I wanted to post this before I left for the day. My Grandmother is having this big party because it's her birthday, and I have to head over to Mt. Pleasant. She's getting up there, but you never reveal a women's age right? Anyway, my grandmother gave me a very old picture of her. Even back then she had long beautiful hair. So I decided to draw it myself. See you all tomorrow!
You know how I said that there were some games I should be finishing? Well, I just filed my taxes and it looks like I can treat myself. Seriously, I had no idea my refund was going to be amazing. I'm going to save most of it, but I have a few games I want. There's Star Ocean: The Last Hope, MadWorld, and Street Fighter IV. Hell. I've been good this year(so far), and I haven't treated myself since last March. Maybe I'll get a Playstation 3 or build a new PC. I'm one lucky &%^%.
When the accountant told me my refund I got up and started dancing. Then I went home ordered myself a pizza and some cheese sticks. AND! There were 3 hockey games on. Then towards the end of the night I became pissed off because my Carolina Hurricanes lost a key game that could significantly boost them in the standings.
Speaking of NHL standings the Western Conference is competitive as hell right now for the playoffs. You could be ranked at 12, win a game, and then jumped into the number 5 spot because everyone almost has the same amount of points(thanks to their inter-conference wins). The Eastern Conference is almost like that, but those who are ranked really low have no real chance to get into the playoffs(like Atlanta) as oppose to what's going on in the West. The Rangers, Flyers, Montreal, Buffalo, and the Florida Panthers are all duking it out with 69 or 68 points in the standings. They all hold the last playoff spots in the Eastern Conference too. The Carolina Hurricanes have 67 points and are rank number 9(one spot away from a playoff spot). Last night Both Buffalo and Florida lost a game. If Carolina would have beaten the Senators last night the Hurricanes would not only be back in it, but they also had a chance to get further into it on Thursday since they go up against the Buffalo Sabers. Now they're going to have to really fight for it this week.
It's been awhile since my last blog, but I am going to fill you all in on what's going on with me and gaming. This year is an exciting one, and I wish I owned a PS3 so I can enjoy everything. But of course some sacrifices will have to be made in order for me to enjoy what's going to be releasing.
And before I get started on purchasing some new games, I decided to finish some of the one I currently have. Tonight I just beat Lost Odyssey, and hopefully I'll be able to do a review on it soon. It has to be one of my favorite RPGs of all time. Some might disagree with me, but it was very easy to get into. Another game that's near completion is Mass Effect, and I should be pressing forward to also finish Eternal Sonata.
The Elder Scrolls IV is still a game I haven't beaten, but there is at least 90+ hours that I've clocked in. I still haven't even entered the Shivering Isles. There's also some casual play of NHL 09 and Skate 2 mixed into it.
I am very surprised at what the Wii has this year. I would have to admit that when I bought a Wii last year around March the system sat in limbo all the way through the holiday season. I really had to sit down and force myself to watch what would be available in 2009. After seeing a few previews I realized that 3rd party development would be picking up steam this year.
If you like Eternal Sonata, the developers are working on a RPG for the Wii called Fragile which looks all too familiar to Chopin's adventure. Even though the art direction is very similar to ES, the game's atmosphere is bit darker, but if you enjoyed Eternal Sonata then you owe it to yourself to take a look. Also many of the creators from the original Tales of Symphonia are working on Arc Rise Fantasia which also looks very charming.
One of the most anticipated RPGs and Wii games this year is Little King Story which is a very wholesome and funny adventure that brings strategy elements into the fray. One of the last RPGs on the PS2 that released was Odin Sphere. It is definitely a hidden gem. Its developer, Vanillaware, is bringing Muramasa: The Demon Blade to the Wii which looks fabulous in all its 2D glory. If you're a fan Japanese RPGs and own a Wii then you're in luck! Not to mention the future release of Dragon Quest X!
I'm also not going to forget MadWorld which is one of Gamespot's most anticipated games of this year for the Wii, and also the ambitious Conduit.
I've been having some fun lately in my spare time. I went to a ECHL hockey game. I guess the 30% rise in NHL fighting trickles down to all the other leagues. There were 3 fights in a single period at the Stingray's game. As far as the NHL goes on Tuesday night all but one southeast team lost.
Carolina Hurricanes @ NY Rangers: 2-3
Stars @ Atlanta Thrashers: 2-0
Washington Capitals @ Boston Bruins: 2-3
But! The Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs(the Leafs can't catch a break). That's good for Florida, but bad for me. There are 8 spots for the Eastern Conference in the NHL. The Florida Panthers and the Pittsburgh Penguins have been fighting for the last spot with the Carolina Hurricanes(my team) for about a month now. With Carolina loosing and Florida winning on Tuesday the Panthers are number 8(even with two months left in the regular season).
