Retrospective: Alundra

The year was 1998. The original PlayStation has become a certified hit, attributing its success to many memorable games that have seen the console as its official launching pad. Proving that top-notch 2D or 3D gaming was possible, depending on whoever is handling the game's production, it can serve as an art form that people can admire or a wretched disaster that basically tantamounts to their time being wasted.

In the same year, luckily, one particular game belongs to the former.

Alundra is a story of the adventurer of the same name who is also a Dreamwalker, one with the ability to cross towards dreams, and help save a town that is cursed by a plague that involves villagers being attacked where they are most vulnerable, that being dreams.

Zelda has always been the "top-in-mind" when it comes to platform RPG's, and with good reason. But when it comes to a more mature taste in terms of the story, Alundra has done exceptionally well. The story is real captivating, the supporting characters are fun to interact with, and more importantly, the challenge was right there! There are many places to explore and puzzles to solve (from the easiest to the downright dirtiest), giving players hours to overcome these obstacles and proceed with the story that's coated with conspiracies and difficulties. It was a 2D experience that's rare to come by, and by the end of the day, the entire experience was fulfilling to those who yearn for more than just another Zelda per se. It wasn't all happy and cheery (though it had elements of it, which is nice), as it can be as dark when the time calls for it, offering many gamers a very balanced treat. 1998 was certainly a great year indeed.

A "sequel" was released soon after, Alundra 2, but it was not as epic as the original, if you ask me. Yes, it suffered from the "Men In Black 2" syndrome.

Working Designs, the publisher responsible for this game, may have been defunct after around 20 years of existence, but this game will forever be remembered as one of their classical gems when we look back in the history of games in general.

Don't Hate The Game, Hate The Player

If you haven't noticed, I'm an avid WoW enthusiast, that goes without saying. Not to the extent of being a super addict, of course. Trust me, the last thing I want to end up as is becoming Eric Cartman after a lengthly session with the most popular MMO in the world.

But if you compare this game with most MMO's these days, it's safe to say that it's hard to argue about why it shouldn't be considered one of the best experiences around.

Which is also why it's easy for this game to be targeted by most critics.

And out of all the critics, one particular body stood out.

World Of Warcraft: As Addictive As Cocaine?

Wow, talk about something age-old and giving it a facelift. This is but another chapter to the long-lasting issue of gaming linked to perennial vices, such as addiction, health concerns, and even murder. But in this case, addiction seems to be the rule of the day for this one.

But if you ask me, to put the blame solely to a game is totally ludacris.

Let's bring Ragnarok Online in the limelight for starters. When it first came out, it was a craze like never before seen. Some gamers pretty much played like there's no tomorrow, but didn't really have any problems with their grades. In fact, I know some people who play the game yet know their responsibilities beforehand and succeed in their respective professions. There are others who took online gaming into an unhealthy obsession, and ended up being in situations people wouldn't wanna be in, whether it'd be academic, professional, or just simply personal. In fact, there was a case wherein a player, upset about being screwed over from not being able to obtain his desired item, when nuts and killed someone. And that's just an issue in the realm of games. Let's not forget that there are other obsessions this world has to offer, and to merely focus on gaming addiction would mean to ignore all the other obsessions in the world. And that would be an act of ignorance in our part. ILet's see... one thing that easily comes to mind... oh yes, pornography in general.

It's like saying an increase in violence should be attributed to certain violent games like anything with "Grand Theft Auto" on the cover. But in case no one noticed, Tom and Jerry have been trying to kill each other for YEARS with the use of an axe, fireworks, and all that jazz. And SEX in games? HOT COFFEE? Have people not even gave a thought of why the Smurfs only have one Smurfette, and how she has (presumingly) retained her virginity for all these years? (Okay, that was an assumption, but don't say no one has noticed that for a long time. It's amazing how Smurfette has not been alienated in that environment)

Temptations exist in the world, that being an undisputed fact in life, and let's not get started with the phenomenon known as Street Fighter IV. But in the end of the day, it's the person who should KNOW the thin line between obsession and moderation. Yes, there are players who are enthusiastic about certain things. But as people, we are required to make use of our common sense and take initiative in order to not get trapped by the addiction sensation. Weakness is oftentimes demonstrated when we tend to blame our shortcomings to things around us, knowing of the pros and cons to dealing with certain things. I do play WoW enthusiastically, yes (In fact, I really can't wait for Patch 3.10. But before that, I want my DK AXE at Naxx!), but I don't let it CONSUME me entire being like it is my only source of connectivity in the outside world.

So that is generally what I'm saying here: Moderation is key. It's cliche-ish by now, but still holds true to this day. More than ever.

What do you guys think?

The Wolver-slap in the Face / What's up with the WCG?

