Evil Defeated

Now that I've actually played through Diablo 3 by myself, I can accurately give my opinions, or at least my impressions from normal mode. Keep in mind that I have not played Diablo 1 or 2, so my judgements are based solely on my experience with this game only.

To start, I really love this kind of lore. I love any kind of fantasy-type lore really, but taking angels and demons (in a non-religious manner), making a war between them, and having the game M-rated? Not only is that badass, but interesting and cool as well. It's the center of the lore in this game series, and it really sets the stage.

Personally, I'm having a lot of fun playing this game. With the five classes and killing endless amounts of demons and monsters with the seemingly limitless combinations of abilities at my disposal, I'm realizing that this game is a massive, MASSIVE time sink. Exploring all the randomly generated environments is great fun, especially with some monsters being incredibly difficult to kill on later difficulties. It's been too long since I've played a game that hasn't been simplified to oblivion. Though I've been told that 1 and 2 are much more unforgiving with their mechanics, I think it's important to find a balance between difficulty and simplification, and I think Diablo 3 does this well.

There's also loads of achievements, 3 additional difficulties past normal mode (the highly acclaimed and most difficult "Inferno" mode couldn't even be defeated by Blizzard developers themselves before they released it), and even an auction house for trading items for in-game gold or real life currency (!).

Frankly though, I can't say the game is for everyone. It's my understanding that a core gameplay mechanic that makes a game a Diablo game is the huge amount of clicking involved, and for the unaware, it could prove a little obnoxious. Clicking to move, to talk to NPCs, and to attack is pretty much the most efficient and well-known way for the average player it seems, but to be fair, it is possible to change up your key bindings.

Also, even though there are multiple difficulties and several classes, you will be playing through what is essentially the same exact story and events every time you start a new difficulty or new character. This can get really old really fast, and that is somewhat of a problem. Playing with some friends can alleviate that slightly, but it's very possible that if you're like me and want to try all the classes at the same time, you might be bored even before reaching the next difficulty on any of your characters. Not that I'm bored, but this game has a very repetitive nature, and you may not think that it's worth your $60 as a result.

All in all, Diablo 3 is a very fun game. It's easy to see why some common complaints are popping up about it, like the story you have to run through over and over and especially the problems with the "you must be online" requirement. However, I think for what it is, it will give you hours upon hours of entertainment, and with at least one expansion in the works, it's bound to be one hell of a ride. For all the work that Blizzard put into this game, the large amount of things to do, and the fun times to be had playing with your friends, I would definitely recommend it.

One hell of a ride...lame puns are lame. Happy 50th post. :)

Xbox Banhammer

According to recent news, Microsoft and the Xbox 360 are in violation of a couple of patents being held by well-known mobile phone developer Motorola.

Well, at least they were able to catch this before the Xbox went to market. Oh wait...

Still, this spells out a bleak future if it can't be settled. Patent violations aren't taken very lightly, and for a product that's been around for more than half a decade, it's an understatement to say that it's sort of a big deal.

Several actions have been taken so far. The country of Germany has initiated a flat-out ban of Xbox's being sold anywhere in their territory, even going as far as recalling ones on store shelves to destroy them. Luckily, a US Court decision has held up that ruling to give Microsoft an opportunity to go through an appealing process. Most recently, a judge has recommended the banning of all Xbox 360 imports into the US. Fortunately, a council-wide decision would have to be settled upon by the International Trade Commission before such drastic action is taken.

Details aside, somebody's got to give. In my opinion, it all seems rather silly, especially considering the specific patents that Microsoft is infringing upon that they say are "standard essential" for their piece of technology. Not to demonize Motorola, because they are correct in calling out Microsoft on their violation, but if the pieces of technology are essential to a media platform like an Xbox 360, who's to say they won't be essential for future pieces of hardware, especially ones that are meant to advance the way we use video games, technology, and media in general?

Hopefully, Motorola will allow their patents to be used "on fair and reasonable terms", as Microsoft puts it. I am hopeful myself that all will turn out well, because to have the first video game console developed outside of Japan banned in my country fills me with a feeling of bleakness and despair...

