Wow, I don't even know where to begin. It's been over a year since my last blog post and nearly as long since I last signed in, and the feeling is surreal in a way.

I had so many good friends on here and now looking through what's left of the list it's hard to even remember the good times I had with them.

What was the point of this blog post? I don't know. Remembering the good times perhaps, (what I can remember from them anyway), and maybe hoping against hope that they aren't quite over yet.

I meant to post another blog before now.  Unfortunately, my work schedules been a little crazy.  One of the other employees there went on vacation and he had told the manager a week before, and the manager, well... forgot until after he was already gone; and since I'm such a nice guy(and since I like the idea of more money.) I offered to fill in the gaps.  I ended up working from 4-10pm of Friday,  6am-3pm on Saturday,  6am-11pm on Sunday, 6am-3pm on Monday, and I still have to work from 6am-3pm on Tuesday and 6am-5pm on Wednesday; for a grand total of 61 hours in six days!

So needless to say(and yet I will still say it!) I've been a little busy and more than a little tired.  I finally responded to the comments made by ProtegeRuckus and gameshark5 a few minutes.  So you guy can check those out if you want.  Sorry it took so long.

Other than that my car is once again in the shop.  My idiot frien, who I was teaching to drive stick, hit a dip  going 25.  Ohhhhh, the profanities that from my mouth that day.  I was so mad.  So my tire rods, suspension, struts, and overall alignment got really screwed up and I've had to walk to work the last few days.  But at least I have a job and, therefore, money to get it fixed.  Plus if I tackle my stupid, jobless friend down and cut out his vital orgins, I should be able to sell them on Ebay and cover at least most of the expences.

Well, I have to get up for work in about 4 hours so I'm just going to end this here and go to bed.  Goodnight.

Since I really have nothing else better to do, I might as well update this blog; and since you also have nothing else better to do, you might as well read it.  (See?  It works out.)

 

I've want to do a blog for a while, it's just that either I think of something that I want to blog about and I'll be at work or hanging out with friends and by the time I get home with some spare time on my hands and try to think of what is was I was going to write about it just isn't really there anymore.  You know how it is, or at least I hope you do.  Please tell me I'm not alone with this.

But enough with the petty excuses its blog time!  I'd love to fill you all in on all of the odds and ins of my life of the past few months, but then you'd all just skim through it, reading maybe a tenth of what I write and move on cause you're bored.  I know how that is.  So I'll try to keep it brief.

First off, I got a job.  :o.  Amazing no?  Which means I finally have money again!!! :).  After being unemployed for almost a year I'd forgotten how great it is to have money again!  This means I can finally buy a 360, a PS3 and maybe even a PSP if I happen to just have some extra money lying around.  But...since it's almost Christmas I have decided to wait until after Christmas to buy any new consoles.  Why?  Two reasons, well, three.  1: I'm holding out hope that one of my friends or loving family members will take pity on me and buy me a new console...save me some cash.  2:  Now this may surprise you or it may not, but I am a VERY generous gift giver.  Last year I bought my sister Twilight Princess, my brother a $50 lego set, my other brother New Super Mario Bros., and my mom an SP; I bought one of my friends Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition, another a set of throwing knifes, and yet another a new 360 controller; all while I was unemployed, and those are just the ones I remember.  So yeah, I'm already going to be spending a ton of money over the next month or so. And 3: um, yeah I kinda already said it, but it gives me a chance to save at least a little money...for now.

 

If you're wondering why I changed the color of the text it's actually just a clever ploy to keep those of you with short attention spans interested.  (You: Crafty! Me: I know.)  Anyway, so now is when I talk about all the new games and gaming type stuff that I've recently played and/or bought.  Starting with the most recent  Pictured bellow is everything I bought yesterday.

 

       

 

A decent amount. Plus I picked up a clasic controller and a few Wii Points cards( I don't have a credit card so...)  It actually set me back about $250.  (which makes me think about how I could've just bought a 360 for just a little bit more :|)  Now Banjo Kazzoie: Nuts & Bolts - I actually bought this game as a gift for a friend of mine, and we both agree that the original Banjo Kazooie is quite possibly the greatest 3D platformer ever created, so we've both been dying to try this one out.  And since we're both very impatient people I actually gave it to him today and we spent about four hours trying it out.  Great game!  Could have been better.  First off, the vehicle creator is awesome and it alone warrants the buying of this game.  I'm not going to try and describe it in detail but I will say that of the 4 hours we spent play the game a good 2 1/2 were spent just building vehicles and testing them out.  (And a good half hour of that was spent trying in vain to build a working unicycle.)  The game gives you a great deal of freedom when contructing vehicles and it really couldn't have done much better.  The vehicles also control very well and just feel right.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that the game world itself just doesn't feel designed all that well.  It's not necessarily bad, it's just that there are several times when you wish the game would do a better time of telling you what you need to do and where you need to go, and the world just feels a little overly complicated.  I probably just need to spend a little more time with the game but still, it just could have been done better.  It doesn't help that the text is ridiculously small, and that there is very little spoken dialog actually in the game.  I have near perfect vision and even I was having trouble reading it.  Which is a shame because not only does this make it harder to know what you're supposed to do, but the game's script is also hilariously, laugh-out-loud funny.  Still, if you're playing on a nice decent size TV unlike me, the small text might be a mute point.

