I've decided to start using a numbered system instead of just associating my post titles with dates, partly because it will enable me to add a secondary post and title it in a more intuitive manner (Backlog Gamer 4.1, 4.2, etc), but also so I won't feel so guilty when I post the main article in the middle of the week.
Not a whole lot to say this week. Due to my Game 2 selection last week I am starting to regret not being more selective with my game collecting. If I would have just
put the crap down my sense of self loathing would be at an acceptable level, instead of the gargantuan level it is at now. Is this how Emo-folk feel all the time? If I go stand in the corner with my crappy game(s) and cut myself with a game manual will I feel a accomplishment? Man, that was dark.
_________________________________________________________________________ Post Mortem
Enslaved: I really enjoyed playing this game, even though I have to recognize its often glaring flaws, but instead of focusing on camera angles, proportionate bodies, and the quirks of the Unreal Engine, I think I will instead view the game as a whole experience, because I feel that taking this game as a whole is the only way to truly enjoy it (much as I felt about Jak II).
_________________________________________________________________________ Games For This Week
Game 1 Title: GTA IV: Episodes From Liberty City
Platform: PC (Steam)
Purchase Date: 11/25/11
Cost: $2.49I was pleasantly surprised to see this chosen as a random game, especially as I had started playing it anyway as a pallet cleanser to the piece of trash below. So far everything is fine, though in the beginning I had quite a bit of trouble with the controls. I just don't feel that I will ever be comfortable playing a GTA game with a keyboard and mouse. It just doesn't feel natural, almost like I am contorting across the keyboard like a damn Twister-nut just to powerslide into a turn. I suppose that I could just play Lost and Damned on the 360 and come back to the PC for Gay Tony (that sounded awkward), but the game looks so much better on my computer.
The only downside is that the main characters swear so much during gameplay that I can't play this during daylight hours. While this doesn't kill it, these games will take longer to complete.
Title: Stellar-Fire
Platform: Sega CD
Purchase Date:1998
Cost: $1.00I spent around three days trying to beat this game and only managed a few levels. On the plus side I learned how to beat the game, and on the negative side I don't think I want to go through the effort. Dare I explain? In the game the goal is to collect gems, which can be easily located by following the white bar displayed on the radar. The problem is that the gems seemed to be scattered around the level, so that in some stages following the radar will almost ensure repeating the level (meaning that you will die). However, if you make a map you can find a better, more optimized route than the shitty GPS route the game gives you. This way of playing is just not an option in some of the latter stages. Should I give up? Should I pull an "Arino" and call in a AD to finished the job for me (which means using a cheat to see the ending)? Only time will tell. Likely I'll end up just giving in and making the damn maps.
Once I find an acceptable recorder I'll try to record a playthrough.
Title: Treasure Adventure Game
Platform: PC
Purchase Date: N/A
Cost: N/AI found this little title while mindlessly clicking on links in my Bookmarks Toolbar. Even though I spend a lot of time on the Internet, I had all but forgotten that I have a Fileplanet link. Weird, huh? Although it is described as a platformer, I find it to be a pleasant combination of platforming, action, and RPG. I especially like that the game has fully customizable controls (a rarity amongst free Indies games), so I can finally assign my movement to the WASD keys and the action buttons to the arrow keys. I know you don't understand this but just believe me that it is important. I might even be able to use a gamepad. Oh, the possibilities.
Please play this. You will be surprised then you will have fun. You will exclaim the first time the character hook-grabs onto the edge of a platform, then you will want to play longer.
_________________________________________________________________________ In The Bag For 2012Alan Wake - 1/25
Dead Space 2 - 2/4
Portal 2 - 2/10
Enslaved - 2/17