It's been a hefty while since I've posted an entry due to my rekindled addiction to WoW, but I'm officially back on track and ready to go :D

As for the previous entry, do not worry as my promised entry will be posted soon. WoW can REALLY be addictive, for better or for worse.

Since I was a kid, I was really fond of games that involve one of the most influential factions in comic book history, the X-Men. As a matter of fact, some months ago, I have expressed my love for the old school X-Men games, notably the arcade game that is simply awesome to say the least. And for long-time fans, Wolverine has become more bad-ass than Cyclops ever was, and has become the centerpiece of the entire mutant puzzle.

So it may come as a shock when we heard about this piece of news most recently:

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/41923/98/

There are two sides to this whole Origins issue, depending on your perspective. The temptation is running real high when you consider that you get to download something as big as this for free. So yeah, the consumer wins one-sidedly. However, that'll utterly harm the future of the whole X-Men franchise, and perhaps even the entire movie scene as well. Let's face it, they did work real hard to materialize this entire project from the ground up. So for people to download the movie prior to its official viewing is akin to a slap in the face to those who worked hard putting up this film. Plus, there's a definite difference between watching something pirated from watching something that's shown on the big screen, yes?

I'm not going to say what's right for you guys (since we all have our own views on things), but it's best to take a look at this issue in the long run and see if that'll be beneficial to everyone in the end.

Also, my friend, Vincent, has a very compelling post in regards to the World Cyber Games and the need for them to disclose further information for those who want to join this event. Please do spread the word as well :D

What's up with WCG?

Also, Mickey Mouse is officially awesome now!

ROFLMAO!

To give you guys a good idea on what my next entry will be, why not check this one out? :D

Wooo! VS RAWR!

I admit, Uprising got me pretty excited already by virtue of what they are offering on the table (which needs no further explanation). But it seems as though they officially outtrumped themselves by signing on Ric Flair as Commander Hill. Now, that alone should be enough as his charisma is astronomically compared to George Takei, and more than Couture and Carano combined. Good news, right?

Enter Viral Marketing.





I rest my case.

How to compare Fanboys to Terrorists these days?

(I've always wanted to watch this movie. =P)

If there is one topic that I always wanted to talk about for years but never got the chance to do so because of my forgetfulness, this has got to be it.

In fact, I've always wanted to talk about this one certain topic since the inception of the next generation consoles (PS3, 360, Wii) some years ago, back when the 360 took initiative by being the first console of the next generation to be released. Actually... come to think of it, this act of fanaticism has been around for quite a long time now.

Yes, the art of the Fanboy.

If I may quote Wikipedia on this one (Yes, Wikipedia, the tabloid of the interwebs):

"Fanboy is a term used to describe any individual who is devoted to a single subject in an emotional or fanatical manner, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession."

Taking this into context, what do Fanboys and Terrorists have in common these days? They tend to take it to the extremes.

With all due respect, all of us are fans of many things around us. After all, to each, his or her own, and that should be respected in all aspects. Personally, I appreciate what Naruto has contributed to today's modern pop culture in general, for taking the bullet as the next Dragon Ball. And like everyone, I also love Final Fantasy VII, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Final Fantasy VI for its major contributions in shaping how RPG gaming would become in the next number of years. I am not talking about what the greatest Final Fantasy game is, ever, but every game has some degree of credibility that makes it stand out. And I don't like Michael Phelps for being hyped as the "Greatest Olympian of all time" by winning eight medals if other athletes are unable to garner eight medals by virtue of their sports being limited in terms of categories. But that does not mean I do not respect him for his incredible work ethic, which, by all means, should be hailed by health enthusiasts (though he totally lost me with the whole Marijuana thing. Now, he's the greatest Olympian of all time... in Atlantis, and now officially a national hero... in Jamaica).

But when it comes to the act of fanboy (or girl)-ism, when things are taken to the extreme and to the extent of offending people by going out of line, it is of now wonder why the interwebs, once touted as the dream world where information is exchanged and good will is promoted, is now a place filled with lots of bad vibes. Is it a wonder why people do not see the internet in a better light these days? So instead of promoting good will between fans and what-have-you, all we see are acts of bigotry, hate, flames, and well, you get the picture.

Do not get me wrong, I have nothing against fans, fanboys, and the act of being a fan per se. We all learn from the exchange of information and the sharing of opinions. We all have the right to express our opinions and points of view, as intended to be. But when it comes right down to it, there is one thing everyone should bring back to the plate: RESPECT

I'm very sure everyone will not agree in just about every topic we can think of. What is the greatest console of the current generation and why? Who is the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts and boxing history? Which music simulation game is the best, Rock Band or Guitar Hero? We will not agree to everything in life, and we all feel strongly about something we believe in. But we should all remember that we are talking to people who wishes to deliver their own say and wants to be treated with respect the same way we want to be treated with respect as well. We will not agree to everything in our lifetime, that's for sure. But we could at least compromise to something, and excercise some tact and respect to people we know and don't know in what we say or share to them. After all, a little respect goes a long way.

