Many of us have fond, fond memories with video games. We all have our favorites, our nostalgic gems. The ones we love to play over and over without a second thought. But with the newer 'so-so' generation of games one starts to wonder, is it still the same? Some say that this is our fault, that we have somehow become jaded. But is it exclusively our fault?
Is it even our fault at all?
Or does the fault perhaps really lie with what we are being given?
This is a list I have come up with of 10 reasons why games aren't what they use to be. This is my personal opinion, but I'm sure you will agree with at least one or two of them. They range from minor annoyances, to more over-arching problems with video games today. I hope that someone with the power might read this list and takes some notes. Thanks.

10. No Pitfalls
- Remember back in the day when the simple things brought you so much joy? This was truly one of them. You mostly saw this happen in beat-em'-up games, but it was always enjoyable whenever it came up. A simple upper cut and your foe goes flying off the edge of a building into an abyss-like drop. There was something about how one punch could send an enemy into such torment that was amazingly enjoyable. On top of using pitfalls to your advantage, they also where fundamental obstacles. Time your jump just right or else your not going to make it; it was very exciting. But now pitfalls are few and far between. In the few games where they are still present, you have to go looking for them. They are not put in your path to challenge you or to help you at all. And sore is the disappointment when you finally do find a cliff or depth, but it sadly is blocked by an invisible wall.

9. No Bots
- Multiplayer is a core focus of most games today, but sadly I only mean ONLINE multiplayer. Offline multiplayer use to be one of my personal favorite things to do. You could pickup any game that had it and instantly play. I understand that online connectivity is a big forum that must be explored, but I don't understand why it has to cancel out the solo, bot-filled multiplayer. It's little things like this that make video games, a former solo experience that use to relax me, into a nerve-shorted anxiety fest. Online is all about the competition, rarely the fun. No offline multiplayer is like saying, "Hey, do you love the freedom and fun of multiplayer modes? Well, your going to have to fight for it."

8. No Cheats
- Many people do not like the idea of cheats in games, I know, but hear me out. I play video games to have fun. I understand that others like to challenge themselves, and I totally respect that. What erks me is that there's no longer even the option to whip on god-mode and go to town. Instead, those fun glitches and gaps have been filled by achievements and trophies. And downloadable updates don't help either. When someone finds a error in the programming to help me finally enjoy the game the way I want to, I don't want to be forced to chose between that or my online connection. Cheats should be there as an option; use them if you like them, or don't if you don't. Forcing me to play a certain way isn't very fun.

7. Too Expensive
- Games have always been a bit pricey, but not quite like this. Not only are the games a heftier ordeal, but the accessories are too. And there are tons more of them then in the past. Wireless routers, headsets, power supplies, texting tools, ontop of the usual items like controllers and memory cards. Also, if you really want to get the max out of your games, you have to upgrade your entire entertainment system. A new HD TV, surround sound, and all the cables running in between. But wait, that's not all! Games even now have the audacity to tempt us with downloadable content. And we almost have to buy it too. Well, I mean as long as you want to play the new map or mission that all your friends are playing.

6. Too Many Sequels
- It's nice to have games you love come back again and again. But not when they're going downhill, and especially not when you didn't even like them to begin with! We see ads for blockbuster-level games all the time nowadays. The hype, the pre-orders, the talk talk talk. All for games that were, "Eh, it's alright," straight out of the gate. It's sad to see an old ****c be over-milked and die slowly, but it's even worse to see some punk upstart get all the limelight.

5. Fragile Systems
- Probably the most openly frustrating thing about the newer are their cheaply made consoles. You'll be strolling along, maybe even actually looking forward to doing something in a newer game, and then BUZZZZ... the system crashes. And it's even worse if your game is destroyed in the process. Back in the day, we'd blow on our cartridge a little or dab some rubbing alcohol on it and presto! Good as new. But all the newer console problems require you to either: have an extensive electronics knowledge and the tools to try and fix it yourself, or have the money, time, and patience to send it back to the manufacturer. The most annoying part about it is that all these problems could have been easily fixed... long ago... in the DESIGN PHASE!

