tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50308182522365000242024-03-12T17:43:46.785-07:00PureKnicker's Game-TimeBeating all of them games in the back collection.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-87452652396099614732012-11-07T19:33:00.003-08:002012-11-07T19:33:51.318-08:00It's a-Me, Mario!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Ya, I saved me a princess, and she baked me a cake.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://coolrom.com/screenshots/n64/Super%20Mario%2064.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://coolrom.com/screenshots/n64/Super%20Mario%2064.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that Copyright year? Yaaaa....</td></tr>
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Super Mario 64 was a good time. It was a nice mix of thinking, platforming and exploring. I also appreciated how easy it was to pick up the game without feeling lost. While the game is single player, the lady also enjoyed sitting down and being an extra brain and set of eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=3a9efe2e866bd3ab66382ee33d7a02f1&rtyp=lt&ctyp=other&ts=1287732865000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/download?mid=3a9efe2e866bd3ab66382ee33d7a02f1&rtyp=lt&ctyp=other&ts=1287732865000" width="400" /></a>It was def cool to go back and run around one of the original 3D platformers. I have to give them credit. They do some things in a 3D environment that modern games lack. Many games that are 3D are still trapped in a 2D design, whereas the Super Mario 64 team exploited every bit of that third dimension they could. If you have chance to play this game, just note how each zone is almost always as high as it is wide.<br />
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Now that the princess has given me a kiss and cake, I've decided to annihilate the FBI.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-71966133132204223092012-10-09T18:48:00.000-07:002012-10-10T07:13:08.943-07:00Black & White - Love & HateThe other night, I completed the story of <a href="http://lionhead.com/black-white/">Black & White</a>. I actually had to run through it twice to properly complete the story, because the first time a bug screwed up the story (but not the creature! phew) on the final quest. Fortunately, the second run was plenty of fun. And this is just a part of my love and hate relationship with Black & White.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrt21vmhWAZcNJHVIHmSaen7oU6M0a9PPyU8CKav6wvaBnWkFcbesGlfAA1CaS1JmSG1PMJ5uy5NN88-L-kwfpyMxG1RpD7ZZ1jHyERmdb5DpSBJwkyTox2spcmLIGKhySHIcWaKWNXcR/s1600/Knickerbuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrt21vmhWAZcNJHVIHmSaen7oU6M0a9PPyU8CKav6wvaBnWkFcbesGlfAA1CaS1JmSG1PMJ5uy5NN88-L-kwfpyMxG1RpD7ZZ1jHyERmdb5DpSBJwkyTox2spcmLIGKhySHIcWaKWNXcR/s320/Knickerbuck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knickerbuck, my flamboyant companion.</td></tr>
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My first time through, I was juggling the raising of a creature and completion of the quests, and they often interfere with each other. The game allows you to restart the story, but keep your creature, so I got to experience the story without fretting about my creature's upbringing. I think the story was meant to be slowly tackled while you spent a LOT of time with your creature in between quests opposed to knocked down in a efficient manner. Peter Molyneux is about the slow paced games with incredible <i>moments.</i><br />
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I'm actually so intrigued by the AI that I plan on raising another creature or two. My current fella is a little short and greedy and seems to be errrmm...limited on his learning capacity now. I've also got a few of the mechanics under my belt and am interested in applying them to a new creature.<br />
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I'm also considering contributing heavily to the wiki or writing up a walk-through as the surviving documentation for B&W is poor. The original forums have been lost to the internet and the available guides are severely lacking (One of the <b><a href="http://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/914356-black-and-white/faqs">walk-throughs</a></b> even said for the last level "Well this is the last level so you should probably figure it out on your own.").<br />
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I'll have to see if I can play the expansion pack, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_%26_White:_Creature_Isle">Creature Isle</a>. I installed it and my computer had such an angry fit the next time I restarted it, that I had to do a System Restore.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-73803590377038218782012-09-11T19:54:00.002-07:002012-09-11T19:54:48.250-07:00Dwarf Fortress: Mubunzuntir 1125th Limestone, 112, Early Autumn.<br />
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Welcome to my dwarves town of Mubunzuntir (that's 'Practiced Anvils' in dwarvish, for you scrubs). Population: 82.<br />
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"Holy crap those graphics are bad!" is what you're thinking. Yes, and this is with a graphics pack. Even then DF uses such low end graphical capabilities that I couldn't use FRAPs to catch screenshots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61wT6Jiunt0mXGddlpUcuULKF1_c3OZTxUbs7wEYtsAkSEVqV4vyQ0iX1BufNlSM0i-yu7ZFqPuRnMyV6W2pP2MhR17sn3QG0tG8fBKeZyHzPR_D-MuF-_6JWlYnerM89Fvb6zDQQU8JX/s1600/Mubunzuntir_Surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61wT6Jiunt0mXGddlpUcuULKF1_c3OZTxUbs7wEYtsAkSEVqV4vyQ0iX1BufNlSM0i-yu7ZFqPuRnMyV6W2pP2MhR17sn3QG0tG8fBKeZyHzPR_D-MuF-_6JWlYnerM89Fvb6zDQQU8JX/s320/Mubunzuntir_Surface.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surface</td></tr>
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This fort's layout was designed with the concept of vertical output stations. Each level has one or a couple related outputs. Unless long term storage is needed, an output from a certain level is brought directly to it's dependent workshop's stockpile on a different level.<br />
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<b>Surface. </b>This is the most recent addition to the fort. And what an addition it was! It features an outer wall lined with fortifications and ditches. These wealls are dotted with four draw bridges and a couple hundred traps to keep invaders uninvasive. The siege engines are so far more just showy than practical. For industry, the surface contains farms, beehives, a freshwater well and a place to dump all those useless rotting things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI35IKttvlh9dZofg96bxZmehbYDo01vz6ec9nGI_kfCo_K6ZrnlljxJHeq_xQyjk_g6T1LE_I9Cogwf18MFcOLVGGov78RZOvp2STcoEoZYXqr6vwhPxkB5d6w44ztuy2E5F2Zt2Jk7v/s1600/Mubunzuntir_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI35IKttvlh9dZofg96bxZmehbYDo01vz6ec9nGI_kfCo_K6ZrnlljxJHeq_xQyjk_g6T1LE_I9Cogwf18MFcOLVGGov78RZOvp2STcoEoZYXqr6vwhPxkB5d6w44ztuy2E5F2Zt2Jk7v/s320/Mubunzuntir_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subterranean Farm</td></tr>
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<b>Underground Farm. </b> The underground farm contains a seed pile and a farm for each subterranean crop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HUNrq4LhE0oBIpHd_WmKOLsZlYCXRlML7I3Bp-1KBNvIL1Gai86JyWH8P8vm2MgIbSAsF_VXyTN9aO5dG_wfqd8cqpb5VgFOWCSH049L5_Mvlw_ufDonO_g9gmBonpj_UihaoN99FiFc/s1600/Mubunzuntir_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HUNrq4LhE0oBIpHd_WmKOLsZlYCXRlML7I3Bp-1KBNvIL1Gai86JyWH8P8vm2MgIbSAsF_VXyTN9aO5dG_wfqd8cqpb5VgFOWCSH049L5_Mvlw_ufDonO_g9gmBonpj_UihaoN99FiFc/s320/Mubunzuntir_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under gate.</td></tr>
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<b>Undergate</b>. This level was the original first line of defense against surface invasion, but is now the backup retreat station. It features a retracting bridge over a pit of spikes, a jail, military training and a danger room (a place to throw stripped-down invaders for military "practice"). Note: lots of blood here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SYwYeEUWY4wobHJK4_dzalQrp0euk9cVIlZNfJS7MnkuJs9Fc__JGxdvujVdbWnmj9LiNqV7lXNf7REy43BmBDH8Ny13l6pj7GvsiAsofj5Wm5m63Fy82fp2cbEApcDRA0OnOQ2hDnXE/s1600/Mubunzuntir_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SYwYeEUWY4wobHJK4_dzalQrp0euk9cVIlZNfJS7MnkuJs9Fc__JGxdvujVdbWnmj9LiNqV7lXNf7REy43BmBDH8Ny13l6pj7GvsiAsofj5Wm5m63Fy82fp2cbEApcDRA0OnOQ2hDnXE/s320/Mubunzuntir_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen and Dining</td></tr>