 

Another strategically claver color change, muhaha.  - Animal Crossing...um....yeah...uh......now....maybe I'm wrong but.....ah.....well....isn't this pretty much the exact same damn game that came out four years ago!  Come on Nintendo really?  I mean REALLY?  I love you Nintendo but there is only so long that I can put up with crap like this.  Still, I only played a couple of day of the original, and I like the new city, and the ability to go to friends towns is neat, and I guess the Wii speak alright too but would a little effort be too much to ask?

 

 clasic controller - Needs a little more support at the bottom so you can get a better grip, but other than that I'm happy.

 

Resident Evil 4 - Again, happy.

 

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - My advise: rent it.

 

Other games I've played recently:

Gears of War 2 - I hate to say it, but I really don't like this game as much as I thought I would.  The level design is alright, could have been better, the combat is pretty much the same, graphics are improved.  Some of the characters and story are just kida lame though.  Still, if you own a 360 and don't own this game you should.  I haven't tried the multiplayer and I haven't even gotten past the second level yet so take what I've said about this game worth a grain of salt.

The Orange Box - I bought this game for Portal.  That's why I bought it.  But even though Portal IS all it's cracked up to be, I have to say that the Half-Life games are my favorite part of this package.  HL2 is one of the best single player FPS's I've ever played.  A complete blast form start to finish.  And yeah, Portal is awesome, but you already knew that.  Still, I didn't expect to actually finish Portal in under 3 hours on my first time through.  WAY to short.

No More Heroes - I was skeptical about this game, but playing through this game has been one of my best gaming experiences this year.  I love this game!  It's weird! It's nuts!!! It's...uh...actually I can't say that word on this site.  But this game is insane, in a good way.  It's got a few problems and it's not for eveybody, but if own a Wii you need to at least rent this game.

 

Okay, that's about it.  Wait, one more thing.  I am victorious!  My mom just beat The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the DS!  For the most part, by herself!!!  It has taken me years to get to this point.  I now have her playing Windwaker and from there maybe I'll move on to Twilight Princess.  My next project - my dad.  I already have him playing Mario Kart and Brawl, so I'm kind of proud of myself for that.  Anyway, that's about it.  If you happened to read this entire blog.  Thank you.  I don't know what could have possibly compelled you to do so, but you're awesome, I love you.  I'll probably post another blog in a couple of days, but for now, I think this is enough.  Now I'm off to make some long overdue comment on my friends blogs. CYA (Wait, did I really just use that acronym? *sigh* SON OF A...  

As any of you who read my previous blog post will know I recently created an account at giantbomb.com (If you want to know more about that read my previous blog post.) I am writing this blog to let evryone know that I recently worte a blog at Giant Bomb entitled:

The Wii and E3

I had originally planned to post it here and I might still do that, but I really hope that everyone who reads this blog would take a look at that blog as well. I know it's kind of long but I put quite a bit of work into that blog. Anyway that's about all I had to say. Until next time...

I recently created an account on giantbomb.com. It's a website about video games!

My Profile

For those of you who don't know, Giant Bomb was created by former GS editors Jeff Gerstmann, Ryan Davis, Brad Shoemaker, and Vinny Caravella. So if you were into the whole 'viva la revolution' thing after Jeff was fired but didn't know where to turn, this place may be right up your alley. It's set up a lot like Gamespot except that it let's its users edit the game/character/consoles/objects/ext. information. So far it's been pretty cool. I have some minor complaints but I'm sure most of them will be solved in time.

I only created the account a few days ago so I'm just now starting to play around with it. I sent friend invites to all my GS friends I found there and if I missed anybody (or if anybody creates an account after reading this) send me an invite I'll be sure to accept you, provided you send me a message letting me know who you are. I hope to see you all there.

Oh, and before any of you ask, no I'm not going to be leaving Gamespot. I'll still be on here. (At least, as much as I am now, lol) There are just too many things I like about Gamespot better. They've got a larger staff that can keep up with things a little better for one thing. I'm just excited to be part of this grand new experiment!

After an absense of nearly 6 months my old friend Katosepe321 has decided to once again grace us with his presence. And he's writing a... book? Sounds a bit strange but Okay. Good to have you back friend!

...which is still at least a couple of people I hope, my friend and I have decided to start a Youtube channel devoted mainly to Let's Plays. We are currently playing through Ninja Gaiden II and God of War. Note that they are both M rated games and that even if they weren't I'm pretty sure some of our commentary would make them so anyway. In any case, here's a link just in case you feel like checking it out: http://youtube.com/dralizar

I also have my own LP channel, though I'm not the greatest Let's Player ever. But if nothing else you'll get to hear what my voice sounds like.

link: http://youtube.com/zalzargahoughanstine

Gamespot's review of Metal Gear Solid 4 was posted a few hours ago and to my amazement it got a ten out of ten. Now, before this goes any further I need to preference this by saying that I am a huge Metal Gear Solid fan. I love the games and I can't wait to find some way to get my hands on this game so I can see how one of my favorites series ends and I have no doubt that it is a fantastic game.