4. Lack of Variety
- This one is pretty self-explainitory. Everything nowadays is either a shooter, racing game, music simulator, or sports game. So, 3/4ths of those I could just go do in real life! And the shooters offer no variety either. The same M.O. everytime: 1. Enter area. 2. Find cover. 3. Kill enemies. 4. Repeat. If you don't believe me or disagree, let's take a quick look at the names of some of the main characters in these games and see if you detect any mad-lib-like rhythms or repititions: Marcus Fenix, John MacTavish, Nathan Drake, Nathan Hale (not the historical revolutionary), Jet Brody, Tyson Rios & Elliot Salem, Shane Carpenter, Commander Sheperd, Private Preston Marlowe, Private Nichols/Sergeant Doyle/Lieutenant Robichaud/Corporal Woycheck, Master Chief...
And half of them have shaved heads. I want to play video games, not cut cookies.

3. Mass Marketing
- At the end of the day, the video game world is a business. But this business use to at least take care of it's investors. Now, it seems that game companies have favored novelty add-ons and cheap and easy games, in order to make quick bucks from clueless moms and grandmas, instead of staying loyal to the gamers who got them to where they are. Now, I'm all for family together-ness, but it's a bit rediculous when there are 15 random cheerleading games and only 1 new Mario game.
Novelty has won over inventiveness, and cheap & forgetable over polished & memorable.

2. Disconnection
- This is a hard one to explain, but a very present problem whenever I play games now. There is basically this weird feeling that I am not connected to what my character is doing. When my bullets hit a foe or my hammer hits a skull, the 'WHAM' lacks that connection and reward that older games had. It could be do to the overly smooth graphics and animations of games today, or it could oddly be from all the controllers now being wireless (and thus lacking that actual physical connection), but this disconnect is always looming around waiting to make the gaming experience rather lackluster. Make me feel like I AM my character, not just watching them.

1. No Replay Value
- This is absolutely the number one problem with games today. Now, it's true that not all older games had perfect replay value, but they at least tried to give you the bang for your buck. Games today crank-out one after another at rediculous prices only packing a single player, and if your lucky, a 'so-so' online mode. There were many games that gave you alot in generations past. Dynasty Warriors 4 is a good example. Unlockables, survival modes, offline multiplayer, online multiplayer, time challenges, map editors, easter eggs, etc, etc.
The most frustrating part about it is that our modern technology holds the possibility for games to have everything you could want and more, but yet we get stuck with only single player modes. And forgettable single player modes at that. How many times have you played through a game's single player campaign, put the game away, and wished you could get your money back because you just knew you would never play it again? One too many in my experience. It's true that sometimes a great single player can bring you coming back over and over, but to always count on that is a poor marketing strategy and just plain lazy. Don't skimp on our games just to save on production costs and hopefully make a good profit in the end. Now, it must be said that some of the very biggest games do luckily understand the following rule (and that might be WHY they are the biggest): Give people their money's worth and they WILL buy!

Hi, thanks for checking out my blog. This is my first entry so I hope it works well for you, the reader. ^_^

- Introduction -

This is a list of my top 15 personal favorite anime characters. These are characters that strike me as great for many possible reasons. It could be their attitude, their depth, their background, their aesthetic, or any combination of these things and more. This list is subjective and is my personal opinion. I explain my reasoning for each, as well as try to give you a summary of each character and his/her role in their respective anime. I also try to add in any bits of side-trivia I can. I love that kind of stuff.
I hope that you enjoy the list, and I also hope that you will investigate further into any unknown characters or animes listed here that you find interesting.

Thanks!
- Sean

P.S. This is a response to GohanSephiroth's list.