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<b>Kitchen and Dining. </b>This level contains all food output industries and consumption headquarters. Fish dissection, butchery, brewing and cooking are all completed. Beehive and rock nut processing are undergoing sections.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm_ssUmcM3a1IQVH75K5qL75md2JNeUWRDAmPuaO7jT8ckSTQq9FHH-IuyvqhrQvY6K4uTwV28Q8UttPw2qXkt6BeNjGrUvPS9Kna_ggJmMDfwV-Leo6CEOvoKvZPWhgTp_v_kaYpNE6-/s1600/Mubunzuntir_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIm_ssUmcM3a1IQVH75K5qL75md2JNeUWRDAmPuaO7jT8ckSTQq9FHH-IuyvqhrQvY6K4uTwV28Q8UttPw2qXkt6BeNjGrUvPS9Kna_ggJmMDfwV-Leo6CEOvoKvZPWhgTp_v_kaYpNE6-/s320/Mubunzuntir_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood and Stone Furniture</td></tr>
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<b>Wood and Stone Furniture. </b>This is the beginning of the industrious floors.The wood and stone furniture are currently the bread and butter of the fortresses expansion. This level may become obsolete once magma is found and metal becomes the primary material.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Ftb2Bgm_uub22OrcMyj7GMckjiY6YQRgTm4Pgb-LhEiyFWp4gynZYfYayvf_hAOq6WCf97ZojyZBT-3iQxT3AfcHkgv_n2NprvfP902aK04DVP_VsYngxNddTpaMDeq-Ln8R_jSM0_V/s1600/Mubunzuntir_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8Ftb2Bgm_uub22OrcMyj7GMckjiY6YQRgTm4Pgb-LhEiyFWp4gynZYfYayvf_hAOq6WCf97ZojyZBT-3iQxT3AfcHkgv_n2NprvfP902aK04DVP_VsYngxNddTpaMDeq-Ln8R_jSM0_V/s320/Mubunzuntir_5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barracks</td></tr>
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<b>Barracks. </b> The barracks is a slowly expanding level featuring wings of 10 bedrooms. Expansion may continue on another floor or on subwings on this floors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIs_f1bqGwej693uuC1Qzhx-tjV0j3gKnZFdXZiFyk28V2avz4pkfouwrqf_GIAnLdBrdrxmsxByihf6aeTR_aEF1IQYEvDINL0waEEElTOPFu9ysSqWniw2lDcWcxZkwxwYK3kqhBXrS/s1600/Mubunzuntir_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIs_f1bqGwej693uuC1Qzhx-tjV0j3gKnZFdXZiFyk28V2avz4pkfouwrqf_GIAnLdBrdrxmsxByihf6aeTR_aEF1IQYEvDINL0waEEElTOPFu9ysSqWniw2lDcWcxZkwxwYK3kqhBXrS/s320/Mubunzuntir_6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomb</td></tr>
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<b>Tomb</b>. The tomb is an extraordinarily anti-tantrum-spiral area. I've got to make sure to be one row of tombs ahead of capacity to prevent serious dwarf-on-dwarf carnage during the next goblin siege.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MiziPT7N5QZBi5wP7pyWiAk1XgUqOLmruHJgxS6DBCtTFXDheY4ey0dK-MTDLoR56h6HRWrjLorl0-5nbFuvzLqG43ncuHK9bDi-65i3m3DB6GbIPLhypCp6wSM46bZFUwGJYRBzkQ0C/s1600/Mubunzuntir_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MiziPT7N5QZBi5wP7pyWiAk1XgUqOLmruHJgxS6DBCtTFXDheY4ey0dK-MTDLoR56h6HRWrjLorl0-5nbFuvzLqG43ncuHK9bDi-65i3m3DB6GbIPLhypCp6wSM46bZFUwGJYRBzkQ0C/s320/Mubunzuntir_7.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Sellable Goods.</b> This level includes the cloth and crafting industry. Both of these provide base work to be later pimped out and sold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnv_KGLEpZoEjCF603p8SW8ZKntl5AAtt0awpQG-G-BJxRhJFT3fTng7Mn5c1ENSiDZFV_SoEXmbpok8gzuuxe6qLvUywzpLgPs6zVUW5ha0WbQT3ODfnYHWbfYORmImgJuT1E08XX9rE/s1600/Mubunzuntir_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnv_KGLEpZoEjCF603p8SW8ZKntl5AAtt0awpQG-G-BJxRhJFT3fTng7Mn5c1ENSiDZFV_SoEXmbpok8gzuuxe6qLvUywzpLgPs6zVUW5ha0WbQT3ODfnYHWbfYORmImgJuT1E08XX9rE/s320/Mubunzuntir_8.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br /></b><br />
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<b>Soap. </b> I need clean dwarves, y'know?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-Ks7Fkx4LGp4kqHi3GCDceS57GOQ77Hh2OvPthWBf3XDMMjZix0QJ7622exE4CkwrC48qx46opddTatR4ORQksq53xxeR-hJYus0U8wupTktxSq_EAMI19lh6hlef7dQs7yMKDB4S8vR/s1600/Mubunzuntir_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-Ks7Fkx4LGp4kqHi3GCDceS57GOQ77Hh2OvPthWBf3XDMMjZix0QJ7622exE4CkwrC48qx46opddTatR4ORQksq53xxeR-hJYus0U8wupTktxSq_EAMI19lh6hlef7dQs7yMKDB4S8vR/s320/Mubunzuntir_9.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Furnace. </b>This is where the burning and melting of stuff happens. It's hot in here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0arVO7ifojDRzxOEnZJJnAYBQtstaJsLeOaIL4zCrEeG3H55AmVqMPPa25-D9qi1XpXjgK4iG9DOnIUTCCMZpr0INfo866cZhkdm-Uar5qVJ0MSNjYhC_VA0-_SDV8Ce0i9-2s8JMo4Wj/s1600/Mubunzuntir_14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0arVO7ifojDRzxOEnZJJnAYBQtstaJsLeOaIL4zCrEeG3H55AmVqMPPa25-D9qi1XpXjgK4iG9DOnIUTCCMZpr0INfo866cZhkdm-Uar5qVJ0MSNjYhC_VA0-_SDV8Ce0i9-2s8JMo4Wj/s320/Mubunzuntir_14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Armory. </b>The metal and leather industry are located on this level. Generally speaking, it's about equipping the squads. Metal furniture is also included on this level.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjWX1htkuLKWZ1BMwVsW4ixlDTUW8r5penBHwVbJ2km16_W1bHPhddzaAyarlqBhd28bpc2PsQIZlFMABSLLN2KHRaXdxl57y3HuyxR7bq-GgNipgCla9mdqrwiK-dJ6rLqFRGhRCpoOt/s1600/Mubunzuntir_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjWX1htkuLKWZ1BMwVsW4ixlDTUW8r5penBHwVbJ2km16_W1bHPhddzaAyarlqBhd28bpc2PsQIZlFMABSLLN2KHRaXdxl57y3HuyxR7bq-GgNipgCla9mdqrwiK-dJ6rLqFRGhRCpoOt/s320/Mubunzuntir_11.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>Glass. </b>This level is relatively useless as the dwarves don't have access to sand. It was only built to allow a dwarf in a strange mood to satisfy his glassy needs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA12viuyIoVEE7eIbrRMY0MXgtLjMziAWD-qbfPA7qB-mxxF3rNyV9OcXG5y6iPCSfX2sqGDON7AbqzOFUd9ngkh3eMosijV7SvmTuELNhyNYJYReC0LAcP7iLITXoAPbI2QFy1g6mqy4/s1600/Mubunzuntir_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA12viuyIoVEE7eIbrRMY0MXgtLjMziAWD-qbfPA7qB-mxxF3rNyV9OcXG5y6iPCSfX2sqGDON7AbqzOFUd9ngkh3eMosijV7SvmTuELNhyNYJYReC0LAcP7iLITXoAPbI2QFy1g6mqy4/s320/Mubunzuntir_12.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><br /></b><br />
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<b>Siege Supplies. </b> Catapults, ballistas and ammo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Wn6przJ73YVZPOfuUmZjak6u-B_gC0oN-oXObuxjHT4RcHpzppECyCJ81SsWfRT3vO9KzXPLG6RdhYDbUmZ0qaBgeuV093oOYQXskJQ-EM6Vq4mYTrIJm7sbhsBDcp4FRhAJqIT1qcH/s1600/Mubunzuntir_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76Wn6przJ73YVZPOfuUmZjak6u-B_gC0oN-oXObuxjHT4RcHpzppECyCJ81SsWfRT3vO9KzXPLG6RdhYDbUmZ0qaBgeuV093oOYQXskJQ-EM6Vq4mYTrIJm7sbhsBDcp4FRhAJqIT1qcH/s320/Mubunzuntir_13.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><b>Kiln and Pit. </b>This here is one of my favourite levels. It has the pit of "I can't butcher you and I can't be bothered to get my squad to kill you, but I really need the cage you're in now!".<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-64216350988645226182012-09-06T18:09:00.000-07:002012-09-06T18:09:11.842-07:00Boomshakalaka<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcShO8vSeBM5NmvkzE4BKbSwaflDlcCl7e5oMBb0GoH9-cZBLN4FRg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcShO8vSeBM5NmvkzE4BKbSwaflDlcCl7e5oMBb0GoH9-cZBLN4FRg" width="200" /></a>I dusted off the Genesis and popped in NBA Jam last week. To my girlfriend's boredom, I played a few matches a night to finish it within the week.<br />
