Been thinking about old games... a lot. I've got a bunch of 'em that I haven't finished. Some I've refused to play for one reason or another. Now, I'm gonna get to 'em.

My first target on the horizon is the PC port of Grand Theft Auto III. I could never really play the game for long periods of time in the past, just being plain stubborn about finding a way to enjoy the game. Today, I can say that I may have found that method. It's really in playing the game to completion, but now my computer is so good that the game is much more playable than it was in the past. The game runs fluidly at 60 frames per second and looks great for the game it was way back when in 2002. Once I figure out how to record films again in the game I'll post some.

LOL... while everyone else is playing GTA IV, I'm finding joy in Mr. Old-News GTA III. Fo gigure.

I am really enjoying this game. Here is a sample of how crazy it can get for one person. Four players at this level is just absolutely ridiculous.

[video=Kn01xTKo5b0Pvj_Z]

Yay! WiiWare is here! FF:CC - My Life as a King can finally be played for a lot of Wii Points!

But just under that game in the list is a potential sleeper hit in the 500 Wii point "Defend Your Castle." If you haven't heard of it before, it's a simple game with a similar theme as games such as Missile Command - protect home at all costs!

I had the pleasure of playing about 9 rounds of this in solo play before I had to check out other things. The visual design of this game is so funny, with several household and office items being used as weapons or scenery. The clouds that fly by are attached by strings, almost as if you're inside a diorama. Very cute stuff.

You start out pretty slowly, tackling one or two incoming stick-figure enemies with your U-shaped bread-wrapper clip (you know, those things that keep the bag holding your bread closed!). After a few levels, the invaders get a bit smarter and either run faster or carry battering rams made of popsicle sticks. They can also carry bombs that look like gears. Your first method of defense is simply grabbing the poor guys and tossing them high enough into the air so they splat upon impact. After a few rounds you can purchase upgrades with the points you make to convert soldiers to your cause and make use of the towers in your castle to house archers, mages, demomen and smiths for repair.

I can't wait to get further along to see the insanity found in the trailer!

With all that guitar stuff I posted below, I felt that it's time to create a home for that kind of stuff, especially since I'm now dedicating myself to (mostly) daily practice. Please visit my Guitars and Games blog at xlm2k.blogspot.com to check on my progress in sweep picking and increasing my speed, while discussing games that I may not include here. If you're interested, please feel free to visit and show some love in your comments!

It's all because of this man...


[Chris Broderick]

Well, this one too.


[Dave Mustaine]

Actually... It's because of them both.



I've decided that it's finally time to improve my guitar skills. These guys, if you don't know, are the guitarists from the heavy metal band, Megadeth. I saw them on Tuesday 4/22 at their Gigantour 2008 concert. They both absolutely blew me away.

Thanks to Ashuku I've been coaxed into recording my first day of practice and while there were a lot of boring vids of me learning how to coordinate my hands to sweep pick (nowhere near as good as this), I made a video of me just plain rawkin out!

It's pretty lengthy; if you want to jump around, there are some highlights at the 4 minute mark. The first four minutes are a straight run. The end is ... well, if you wanna jump there, just skip to 5:40.

WARNING: This is 100% improvised. I guarantee you that I have screwed up at least 12,000 times. You probably won't notice most of them.

[video=cSE6wTD75b0OuTDX]

I felt this way at the end of the Star Wars saga. (after watching Ep.III)
I had similar feelings for Marty McFly and Doc when "The End" flashed upon the screen.
The same could be said for heroes of Lord of the Rings and The Matrix at the ends of their trilogies.
Final Fantasies IV, VI and IX have all ended for me with the same impact.

These are but few examples of stories that have come to an end and will never be continued.

I now have one more story to add to that collection: the story of the Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright.

This evening I completed Trials and Tribulations; the story was engaging, hilarious and very suspenseful until the very end. I have, as I'm sure a lot of other players have, become very attached to the characters of these 13 (or 14, if you want to count the bonus case in the first game) scenarios and am very sad to depart from their world.

I will always remember Detective Gumshoe and his blundering, yet fruitful investigations. I will never forget Edgeworth's coolness, Pearl's cuteness and Franziska's boldness. Mia was always there for Phoenix, even after death. Maya was always by his side and in his heart, no matter what perils distanced her from him. These characteristics, and some I won't mention, really stuck out and kept the stories in the three PW:AA games alive.

I almost felt like I was in this zany country myself, slapping myself on the head every time something completely illogical occurred in this "court of law." Now, I must leave this country, never to return for a future but only to reminisce in the past. How sad it makes me...

Damn, the folks behind these three games are really good at what they do!

Anyone heard of the following songs? They're the latest in DLC for Rock Band.

• At the Gates "Blinded By Fear"
• Evile "Thrasher"
• The Haunted "D.O.A."

I feel like I've heard of At the Gates before, but I can't recall their sound. Is it Death Metal? The other two bands I haven't heard of whatsoever.

I'll probably sample these songs before I get the pack, as I do like my fair share of thrash metal. Anyone familiar with these guys to give an impression of how worthwhile the songs would be (challenge for guitar and vocals; fun-factor for drums)?

http://www.weaponmasters.com/shopping/frostmourne/

Discuss.

If you'd like to brawl with me and get a good run for your money, PM me your brawl friend code. I'll PM you back when I get it.

I normally play weekdays between 10 or 11AM and 1PM and weeknights between midnight and 1AM. All EST. Weekends are crazy so I'd have to arrange if anyone wants to play. PMs are your best friend.

BRING IT!

I grabbed Super Smash Bros. Brawl last night around midnight (Best Buy had yet another midnight launch, woot).

I enjoyed (not) the theft of time as Daylight Savings Time kicked in, making the jump from 1:59AM to 3:00AM. Still playing Smash Bros.

Went to sleep shortly after, woke up early (bleh) and continued smashing. Unlocked a few chars, set up my Smash Friend Code and saw that no one is playing online yet...

So who wants some!? I'm ready!!