Spirit Released

So some interesting things happened over the past week or so. I moved into a new apartment and didn't have internet or cable for a day and a half. Diablo III came out. I played a game with motorcycles. I rediscovered that air conditioning, though not needed, is still nice when it's 83 degrees outside, but no apartment within two square miles has any, so tough sh*t I guess.

Oh, and I stopped playing World of Warcraft.

Pictured above is my favorite instance that I had the pleasure to run and experience: Ulduar. Brilliant bosses, first (official) featured hard modes, and so much story and lore that your pockets would explode even if you didn't have any of the epic loots that we all know and love. It was simply a masterpiece in my eyes.

Somehow, between now and then, something went wrong. I can confidently say that nothing currently excites me about this game. Call it "overexposure" or maybe even my own cynicism, but for the past couple of years, it's always the same cycle every several months. If I'm not having fun, then why am I continuing to play? Simple logic, right?

Things are bright and happy when a new patch is released, because there's new bosses and new items and new features, and that goes for expansions too. It holds for a little while, but it holds my attention for about a month before we're done and working on hard modes, which have changed from a "challenge mode" of a boss to a buffed damage and health version with one new ability that puts a subtle twist. I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, but I am saying that I'm finding it boring.

Now, before people approach me and start yelling at me about random things, I suggest you go read this first. It's a little dated, but it covers some related things I'm about to say.

WoW is not a bad game. For the love of gaming, it's the most popular MMO in existence right now and literally almost every single other fantasy MMORPG is copying it in some form, hoping to strike it rich. Blizzard wouldn't be continuously improving and adding in features to their game if people didn't think it was good, and one person saying otherwise is either stupid, insane, lying, or by some chance that they do have a valid point, it is usually a carefully constructed argument that other players are able to chime in on, and with enough support, can be noticed and taken care of. The players are the ones that offer feedback and shape the game, and Blizzard just does all of the work needing elbow grease. Following this logic, you could think that by calling it bad, you yourself are causing it to be bad for you. While I personally am not interested in anything in the game anymore out of boredom, I wouldn't say anything less about the game other than it is great, well-designed fun at it's finest.

Ranting aside, I am glad with the time I spent playing World of Warcraft. Before 2010, I hadn't found a guild to remain in, and the one I found was full of people that fit what I was looking for: a guild focused on progression, but goes about it casually enough to have a fun raiding environment. I met tons of people over the years and they are honestly some of the best friends I've met in my life, and that's saying something considering I only know them through this game. Through thick and thin, I had a ton of fun times, and part of me will sadly miss them.

Finally, to those of you who are still on the outside, looking in, let me tell you something. If you want a hobby and don't mind spending a little money, World of Warcraft is an AWESOME game. Don't be fooled or judged by all the intimidation, rumors, and assholes that say hurtful and sometimes blatantly incorrect crap (obviously, if you can't judge your own tendencies, then you've got a problem). There is a LOT to do, especially with the upcoming expansion this year, and it will keep you occupied for a long, LONG time.

As for me, I'm off to kill some of the denizens of hell. Who knows though? I'll probably return someday. Until then, I bid you farewell, Azeroth. Stay true to your roots, and may we cross paths again someday.


(You'll be back. They always come back..." -Shadowpuck, Night Elf Rogue, US-Stormreaver)

I Don't Always Play Motorcycle Games, But When I Do...

I play this one, or at least I do now. It was only recently released for the Xbox Live Arcade (and only that), and I'm having a blast.

What do you mean another game came out this past Tuesday?**

Anyway, Trials is a game developed by RedLynx, a studio within Ubisoft. This is a game where you peruse obstacles and courses, trying to reach the end without killing or hurting yourself (both virtually and physically, more on that later). The only catch is that you're on a motorcycle. If you've never heard of what Trials is before, consult the video below:

Ridiculous? Possibly. Difficult? Hell yeah.

Enter now Trials: Evolution. Obviously there are the more obstacle course-oriented tracks like the above, but there are also motocross inspired tracks that have more hills and ramps than actual obstacles.