Anyway, Skate 2 came out and I've just been loving it! I've been filming all this week and I have some great footage I want to use in a future video. For the previous Skate I made a short montage, and hopefully the next one will be better.
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While I was working on an article for the Final Fantasy Experience I decided to spice it up with some Adobe action. But I ended up getting carried away.
I received a couple of responses regarding my favorite list of RPGs. Final Fantasy VII of course was the most played RPG amongst the group, so I decided to give them some insight on the following games. I don't expect everyone to read everything, but maybe you'll find something that'll capture your attention:
1 )The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
The Elder Scrolls III is my #1 roleplaying game of all time. Playing Morrowind for me was an immersive experience. I've always enjoyed the lore of The Elder Scrolls and how it presence itself in the game, and the quest to become the Neveraine felt amazing. It literally makes you feel important - the reincarnation of a great legendary hero. Considering that TES is open-ended, the main quest was paced very well. You create a character who is nothing more then what you have made. The main quest has you going on several missions surrounding the lore of the Neveraine, but the more you discover about this ancient story the player begins to link their existence to it. Then you set out to prove it, which the game sends you to several places around Morrowind that brings you deeper into the Elder Scrolls realm. If you played Oblivion and enjoyed its lore; TES III gets you more involved with what you already love.
2 )Final Fantasy VII
I got this game on Christmas of 1997. The opening bombing mission left a good impression that'll be with me for a lifetime. Not to mention the inside of a Mako Reactor was just breath taking, especially the music which carried the sound of working machinery. There is nothing like Midgar in any game to be honest. And everyone wanted to carry a big sword like Cloud Strife. There's too many memorable moments in Final Fantasy VII; I'll never forget this game.
3 )Asheron's Call
A cult classic amongst MMORPG fans, and probably the only game in this sub-genre that could provide an actual storyline that became unpredictable in the game world. I can honestly say that the only other two games that ever came close to providing storyline elements like this in a MMORPG was either the Matrix Online and Shadowbane. Not even World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online, Lord of the Rings Online, or Final Fantasy XI has come close to providing such detail and interaction. Nothing happened twice in the land of Dereth. When major enemy is defeated he is defeated. Unlike Everquest at the time, Asheron's Call was a zoneless world of adventure and discovery with a complex level of customization to progress your character.
4 )Star Wars, Knights of the Old Republic
Knights of the Old Republic is single handedly the game that put me on the Microsoft craze with the Xbox franchise. I've always been a Star Wars fan and I couldn't pass up the offer of playing KOTOR. It was definitely a different kind of RPG, and it really is the definition of the genre in the west. You don't have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy it either. The character development was amazing and depending on your actions the outcome of the game can be different. For the first time, being bad felt good.
5 )Fallout 3
What a depressing and sad atmosphere; but I say that in a good way. Fallout 3 isn't for the light-hearted, then again there are some players who would shoot innocent slaves in the game for some quick bottlecaps. In a Wasteland like the Washington D.C. area, I found it hard to even make the decision to steal from another because everything just feels so poor. The main storyline isn't the best, but when you combined it with other quest present within the game Fallout 3 becomes one crazy experience. And your always asking for more.
6 )Brave Fencer Musashi
But unlike Fallout 3, Brave Fencer Musashi is just too cute to pass up. Yes, I said it! CUTE! It's so fun, and wacky. It's an action-RPG on the PSOne that arrived along side of Parasite Eve, Xenogears, and Bushido Blade 2 from Squaresoft with the help of Electronic Arts. It was often compared to Zelda 64, but it falls short of Link's adventure. Yet, it was a great game with what action it supplied.
7 )Breath of Fire III
Man. Breath of Fire is Capcom's Japanese RPG that has always been a cult classic, and shadowed by everything else. But if you have to play a Breath of Fire games definitely seek the third installment. There's a PSP version that was released in Europe(English), but originally it was on the Playstation. Each game has the recurring theme of dragons centered around a main character who is always named Ryu. In Breath of Fire III, Ryu is a boy who's actually one of the last remaining Brood(a dragon race). As a orphan he runs into Rei and Teepo who are also young; and fending for themselves. His adventures start out as a harmless child trying to survive during a bad harvest, to a young man discovering his origins, and trying to save the world. Combat is traditional but fun, especially combining different Brood gems together to morph Ryu into a unique dragon that is just kick ass. Where's is Breath of Fire this generation?!
8 )Shining Force
I can't wait until Sonic's Mega Sega Collection(or whatever) comes out this year. Phantasy Star and Sonic will not only be in HD. But also Shining Force(and SF2). This was my first experience with a Strategy-RPG from Japan. What a challenge, and it was too fun to play! It had a very traditional story of heroic knights setting out on a journey to stop a evil-doer, but it was all about the gameplay. As the years go by a new Shining Force game comes out but the series hasn't aged well.