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This game evokes a gleeful childhood (like back when I was a legit baller) memory for me. I think I traded games with my brother's brother (I know) for a week and got NBA Jam. I was totally in love with the over the top dunkage and my jaw dropped every time I found a new dunk animation. NBA Jam still evokes me with a lot of excitement with it's complete ridiculousness. I get giddy every time I see a quadruple flip dunk, wind down the clock in a close match or start a match as Bill 'Mo' F'ing' Clinton.. The style of the game holds a dear place in my heart.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRczzyCwMYWnO8b0O1EvxcEcklOPbRk4SjUnTkYPH2TpQutOI4-" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRczzyCwMYWnO8b0O1EvxcEcklOPbRk4SjUnTkYPH2TpQutOI4-" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who Washington picked up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One great thing about playing an old sports title is that you're reminded of the great players of the time. After beating all the teams, I looked up some of my old favourites and a few of the names I didn't recognize. Realizing that the 'Edwards' on the Buck was Blue Edwards made me happy inside. (He was one of my favourite Vancouver Grizzliies players). It's also amazing how my favourites seriously influenced which teams I played as. It wasn't until I really looked at stats that I switched from Utah's Stockton-Malone combo to the even more effective Orlando Andrews-whatshisname 2 hit punch.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRpBOO8agZq43o5GblSBMyj0QxF4DI5GR_gNl78WFh_08eqnEL-lw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRpBOO8agZq43o5GblSBMyj0QxF4DI5GR_gNl78WFh_08eqnEL-lw" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluuuueeee!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well that's my NBA Jam ramble. For console fun (and to my lady's entertainment) I'll be switching to the Assassin's Creed series. (Seriously, I saw AC3 at PAX and I forsee gooooood times).<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-64526016917349941612012-08-17T18:03:00.000-07:002012-08-17T18:03:15.131-07:00Why Diablo 3 is 'Meh'I picked up <a href="http://us.battle.net/d3/en/">Diablo 3</a> on account of my friends playing it and having just been a huge Diablo 2 fan. Going in, I did not expect to be blown away. With each of Blizzard's releases, it becomes more apparent they're gliding off solid franchise history and less on their current talent's ability. Still, I wanted to give it a run. After playing quite a few hours and many characters, I came to the conclusion that the game is simply 'meh'.<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSx_OZkrzkejcknbudNZq7Uknv3gfzAhuuBsNbGqexIGTWA3VOPJQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSx_OZkrzkejcknbudNZq7Uknv3gfzAhuuBsNbGqexIGTWA3VOPJQ" /></a></div>
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The game becomes a drag because the items are boring. In my opinion, it really is that simple. Go take a look at the items on the <a href="http://www.diablowiki.net/Modifier">modifier list</a>. Especially if you don't know the mechanics of Diablo, they're all boring. All the bonuses are just basic stat boosters. And even the variety is 'meh' because each character focuses one stat as well as vitality. Oh sure, there are intricacies to the items when maximizing your damage output, but I don't always consider that fun. It's doubly annoying because Diablo 1 and 2 had lots of fun modifiers. Chance to proc skills, vision, movement speed, poison ticks, etheraelity and a whole wad of stuff. Other games have even introduced new item concepts like levelling items, auras and increased healing. I think the developers dropped one of the best parts of the ARPG.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbR4lKDFsPM-AefoySk0oXroomVxSkELKIyP2Wyrs0kEL_0h05aA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQbR4lKDFsPM-AefoySk0oXroomVxSkELKIyP2Wyrs0kEL_0h05aA" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how exciting this legendary item is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Okay, so everything else (except the story) is actually pretty awesome. Combat is fluid and exciting, lots of the monsters are engaging, and the game looks great. Why can't I enjoy that? Because every 15 mintutes I have to do the equivalent of washing the dishes and if you've been to my place, you know I hate washing dishes.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-6941795766430649122012-05-22T22:50:00.000-07:002012-05-22T22:50:11.453-07:00False Nerevarines: Sanami VibatoSanami Vibato was a sharp Elf, but not sharp enough for the Morag Tong<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN1ee7zwBbidDMt1sRKfEymFixwJk8DpcoUUijJklRvyBM2sm89N3_HET3TXs5-_90idjySEl7cMY4goHUJUpSb_kNN3oOrcv2BemSYAEzebqjjiaGpr386KFzmSTFtXbAu09lJ5QGNVV/s1600/Sanami002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN1ee7zwBbidDMt1sRKfEymFixwJk8DpcoUUijJklRvyBM2sm89N3_HET3TXs5-_90idjySEl7cMY4goHUJUpSb_kNN3oOrcv2BemSYAEzebqjjiaGpr386KFzmSTFtXbAu09lJ5QGNVV/s400/Sanami002.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-NM1-CJvjJa0yfg_aCEzi3fWZMExIAMn1mqemgmK2VgD2JPosLci-oBZrbG0CWJBcFHwX5r1Wfj5jH8bX71JddlgQOUoDwiUEyi6W5p4gpuxML5JcP2NT7axp3TyUDv5Fi5TQzoaMpwP/s1600/Sanami001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-NM1-CJvjJa0yfg_aCEzi3fWZMExIAMn1mqemgmK2VgD2JPosLci-oBZrbG0CWJBcFHwX5r1Wfj5jH8bX71JddlgQOUoDwiUEyi6W5p4gpuxML5JcP2NT7axp3TyUDv5Fi5TQzoaMpwP/s640/Sanami001.jpg" width="346" /></a>Before her end, she got her foot wet and expelled from House Hlallu. She cleared the trivial entry tasks with smooth talking and a touch of her natural wit. Unfortunately she didn't realize she was ripping off a fellow house member while trying to help a cheap-ass Redoran smith in Vivec (really...a fire bite axe?). She went to the stars disgraced from what little family she knew.<br />
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After slaying two Dark Brothers with little hassle she felt she could handle the responsibility of the Morag Tong. Alas, Feruren Oran, her initiation contract was not a freebie.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-51328247911186797972012-05-20T11:14:00.002-07:002012-05-20T11:14:16.427-07:00False Nerevarines: Dasselle Swinym<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CTWSEqFRYuvj6yf2zA3VS0uTyjEGI6mzVFuktlavLCSPDD_tM6FC3gCX5Sgyxb5jrgOcZj6y_0K9nzuzcan3Ri-YDv3McHPk3vWZPPdEKOUcwknWVzgd6K-6T0g98JEry96oVGPWhIRT/s1600/Dasselle002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CTWSEqFRYuvj6yf2zA3VS0uTyjEGI6mzVFuktlavLCSPDD_tM6FC3gCX5Sgyxb5jrgOcZj6y_0K9nzuzcan3Ri-YDv3McHPk3vWZPPdEKOUcwknWVzgd6K-6T0g98JEry96oVGPWhIRT/s400/Dasselle002.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
Daselle managed to visit Balmora and wet her foot in the business of House Hlallu.<br />
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She made the error of returning to Seyda Neen with intentions of exterminating a nearby bandit camp. Unfortunately, one of the bandits was aware of the Altmer weakness to magicka and crisped her to sweet delicious bacon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-7ScGilnhZuuFPbsE3oKaaKflUDeqHqnf-HoGFyYmGMF2zA_Fr8Gzg_QmcDXvKqIk0yLdG3cnGtw9hST-FUyM5wF_0i1KYfQ6AN0JUvghfbFW46C4ZCcUEetRXnEstQ_hE5uvdls-Nvx/s1600/Dasselle001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-7ScGilnhZuuFPbsE3oKaaKflUDeqHqnf-HoGFyYmGMF2zA_Fr8Gzg_QmcDXvKqIk0yLdG3cnGtw9hST-FUyM5wF_0i1KYfQ6AN0JUvghfbFW46C4ZCcUEetRXnEstQ_hE5uvdls-Nvx/s640/Dasselle001.jpg" width="345" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-53857955886561693112012-05-19T20:42:00.003-07:002012-05-19T20:42:24.383-07:00False Nerevarines: Dashee-Lam-Ak<br />
Dashee-Lam-Ak, a religious Argonian, fell to the most hated of Vvardenfell's monsters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65JE0vL6XNsXI2p26mOC_zMfjzc5j7sItVjXKhwoAePPv26oTVR1cXMXBBQXzW3mj-djodP1G5vEQQgs2u4GPa94XqR0aEiV-9snMOwPcjr7dQJDtmLFLBNeaQFg2HKUp-Rpc9z36wbWG/s1600/Dashee001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65JE0vL6XNsXI2p26mOC_zMfjzc5j7sItVjXKhwoAePPv26oTVR1cXMXBBQXzW3mj-djodP1G5vEQQgs2u4GPa94XqR0aEiV-9snMOwPcjr7dQJDtmLFLBNeaQFg2HKUp-Rpc9z36wbWG/s400/Dashee001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_TB02AXkCEI4XSHViXIXlzjzA4tYWQHs92yEYtGuM-zws0X_gQVEw5VZUgbhvV1m2-F5NF6jBb8sJI8zabwr6vVxWDNb6MPp5_o4AWryZKoWjj3AicnP5JhbZl1rgl64OgR9FNNibJDR/s1600/Dashee002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_TB02AXkCEI4XSHViXIXlzjzA4tYWQHs92yEYtGuM-zws0X_gQVEw5VZUgbhvV1m2-F5NF6jBb8sJI8zabwr6vVxWDNb6MPp5_o4AWryZKoWjj3AicnP5JhbZl1rgl64OgR9FNNibJDR/s640/Dashee002.jpg" width="348" /></a><br />
After delivering Penemic the not-so-honest trader to Gnaar Mok, Dashee was chased by a Brotherhood Assassin. While outrunning the assassin, a wild cliff racer decided to intervene. The swift glide of the racer was no match for Dashee.<br />