15 - Shou Tucker
(Full Metal Alchemist)

-What better way to start things off then with one of anime's creepiest characters? Shou Tucker is a scientist from Full Metal Alchemist who is first introduced (in the 2003 anime) as a friend. But that quickly falls to the wayside after it is discovered that he is really a sadistic, ruthless alchemist performing experiments on his own wife and daughter. He originally is human, but after some mishaps becomes the mangled beast (or chimera) you see above. What makes him even creepier is his whisper-quiet voice and later in the series he begins to carry around lifeless dolls of his long-lost daughter, Nina. The depth, sorrow, and eerie fright that this character contains makes him worthy of my #15.
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14 - Lucrezia Noin
(Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Wing)

- Lucrezia Noin is one of the first female anime character that I can remember becoming infatuated with. She has many deep attributes that are not only interesting, but admirable. She is strong, skillful, loyal, motherly, committed to the greater good, and surprisingly kind (for an OZ soldier). Her passionate relationship with Zechs Marquise also adds something for the more femininely-minded audience. She also has wicked awesome hair (the first haircut I wanted to imitate ^_^), and flew an OZ Aries model mobile suit, which I am a long time fan of the minion-like OZ mobile suits.
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13 - Cracker Jack

(Outlaw Star)

- Some of you might be saying, "Who the heck is that?" or "I don't remember him…" or maybe "Wow, RANDOM choice." But let me try to clear things up. This is a character who appeared in a single episode of Outlaw Star as the leader of a crime gang. Although he was very minor and honestly weak, when I first saw this character I immediately fell in love with his aesthetic. The mask, the name, all mixed with the thug garb. I found it awesome. So awesome that some of my first online screen names in some way involved 'Cracker Jack'. A fond nostalgic memory, Cracker Jack could not be left out.
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12 - Slegger Law
(Mobile Suit Gundam)

- I think Slegger Law can easily be summed up in one word… Pimp. He enters Mobile Suit Gundam as a transfer to White Base and brings some much needed humor, order, and spirit to the series. Just as everyone is getting chronically 'exhausted', Slegger comes in with his pimp hand strong. I mean that too. No, I'm not kidding! He LITERALLY pimp slaps the women of White Base! Watch the show! And also, Slegger's ever-cool, machismo attitude leads him to constantly flirt with them, even after the smack downs land! He hits on them, then hits on them! And to top it all off, Mirai (the plain one with beady eyes) falls for him big time! This character just amazes me and honestly should have slapped that brat Amuro right out of the lead role!
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11 - Chiaotzu
(Dragonball, DBZ, DBGT)

- Chiaotzu is another character that is near and dear to my heart. Like Cracker Jack, I fell in love with his aesthetic. He's a small, slightly creepy, telekinetically-gifted prince that not only originally opposed Goku and friends, but was actually a real threat! He also has his own bodyguard, Tien. Chiaotzu (and Tien) eventually befriend Goku and company, where we get to see the more innocent and adorable side of the child warrior. Chiaotzu is easily at his best in the original Dragonball series, because he tends to get less and less screen time as the tri-series progresses. He also shines here because when he is first introduced (as an enemy) he has a mysterious doll-like vacancy and power to him. He is also more of an actual child in Dragonball, which helps his character a lot more than the odd man-baby the series grows him into.
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10 - 'Mad' Pierrot
(Cowboy Bebop)

- Shou Tucker is definitely a creepy character, but the even stranger 'Mad' Pierrot easily takes the cake and rides his creep-vibe to the border of disturbing. There is a lot to this character. He is a crazed murderer out for revenge. He is practically unstoppable. He takes no prisoners. Leaves no witnesses. And, he has a permanent smile that would creep Tim Curry out. His past is shown through a partnership of internet hacks and a very psychedelic flash back to his days as a lab experiment that manages to confuse and disturb even the show's soundtrack. Just simply his correct name is a bit of a question. Is it Pierrot? Is it Mad Pierrot? Is it Pierrot le Fou like the episode's title (#20) suggests? Or is it more appropriate to call him by his code name, Tongfu? The possible influences for this character are interesting as well. The name for this episode ("Pierrot le Fou") can be traced easily to a 1965 French film with the same name. It stars a similarly violent main character. In French, Pierrot le Fou translates into English as 'Peter the Madman'. Also, influences for Mad Pierrot can be seen in the original Pierrot, a stock character from the mime form of theater who was basically, a sad clown.
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9 - Super 17
(Dragonball GT)

