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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 05:49 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 1151 words, total size 7 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 10:42 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 63 words, total size 1 kb.

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

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 10:35 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 23 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 12:32 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 77 words, total size 1 kb.

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...

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 05:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 223 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 09:36 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 38 words, total size 1 kb.

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



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

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 09:30 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 81 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 11:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 83 words, total size 1 kb.

 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...

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 02:04 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 550 words, total size 4 kb.

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

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 09:45 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 94 words, total size 1 kb.

YES! It is coming!!

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 04:00 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 7 words, total size 1 kb.

(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.

more...

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 11:40 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 314 words, total size 2 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 11:31 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 147 words, total size 1 kb.

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?

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 10:04 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 90 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 08:37 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 62 words, total size 1 kb.

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...

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 10:18 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 338 words, total size 2 kb.

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....

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 11:39 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 34 words, total size 1 kb.

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.)

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 07:19 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 108 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 08:21 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 111 words, total size 1 kb.

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.

Posted by: Tom Tjarks at 10:11 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 153 words, total size 1 kb.