Come to think of it, if we could all learn to do that, maybe the world will learn from this and help Obama in his new endeavor of making this world better again from the Bush screwjob. Okay, at least the world can agree with me on one thing: W. Bush will not get our respect, period.

Uprising gets a Wooooo!

Months back, I talked about how exciting it is for Red Alert 3 to feature a star-studded cast which only makes the presentation and legitimacy of the game kicked up a notch. I gave double emphasis to one former UFC Heavyweight Champion (and potentially going light-heavyweight by the looks of it) Randy Couture. And truly, RA3 has delivered in many ways.

That wouldn't stop EA from pulling off a CC tradition: releasing expansions! RA3 is no exception to the rule, as the will be releasing an expansion featuring new modes of play, missions, units, and a special scenario/adventure featuring Yuriko Omega.

And again, the casting is given the special treatment once again. But out of all the featured cast members to participate (including Holly Valance, another personal fave), one pretty much stood above the rest...

Yes! 16-time World Champion Ric Flair joins the cast! I'll be frank, just as the legendary Randy Couture and the exciting gameplay experience were enough inspiration to get the original, this alone will make getting Uprising and make it worth my while. Gameplay-wise, I can't wait to experience what new things that can be expected with the new game.

But I admit, it'd be really awesome to see someone chop another in the game.

The Miyamoto Hush-Hush / Rourke VS Jericho at WrestleMania 25? Oh shi-!

VS

(I just thought of comparing these two in one entry. =P)

Now that I'm officially back in full, it's time for me to make up for the whole backlog of things that needs to be taken a good ponder on. That being the case, why not talk about something related to the words "casual", "gaming", and "craze"?

If the markets have their say, then numbers don't lie. The Wii has been on quite a respectible roll for some time now, give or take. As a matter of fact, the Wii has actually accomplished something no one or thing has done EVER: give a more definitive form of a casual gaming market. Yes, some people can say they are casual gamers back then, but let's face it, how do you EXACTLY define a casual gamer? That was a hard thing to distinguish in all actuality, until the Nintendo flagship came about. But obviously, having a Wii does not mean you're a casual gamer, per se. Look at No More Heroes (with 2 coming soon), The House of the Dead: Overkill (Grindhouse FTW!), Bleach for the Wii, and what-have-you.  How other companies will further define the casual gaming market in the future, it's really up to them. But one must thank one certain person responsible for the eventual birth of this unique console:

Mr. Shigeru Miyamoto, aka the Donkey Kong guy (do I have to say the "M" word?).

BUT!

http://kotaku.com/5035242/ninty-forbids-miyamoto-to-discuss-his-hobbies

This is old news from 2008, yes (and one I should've tackled before). But it definitely will have major implications in the coming years. With a screwy economy these days, and with companies like Microsoft and Intel dropping the load in numbers never before seen or heard, Nintendo will certainly need more than just an ace up their sleeve. Imagine this, if one is interviewing Miyamoto-san, and he talks about anything under the sun, then by all means, this can be a preview for what would become the next big thing. And by the numbers, the Wii is doing so well in 2008 (as with the NDS). Sony is currently struggling and EA isn't really doing that well, while Microsoft... well, you get the picture. What am I saying here?

Shigeru Miyamoto is Nintendo's ace-in-the-hole.

More than ever, geniuses are more than needed in order for a company to survive. And not just geniuses by technical description. It's more of the kind of genius that makes people say that you're crazy. But like the old saying goes, the greatest of ideas come from the craziest of ideas. That being said, though Sony is truly pulling off all the stops to bring a successful year into their favor, all eyes are on Nintendo as to what they are possibly gonna do next.

And speaking of which, did you guys notice a certain pattern? SmackDown VS RAW titles are usually announced during WrestleMania season. You know, for anticipation and all that. But things are pretty different this year with the announcement of the Legends of WrestleMania game coming out for the PS3 and the XBox360. While this game is going to be nostalgic in more ways than one and will be an amazing experience for the old-schoolers out there, here's a bit of a shocker:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28848680/

Yes, it seems as though Rourke will be making an appearance against my personal 2008 favorite, Chris "Hypocrite" Jericho. Hope this one's better than the whole Floyd Mayweather crap from last year. Pacquiao > Mayweather.