Controlling your bike with the Xbox controller is where things get sketchy. Easier tracks are more forgiving, but on the harder tracks, the slightest acceleration or incorrect tilt on a landing can cause you to crash and reset. Unfortunately, this does give the game a little bit of a learning curve, even with the built-in tutorial levels, and it does make the difficulty sway up and down at times, making the level difficulties slightly misleading on some occasions. However, once you get the hang of a track and get in a little practice, the gameplay is very satisfying. If you can avoid killing yourself in the game over and over, not only will you succeed and have tons of fun, but you'll avoid getting frustrated to the point of wanting to chuck your television through the nearest window.

Does the game stop there? Are you kidding? There's multiplayer to play up to 4 people across Xbox Live, your friend list, or locally. There's even downloadable tracks that other people make with the game's level editor, providing virtually an endless supply of content.

For 1200 MS Points (or $15), that's one hell of a deal, because not many games today have so much content for such a cheap price (as well as multiplayer support for almost all the levels).

There's so much more you can do in this game than just make motorcycle tracks too, so I will leave you all with the Trailer to see for yourselves.

**Yes I know, I'm drowning in it right now. Maybe later.

le Best Video Ever

I love my internet memes. They're funny and encompass what we perceive the extremes that we see of people and personalities on the internet. Being under anonymous identities, we have given birth to these pieces of work (or abominations for some), and they're probably not going anywhere soon.

The above video pretty much encapsulates their presence in the world today, and it's probably one of my favorite viral videos ever. Enjoy :)

Hey! Listen! (to this person): Bob Chipman

I'm back from the hell-hole known as Finals Week, and I'm glad it's over with. I celebrated with a ceremonial, friendly trip to the movie theater to see Marvel's The Avengers, and if you know me and any other nerd on this planet, then you would have gone insane. Even if you're not a nerd, this movie is RIDICULOUSLY AWESOME. Go and see it. NOW.

Actually, wait. Let me tell you about Bob Chipman first.

 

Bob "moviebob" Chipman is one of the reasons why I have become interested in films and movies more recently as well as broadening my knowledge on video games. Pretty much everything there is to see and know is over on this blog linked above, but to tell the truth, he does so much more than that.

He makes a show about thinking logically about gaming as a gamer, and though it does have a funny side story attached, he shows that the content he speaks of should be taken seriously through his thorough reasoning and critical thinking. Though I wouldn't say he's the all-knowing deity of gaming, the points he offers are always something that makes you think, which is his intended goal.

Another show he produces is found on The Escapist, where he talks a short review every Friday of a recent movie. He, being a fellow nerd, loved the hell out of the Avengers as I did, and he always offers his own film-critical views on each movie he reviews. (I believe he once stated that he was primarily an amateur film critic first, but don't quote me on that. He does have access to these movies before their release as a member of the press, so he is able to review movies the same day they are released in theaters. He even writes an article to accompany this show as well (and this week was about the revelations that came about in The Avengers. SPOILER WARNING!!)

A third show he more recently began making (he seems to work really hard on giving us outstanding content, which I personally appreciate as a fan of games, movies, and himself :) ) is where he talks about whatever the hell he feels like. Quoted from his first episode of this new show: "I am working for crazy people." Any kind of geek or nerd culture item that he feels like talking about is what this show is about, and I've found it entertaining as well as educational to learn about some things I may not have known about before. Ranging from cartoons to comics to television to games, this show has got everything else that encompasses the stereotypical "nerd" culture, and I love it.

This gentleman of a film critic / gamer / nerd is a god among geeks and a celebrity among the denizens of the internet (though he commonly refers to himself as a "Z-list" celebrity). I highly recommend listening to his shows as well as reading his blog which he regularly updates.

Moviebob, if you're out there and you somehow come across this post, thank you for allowing me to learn about my interests and culture, and I wish you well in your Overthinking endeavors. :)

Zzzzz...wait, what?

Very tired. Sorry for short posts. Something more substantial next week. Damn Final Exams to hell.

I'll leave you with something interesting and maybe a little shocking to read.

Meanwhile, in Germany...