Meh...

So now it is back to waiting.

Waiting for Mass Effect 3.

I suppose I shall pass the time by replaying the original Mass Effect or maybe even go back to playing Dragon Age. I might even replay Mass Effect 2 just for kicks. Or hell, March is right around the corner and obviously that means a not-so-Final Fantasy is near. At this point I don't know, but I am content with how the story of Mass Effect 2 played itself out. Am I hyped for the grand finale? Oh yes...

But I wonder: How much of this second crew will remain? And will any of the original Normandy crew return to fight along side you? If that second part is answered with a "yes," then you can rest assured that I will certainly be returning to part 1 to ensure that things are set the way I wanted them to be. That sounds a little... how to say? Obsessed?

Damn right.