4 Pieces of Advice for Left 4 Dead

First and foremost, thanks to those who tuned in to last night's PG on Air at Jam 88.3! And just so you guys know, next week features LittleBigPlanet. Hope you guys check it out next week! All in the name of the greater gaming good (3G) =P

As some of you guys know, I'm a huge supporter of L4D, the greatest multiplayer experience of 2008, and a huge jump to the multiplayer genre in general. Last night, I had the privilage to share my thoughts on this phenomenal game, and also took the liberty to give 4 pieces (yes, a pun!) of advice to the newbies and oldies out there. And yes, I'd love to share the same 4 advices to you guys as well!

4 - Friendly Fire exists

Deal with it, guys. Careful where you shoot your guns and throw them bombs! Who knows what else could happen especially when you're all mixed up during an infected attack.

3 - STICK TOGETHER!

Imagine this situation: the four of you go your separate ways looking for a way out. Suddenly, a hunter sneaks in and attacks one of the survivors, while the others are far away! And as you would probably know by now, the only way to take out a positioned hunter is for someone to take it out. But since the other three are far from one another, you get the picture. And I don't suppose you'd want to take out the tank all by yourself, right? Remember, the AI in this game is amazing, meaning you can only expect the unexpected.

2 - Shhh.... Be vewy vewy quiet!

There are many ways to trigger an infected attack and certain times to know when they'll attack. I dare you to try and shoot that red car and expect for them not to be attracted by the noise. Go ahead, try it. Oh, there are moments in the game where they WILL come at you at certain intervals, so just get ready.

1 - NEVER EVER EVER POINT A FLASHLIGHT AT THE WITCH!

(c/o CSNation)

Do you want to die instantly? Go ahead, point the flashlight at the witch. She's THAT much of a killer. Sneak around or, in the worst case scenario, all of you get ready to shoot her at the same time. Your choice, but remember the consequences.

And as per the text message last night, an extra piece of advise:

Pipe bombs work well especially when you're in a pinch.

For those who have tried the game and wants to play with me, just let me know. For those who have not played it yet, TRY IT ASAP!

Oh, two things to share with you guys (in lieu of my long absence):

New Breaking Minesweeper Record!

Minesweeper can be a source of anti-boredom, yes. But to what extent?

Apparently, so much that it has crashed my record!

A friend of mine, Charles, sent this to me. On expert, he pulled off 101 seconds on Expert! Cool! Just around 40+ more seconds, and he could've beaten the world record.

But do you think you can beat his record? Feel free to send your entries, and let the bragging rights commence! =P

A New 2009 Minesweeper Record!

There are things I never really thought would have happened in the beginning of 2009, and let's just say this one's pretty unexpected.

But before anything else, let's take a look back in regards to an entry last year:

You see, Ian sent me this picture:

So then, I posted this next picture:

So I laid out an invitation as to who can beat the record above. While I was doodling at work and minesweepering my arse off, this happened:

Yup, it has become quite addicting to say the least. So I'm inviting everyone once again. If by chance you're playing the Expert mode of Minesweeper, and you were able to beat the score of 116, feel free to send it so I can post your record for the world to see. =P

RIP - EGM Magazine (1989-2009)

First and foremost, a happy and healthy 2009 to everyone! Hope you guys didn't get too stuffed from the overload of food and the extended vacation!

But of course, things aren't as clear and bright as the sky, for the beginning of 2009 marked an end of an era in the eyes of a generation of gamers. Really, who would have known?

http://www.gamespot.com/news/blogs/sidebar/909182374/26738230/electronic-gaming-monthly-shutting-down.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6202775 (this one's pretty direct to the point)

The closure of EGM is a shame for many different reasons. When I was but a little kid who wanted to get the "latest cheat codes" (since they were the in thing back then) and want to know everything ahead of the rest, I took the liberty to purchase copies of EGM (along with GamePRO) every month. Most of you readers would have a good idea on the sections they have offered over the years, especially (my personal favorite) the April Fool's specials (Sheng Long, IMO, is true!). I have so many fond memories with EGM (and EGM2) over the years, and it's a moment of melancholy for a long-time powerhouse to close down just like that. Imagine, they could have been celebrating 20 years of EGM in a few months, but January 2009 has become their one final hurrah.

Of course, people can argue as to why it has happened to an institution like EGM. And it's a mix of different factors, really (internally and externally). But in my view, much of it is contributed to what's happening in the world right now. In a world full of free information from various sources (PSN, X-Box Live, IGN, etc), this is of no surprise. But there is one thing for sure; I wholeheartedly and undoubtedly agree with my friends at GAME! Magazine and PlayGround Magazine that nothing beats the top-notch quality that magazines offer to the consumers, like it or not. Magazines and newspapers are fathers (or even grandfathers) to today's online media. Though the online generation is kicking up a notch, magazines can conjure up more than just delivering information. Talk about cliche (super cliche, to boot), but in terms of heart, magazines are the proverbial Rocky Balboa.



To this day, this is still my favorite cover, bar none.