January 07, 2016

More details for Xenoblade Chronicles X

My apologies, my throat was on fire and I couldn't stop coughing after work Tuesday, so I didn't get back to my original post.  Spent all of yesterday in bed with no voice.  No voice = no calls taken in a call center.


I am still deeply enamored of this game, having clocked in forty hours of gameplay since last Friday.  Even when I am just playing the game on the Wii-U gamepad, it is a very beautiful game.  I am glad I downloaded the 8gb of data from the E-Shop because there is only a little pop in from loading data.

The story has a few holes in it, but I'm not going to nit-pick it yet until I've finished the game.  At forty hours of play, I'm level 34 and almost have two of the advanced classes mastered, and thanks to some story events, I've found a way to earn class xp at a slightly faster rate.  

Okay, slow down.  There is a lot I want to tell people about the game, but I do think the story is interesting enough that I don't want to spoil it.  I'm also trying to avoid the Superlative Adam Savage syndrome where every new thing is the best thing out there 'bar none'.  So lets step back the energy a bit and discuss the details.  I'll try to compare to other games I own on the Wii-U as I am able.  I am going out of my way to avoid any spoilers, though there is light discussion of the game setting and very early game below the break. So... small spoiler warning?

more...

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January 04, 2016

Xenoblade Chronicles X, or "Where did 16 hours of my weekend go?"

Right up front, this is the same general combat system as Xenoblade Chronicles for the Wii/3ds.  It's been tweaked and there are new abilities, but it is good.


I'll have more words on this once the workday is done, but I'm really enjoying my exploration of the planet. It's so beautiful!


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June 14, 2015

Music....

Evenings with no sleep get better listening to old video game music.  Tonight's nostalgia trip includes Herzog Zwei, Silpheed, Phantasy Star IV.

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July 12, 2014

iOS Tales of Phantasia pulled?

Well, it looks like Namco Bandai (who's name has changed recently) has decided to remove Tales of Phantasia from the iTunes App Store.  Here's to hoping they'll recode it to be a one time purchase with no online needed for anything and no IAP.  Okay, they can leave the IAP if they want as long as the game's difficulty isn't adjusted to encourage the use of IAP just to get through fights.

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January 24, 2014

iOS release of Tales of Phantasia

Oh Namco/Bandai...  you finally release one of the Tales games on iOS, and yet you disappoint me so.  It isn't because of the lack of Retina scaled graphics.  It isn't because the intro movie from the PSP version is grainy.  No, you went and had to modernize the game and release it for free.
more...

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June 13, 2013

Agricola is out for iOS

Here it is folks, the best farming simulator ever.



Sixteen turns of play, see how well you can score.  This is an excellent board game conversion, and so far, plays really well asynchronously.

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So, there is a new Tom Clancy game coming out...

And I'm cautiously optimistic.  Here's the setup trailer:



And a seven minute gamplay trailer is below the fold.
more...

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June 01, 2013

JRPG series...

Found a copy of Tales of the Abyss for the 3ds yesterday.  Very happy.  While the final fantasy series has always been fun, the Tales of and Phantays star series have long been favorites of mine.  Abyss is one of the better ones,though Tales of Symphonia is right up there, and tales of vesperia was good.  Once im done actually finishing Abyss, i might have to try and play Vesperia all the way through on the Xbox.  Never did finish it.

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May 01, 2013

Eclipse for iOS!

 If you don't follow me on the DFW Nerd Night group, or listen to when I got to join their podcast on youtube, then you may not know I really like the boardgame Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy from lautapelit.fi.  And now it is out for iOS devices.  Actually, to be fair, it is out for the tabled devices only. And it is downright amazing.  More after the break...
more...

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April 28, 2013

Ar-k an adveture game to avoid...

Ladies and gents, do not be swayed by the art on this one. Response time for just moving around or interacting with objects is hampered so much by loading screnes (even within the same scene) it will drive you nuts


The voice acting was clear, though the script was a little stilted.  The art indicated that this Chapter 1 release had some polish behind it, but they really need to work on their code and interface.  Cannot recommend even at free at this time.