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One less job for the Temple's hunters.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-14536209702453384842012-05-10T22:43:00.004-07:002012-05-10T22:44:56.238-07:00False Nerevarine: Kale Lovesword<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha06PBtan5iRWYTdDBcvpOzVzkykDFuaBYscthyamvVuPi-Z0XLiktEIAtWLx9vDl-3zHVcMs3AMjUPtngyOg5dAehJ-44PxekIEndzXLnJ5ocfRh1QMeOs-PuHNWSqHqWckVTZB9GrWQV/s1600/LoverStats001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha06PBtan5iRWYTdDBcvpOzVzkykDFuaBYscthyamvVuPi-Z0XLiktEIAtWLx9vDl-3zHVcMs3AMjUPtngyOg5dAehJ-44PxekIEndzXLnJ5ocfRh1QMeOs-PuHNWSqHqWckVTZB9GrWQV/s640/LoverStats001.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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Kale 'Lover' Lovesword was a promising Redguard Knight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaA9qHU7PFB5CccEByakM7DWMGU-DbMm69sgPFb9Z1Wbh-afTPYikcRXGZXe894iwEevIKZnsX6kDzXPIbgShY0vaPr6Ei1HyBUn00HQLBp3dAUfNphzDF6z85JqbwPBFon_cyQRuUQig/s1600/Lover002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaA9qHU7PFB5CccEByakM7DWMGU-DbMm69sgPFb9Z1Wbh-afTPYikcRXGZXe894iwEevIKZnsX6kDzXPIbgShY0vaPr6Ei1HyBUn00HQLBp3dAUfNphzDF6z85JqbwPBFon_cyQRuUQig/s320/Lover002.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI1sRBab3ImQWO3KIDXn6EBrEp9bLod3sJM4IYd6DmptftS3IZtqSXQCm8NkGpw2jMAruQZj5vqUFxHssYhbSGELbV4IFdZPMpjw2g7_TNjH9o47mJUDWn6_Pcl0zcA7DHWnhbSV-2_0C/s1600/Lover003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI1sRBab3ImQWO3KIDXn6EBrEp9bLod3sJM4IYd6DmptftS3IZtqSXQCm8NkGpw2jMAruQZj5vqUFxHssYhbSGELbV4IFdZPMpjw2g7_TNjH9o47mJUDWn6_Pcl0zcA7DHWnhbSV-2_0C/s320/Lover003.jpg" width="255" /></a><br />
Mocked on boats for being armour clad, he was an odd Redoran for preferring stable ground.<br />
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While in Morrowind, he served and thrived in the Imperial Legion, the Fighter's Guild and House Redoran.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdghKH9OmatesTvMXJ7YH7aHu4A3xyul44NaBAPi__pAZgmXt2IjeOqrtbZvjX7ymhiNIE_wiejYFZTSY3OFxL5iAVbtERK5R8kb-f6zkfvo950Bsn_cJNr80M7EZrxRE3J9CQfcsDPzuw/s1600/Lover005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdghKH9OmatesTvMXJ7YH7aHu4A3xyul44NaBAPi__pAZgmXt2IjeOqrtbZvjX7ymhiNIE_wiejYFZTSY3OFxL5iAVbtERK5R8kb-f6zkfvo950Bsn_cJNr80M7EZrxRE3J9CQfcsDPzuw/s320/Lover005.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
He met his demise at Fort Firemoth while hunting for the Ward of Akavir.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0MkRiKIibgy2Gq0k4CK83LlGALBWtOWdrmI-NkNfz9PiJb811UsAiPTzun1FDiIS34BZA4GNOc4MVQ7zcpBvl9SMKaLfPbA7iq2_UR3fsC3VvMuvQZbVGDgldgcm_wJwLSPwWyD1ZVqc/s1600/Lover006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0MkRiKIibgy2Gq0k4CK83LlGALBWtOWdrmI-NkNfz9PiJb811UsAiPTzun1FDiIS34BZA4GNOc4MVQ7zcpBvl9SMKaLfPbA7iq2_UR3fsC3VvMuvQZbVGDgldgcm_wJwLSPwWyD1ZVqc/s320/Lover006.jpg" width="308" /></a>After crushing hundreds of undead skeletons, Kale Lovesword was cast down by the lightning of a powerful lich.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkfJyznZlgM2PtNA8OXwXKC_gcdCGoEtj07OpIIa8Ypl-9otfdxPgY-D8i3gc-Jcf2s1vv5-pWXHz4xO7ATSyeUBi8gW9YO-wYT-wmCQNQ4mXNZxfPUxdUJKaGJqCk7XejfKm5pVfEere/s1600/Lover001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimkfJyznZlgM2PtNA8OXwXKC_gcdCGoEtj07OpIIa8Ypl-9otfdxPgY-D8i3gc-Jcf2s1vv5-pWXHz4xO7ATSyeUBi8gW9YO-wYT-wmCQNQ4mXNZxfPUxdUJKaGJqCk7XejfKm5pVfEere/s320/Lover001.jpg" width="293" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGT7y8KQrWTAdY_JzHaQTCsyZqBB513wjHHeNjFbq31hmjxwzUj1UsQZnj3izIuVyxdrQiErezsEAcDilt5TkHrwE0oZI0dRbdS7qwrVUm0g0Auub7B7zOot5ybm2ejJnN7w02KtRSP64u/s1600/Lover007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGT7y8KQrWTAdY_JzHaQTCsyZqBB513wjHHeNjFbq31hmjxwzUj1UsQZnj3izIuVyxdrQiErezsEAcDilt5TkHrwE0oZI0dRbdS7qwrVUm0g0Auub7B7zOot5ybm2ejJnN7w02KtRSP64u/s320/Lover007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-12667617252229016442012-04-22T22:21:00.000-07:002012-05-10T22:44:35.154-07:00The False NerevarinesMy masochistic self decided that I should be Morrowind hardcore style using randomly generated characters. The challenge really makes me pay attention to my characters, but Morrowind is not a forgiving game. Thus I present to you the false Neravines...<br />
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<b>Nubb</b> - Level 1 Monk<br />
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Nubb didn't quite survive the second assassination attempt by the Dark Brotherhood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hqqNBcY46XV6W8nEGNXNtfuYmspmgBpvj57uD0K7YBoeieew4E4CYBiHJzxhx_3ORqHN952_IEpsTuuse43YicnJB_kU7d9FrmCBJtskJNiiLsgmHUyEa9fKpd0sFA3tVHHpWpJJ06XJ/s1600/MorrowindChars004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hqqNBcY46XV6W8nEGNXNtfuYmspmgBpvj57uD0K7YBoeieew4E4CYBiHJzxhx_3ORqHN952_IEpsTuuse43YicnJB_kU7d9FrmCBJtskJNiiLsgmHUyEa9fKpd0sFA3tVHHpWpJJ06XJ/s320/MorrowindChars004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Major Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Hand to Hand</li>
<li>Destruction</li>
<li>Restoration</li>
<li>Sneak</li>
<li>Security</li>
</ul>
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<i>Minor Skills:</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Shortsword</li>
<li>Medium Armor</li>
<li>Mercantile</li>
<li>Athletics</li>
<li>Alchemy</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Kajjhar </b>- Level 1 ???</div>
<div>
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<div>
Kajjhar was eaten by the fishies off of Seyda Neen. Death not mafia related.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlu9UrR_7aRoOajcSH_o_FnOLs8nH0HsuqeS3BZbYv1wKNnapH8e717L81aR2d1hhnV_week4Fb2-3KHr7AO-TSJhNdQsctvlvBPZJh5mYEUfsDGpDKIhv0FprxGehFYVyutTLUrY7n3l/s1600/MorrowindChars001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlu9UrR_7aRoOajcSH_o_FnOLs8nH0HsuqeS3BZbYv1wKNnapH8e717L81aR2d1hhnV_week4Fb2-3KHr7AO-TSJhNdQsctvlvBPZJh5mYEUfsDGpDKIhv0FprxGehFYVyutTLUrY7n3l/s320/MorrowindChars001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<i>Major Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Alteration</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Conjuration</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hand to Hand</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Acrobatics</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Illusion</li>
</ul>
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<i>Minor Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Mysticsm</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Unarmored</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Block</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Spear</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Longsword</li>
</ul>
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<b>Jeebah</b> - Level 1 ???<br />
Jeebah forgot he was born under the apprentice during his first encounter with a slaver mage outside of Seyda Neen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sQDHdh-OIyIUx3lzHsNdeNSApSPeut5vCdVtgKvPIo4SuF8-c3lIqp6AJC5EMIyTX3SXkSzbK5vq3NYMEcr0PBgC_-f00y-CPfPylwclJiOggtx9tu4Ae0MMWIzA4qGIfri4KMJpKgXw/s1600/MorrowindChars002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sQDHdh-OIyIUx3lzHsNdeNSApSPeut5vCdVtgKvPIo4SuF8-c3lIqp6AJC5EMIyTX3SXkSzbK5vq3NYMEcr0PBgC_-f00y-CPfPylwclJiOggtx9tu4Ae0MMWIzA4qGIfri4KMJpKgXw/s320/MorrowindChars002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Major Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Speechcraft</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Mysticm</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Restoration</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Long Sword</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Spear</li>
</ul>
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<i>Minor Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;">Alteration</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Unarmored</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Security</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Block</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Heavy Armor</li>
</ul>
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<b>Lakeeta </b>- Level 3 Purger<br />
Lakeeta died from a Nord and a huge hammer while seeking a puzzle box in some Dwemer ruins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pu5B-QM5b0z532b3D1A9Ppczx7EEDNENHlkseVNZz3R9AkeQvc_3Lb08PmefR0N51yq3xUCghU3hwFpdRSXjKLTOZac2sDFlYu4PbWbjxIx_HxU-e8zsRxpqUSyBY_b8Npn6Gw7lJATv/s1600/MorrowindChars005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Pu5B-QM5b0z532b3D1A9Ppczx7EEDNENHlkseVNZz3R9AkeQvc_3Lb08PmefR0N51yq3xUCghU3hwFpdRSXjKLTOZac2sDFlYu4PbWbjxIx_HxU-e8zsRxpqUSyBY_b8Npn6Gw7lJATv/s320/MorrowindChars005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>Major Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li style="text-align: left;">Sneak</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Heavy Armor</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Medium Armor</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Speechcraft</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Athletics</li>
</ul>