- Super 17 is a main villain from the Dragon Ball GT series. He is a fusion of the original Android 17, and a fully artificial 17 made by 17's creator Dr. Gero during his seemly vacation-like stint in Hell. Super 17 is thus everything awesome about the original Android 17 and then some. He's much more powerful, much more brooding (awesome), hugely tall, and even gets a slightly longer, more heavy-metal appropriate hair do. The key thing that I love about Super 17 is that he has the abilities of the original 17, plus the very, very awesome energy absorption abilities of Android 19 and 20 (as enabled by the two red dots in his palms). When he enters the fray of things, he immediately gives one of the Z fighters a much needed instant death, and then makes the rest of them run for their lives.
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8 - Sesshomaru
(Inuyasha)

- Sesshomaru was always kind of an enigma. A series-saving antihero (Imo. I'm not an Inuyasha fan). I loved his calm cool attitude, even while under direct attack, and the fact that at the end of the day, he really seemed to be in control of the things around him. A big selling point for this character to me was that David Kaye did his English vocal work. He helped to really bring out the fluid power of Sesshomaru with his soft, commanding tones. And as if that weren't enough, Sesshomaru also has the ability to transform into his pure demon state, changing him into a giant, white, wolf-like beast. Wicked.
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7 - Scar
(Full Metal Alchemist)

- Scar is a great character to me because, like the most memorable ones, he shocked and awed me the minute he appeared. He is eluded to before he actually enters Full Metal Alchemist as some kind of monstrous, mysterious assassin. Then when he does finally enter, he takes out one of the military's top officials almost instantly, blowing his face apart. Savage. Scar is also more than flash and is quite deep. He has an undying allegiance to his people, to the cause of God in a world of science, and to revenge. But at the end of the day he is human, and it causes very interesting conflicts with very interesting results.
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6 - Capt. Norris Packard
(Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team)

- Like Slegger, I can come up with a single word to summarize Captain Norris Packard… samurai. He is the samurai archetype through and through. His loyalty, sense of honor, and skills are unmatched and he proves it well. Norris stays in the background for most of the 08th MS Teams series as a wise, strong, right-hand man, but he shows how much more he is in episode 10, "The Shuttering Mountain (Part 1)." In order to ensure the safe escape of his fellow Zeon soldiers to outer space, he embarks on a solo mission to destroy gun emplacements of the attacking Earth Federation forces. He pilots the amazingly awesome Gouf Custom mobile suit, and with it gives the show it's most ruthless battle scene.
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5 - Spike Spiegel
(Cowboy Bebop)

- Spike is one of the coolest hombres of anime, quite possibly the coolest. His vibe, wit, and slick skills are worthy of their cult following. The main influence for Spike obviously comes from Clint Eastwood as you can tell from his slim stature, cool demeanor, constant smoking, and quick draw with a pistol. But another interesting influence is Bruce Lee. In fact, the martial arts form Spike studies (Jeet Kun Do) is the art form the Lee created. In addition to being one bad motha shut yo mouth, Spike is also a very deep character, almost too deep for a cartoon. His sorrowful and bloody past is told throughout Cowboy Bebop as a mix of still flashes, quick footage, and a few of the most memorable and best episodes in the series. While other episodes delve into different (of the 4) main characters' pasts, Spike's back story episodes are what begin, bridge, and end the series. The entanglements and acquaintances that come back to haunt him really stand out above all other stories in the show, and it's because Spike is one great character.

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4 - Vegeta
(Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT)

- Vegeta kind of stands as the epitome of my nostalgic characters. When I was younger, Vegetas power, passion, and intellect fascinated me like no other. And more than that, I was actually obsessed with finding out how he would progress as a character. Since we Americans were just getting episodes of DBZ while Japan had had them for almost a decade, I would constantly try to converse with people who had the 'hook up' with imports or knew somebody who knew somebody who had seen any unreleased episodes. And it was all because of Vegeta. His depth in my opinion surpasses anyone else in all 3 of the Dragon Ball series, and you can see Vegeta at his best in the over-elongated Frieza saga. Not to spoil anything, but in it he brutally kills 4 of the 5 behemoth Ginyu Force members (as well as practically all of Frieza's other minions), and personally progresses more than any character in the saga. Yes, even more than the Super Saiyan-ized Goku. Plus, he ends up marrying the show's hot girl, Bulma and then procreates the wildly admired Trunks.
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3 - Android 17
(Dragonball Z, Dragonball GT)