Itunes lnk: AR-K. Free

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April 24, 2013

Eclipse for iOS.

YES! It is coming!!

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April 20, 2013

Bioshock Infinite - brief thoughts (non spoiler)

(Yes, I realized I had a blog today, so I'm doing some posting.)

Finished up Bioshock Infinite on Monday and wanted to let the game ending sink in before I said anything on the subject.  This post might allude to events in the game, but should not contain any spoilers for the main plot.

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Hunters notes, Day thirty two...

I've finally mastered capturing a monster on the Bear Hunt mission, as well as managed to kill that same monster type for a reward later.  I'm slowly working on building up supplies and armor bits for better armor as well as a better lance. 

Trying to get the parts for the Ludroth Lance has proven to be a little annoying, as I can't get the small pieces to be able to upgrade my Bone Lance+.  I'm also finding the skill system to be a bit of a pain, just because it can be hard to tell which armor is the best one to go for, so I'm still in Chainmail at this time. 

Three Star missions now available to me, so slowly moving forward and still enjoying it.  REally enjoying the play on the gamepad feature that just got added as well.

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March 27, 2013

Hunter's notes, day eight

I cant claim too much progress with the Hunter's Guild as of late, but I have been actively hunting Great Jaggi for practice.  I don't completely understand it, but I hate to fail a hunt.  The penalties for failing are basically you lose your deposit on the quest, which is 100 to 500z depending.  So I shouldn't be worried too much.  Equipment doesn't degrade, you don't lose inventory items.  So why do I fear failure in this game while working on the kill and capture hunts?

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March 24, 2013

Hunter's notes, day five...

I will post more explanation later, but in short, im still using the lance as my favored weapon while hunting.  I have managed to down a Great Jaggi with only a little trouble.  Learned to create potions today which should help in hunting monsters.  Still struggling with the pacing of the game and controls, but enjoying it too.

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March 21, 2013

Sam and the dragon...

My seven year old daughter, Samantha continues to surprise me. I had pre-ordered Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate when I got our Wii-U, and it finally came in. After she first expressed a wish to hug the dragon portrayed on the cover, I explained what the game was about. She gave me her favorite 'Dad, stop pulling my leg' face for a minute then sat back and watched.

more...

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September 24, 2012

A brief from Pandora...

I will be posting more Android: Netrunner info in a bit, but I have to wrench myself away from the story of the Vault Hunters and Handsome $&@$! Jack first....

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July 17, 2012

Let's Play...

Lately, I find myself strangely addicted to Let's Play videos on YouTube.   Just got done watching on series on Assassins Creed 1, and had a blast from the past watching Dragon Force (Sega Saturn) an amazing game I had stolen from me a long time ago.  It is fun to just kick back and watch everything that is going on.  I think I might look up some videos on Crusader Kings II and see how other people play it.  My attempts to be the Earl of Shrewsbury in 1016 and build a proper Abby there were less than steller.  (Points to those who get the reference.)

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July 16, 2012

Over the top? No.. right through the roof.

I'm a bit of a sucker for the 'sandbox' video game.  I like being able to drive around a city and participate at will in the various events.  Saints Row the Third is satisfying that, despite the over the top atitude and style.  Admittedly, this isn't the first time they've gone over the top, but I would say that they've never gone this far before.  Certainly not a game I would play with my kiddos watching (at their current age.)  I am having fun with it.  Now I need to plug in the xbox controller and see if that helps steady my aim.

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July 15, 2012

An interesting moment in Assassin's Creed 2...

A pigeon was sent to me, informing me that three men had to die after stealing a valuable map and killing some men while doing it. The nearest target to me was making laps around an open forum in the middle of Forli and I was frustrated by his three guards being right with him.  To complete this mission, I could not be detected in any way.  Amazingly enough, a bard came to my rescue.  I had thrown some gold to get him out of my way and all three of the target's guards when scrambling for the florins I had tossed away.  I just casually stepped past the target and scratched him with my poisoned blade. 

I was surprised and a little stunned at how well the system responded to those mechanics.  The AC series has really had some great moments like that while playing.

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