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<i>Minor Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li style="text-align: left;">Alchemy</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Shortsword</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Spear</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Blunt Weapons</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Enchant</li>
</ul>
<div>
Twen Skytaw - Level 2 Freerunner</div>
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Like Lakeeta, Twen found his demise in a Nord with a hammer. Though this Nord was a bandit in his cavernous hideout.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE08IjvZCB3RBKvzWTOo6NVX6Ov6UMAa6r96Vn2PFOzWRaFXPDrOcJiRrRvp1rONYMqcXDqnaIgHNiEiUfD0msB703WCFnZUagzxtbHrAFbXO2vlIAFV7faagFlIbTiNvvW24GyG7log0n/s1600/MorrowindChars003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE08IjvZCB3RBKvzWTOo6NVX6Ov6UMAa6r96Vn2PFOzWRaFXPDrOcJiRrRvp1rONYMqcXDqnaIgHNiEiUfD0msB703WCFnZUagzxtbHrAFbXO2vlIAFV7faagFlIbTiNvvW24GyG7log0n/s320/MorrowindChars003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeG6T1HAJEWGjWE6AENTzgumPq0UBCeIrABdP79QCeaMF5afUpboq2bhMyFkzlDRlRzkwu5zvg4-lDKfr-DfsoXbVdRHwbujABW-k-7o9yxVE_HvTU4iWaWuzATJ61AinnrC1xWrhytVG/s1600/MorrowindChars006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeG6T1HAJEWGjWE6AENTzgumPq0UBCeIrABdP79QCeaMF5afUpboq2bhMyFkzlDRlRzkwu5zvg4-lDKfr-DfsoXbVdRHwbujABW-k-7o9yxVE_HvTU4iWaWuzATJ61AinnrC1xWrhytVG/s320/MorrowindChars006.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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<i>Major Skills:</i></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li>Acrobatics</li>
<li>Marksmanship</li>
<li>Shortsword</li>
<li>Alteration</li>
<li>Athletics</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<i>Minor Skills:</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<li>Restoration</li>
<li>Security</li>
<li>Medium Armor</li>
<li>Heavy Armor</li>
<li>Mercentile</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I expect to have many more false prophecies...</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-44638337115452210322012-04-08T18:20:00.003-07:002012-04-08T18:20:27.762-07:00Machinarium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://goforcolour.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/machinarium.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://goforcolour.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/machinarium.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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After finishing up <a href="http://www.robotentertainment.com/games/orcsmustdie">Orcs Must Die!</a> I swung over to the short but sweet <a href="http://machinarium.net/demo/">Machinarium</a>. Machinarium is indie developed adventuring pixel hunter. I've wanted to pick it up since I read about it in <a href="http://www.indiegamemag.com/">Indie Game Magazine</a> a couple of years ago, but kept forgetting about it except when I was poor or involved with other games.</div>
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I felt satisfied with most of the puzzles and thoroughly enjoyed the aesthetic and dramatic aspects of the game. Laying some bully beat down was my major drive throughout. I don't want to give put up too many screenies lest I give away the primary rewards of the game (and I'm lazy).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/machinarium_review01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/machinarium_review01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting these muchachos grooving produces sweet sweet music.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Anyhow, I was in the middle of Morrowind, but my 3D card decided to burn out. I can't afford to fix it at the moment, so I'm just doing some mild flirtation with Halo.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-2457880318918595662012-01-07T11:03:00.000-08:002012-01-07T11:03:13.208-08:00Orcs Must Die!I completed the vanilla campaign of <a href="http://www.ageofempires3.com/">Age of Empires 3</a>. I'll be returning to the expansion packs at a later day (not too much later though). I don't really have a lot to share in terms of AoE3 media. It was pretty and some of the battles were cool, but I can't say I experience anything different than a quick google search would bring up.<br />
<br />
Now I'm going to hit up some of those <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/">Steam</a> games I picked up...<br />
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<a href="http://moonbooks.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/orcsmustdie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://moonbooks.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/orcsmustdie.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be starting with '<a href="http://www.robotentertainment.com/games/orcsmustdie">Orcs Must Die!</a>', the third person tower defense game by <a href="http://www.robotentertainment.com/">Robot Entertainment</a>. Afterwards I'll be going back to the PS2 and tackling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_of_the_Colossus">Shadow of the Collossus</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-15509534617529548292011-11-05T11:09:00.000-07:002011-11-05T11:09:46.743-07:00Cities XL 2012For the first chapter of my <a href="http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Age_of_Empires_Series_Wiki">Age of Empires</a> hiatus, I'm playing <a href="http://www2.citiesxl.com/">Cities XL 2012</a>. I'm just fiddling around with the mechanics at the moment and haven't decided on my completion criteria just yet. This game has a put a lot of effort in providing aesthetic views of your cities, so I thought I'd show off some of their work in my cities.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Db6dTY-6It7iifrxOce2eVK3Q6KQOJFk0YEk15YAMJ9zGQo-lY84h0dHY0TU7e-5F_ZX4QL3KSE6B66k9r-VyWss3x4Tzp0g1rzM1nHur8H1YEg5SesHV7WR5p9o30NtpKDwtyTXoMNX/s1600/gamescreen0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Db6dTY-6It7iifrxOce2eVK3Q6KQOJFk0YEk15YAMJ9zGQo-lY84h0dHY0TU7e-5F_ZX4QL3KSE6B66k9r-VyWss3x4Tzp0g1rzM1nHur8H1YEg5SesHV7WR5p9o30NtpKDwtyTXoMNX/s640/gamescreen0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postcard view of my first 10,000+ population city. Notice the city fragment in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnAqgN6IgaZg5tVn46SDfFgSSD2eZX9-_OpxTiWQZHfJ2vgUvLIAufNyAbzCaW07tXHFk9kLnn1q4PRIBf5Yzj_D1vaUPQD33Rvit_dimR9Kt4dO82VXbMvj6hV8X7UYaMitvUDtyLIN_/s1600/gamescreen0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnAqgN6IgaZg5tVn46SDfFgSSD2eZX9-_OpxTiWQZHfJ2vgUvLIAufNyAbzCaW07tXHFk9kLnn1q4PRIBf5Yzj_D1vaUPQD33Rvit_dimR9Kt4dO82VXbMvj6hV8X7UYaMitvUDtyLIN_/s640/gamescreen0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even small towns can look pretty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1yyYrlqlsS1X76OJ0htaZCz5gLk_F6IK-YP_gZ20X2QokFazpZbDvUcV9ugMOxWrqc1H1yC8fba6XJpYLint17kTU0K1-8AfkvZyJySxeVULmiohoWFHlF62gkLY-7mKApK4B5i2Jy20/s1600/gamescreen0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1yyYrlqlsS1X76OJ0htaZCz5gLk_F6IK-YP_gZ20X2QokFazpZbDvUcV9ugMOxWrqc1H1yC8fba6XJpYLint17kTU0K1-8AfkvZyJySxeVULmiohoWFHlF62gkLY-7mKApK4B5i2Jy20/s640/gamescreen0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motion would probably do more justice to the really up close shots where you see people strutting and cars rolling around the streets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERUx1EdfvkFVBNZopaPKl4SN0y1Ehnqsx1ERnJq1XzRczIftg8kqrGdYIuvQigmotBBFuxc8DnFbHgT6l0CWCL8A6i5NrP8oI0Xd_uNBFHmw8AX_9mSZBSmWZAEE_4pj80iV3sfeuSHr0/s1600/gamescreen0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERUx1EdfvkFVBNZopaPKl4SN0y1Ehnqsx1ERnJq1XzRczIftg8kqrGdYIuvQigmotBBFuxc8DnFbHgT6l0CWCL8A6i5NrP8oI0Xd_uNBFHmw8AX_9mSZBSmWZAEE_4pj80iV3sfeuSHr0/s640/gamescreen0004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can get down real low to check out the details.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84xPoLmzmCPZ_OpBQpwQ1Uc-jxlxzpc1Ax3D8FjZ7eIgsbE9-YfacIH_g8P-x2SPlLo-rr57ulHnqN7sIuFcaX9o-ZqBMJsfPLTVyto0Udbet0cahPio0RrLfdRHOqPBVR5w8MQJIl-GQ/s1600/gamescreen0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84xPoLmzmCPZ_OpBQpwQ1Uc-jxlxzpc1Ax3D8FjZ7eIgsbE9-YfacIH_g8P-x2SPlLo-rr57ulHnqN7sIuFcaX9o-ZqBMJsfPLTVyto0Udbet0cahPio0RrLfdRHOqPBVR5w8MQJIl-GQ/s640/gamescreen0005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the isometric view, the building depth is difficult to notice, so a the ability for a horizontal camera makes certain areas pop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope to have some bustling metropolis pics sooner or later, but I just wanted to show off the awesome work of <a href="http://www.focus-home.com/">Focus</a>.<br />
