Blog Status Update

I was writing a review for Dragon Quest V when I realized my reviews don't tell readers anything that they can't find someplace else. Another problem is the fact that I only play the games I want to play which is a strength and a shortcoming in doing a blog. Any review I would write would already say, "the game is good," and "I like it," and "and the game is worth playing" because obviously I'd not play it if it weren't. I'm going to need to change the scope when I talk about a game. My "fix-it" scheme is vague right now, but I have some ideas keeping me awake at night.

In short: reviews have been nixed and I'm going to replace them with something similar, but different...I just need to figure that out...

As a result, I'm not going to talk about Dragon Quest V or Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon since it was nearly a year ago that I played them. They're not fresh in my head anymore. However, I will say Dragon Quest V is fantastic, and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon will only appeal to fans of the series/genre.

Soon I'll talk about inFamous.

Playing Valkyria Chronicles now, and it consumes me. More on that later too.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Blog Status Update

Not much to say for this entry.

I played New Super Mario Bros. Wii at my sister's house for a few hours tonight. Though it is quite difficult at times, it is fun. A lot of fun. I'll withhold criticism until I play it in its entirety.

I'm almost finished with all of my grad school applications, and I'll have a lot of content forthcoming. Here is a list of what to expect:

Reviews

• Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
• inFamous
• Flower
• Ghostbusters (PS3)

Articles

• The Final Fantasy series, and Final Fantasy XIII
• Retrospect: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
• Upcoming Games I Want, 2010 Edition
• Editorial: Separation Anxiety

I also have Valkyria Chronicles waiting patiently for me.

Soon...

The Best Game of the 00 Decade

Here it is! The best game I've played over the last ten years.

1. Okami

I'd been keeping an eye on Clover Studios' Okami for a few years before I finally had the disc in my PS2. That two year wait was worth it as Okami blew me right off my feet when I revived the first Guardian Sapling and watched as life and color erupted forth on the screen. I played constantly over the next week and a half. Everything the game has to offer - story, visuals, music, and gameplay - are all top notch. However, the most noticeable aspect is the sumi-e inspired visuals which give Okami a very distinct, water-color look that is absolutely breathtaking in motion, and the mesh of Eastern and Western classical music only adds to the effect. The gameplay offered one new system with the Celestial Brush that allowed you to manipulate "the very fabric of existence" in order to solve puzzles, battle foes, and help NPCs, and, though fighting most of the bosses multiple times throughout the game was somewhat tiresome, each boss fight was epic and intense. Finally, Okami's story, while serious in nature, is underscored by a quirky charm that keeps the player from feeling bogged down in all the darkness spreading across the world. I even found myself a bit choked up at the end, not only because it was touching, but because I was about to leave behind the world and characters I had grown so fond of behind. With the developer, Clover Studios, closing their doors after the the game's North American release I thought I would never again get to experience the joy of running full speed through Shinshu and Ryoshima again. However, thanks to some dedicated designers at Capcom, a sequel for the DS is in the works. I'm sure it won't be the same without the original creative talent behind it, but I'll take it if it means I get to experience the world of Amaterasu once again.

A Little Sidenote: Which version of Okami I prefer is a toss-up. The PS2 has tighter, more responsive controls, but after playing the Wii version with its brighter colors and widescreen support, I doubt I could go back to the PS2 version.