Games Beaten 2013

[dsheinem]

-Angry Birds Rio is probably the easiest and most boring in the series.
-The Last Story is my favorite JRPG of the 21st Century.
-Retro/Grade is a fun and simple few hours, but I can't see replaying it.
-Sonic Fighters is just barely worth the $2 I spent on it.
-Spec Ops: The Line is more interesting for what it tries to do than for what it does.
-God of War: Ascension is a lot of mindless fun and a quality AAA game, but also probably my least favorite game in the series.

Last Story was that good huh? Looking forward to playing it myself. Nice to see you back btw.

You can hear my thoughts on The Last Story in detail (for Spec Ops also) in the podcast I posted yesterday.

I've attempted to address the stuff that was keeping me away. Besides, I can't quit you guys.

[Ack]

Besides, I can't quit you guys.

You know we love you too, Ds. Just...never grow a Jake Gyllenhaal porn mustache.

[AppleQueso]

You're back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[noiseredux]

Pfft you guys didnt throw me a welcome back party.

[AppleQueso]

Pfft you guys didnt throw me a welcome back party.

That's because it's always a party with you around. It would've been redundant.

[Ack]

Pfft you guys didnt throw me a welcome back party.

That's because it's always a party with you around. It would've been redundant.

Plus you smell like butt.

[noiseredux]

You're both right.

[prfsnl_gmr]

1. Okamiden (NDS)
2. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (Wii)
3. Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection (Wii)
4. Cave Story 3D (3DS)
5. Theatrhytm Final Fantasy (3DS)
6. Rayman Origins (Wii)
7. Kim Possible: What's The Switch (PS2)

I was looking through my games asking my four-year-old daughter what I should play next when she saw my copy of Kim Possible: What's The Switch a/k/a "Ninja Gaiden Jr." a/k/a "Little Miss Shinobi" for the PS2:

Her: "Who is this girl, daddy?"
Me: "It's Kim Possible."
Her: "I want you to play it."
Me: "What about..."
Her: "I want you to play Kim Possible right now, daddy."
Me: "But..."
Her: "Kim Posssible."
Me: "OK..."

I picked this game up some time ago because it was listed in Racketboy's PS2 "Hidden Gems" article, but I had not spent much time with it. Completing the game, however, I discovered that it is a Disney-licensed game that plays very similarly to Ninja Gaiden (NES) and Shinobi (3DS). While it is very easy to complete, it nonetheless features a combo-based fighting system, intense platforming, clean cell-shaded graphics, wall-jumping, a Bionic Commando-style grappling hook, and branching routes through each of its levels. Moreover, it awards bonus features - including bonus levels - for picking up all of the "tokens" in a stage, which can be quite challenging. (I usually completed a stage with 248/250 or 149/150 tokens... ) At some point, I may head back through to "complete" the game, but the individual stages are too long and the gameply is not quite compelling enough to warrant an immediate re-play (i.e., it is no Rayman Origins). Nonetheless, I recommend it if: (a) you are looking for a family-friendly, but nonetheless intense, platforming game that you can play with your children; or (b) you want to introduce a young member of your family to Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi gameplay mechanics.

EDIT: I will also add that it is the best DIsney-licensed game that I have completed since Ducktales (NES)...which may not be saying much, but I thought I would put it in there.

[Blu]

1. Assassin's Creed 3 (Xbox 360) - 1/6/2013
2. Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2 (Gamecube) - 1/11/2013
3. Metal Gear Solid 2 (Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Xbox 360) - 1/20/2013
4. Metal Gear Solid 3 (Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Xbox 360) - 1/22/2013
5. Sega Bass Fishing (Xbox 360) - 1/22/2013
6. Sonic & All-Stars Racing TRANSFORMED (Xbox 360)- 1/26/2013
7. Yakuza (PS2) - 2/2/2013
8. Yakuza 2 (PS2) - 2/22/2013
9. Panzer Dragoon Orta (Xbox) - 2/23/2013
10. Panzer Dragoon (Xbox Port) - 2/23/2013
11. 1941: Counter Attack (Capcom Classics Collection: Remixed; PSP) 3/1/2013
12. Forgotten Worlds (Capcom Classics Collection: Remixed; PSP) 3/1/2013
13. Binary Domain (Xbox 360) - 3/17/2013
14. Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast) - 3/21/2013
15. Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) 3/21/2013

Playing through two classics. Sonic Adventure was just as good as I remembered it. In fact, it's prettier on the Dreamcast than its remastered ports on PSN/Xbox 360. Gotta love Super Sonic's theme/final boss music.

Sonic Adventure 2 was a bit of a struggle. Not even because of the game, but the fact that my VMU wasn't saving at all. I shut off the game only to find that I had to start from the first stage all over. So, I just played through the hero side. Fun and interesting gameplay, I liked the different stages and how the character variation of play changes with each. Pretty challenging, I enjoyed it. It'll be one I revisit someday.

Also, welcome back Dave!

[noiseredux]

1. NHL '94 (SCD)
2. Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (Sat)
3. Bust-A-Move Pocket (NGPC)
4. Sonic The Hedgehog (DC)
5. Columns (DC)
6. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater (DC)
7. Capcom Vs. SNK (DC)
8. ChuChu Rocket (DC)

I beat ChuChu Rocket's puzzle mode last night on Normal. Got end credits, but not sure if I should call it beat until I get thru the other difficulties since thet're different puzzles. :/