<br />
As a bonus strip, this comic is highly related to my current back catalogue completion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn.duelinganalogs.com/comics/2011-09-16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.duelinganalogs.com/comics/2011-09-16.png" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-33722613911875593102011-10-29T11:34:00.000-07:002011-10-29T11:34:16.120-07:00Age of Empires 2: Age of Conquerors Finally CompleteWith the sunshine gone and the darker days arriving, I've had more reason to stay inside and play them videa mahgames. So, I finally completed AoC. I started playing through it in April. At this rate, I'll never finish my game collection in my life time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZiQff-fI_WqCfH7xe-I2dk_7BmVOeYmHY5A8oKmp95QmbIjbSA1jdlJyDV8H2_mO3E5bOe5cXOctXBHJIOgD7oR8Y0mmIWYuK5rZ9S4GFZd-ITL5_s5jg7Ybars3kR3aiTPTUHujKKG_/s1600/AoC_Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZiQff-fI_WqCfH7xe-I2dk_7BmVOeYmHY5A8oKmp95QmbIjbSA1jdlJyDV8H2_mO3E5bOe5cXOctXBHJIOgD7oR8Y0mmIWYuK5rZ9S4GFZd-ITL5_s5jg7Ybars3kR3aiTPTUHujKKG_/s320/AoC_Church.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll be under a tombstone before I finish my collection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like the earlier AoE games, the campaigns too often relied on the pattern of surviving a first wave attack, rebuilding and then overcoming the stacked AI team. While that was true for the campaigns, the mishmash 'Battles of the Conquerers' scenarios were more entertaining. These maps were generally faster paced and had more interesting objectives. Still, all the world history tied into each map, made for some wikipedia romps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a-0dgEC1hLhc1XtLDb9TLPSFBeG4AIN4rRWQGSaxWg-RdneekQ7Q1GdAR7HBTKFMuwv_92qUhqYJX1q1nQWBz1LWX7fvlSRgTRqIU23h3J-gaig3OrePgRGe_ktqtbJ1qKLkghhOCKbv/s1600/AoC_Riders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7a-0dgEC1hLhc1XtLDb9TLPSFBeG4AIN4rRWQGSaxWg-RdneekQ7Q1GdAR7HBTKFMuwv_92qUhqYJX1q1nQWBz1LWX7fvlSRgTRqIU23h3J-gaig3OrePgRGe_ktqtbJ1qKLkghhOCKbv/s640/AoC_Riders.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs more horse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm taking a short break from the AoE series to try at some interesting new franchises that came out over the summer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-91785749919350975042011-07-12T10:22:00.000-07:002011-07-13T23:33:08.744-07:00League of Legends CompleteA couple of months ago during a gaming session (likely while we were getting our ass handed to us by <a href="http://knixgametime.blogspot.com/2011/05/streets-of-rage-3-hurts.html">Shiva</a>), <a href="http://www.trueachievements.com/ImiltheWinged.htm">ImilTheWinged</a> mentioned that he still played <a href="http://www.leagueoflegends.com/"> League of Legends</a>. I introduced him to the game last Spring (my <a href="http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3e9b436ae1b">referral list</a> proves it) and he's been playing since. He's also been playing regularly with a few of his friends.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://whatyoushouldbedoingrightnow.com/Playing/Reviews/3-18-10%20leagueoflegends%20review/lol%20images/lolart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://whatyoushouldbedoingrightnow.com/Playing/Reviews/3-18-10%20leagueoflegends%20review/lol%20images/lolart.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LoL, best with friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I decided to fire LoL back up to try playing with a regular crew. Wow, I've rarely had this much fun playing a game. I haven't had the chance to play any game with the same people regularly in a long time. Playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Dark">Perfect Dark 64</a> back in the junior high school days or smashing demons in <a href="http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/d2/">Diablo 2 </a>with <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Sontra">Steve-O</a> were the closest I'd come to regular play with friends.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fearlessgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Teemo_Splash_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://www.fearlessgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Teemo_Splash_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitting 30 feels something like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, with thanks to ImiltheWinged, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/DavidTo2">DavidTo</a>, BelgarionX and Archwing I have reached level 30 in League of Legends. That does not mean I won't continue to play the game. I'm still going to play it quite regularly while beating the other parts of my collection.<br />
<br />
Oh, and<a href="http://signup.leagueoflegends.com/?ref=4c3e9b436ae1b"> shameless referral plug</a> if you want to try out the game.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-56811485824829257792011-05-23T21:19:00.000-07:002011-05-23T21:19:25.480-07:00Magicka CompleteI'm actually about a week late on posting this, but I completed <a href="http://www.magickagame.com/">Magicka</a> and its <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/42918/">DLC packages</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gamercast.net/media/blogs/gamercast/reviews/magicka2.jpg?mtime=1298133053" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://www.gamercast.net/media/blogs/gamercast/reviews/magicka2.jpg?mtime=1298133053" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Making</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Magicka spell system impressed me. After all the glorious applications of spell combos, other RPGesque spells seem so tame. I feel trapped with only using a single spell in Champions of Norrath (I want to link to the Sony page here...but it's down). I do hope more studios incorporate combination spell casting in to their games. In fact, they could use the idea and expand it to other combat types.<br />
<br />
I also thought <a href="http://arrowheadgamestudios.com/">Arrowhead</a> did a good job by not taking their game too seriously. They referenced everything from <a href="http://ski.ihoc.net/">SkiFree</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416449/">300</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091203/">Highlander </a>to <a href="http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/">Chuck Norris</a>. They were even comfortable enough to mock themselves by creating a "Crash to Desktop" spell that humourosly added lines like "Goblin Archer has disconnected from the game."<br />
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I look forward to what Arrowhead pumps out next.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-63646378285914233882011-05-08T20:24:00.000-07:002011-05-08T20:24:48.555-07:00Magicka: Another AoE InterludeAfter chatting with <a href="http://www.trueachievements.com/ImiltheWinged.htm">ImiltheWinged </a>on his previous visit, I was convinced to pick up a copy of <a href="http://www.magickagame.com/">Magicka</a> and it's assortment of DLC, including the ridiculous <a href="http://www.magickagame.com/reviews/2011/4/magicka-creator-spills-beans-on-inspiratio%E2%80%8Bns-for-magicka-vietnam">Magicka:Vietnam</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.differentvideos.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Magicka-Official-Release-Trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.differentvideos.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Magicka-Official-Release-Trailer.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Fortunately, like Limbo, Magicka is a great game. The controls feel right, the game's length is appropriate and most importantly, the concept is focused. There's no meddling with inventory, there are no (save one) side quests, and there is limited character progression. The game feels fantastically arcade like. This doesn't mean there isn't content, the content is in the actual levels and combat opposed to long-term mechanics.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOyUjOFCSAXpZXcmmQwP4AOXpe94wXStMcxuVqKuYLYwG5p2Jaz2dXRwN_OJf8qyEi1x-oBu0yb7swdIVoBhgGwYdkimZb0ub8a5nRMveK9PazQIlv5rWnrNVo9t2Rag_zPeW-oBLaqQR/s1600/MagickaLightning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOyUjOFCSAXpZXcmmQwP4AOXpe94wXStMcxuVqKuYLYwG5p2Jaz2dXRwN_OJf8qyEi1x-oBu0yb7swdIVoBhgGwYdkimZb0ub8a5nRMveK9PazQIlv5rWnrNVo9t2Rag_zPeW-oBLaqQR/s640/MagickaLightning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magicka is about dousing things in water and then applying electricity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The game's achievements look doable and entertaining, so I plan to tackle them all before putting it down and returning to Eurasian history.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-60090876968611257832011-05-05T17:02:00.000-07:002011-05-05T17:02:11.126-07:00Streets of Rage 3 HurtsImiltheWinged came by last weekend in attempt to finish Streets of Rage 3. We failed miserably. We even tried to cheat using level select to the furthest point we reached, but still died.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://th01.deviantart.net/fs37/300W/f/2008/255/e/b/eb6a2d48c8a74d327bc024731748584b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://th01.deviantart.net/fs37/300W/f/2008/255/e/b/eb6a2d48c8a74d327bc024731748584b.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />
Thanks to Shiva (see picture), we were slaughtered. This guy has cross screen tracking attacks, blocks combos, breaks throws, has 5 life bars and beats up kids on rollerblades and kangaroos. He just hurts. I'm going to have to practice playing this game just to feel comfortable attempting to tackle Shiva.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, we put SoR3 down and started giving Gain Ground a whirl.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gamerdna.com/public/images/xd/covers/drg000/g075/g07550tc32x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.gamerdna.com/public/images/xd/covers/drg000/g075/g07550tc32x.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ya, it goes something like that...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-7952546665195690162011-04-23T12:13:00.000-07:002011-04-23T12:13:57.139-07:00AoE2 AoK CompleteI thought AoE1 took me a long time to complete, but AoE2 took even longer. At least AoE2 entertained me. Still, finding time to beat a 2 hour map is tough. Let alone finding time to beat 30 of them!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9IYfp2DY9Nawr4LjsMvWffT18ycaIWmupjsjEJFEbd9tTdbh_l1ToDUgEiBXqBVBekeer5i06fWpYu8HVJq0u5tPhF4J_pRA7aQuKrJD2R0sjttv3rzkgS-G3qox-vEMwJqtuJXprcfV/s1600/AoE_Joan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9IYfp2DY9Nawr4LjsMvWffT18ycaIWmupjsjEJFEbd9tTdbh_l1ToDUgEiBXqBVBekeer5i06fWpYu8HVJq0u5tPhF4J_pRA7aQuKrJD2R0sjttv3rzkgS-G3qox-vEMwJqtuJXprcfV/s400/AoE_Joan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan d'Arc</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All of the campaigns were lots of fun, with very few lulls. I did accidentally make a few of the missions boring by killing everything rather than doing the objective. The idea behind that was I was expecting the following objective to require some hardcore defending, but it turned out I just needed to do the one thing and I was done *shrug*<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwK0SGb5SrP1TnCKmNGFLuisabyOMdI70WsxVJgE-alHTACVpd-gkil55MQptLhAvYvkK_IXHYJ5GuIZx0axk_zHNHzjrC1t2_St264uFs4fFJqQPy-Dgb5CiFdABPcu__0Km8bmFe2OS/s1600/Mamelukes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwK0SGb5SrP1TnCKmNGFLuisabyOMdI70WsxVJgE-alHTACVpd-gkil55MQptLhAvYvkK_IXHYJ5GuIZx0axk_zHNHzjrC1t2_St264uFs4fFJqQPy-Dgb5CiFdABPcu__0Km8bmFe2OS/s640/Mamelukes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I <3 Mamelukes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm looking forward to AoC because the New World civs are awesome and because I don't know much about El Cid or the extraordinarily interesting history of Spain. Onwards!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-47516030690008973662011-04-15T21:28:00.000-07:002011-04-15T21:28:45.128-07:00First Full Achievement Game!!!After four play-throughs and some practice runs on the tougher segments, I completed the <a href="http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/limbo/achievement/40941-No-Point-in-Dying.html">No Point in Dying</a> achievement. I actually managed to die only twice. Both of the deaths were on easier parts, which was kind of odd.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lp54oRI0N7A/TF7VCypHe8I/AAAAAAAABqg/kNiSBCrKcns/s1600/limbo-2-boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_lp54oRI0N7A/TF7VCypHe8I/AAAAAAAABqg/kNiSBCrKcns/s400/limbo-2-boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I completed all but one of the hidden egg achievements without the help of a guide. Apparently there are some super hidden easter eggs, but there's no way in hell I would have found those without a youtube guide. Anyhow, after finding the last egg with the help of a walkthrough, Limbo became my first full completed achievement game.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/106/887/original/backpain-1292835351.jpg?1300412448" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://cdn0.knowyourmeme.com/i/000/106/887/original/backpain-1292835351.jpg?1300412448" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now back to uniting the disjointed tribes of Germany...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-4042007809953370532011-04-07T14:13:00.000-07:002011-04-07T14:13:09.435-07:00A Short DistractionI'm taking a short break from Age of Empires to play Limbo. The lady picked it out for me as a birthday gift. I won't lie, I'm astounding by her ability to choose such an appropriate game. As I said to her, "It's like I walked into a clothing store and picked out an article you liked and perfectly fit you."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.indiegamemag.com/media/limbo-title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.indiegamemag.com/media/limbo-title.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I beat it in one sitting and that seems to be the perfect length. I'm now working on unlocking the achievements, which include finding hidden areas and a masochist don't-die-too-much play-through.<br />
<br />
The puzzles are excellent. The difficult ones are challenging without being cheap (read: no pixel hunting or vague object uses). I really dig the "AHA!" moments when I figure out how to solve a puzzle.<br />
<br />
The girlfriend also enjoyed watching my repeated failures that resulted in gruesome deaths (death by crushing, then chopped up by a buzzsaw and pushed in to a pit). I also laughed a fair bit as I discovered the various forms of dying.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, just a short diversion until I'm back uniting Germany as Barbarossa.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-70272114828712564722011-04-04T22:41:00.000-07:002011-04-04T22:41:40.807-07:00Golden Axe 3 and Some Play-through-collection ChangesYo!<br />
<br />
So once again thanks to ImiltheWinged, another game has been knocked off the list. In what I must say was a smooth run, we drop-kicked and pounced our way to the Golden Axe.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://archive.kontek.net/goldenaxe.classicgaming.gamespy.com/daimages/Images2/golden_axe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="http://archive.kontek.net/goldenaxe.classicgaming.gamespy.com/daimages/Images2/golden_axe3.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><br />
Streets of Rage 3 still murdered us though. Apparently the Western localization is much harder. In the Eastern version, only the enemies health increases with harder difficulties, but in the Western version, the enemies attack power also increases (thanks <a href="http://sega-addicts.murnaumusic.com/?p=2786">Alex Sargeant</a>). I have some faith we'll retrack Mr.X next time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sega-addicts.murnaumusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Bare-Knuckle-III-JAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://sega-addicts.murnaumusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Bare-Knuckle-III-JAP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I've also made a slight adjustment to my game completion plan. <br />
<br />
I've decided picking up new games is okay between beating old series. There are some sequals that came out from series I've already covered while clearing my pile of shame (<a href="http://www.sonicthehedgehog4.com/us/">Sonic 4</a>) and some new IPs that I can't wait a decade to try (<a href="http://www.magickagame.com/">Magicka</a>, <a href="http://www.limbogame.org/">Limbo</a>). I'll still wait to pick up new games based on old series I haven't gotten to yet. I may also play some free games that can be found online. The catch is of course that any new game I pick up or try out, I promise to myself I will see it to completion.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-62136047164812823972011-03-28T21:05:00.000-07:002011-03-28T21:05:58.597-07:00Distracted by Death WormI got a little distracted on <a href="http://www.yoyogames.com/">YoYo</a> games. I found a game that is simple and amazing.<br />
<br />
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<div style="background: #000; border-bottom: #424242 1px solid; border-left: #424242 1px solid; border-right: #424242 1px solid; border-top: #424242 1px solid; margin: 30px; width: 177px;"><a href="http://www.yoyogames.com/"><img alt="YoYoGames" src="http://www.yoyogames.com/images/embed/game_tag_bg.gif" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a><div style="padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yoyogames.com/games/72097"><img alt="Dw1" src="http://www.yoyogames.com/extras/image/name/san1/792/186792/medium/dw1.jpg" style="border-bottom: #fff 2px solid; border-left: #fff 2px solid; border-right: #fff 2px solid; border-top: #fff 2px solid;" /></a></div><div style="color: silver; font-family: arial; font-size: 0.8em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 15px;"><a href="http://www.yoyogames.com/games/72097" style="color: #ccff00;">Death Worm</a><br />
<strong>Added: </strong>24 February 2009<br />
<strong>By:</strong> JTR</div></div><br />
<br />
Bon Appetit!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-16851234374804433142011-02-27T17:53:00.000-08:002011-02-27T17:58:43.774-08:00Rome has Risen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14BsECaw_63TbsRwnovSCQzo6wtagMNhp_lfkc_D_tzn6IgosdCTrNiJOtHbDEJAZPE5gu9dKjaS82JEnmTsddQ-XqS6J4gD1sNICfkV0slZ1Up7vPYV6lQYxg_EpQ1s_qXAHCnQztFtT/s1600/AoE+Elephant+Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14BsECaw_63TbsRwnovSCQzo6wtagMNhp_lfkc_D_tzn6IgosdCTrNiJOtHbDEJAZPE5gu9dKjaS82JEnmTsddQ-XqS6J4gD1sNICfkV0slZ1Up7vPYV6lQYxg_EpQ1s_qXAHCnQztFtT/s640/AoE+Elephant+Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have finished <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/games/aoeexpansion/">Age of Empires: Rise of Rome</a>!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">As I guessed, the scenarios in the expansion were superior to those in the base game. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The challenge of each scenario was more consistant, from scenario to scenario and through out the scenario. Instead of having an initial tough 5 minutes followed by a cake walk, the RoR scenarios generally peaked in difficulty near the end. This was mostly because the difficulty was no longer fending off attack waves when I was weak in initial the stages, but because the enemies usually guarded objectives with the toughest units in the game.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The scenario setups were also more unique. Instead of a bunch of coastal maps where you are required to build a base from scratch and slowly wipe out a single empire, there were many different types of maps, stronger starting bases, less required research and varying setups of computer players. The repeated slog of building a navy, siege weapons and priests to slowly push through an empire was gone.</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYyIdcI76TIGIt9HYS-0J3XhaWTQKxeOfZB5-z2Jc7WfZFdaepIkWTa2YNk3RsJtdUZMjHyPhadq9MzjLfOX3RrzVCwmAWqyMafmmTohsjcYC0GgFAzr9qu7bJsmF1GaxRBodQnek_55t/s1600/AoE+Navy+Domination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYyIdcI76TIGIt9HYS-0J3XhaWTQKxeOfZB5-z2Jc7WfZFdaepIkWTa2YNk3RsJtdUZMjHyPhadq9MzjLfOX3RrzVCwmAWqyMafmmTohsjcYC0GgFAzr9qu7bJsmF1GaxRBodQnek_55t/s640/AoE+Navy+Domination.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, navy domination was still key on some maps.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Map aesthetics were also vastly improved. The landscapes looked more natural and finer details were added to certain sections of a map. There were alcoves with hidden ruins and planted trees running along paths. Long past were the squarish islands with only a purely functional building on it. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl0AP2YbAEwLQ5JCROaWbmwAYLONLMe5VE63CQzlH_NTJ6MpfwCJjbvBkHV8gXRHmWytXa6x-XX2YToU_1YJy9p_AiLbP2CvTI9ucIlhE2ToMggPH3Wx4szVdd6yzggUjkxJYAJC7jgBX/s1600/AoE+Better+Aesthetics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl0AP2YbAEwLQ5JCROaWbmwAYLONLMe5VE63CQzlH_NTJ6MpfwCJjbvBkHV8gXRHmWytXa6x-XX2YToU_1YJy9p_AiLbP2CvTI9ucIlhE2ToMggPH3Wx4szVdd6yzggUjkxJYAJC7jgBX/s640/AoE+Better+Aesthetics.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the bridge and more detailed expanses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">No two scenarios felt quite the same. Oddly though, the final scenario was a complete throw back to the easier original campaigns. It was ugly, easy, required a bit of building up and the goal was just to kill off an opponent.<br />
<br />
Another odd failure was the lack of CGI campaign videos. There was simply intro or outro reward to the campaigns. The only new CGI video was the game intro...which wasn't even that new</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> because they just the old intro and added some horrible layer over it.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3bQ-WsquMwE" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MRegz4kJJXE" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I think my favourite part about going the AoE series is the feeling of walking through history. The game provides decent historical information about the empires and people in the game, and encourages me to look up more. I now have a better feel for when certain events took place relative to others and a better understanding of the huge diversity of the people that lived in the Mediterranean.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Anyhow, on to Age of Kings!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5030818252236500024.post-53236304371374573232011-02-13T23:17:00.000-08:002011-02-13T23:17:43.465-08:00All Games Should Have Knee Presses and Drop Kicks<a href="http://www.trueachievements.com/ImiltheWinged.htm">ImiltheWinged</a> swung by to try and finish off the Streets of Rage series and put a dent in the Golden Axe trilogy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeooloKzt8FuDWm0XVWMGMQg4QGm7o13gn5DfVnV_z_RYxsFXDLWg5je9DIrutaFlbNNDHgOk1KPIBv-fh-5eLnRuQOyZA4sToCeos2_03mGHr-6jLcGKMeh8p39LEN4zRs-pq_iUV3RR0/s1600/golden_axe_beast_rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeooloKzt8FuDWm0XVWMGMQg4QGm7o13gn5DfVnV_z_RYxsFXDLWg5je9DIrutaFlbNNDHgOk1KPIBv-fh-5eLnRuQOyZA4sToCeos2_03mGHr-6jLcGKMeh8p39LEN4zRs-pq_iUV3RR0/s1600/golden_axe_beast_rider.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the 80's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We managed to beat the first two Golden Axe games, but didn't technically finish SoR3 or finish GA3. We beat Streets of Rage 3 on Easy (because it's actually pretty damn tough), but Easy mode leaves out the final two stages. We just died a stage short on our dry run of GA3. We'll go back and finish both soon.<br />
<br />
I would just like to say the Golden Axe series is much more fun than you'd expect. The first two are pretty sweet in their own right. The third one is amazing because there is a guy who looks like the Ultimate Warrior that performs absurd knee presses and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPuOMDpiNtM">drop kicks</a> (see 3:13 in this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKrLh5j2ZTs">video</a>). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Gg4oYP_HgpNY2z6IiBIceUQgoJsSa80t0pXbVeHsS5EZKmzcN7CPqda-PxSIjrgsSQPugYh9EtZLZt7dPMGHioc8tlvnHmpx1ORcSXjax3wiS9djdRk_ioCxZz1BjeVglCDKWWxRCPA/s1600/craggerUltimateWarrior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_Gg4oYP_HgpNY2z6IiBIceUQgoJsSa80t0pXbVeHsS5EZKmzcN7CPqda-PxSIjrgsSQPugYh9EtZLZt7dPMGHioc8tlvnHmpx1ORcSXjax3wiS9djdRk_ioCxZz1BjeVglCDKWWxRCPA/s320/craggerUltimateWarrior.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Fair Comparison I think</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just imagine drop kicks and knee presses in other games like Call of Duty, Diablo or Minecraft! I promise that any game that I have control over will include at least one of these timeless attacks.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04880168135526406476noreply@blogger.com0