9 )The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
I haven't even completed the main storyline yet which I've heard is quite disappointing(and so far it's nothing like being the Neveraine in Morrowind). But there is just so much to do(70+ hours for me so far)! I never had so much fun just playing around with everything else besides the main objective. Everything just really adds personality to Oblivion and your character. You can be anything you want; and it feels like there isn't any limitations to your imagination(especially for the modding community on the PC). How far can The Elder Scrolls be pushed?
10 )Lost Odyssey
This is one of Sakaguchi's first RPGs from his company Mistwalker. Lost Odyssey is all about reminiscing about what you enjoyed in roleplaying games years ago. Besides some of the technical issues, and the long random battles; Lost Odyssey has become one of my favorite adventures. I do have to admit that the first half of the storyline is very interesting as oppose to the second half. But the Thousand Years Dreams just adds so much more depth to the main character, Kaim, who's a immortal.
[The signature is the best part...swish!]
This is what a starving artist produces when he's bored..a flower. Well, soon-to-be a starving artist. This economy has just been killing me in my opinion. What I really want is a new car, because I need one before the Sportage craps out. I've had this car since I received my licenses almost, but it never had any problems. Yes, this Kia has never had any problems because I took care of it. But I'm looking to get something used and cheap so I can still save money. I don't want to end up like my friends with brand new cars who can't afford anything else. How can you own a Corvette, but be an enlisted officer in the military with no real rank?
But things just seem bad when you start talking about money in general. All I do is stock up on my savings, just in case. I hardly ever go out to eat or even out anywhere(accept to see the Stingray hockey games). It's either work, or **** That's depressing. At least I had a good time on NYE.
The studio I work for has been bought out by a local company who now wants to reduce the work force in my department. Why? At first it was salary cut backs which effected 3 of the youngest graphic designers in our studio(I'm one of them), and now I might not have a job in the future. My lease was up and now I moved back in with my parents, plus I picked up a part time job just in case. So I have two jobs and college full time. Yet, I'm breezing through college though...you could say I'm pwning it.
I decided to make a list of my favorite RPGs as well. Maybe they're some of your favorites too?
1 )The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
2 )Final Fantasy VII
3 )Asheron's Call
4 )Star Wars, Knights of the Old Republic
5 )Fallout 3
6 )Brave Fencer Musashi
7 )Breath of Fire III
8 )Shining Force
9 )The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
10 )Lost Odyssey
I still haven't told anyone who I really voted for. If I did, you still don't know. Trust me, you don't. My grandmother's birthday is next month and I had a hard time deciding what I should do for her. But after witnessing what happened in D.C. today, I realized that I need to schedule an artistic project for myself.I am glad that I was able to witness such a historic event. I kind of feel bad at the same time since I could of took a train to D.C. My friend Paul lives down the street from the Pentagon and one of my old middle school buddies flew into Washington as well from Virginia Beach. The city of Washington D.C. has always been my favorite place.
Barack Obama is president of the United States. It feels so strange, I don't know what to expect now. I am excited though. He's truly an inspiration to me, and Obama is definitely a example of hard work surpassing limitations to achieve an American dream. I hope a event like this doesn't allow my generation to forget that only 60 years ago, a person like Barack Obama could not even enter some of the local restaurants in the U.S.
Throughout this election people simply assumed that I was voting for Obama because I was Black. As if to say I didn't know the candidates' political agenda. I would say no, but then reply why not? My parents would tell me I could become whatever I wanted if I worked hard. But reality hits you when you're much older as a young Black man. At the same time I won't use it as an excuse not to work harder; I'll continue to do what I've always done. President Obama is just more inspiration to capture a dream. That's not just with Black people, but for everyone(and not just in America). In the end I just felt forced to choose between dreaming and being practical when it came to voting; like I should be ashamed for whoever I voted for. But I thought you could dream in America?
Considering how the American perception of Bush really changed everyone's look of the Republican Party I believe a lot of people like myself were caught between what they wanted and what they thought they needed. But you can only do what you feel is right. Right? Anyway, congratulations to our new President of the United States.
By the way, I heard a lot of people around the world were watching today. I knew that was true when I started seeing the flags of other countries during the inauguration. Not to mention bandwidth in the US has been acting crazy, especially with mobile phones.
Before I get into it. I don't know why...but after sitting down with my little God-sister and watching Chowder, the show has grown on me.
Anyway, I'm looking to purchase a new game for my Xbox 360. I was looking at pre-ordering Skate 2 which comes out at the end of January. But I want something to play now. Either Left4Dead, Fable II, Tales of Vesperia,
or....
Sonic Unleashed for the Wii.
I've always prefer cooperative online games so L4D looks awesome but I heard it was short. I was suppose to purchase Fable II but I ended up getting Fallout 3. I heard good things about it. Also, because I've been on a Japanese craze for the past month Tales of Vesperia is looking good. Yet, I miss Sonic....(then again Sonic and the Black Knight looks awesome).
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