- Android 17 is much along the same vain as Vegeta for me. His power, cool head, nonchalant movement, brutality, and intellect are just captivating. Not to mention that he is technically immortal. Although him and Vegeta are really equal in my admiration, one thing that separates them is 17's aesthetics. His hair, robotically piercing eyes, and bright flowing scarf are a visually great. And even more appealing is his somewhat creepy, lifeless presence. I remember when he and his sister (Android 18 ) first awoke in the series, there was one shot (that due mostly to the random animation quality of the show) scared the bageezus out of me. Then, 17 got my attention by decapitating his creator. Also, the memory of him, Android 18, and Android 16 driving around in a van causing chaos in DBZ's Android Saga is one of my favorite moments of the series. It should have gotten much more focus. Another thing I remember loving about him was his shield ability that he reveals when fighting the newly strengthend Piccolo. What a show of power with an ability that says, "Yeah, I'm unstoppable." So, you might be asking why Android 17 is higher on the list than Super 17? Well, without 17 there would be no Super 17. And why is 17 just higher than Vegeta? Just because of aesthetics? No. It's simply because I can't say I dressed up as Vegeta for Halloween.

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2 - Vicious
(Cowboy Bebop)

- Now Vicious was originally put as number 1, but in retrospect I moved him to 2. That should give you an idea of how great he is. He is simply the PERFECT villain. He is truly evil at heart and ominously mysterious. Why is Vicious so bad? We never really find out. We just know that it's been that way for a long time. He is methodical, ruthless, utterly brutal, bloodthirsty, greedy, and most importantly as a villain… vengeful. Spike, the hero, is his complete antithesis. Making Vicious the perfect counterpart. In addition to his template perfection, he is also flat out magnetic. Your eye is lured to him constantly. You never know what he's going to do or where he will pop up. Like Scar and Android 17, Vicious' entrance into Cowboy Bebop is one thing I will never forget. He just appears like a ghost, or rather a demon, thirsty for revenge. It's also interesting to note that despite being in a world of advanced technology and weaponry, Vicious chooses to use a samurai sword. I guess it lets you savor the kill. If one character has truly lived up to his namesake, it's Vicious.
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1 - Treize Khushrenada
(Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Wing)

- Treize Khushrenada is such a complex character that I don't even know where to begin. The fascinating part is he isn't obviously complex. Treize is a leading (and eventually THE leading) political figure in Gundam Wing. But with leadership comes weight, and that's where Treize is really fascinating. You have to watch the series to really get all the details, but Treize is the series' most complex character by far. Besides his depth, and David Kaye also doing his vocal work, the other reason he gets the #1 spot is the sheer admiration I have for him and his qualities. He is strong, confident as heck, always relaxed, noble, unmovable, passionate, elegant, gentle, persuasive, very smart, foreseeing, calming, in control, radiant, motivating, a great orator, has ideal posture, a skilled soldier, handsome, and is quite the lady's man. He is just the kind of person you look up to and want to become. And when a character connects to an audience like that, he has to be the best.

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Honorable Mention:
Quatre Raberba Winner (Lawrence of Arabia, hah)
(Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam Wing)

- Quatre gets an honorable mention because as a kid I loved him. Although I realize now that I was more in love with his very cool mobile suit, Sandrock. While Quatre does a great job humanizing the 5 main pilots in Gundam Wing, he is just lacking in other areas. He doesn't really have enough depth for one to make this list. Plus, he occassionally gets annoying. But, he is a good character. His mental breakdown and rampage in the series is one of my favorite parts.



Dishonorable Mention:
Kaori
(Akira)

- This dumb idiot. Ugh, I hate dumb characters more than anything, and Kaori takes the cake. While she is innocently sweet, she is just plain stupid too. She offers little to nothing to the story of Akira, except for an ineffective humanizing aspect in relation to the crazed Tetsuo character. Her dialog is also terrible. I giggled when she got attacked by gang members under the bridge, and I flat out laughed when she died. She doesn't grow, does stupid things, and I hate her. Haha.

Thanks for reading,

-Sean