All things Virtual

I find myself in difficult situations inmy trifle quarter-of-a-century of life. A great many different tiny grievances assail me. All unimportant in the big picture, but certainly tragic at a deep and personal level. Since the blog here is limited to games and the like, I will tackle the issues related to the subject matter only.

Suicide or How Sony Screwed Us All

Outcry. That is what the pricing for the Playstation 3 has generated. Who in their right mind would pay $600 to play an overpriced machine with hardware features nobody asked for in the first place. Furthermore, the so-called barebones package price a whopping hundred dollars cheaper than the premium bells and whistles package doesn't do away with the craptastic features no one wants but instead takes away some of the good features in favor of pushing hardware down people's throats. The comparisons to Panasonic's ill-fated 3DO are flying all over the net and with good reason. Sony says it's not selling a videogame machine. This alone has got to be the stupidest statement they've made in the last year. If it isn't a videogame machine, then, pray tell, what in beelzebubs name is it? Nevermind that. If it's not a vg machine, who's going to buy it, then? If I recall correctly, it is gamers alone that have brought the Playstation name to the lofty heights from which it now demands one takes up a second job/sells one's spare organs and/or children on the black market/holds up a convenience store in order to afford the "next level in entertainment"? Outrageous. Ludicrous. Absurd. But it is happening. A certain Sony exec. has been so bold as to publicly state that "the first five million units will sell even if there are no games available at launch". Really?. Wow. I can't quite put into words how that comment has put me off. Not only am I aggravated at the sugestion that maybe I don't work hard enough for my entertainment, but that I am stupid enough to buy a ridiculously expensive console with no games whatsoever. If I were to meet either Ken Kutaragi or Kaz Hirai in the following days I would be hard pressed not to punch the smug asian megalomaniacs in the teeth. Am I overreacting? Yes. However, I feel this reaction is proportional in scale to the degree of idiocy and disrespect for consumers evinced by Sony's plans for the PS3's launch.

State of the Online Address

The state of online games still doesn't attract me enough. As far as I have seen, there's really not much going on other than power levelling until one gets the item desired/triggers the proper quest, rinse and repeat. Even the all-commanding World of Warcraft, thought tempting at times, has nothing yet that would make me sink $40 and a monthly subscription fee to do on my computer what I could do in a few sessions of Pen & Paper goodness, should I choose to do so. I'm still waiting for enough features that warrant an enjoyable online life not subject to the limitations of quests and leveling. One such feature that has piqued my interest is FFXI's announced Chocobo breeding addition. To me, MMORPG's have yet to offer enough variety in terms of non-quest oriented features for me to take the full online plunge. More simulation, I say. Else, I'm better of with solo rpg'ing and D&D.

Just Desserts

One thing I am especially glad for is Reggie Fils-Aime's promotion. It is most deserved and I think it heralds great things to come for the Big N. If the is one man that should be credited for Nintendo's improved public image, it is him. It seems rather funny now, in hindsight, how many thought him a laughable character a few years back when he made his first speech - We're about kicking ass and taking names, anyone? - as the newly appointed PR man for the Japanese behemoth. Here's to you, Reggie Fils-Aime; you've made a believer out of me once again.

Portable Bliss

I love my consoles to pieces. There has been nothing, other than my two favorite sports, that can entertain me in the way videogames can. But, as the years have gone by, I have found myself loving my DS above all other systems available. Many have criticized it for having no real system sellers so far, which I find this rather vacuous as a claim, seeing as the PSP has a decidedly mediocre game library by comparison. Well, I am grateful for the great many titles that are coming for the little two-screened titan. Though I've enjoyed a good many games since the DS's launch, these upcoming titles have me drooling and dying with anticipation, so to speak.

Zelda: Phantom Hourglass; the direct sequel to the brilliant-though-misunderstood Wind Waker. It is, for me, the single greatest game Nintendo could've announced for the portable system. To any who appreciate Zelda titles like I do, well, there is no need for explanation. To those poor souls who've deprived themselves of the greatness that is Zelda, this might be a great place to begin your acquaintance with the series. I can't get enough of those cartoonish cel-shaded graphics.

Castlevania: Portal of Ruin; yet another 2-D 'Vania for a handheld. Not that I'm complaining. Far from it. My one real gripe with 2-D 'Vanias is that they seem so short. Even with the soul collection and hidden character replayability, I find the games too damn addicting and too damn short. I will not digress here, though. I will tackle the matter in a new "section" - for want of a better word - where I will wax eloquent (haha) about my favorite series and what I think would make them even greater. So, in closing: 2-D 'Vania in the vein of SotN. What else is there to say?

Star Fox DS; still a long ways off but a promising space shooter nonetheless. I love Star Fox Assault on the Cube so I am relishing the idea of playing Star Fox on the go.

Final Fantasy III: All I can really say is: FINALLY! Not only are we getting a reissue of the one Final Fantasy hitherto unrealesed in the West, but an actual, full-on remake. I know what I'm getting for Xmas, that's for sure.