Unpacking Shadow of the Colossus [Part 1 of 2]

The time I spent with Shadow of the Colossus a few months back can be summed up in one word: conflicted. Most other words escape me now, so here’s part one of my experience with the game, which you’ll find over on Virtual Bastion.

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This post contains spoilers! If you’ve not played this game and want to, check back after you’ve done just that. Meanwhile, there’s plenty else to do…like, watch Virtual Bastion on YouTube. This is also the first half of what turned out to be a very long article, so check back next Thursday for the second half.

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As Shadow of the Colossus starts to load, which takes considerably longer than anticipated, I’m a little nervous. I’d heard so many good things about this game, and I wonder/worry if I’m bringing along any preconceived notions. But, truth be told, I don’t know a thing about the game expect that it involves giant creatures. No matter what I’ve heard, it’s hard for me to draw any…

My thoughts stop mid-sentence as the opening scene begins. I’m in awe of the gorgeous scenery that brings to mind a watercolor landscape. The music is stunningly…

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Ac!d Commander: The Powerhouse – I swear it’s almost over

This is my new game project: “Ac!d Commander.” It involves Metal Gear Ac!d for the PSP. Rather than being in written form, I decided to do an actual Let’s Play, making videos and everything. I’ll be posting one to three new videos every Friday from today until the game is over. I welcome any comments and discussion. Apologies in advance for any audio hiccups, video malfunctions, or other jackassery, which will surely ensue.

A gaming update, updated again!

Once again, it’s time for my sorta-quarterly update on all things in my gaming circle. Happily, things haven’t been too shabby. In and among all our house projects, gaming has been a pretty important outlet these past few months. Because after you’ve spent a day wading through 50-year-old insulation, the LAST you want to do is dress up to go out and be social with other real people. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, GAMEZ! The more the better, I say, even if “more” only occurs in small bursts. Smaller is good-er, sometimes, right? Uh…yeah. Sure. Games to follow, in no particular order, as I honestly can’t remember the order. I just know that I played ’em.

What is an RPG without the “R” and the “P?” [Mass Effect 3]

Earlier in the year, just prior to the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda, I aimed to tackle the original ME trilogy in a speedy manner. At the time, I only got through the first two games. Thanks to a recent lull, I was able to complete my original endeavor by finally doing a “speed-run” through ME3! How did things turn out? Click on to Virtual Bastion to find out!

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Image by Flick user mrwynd (CC BY 2.0)

Just prior to the release of Mass Effect: Andromeda in March, I chose to play through as many of the original Mass Effect games as I could. Due to limits in free time, I opted for a streamlined approach to the games in order to play each from beginning to end. I managed to make my way through Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 using the following set of rules:

1. Play on casual to keep combat to a minimum.
2. Choose conversation options from the right side (non-investigative) of the conversation wheel.
3. If a high enough paragon level was attained, choose the paragon conversation options when presented.
4. Ignore all extraneous interactions with anyone, anywhere.
5. Ignore all sidequests.
6. Ignore most looting opportunities.
7. With team assembled, choose only two companions with whom to complete the game.
8. Only upgrade Shepard and two companions.

Upon…

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Ac!d Commander: The Powerhouse – Buckling Down in the Dark

This is my new game project: “Ac!d Commander.” It involves Metal Gear Ac!d for the PSP. Rather than being in written form, I decided to do an actual Let’s Play, making videos and everything. I’ll be posting one to three new videos every Friday from today until the game is over. I welcome any comments and discussion. Apologies in advance for any audio hiccups, video malfunctions, or other jackassery, which will surely ensue.

Ac!d Commander: The Powerhouse – now it’s dark and now I’m even grumpier

This is my new game project: “Ac!d Commander.” It involves Metal Gear Ac!d for the PSP. Rather than being in written form, I decided to do an actual Let’s Play, making videos and everything. I’ll be posting one to three new videos every Friday from today until the game is over. I welcome any comments and discussion. Apologies in advance for any audio hiccups, video malfunctions, or other jackassery, which will surely ensue.

Truth, Justice, and the Kurain Village Way in Ace Attorney 2

I’ve alluded to the Ace Attorney series here quite a lot recently, but you’ll find something concrete over on Virtual Bastion: my take on the second game in the series: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney — Justice For All. I this game!

VIRTUAL BASTION

After what seems like f-o-r-e-v-e-r, I’ve finally completed Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All. Much like with the first game, I find myself in awe of the experience. I know that “awe” probably isn’t a word applied to many visual novel games, but there’s something pretty special about Ace Attorney, and I think it revolves around storytelling and character. As ridiculous as the games’ cases are, and as illogical as the case logic is at points, the game succeeds in crafting elegant stories despite the madness. And the same can be said of the games’ characters. As wacky as they can be, each of them is imbued with plenty of charm and heart, even the bad guys.

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Ac!d Commander: Guess who’s back….back again…in the Powerhouse

This is my new game project: “Ac!d Commander.” It involves Metal Gear Ac!d for the PSP. Rather than being in written form, I decided to do an actual Let’s Play, making videos and everything. I’ll be posting one to three new videos every Friday from today until the game is over. I welcome any comments and discussion. Apologies in advance for any audio hiccups, video malfunctions, or other jackassery, which will surely ensue.