That being said I find it a little odd that a game reviews website that went for more than six years without giving a single game a 10/10 would give out two such scores within a few months of each other. Now, you may say that these are both fantastic games that deserve a 10/10, and you may have a point there. But keep in mind that this is the same website that gave such great games as Resident Evil 4, Metroid Prime, Gears of War, Halo, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Bioshock, Call of Duty 4, and Ninja Gaiden Black (Each of which you could also argue are fantastic games that deserve a 10) less than the coveted "perfect rating". I can understand and even agree with them giving Grand Theft Auto IV a 10/10; but I saw enough little flaws, in the AI among other things, in Metal Gear Solid 4 that would keep me from giving it a 10/10, and the Game Spot I know, the Game Spot that was run by Greg Kassavin would have been able to look past how amazing MGS 4 obviously is and see the flaws that do keep it from perfection!

Now, I'm not suggesting some giant conspiracy, I don't think Kevin VanOrd was paid off or threatened with job termination. I just see this as further proof that GS is just not what it used to be. It's still, in my opinion, better than anything else out there; I just can't help but miss what was.

One of the most highly anticipated games in years is almost here, and is already being hailed by some as the greatest game ever created, and the biggest leap for gaming since Ocarina of Time. I am talking of course about Grand Theft Auto IV

The game won't be released until this Tuesday and yet already 10 people have somehow rated the 360 version of this consol selling title.

As you can see 10% of the 10 people who rated this game gave it an abysmal (1.0 or 1.5) rating. And since 10 people rated this game that means 1 person gave this game the lowest rating available on this site. There is little doubt that this has never played this game and he/she probably never will. This rating is based solely on one or both of two things. One - They hated previous games in the series and dislike all of the hypye this game has received. Or two, they're one of those people who blame games like this for school shootings and societal violence in general. Whether or not they have a point is not the issue. The issue is that games should not be ranked based on anything but the quality of the game. Namely the gameplay, the graphics, the sound effects and musical score, technical issues, and so on. And, the amount of hype a game receives should NEVER dictate what rating you give a game, it should again be based on nothing less and nothing else but the quality of the game.

However, the person who gave the game a 1.0 is not the only guilty person here. EVERYONE who rated this game is. I have never personally owned a GTA game. I played through about the first 7 or 8 hours of San Andreas and while I saw the appeal and loved the open-endedness I wasn't impressed with the core run and gun gameplay and felt the series hadn't evolved enough. If I had to based on my limited experience I would probably give it a 8 or maybe an 8.5. And yet I have not reviewed the game. I have not even rated the game, and why not? Because I do not feel I have played through enough of the game to have a valid opinion.

The 10 people who rated the 360 version of GTA 4 have obviously not played the game since it doesn't come out until next week, and they, therefore, cannot have a valid opinion about the quality of the game. Their ratings are based on nothing but hype and other reviews that have already been posted or printed on websites or magazines. I have never rated a game that I have not played a significant amount of, and I usually make sure to complete a game before I make my final judgment. Something I wish everyone would do.

In the end these 10 premature ratings will make precious little difference when compared to the ten's if not hundred's of thousands of people who will no doubt rate and review this game, but unfortunately many of those people will not have played the game either.

I am not going to start out this blog with empty promises to be more active, for as more time goes on the less time I have to play video games. (So sad. :( ) I may be on more, or I may not. And if I am I will be, and if I am not, than I won't.

The reason I'm blogging this blog is because I went and bought me a couple new games. First, Game Stop finally got a copy of Fable: Lost Chapters in. I had been waiting patiently casually checking at game stores for almost six months now to see if anyone had traded it in, and well, someone finally did. I've started playing through the game again and while I am enjoying it, after playing Ninja Gaiden and God of War most other action adventures games combat systems fall kind of flat.

And speaking of Ninja Gaiden, the second game I picked up today was Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword for the DS. I'm about an hour into it and I'm quite enjoying myself. As you've probably heard combat, movement, and everything short of blocking (And opening your inventory if you want to get technical) is controled by the touch screen. The DS is held on its side and you press any button (more than likely the D-pad) to block. Now I was a little worried that holding the DS as such would be a little awkward, and honestly it is. But I got over it pretty quick and all of the moves a performed intuitively. And if you've played the original game you will definitely recognize some of Ryu's move memorable moves, such as the Izuna Drop, and the Flying Swallow) The only control issue I have with the game so far is the jumping. To jump you sweep the stylus strait up ending where you want to land. Yeah, that works great when you want to jump strait forward onto a ledge. But what do you do when you want to jump, say, backwards? Anyway, overall great game that I highly recommend to any and all DS owners. It's quite a bit easier than it's Xbox and PS3 counter-parts (I haven't died once yet) so if you found Ninja Gaiden to be to punishing you should have an easier time with this one.

That's about it for now. Maybe I'll be on again soon. I sure hope I can. I miss you guys :cry: