This is it – the final blog. As I previously said, I may well continue it on a semi-permanent basis after all my work is out of the way. That would involve changing the name though as it pretty much insinuates that there’ll be 28 posts and 28 posts only.
For my final blog I’ll be asking you, the readers, what you thought of it? Anything would be good – positive, negative, whatever really. I was just interested in feedback because if I intend to write this in my spare time it would be good to know where I was going wrong or, in rare cases, where I’m going right!!
Also, and this is important, I’m being graded on this work and some feedback from some of the people who’ve read it would be great.
As a final swansong here's a video featuring unsung heroes of gaming. Games that were amazing and yet failed to catch the publics eye. In other words - my kind of games!!
For now people, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this blog. It’s been hard to keep up at times due to the restraints of the internet at my house and the ever increasing wealth of work that I have to do for college.
Stay tuned amigos!!!
Monday 11 May 2009
The fanboy mentality.
This is the penultimate blog that I’ll be posting – it’s been good, we’ve had some laughs and we’ve all learnt something. It would be good to keep this up on a semi-regular basis but at the moment I’m so swamped with work that it’d be impossible at the minute. Possibly in the next 3 weeks or so I’ll pick it up again.
Anyway, onto the blog. Today is the thorny issue of fanboys, the definition of which is someone who vehemently supports one format despite any decent releases on other rival platforms. I’m only mentioning this because I recently came across the most ardent of gaming zealots in my flatmate Nick. He’s a genuinely annoying and ridiculously passionate individual when it comes to....almost any subject really, but he really starts foaming at the mouth when Microsoft are mentioned. While it’s been made fairly clear that I’m not a member of the Bill Gates fan club it hasn’t reached the point yet where I’d murder him and defile his corpse like Nick would.
He is such a fan of Sony that I’m fairly confident that if I fired a gun at a PS3 (not mine), Nick would leap in the way and take the bullet himself, sparing the Playstation a grisly death.
I don’t really understand the fanboy mentality and I’ve tried discussing this with him at great length. As far as he’s concerned it doesn’t matter what games are out for a certain platform – it only matters which company makes that console. For instance, when I bought my PSP he practically proposed to me and became my best friend for a few days – quite the opposite when I came home with a DSi though. When he found out that I had one he made me feel like I was trying to cheat on the PSP, like I was conducting my DSi activities in privacy like some sordid affair.
I’ve met many like him in my time as a gamer, especially online, and I was just curious as to whether anyone had certain predilections toward a specific format and why? I could understand that for some cost would be an issue but any reasons would be ace.
Anyway, onto the blog. Today is the thorny issue of fanboys, the definition of which is someone who vehemently supports one format despite any decent releases on other rival platforms. I’m only mentioning this because I recently came across the most ardent of gaming zealots in my flatmate Nick. He’s a genuinely annoying and ridiculously passionate individual when it comes to....almost any subject really, but he really starts foaming at the mouth when Microsoft are mentioned. While it’s been made fairly clear that I’m not a member of the Bill Gates fan club it hasn’t reached the point yet where I’d murder him and defile his corpse like Nick would.
He is such a fan of Sony that I’m fairly confident that if I fired a gun at a PS3 (not mine), Nick would leap in the way and take the bullet himself, sparing the Playstation a grisly death.
I don’t really understand the fanboy mentality and I’ve tried discussing this with him at great length. As far as he’s concerned it doesn’t matter what games are out for a certain platform – it only matters which company makes that console. For instance, when I bought my PSP he practically proposed to me and became my best friend for a few days – quite the opposite when I came home with a DSi though. When he found out that I had one he made me feel like I was trying to cheat on the PSP, like I was conducting my DSi activities in privacy like some sordid affair.
I’ve met many like him in my time as a gamer, especially online, and I was just curious as to whether anyone had certain predilections toward a specific format and why? I could understand that for some cost would be an issue but any reasons would be ace.
Sunday 10 May 2009
What would your dream game be?
I've often wondered what kind of game i'd make if i could. These days games developers tend to stick to safe options and genres that they already know but if i ever get the opportunity to make a game i've thought long and hard about what i'd create.
Firstly i considered a type of RPG like Shadow Hearts because that's probably one of my favourite games of all time. However, i think if i had unrestrained artistic license i'd make a game based on the life of a sea otter.
It would be a lot like Ecco the Dolphin in that you lived the life of a sea otter, probably having to rescue your sea otter brothers along the way. Part of the game could involve you choosing your favourite rock to store in the pouch in your armpit, maybe different rocks could give you different powers? Generic game abilities of fire, ice, etc would probably work.
Imagine this but with an otter. I'd probably get Sega to help me out just in case i lashed it up.
There could be mini games in between levels where you have to hammer the buttons on the pad to smash clams and crustaceans on your furry belly.
A sea otter smashing things on its belly.
Anyone got any dream games??
Firstly i considered a type of RPG like Shadow Hearts because that's probably one of my favourite games of all time. However, i think if i had unrestrained artistic license i'd make a game based on the life of a sea otter.
It would be a lot like Ecco the Dolphin in that you lived the life of a sea otter, probably having to rescue your sea otter brothers along the way. Part of the game could involve you choosing your favourite rock to store in the pouch in your armpit, maybe different rocks could give you different powers? Generic game abilities of fire, ice, etc would probably work.
Imagine this but with an otter. I'd probably get Sega to help me out just in case i lashed it up.
There could be mini games in between levels where you have to hammer the buttons on the pad to smash clams and crustaceans on your furry belly.
A sea otter smashing things on its belly.
Anyone got any dream games??
Disgaea 3 - similar to a fine wine.
I already own the original Disgaea and its sequel on the PS2 so when i bought a PS3 it was with the intention of playing games like Disgaea 3 that you just wouldn't see on the 360. Needless to say i wasn't disappointed although two things must be pointed out with this game as it was with the two before it. Firstly it really is an acquired taste and a niche taste at that, and secondly it can initially seem very overwhelming.
Disgaea is an S-RPG (strategy) at its core and it tends to be fairly harsh with first timers. It pretty much assumes you'll know what you're doing straight off the bat and for some this can seem extremely daunting due to the games deceptively complex nature. If you don't like stats and figures then it's probably best to give Disgaea a wide birth, every battle in the game is conducted like a game of chess and can take a very long time to compete. Put the time in though and Disgaea will reward you greatly.
It's easy to be tricked by the games characters and worlds because the person in charge was clearly on some pretty funky drugs when they were working. The ideas behind the narrative are very Japanese and this can sometimes leave you feeling quite perplexed and almost left out of the joke as you try and work out what they're actually getting at. Accompanied by a crazy (and annoyingly addictive) soundtrack that is resoundingly bubblegum pop the feel of the game is very whacky which belies how complex the game dynamic actually is.
The introduction to Disgaea 3 gives you an idea of how strange it is.
The amount of upgrading and levelling up you can do here is absolutely astounding, it's actually a shame that there isn't a multiplayer element to it because it would be good for players to show off their characters and probably their lack of a social life.
With enough perseverance your team can attain levels of up to 999 and the items that you collect also have their own development levels. Rather than improve with use Disgaea has a novel method with which to improve your items - actually entering the item in question to change it from the inside :p
Every item, including weapons, have a number of floors within them and the further your party travels through the item (by winning strategic battles) the more advanced the item becomes until it reaches up to level 9999. Seriously, the extremeties to which you can push your partys statistics in this game are insane.
Disgaea is massively popular in Japan, so much so that it spawned an anime series. I've yet to watch it but i'm guessing it's not all there.
If you love anime or have a lot of time on your hands and enjoy methodical, strategic battles with a very tongue in cheek approach then this game will sit very will with you. Obviously this is only going to be a very small majority of players so for the action lovers among you it will almost certainly not be your cup of tea.
My verdict:8 (but that's because it's my kind of game.)
Disgaea is an S-RPG (strategy) at its core and it tends to be fairly harsh with first timers. It pretty much assumes you'll know what you're doing straight off the bat and for some this can seem extremely daunting due to the games deceptively complex nature. If you don't like stats and figures then it's probably best to give Disgaea a wide birth, every battle in the game is conducted like a game of chess and can take a very long time to compete. Put the time in though and Disgaea will reward you greatly.
It's easy to be tricked by the games characters and worlds because the person in charge was clearly on some pretty funky drugs when they were working. The ideas behind the narrative are very Japanese and this can sometimes leave you feeling quite perplexed and almost left out of the joke as you try and work out what they're actually getting at. Accompanied by a crazy (and annoyingly addictive) soundtrack that is resoundingly bubblegum pop the feel of the game is very whacky which belies how complex the game dynamic actually is.
The introduction to Disgaea 3 gives you an idea of how strange it is.
The amount of upgrading and levelling up you can do here is absolutely astounding, it's actually a shame that there isn't a multiplayer element to it because it would be good for players to show off their characters and probably their lack of a social life.
With enough perseverance your team can attain levels of up to 999 and the items that you collect also have their own development levels. Rather than improve with use Disgaea has a novel method with which to improve your items - actually entering the item in question to change it from the inside :p
Every item, including weapons, have a number of floors within them and the further your party travels through the item (by winning strategic battles) the more advanced the item becomes until it reaches up to level 9999. Seriously, the extremeties to which you can push your partys statistics in this game are insane.
Disgaea is massively popular in Japan, so much so that it spawned an anime series. I've yet to watch it but i'm guessing it's not all there.
If you love anime or have a lot of time on your hands and enjoy methodical, strategic battles with a very tongue in cheek approach then this game will sit very will with you. Obviously this is only going to be a very small majority of players so for the action lovers among you it will almost certainly not be your cup of tea.
My verdict:8 (but that's because it's my kind of game.)
Just a quick one.
Has anyone played a truly difficult game in the last few years? I mean a game that you genuinely thought you wouldn't be able to finish or a part that you reached that you simply couldn't get past?
I ask because i'm currently playing Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia on the DSi and it's f'ing solid. I've already managed to get 80% of the way through it but the last few levels and enemeies are ridiculously hard. My brother is also playing through it and had to play the same part over and over again just to find one item to complete a quest - the area in question was also the hardest in the game by far. Konami are known for making you work for your money though.
For me probably the hardest game i've played is Ninja Gaiden on the XBox and probably Ninja Gaiden 2 on the 360 - just because they're so brutally punishing. The sparse save points coupled with the fact that just one lesser enemy could easily end your life made it an immensely frustrating but ultimately very rewarding experience. I remember completing it on the hardest difficulty and practically crying, i was that happy.
I was working in Game at the time that Ninja Gaiden was released on XBox and because of the rave reviews it recieved people flocked to buy it but many brought it back because it was just too difficult for them to play. One boy, about 11 years old, brought it back and when i asked him why he was returning it he started crying and said it was too hard. He was that broken.
This guy completed Sigma on the Master Ninja level which makes him close to super human in terms of reflexes.
I ask because i'm currently playing Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia on the DSi and it's f'ing solid. I've already managed to get 80% of the way through it but the last few levels and enemeies are ridiculously hard. My brother is also playing through it and had to play the same part over and over again just to find one item to complete a quest - the area in question was also the hardest in the game by far. Konami are known for making you work for your money though.
For me probably the hardest game i've played is Ninja Gaiden on the XBox and probably Ninja Gaiden 2 on the 360 - just because they're so brutally punishing. The sparse save points coupled with the fact that just one lesser enemy could easily end your life made it an immensely frustrating but ultimately very rewarding experience. I remember completing it on the hardest difficulty and practically crying, i was that happy.
I was working in Game at the time that Ninja Gaiden was released on XBox and because of the rave reviews it recieved people flocked to buy it but many brought it back because it was just too difficult for them to play. One boy, about 11 years old, brought it back and when i asked him why he was returning it he started crying and said it was too hard. He was that broken.
This guy completed Sigma on the Master Ninja level which makes him close to super human in terms of reflexes.
Thursday 7 May 2009
A minor gripe with Microsoft.
I recently went round to my Mums house to see my brother and have a bit of a session on the 360 but we were abruptly distracted by our hatred of Microsoft and their money grabbing tendancies.
It transpires now that if you're the proud owner of an XBox 360 and a Silver account you're actually penalised in true Microsoft style. Whereas before a Silver account gave you access to demos and chat facilities you're now presented with a turse note informing you that because you're not a Gold member you now have to wait a week or so before you can access the things that you were previously allowed access to.
Once again Microsoft, good effort for alienating your game playing following once again. Obviously the last time that i recieved excellent customer service courtesy of Microsoft was when my 360 got 3 red lights and at every point i turned i hit a brick wall. Obviously this was a few years ago as my 360 was one of the first batch to get the ring of death but the degree of customer support from Microsoft was absolutely shocking.
Good times. As my 360 was one of the first to go i remember my immense confusion as to why it wouldn't turn back on. Xbox services were also confused and repeatedly told me that i hadn't plugged the power cable into the mains.
Spending hours on the phone speaking to a host of Europeans with a tenuous grip on the English language, they would ritually go through the ropes with me telling me to ensure the power cable was plugged in and that i wasn't completely retarded. Despite me telling them what the actual problem was they rigidly stuck to the generic list of questions that they ask every other person who phones up complaining about a faulty machine.
With all the money that Microsoft makes i couldn't believe that they (initially) wouldn't replace faulty machines. That was enough to insense me, but now that 360 users either have a Gold account or, basically, nothing - means that once again Microsoft have kicked their audience in the teeth. Bravo!!
It transpires now that if you're the proud owner of an XBox 360 and a Silver account you're actually penalised in true Microsoft style. Whereas before a Silver account gave you access to demos and chat facilities you're now presented with a turse note informing you that because you're not a Gold member you now have to wait a week or so before you can access the things that you were previously allowed access to.
Once again Microsoft, good effort for alienating your game playing following once again. Obviously the last time that i recieved excellent customer service courtesy of Microsoft was when my 360 got 3 red lights and at every point i turned i hit a brick wall. Obviously this was a few years ago as my 360 was one of the first batch to get the ring of death but the degree of customer support from Microsoft was absolutely shocking.
Good times. As my 360 was one of the first to go i remember my immense confusion as to why it wouldn't turn back on. Xbox services were also confused and repeatedly told me that i hadn't plugged the power cable into the mains.
Spending hours on the phone speaking to a host of Europeans with a tenuous grip on the English language, they would ritually go through the ropes with me telling me to ensure the power cable was plugged in and that i wasn't completely retarded. Despite me telling them what the actual problem was they rigidly stuck to the generic list of questions that they ask every other person who phones up complaining about a faulty machine.
With all the money that Microsoft makes i couldn't believe that they (initially) wouldn't replace faulty machines. That was enough to insense me, but now that 360 users either have a Gold account or, basically, nothing - means that once again Microsoft have kicked their audience in the teeth. Bravo!!
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Is it rewarding or just padding out a shallow experience?
I read an article in a games magazine the other day where a journalist was ranting about things that are “hidden” in games. Things like emblems in Resi 5, bobble-heads in Fallout 3 or pigeons in Grand Theft Auto. The journalist claimed that the pursuit of these objects was extremely tedious and was simply padding out the longevity of the game. They believed that after you’ve played the game to death the last thing you want to do is trawl back through the game, searching every nook and cranny for a tiny item so that you can tell your friends that you’ve completed everything the game has to offer.
He claimed that, in this sense, the games are unfair because they’re making you partake in these mundane tasks when you could be doing something far more constructive. Like playing another game for instance. Or maybe the games developers could spend more time developing extra levels or better unlockables as opposed to hiding little emblems throughout the game.
I for one disagree with this opinion though. For some reason I thoroughly enjoy the intrepid search for the elusive hidden item. I spent ages hunting for bobble-heads in Fallout and the sense of elation that I felt when I’d see one tucked away in a corner in an abandoned bunker is without precedent. Bobble-head hunting actually became something of a joint venture as my girlfriend also joined the fore and would sit for ages as I scoured the nuclear wastes in search of these little toys.
At the exact moment that i saw this i would've been leaping around like some kind of mad fool. Such is its power.
It’s a guilty pleasure but I’m not ashamed to admit that I also spent considerable time trying to spot emblems in Resi 5. I found the game itself only really came into its own after I’d completed it once and unlocked all the various modes and it was then that I began my hunt for the shiny blue medals. The bonus of unlocking all these was that you could gradually use them to unlock different weapons and figures, definitely adding to the longevity of the game itself.
See it there? In the distance? That shiny, Blue emblem just poking out of that building? It's the stuff of dreams.
For those of you who can't be bothered to slog through and check out every corner of the game YouTube is here in your time of need!!
I was genuinely hacked off when I read that article because I couldn’t fathom why anyone would moan that a game was trying to pad itself out. Surely that’s a good thing? Or am I missing the point? Maybe it’s because I have eternal patience when it comes to games – many is the time that I’ve had to level grind in an RPG, walking around in circles endlessly waiting for the next random battle to happen so my character can go up one level and gain a new ability. Probably in light of that, looking around for a few hidden objects in order to progress in a game doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me. And anyway it’s not like people sit there dredging through a steaming pile of a game that they hate for no reason at all – they play everything the game has to offer because they want to, because they enjoy the game and want to get as much out of it as possible. Usually these collectibles are integral to the game itself anyway and it’s up to the player as to what degree they want to pursue them.
In the end is it really constructive to moan about games attempting to drag out the experience they offer when there are games companies out there making absolutely dire gaming experiences?
He claimed that, in this sense, the games are unfair because they’re making you partake in these mundane tasks when you could be doing something far more constructive. Like playing another game for instance. Or maybe the games developers could spend more time developing extra levels or better unlockables as opposed to hiding little emblems throughout the game.
I for one disagree with this opinion though. For some reason I thoroughly enjoy the intrepid search for the elusive hidden item. I spent ages hunting for bobble-heads in Fallout and the sense of elation that I felt when I’d see one tucked away in a corner in an abandoned bunker is without precedent. Bobble-head hunting actually became something of a joint venture as my girlfriend also joined the fore and would sit for ages as I scoured the nuclear wastes in search of these little toys.
At the exact moment that i saw this i would've been leaping around like some kind of mad fool. Such is its power.
It’s a guilty pleasure but I’m not ashamed to admit that I also spent considerable time trying to spot emblems in Resi 5. I found the game itself only really came into its own after I’d completed it once and unlocked all the various modes and it was then that I began my hunt for the shiny blue medals. The bonus of unlocking all these was that you could gradually use them to unlock different weapons and figures, definitely adding to the longevity of the game itself.
See it there? In the distance? That shiny, Blue emblem just poking out of that building? It's the stuff of dreams.
For those of you who can't be bothered to slog through and check out every corner of the game YouTube is here in your time of need!!
I was genuinely hacked off when I read that article because I couldn’t fathom why anyone would moan that a game was trying to pad itself out. Surely that’s a good thing? Or am I missing the point? Maybe it’s because I have eternal patience when it comes to games – many is the time that I’ve had to level grind in an RPG, walking around in circles endlessly waiting for the next random battle to happen so my character can go up one level and gain a new ability. Probably in light of that, looking around for a few hidden objects in order to progress in a game doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me. And anyway it’s not like people sit there dredging through a steaming pile of a game that they hate for no reason at all – they play everything the game has to offer because they want to, because they enjoy the game and want to get as much out of it as possible. Usually these collectibles are integral to the game itself anyway and it’s up to the player as to what degree they want to pursue them.
In the end is it really constructive to moan about games attempting to drag out the experience they offer when there are games companies out there making absolutely dire gaming experiences?
“Another rehash of a handheld. Guess what? I bought it.”
So yeah, I bought a DSi a few days ago. I was slightly dubious about the financial aspect of buying one but eventually caved when I received an unexpected and stupidly generous amount when I traded some games in down at Game. If videogames are my drug then Game is definitely my dealer. They always drag me back, kicking and screaming, with the promise of more gaming pleasure – the equivalent of a shady figure promising me one more hit. Like a fool I can’t resist!!
Anyway, with this extra cash from the Xbox 360 games that I traded in I decided to add a little extra money and get myself a DSi.
The new DSi!! Notice the little lens? It's a camera. Nothing more.
Firstly lets get this out of the way – it’s a great machine, a nice piece of hardware but I very much doubt that you’ll find you need it if you already own a DS. There are some nice little additions but nothing to really entice current owners to part with their cash. Obviously you could trade your old machine in but even then you’re going to be looking at fronting up the other £80 cash difference. That said though, if you’re made of money, don’t currently own a DS or you’re insane you should definitely purchase one.
Reading that last paragraph it seems I’m being a little harsh on the DSi but that’s not my intention at all. I just think there’s not that much innovation in it, certainly not enough to warrant the cost anyway. Like the PSP I always have a slightly bitter taste in my mouth when I purchase one in the full knowledge that I basically already own one and that in a few months time the one I’m in the process of purchasing will be obsolete again.
Okay so now onto the positives and despite my previous gripes these are numerous. Nintendo have very wisely made both dual screens larger and while this is only by an inch it’s remarkable how much of a difference it makes. Initially I didn’t really see the difference but after comparing it to my girlfriends DS I was shocked. It’s not something you instantly notice but, oddly, if you try and go back to a normal DS you’ll feel short-changed by the pokey nature of the screens.
The Japanese advert for the DSi. Unlike me they use theirs for taking pictures of toy dogs.
Also, and I’m not sure if this is a case of the Emperors new clothes, but I’m sure the sound is much improved. Currently, as I type this, I have no internet connection and thus no method of checking if the speakers have improved – if they haven’t then maybe I was just over excited when I first unwrapped my shiny, new DSi. Actually, that brings about another point quite nicely – in that it’s not shiny. It’s matte. Which looks nice, really nice if I’m honest. I wasn’t sure at first but I think it certainly looks cooler and I prefer what Nintendo have done with the shoulder buttons and the volume control now. Also, with the matte finish, you no longer get your DS covered in sticky finger prints when small children grab it off you.
Altogether it’s a much tidier and, dare I say it, a much more “adult” design.
Nintendo have also incorporated a menu reminiscent of that of the Wii. Mine is currently empty bar the default apps that come with it (curse you internet) but there are numerous empty boxes that can be filled to your hearts content by accessing the Nintendo shop and downloading new games, demos etc. This is a neat addition but Nintendo are a little late off the mark considering that downloading from a market has become common place now. That said though, the idea of being able to download and play the likes of Secret of Mana appeals greatly to me and if Nintendo can provide more support than the PSN for the PSP (which shouldn’t be difficult) then they’ll definitely be onto a winner.
The main pull of the DSi, and the reason that many will convert is that the day of the GBA slot is over. Now put out to pasture Nintendo have replaced it with an SD memory slot. This means that data is now interchangeable between your PC and your DSi, be it pictures or MP3s, and while I’m not sure of what file types the DSi supports this is still a nice feature. Possibly unnecessary but nice nonetheless. Using the built in camera and microphone it’s now possible to take your own photos and record your own sound clips and using the DSi software you can mess around with them – adding distortion to the sounds and using art tools to manipulate the images. Again, this is cool and something of a distraction but if you have an MP3 player and a reasonable digital camera the DSi equivalents become relegated to the status of novelty and not much more.
Ultimately I’d thoroughly recommend the DSI but only for those of you who don’t already own the original. The machine itself offers untapped potential in terms of downloading old titles and god knows that Nintendo certainly excel in that department. The new design is sleeker and trendier than the original for sure and it makes the DSi look less like a child’s toy and more like a must have gadget.
With so many five star titles available on the DS to date you’d be a fool not to get one, it’s just debatable whether you need a DSi. Unless you intend to download games and apps it would probably be best to stick with an original DS for now, especially as their price has now fallen. If you’re buying for a child then it would definitely be best to stick with the older model, if you’re buying for yourself it may be frugal to wait a while and see what online support Nintendo intend to pull out of the bag.
Anyway, with this extra cash from the Xbox 360 games that I traded in I decided to add a little extra money and get myself a DSi.
The new DSi!! Notice the little lens? It's a camera. Nothing more.
Firstly lets get this out of the way – it’s a great machine, a nice piece of hardware but I very much doubt that you’ll find you need it if you already own a DS. There are some nice little additions but nothing to really entice current owners to part with their cash. Obviously you could trade your old machine in but even then you’re going to be looking at fronting up the other £80 cash difference. That said though, if you’re made of money, don’t currently own a DS or you’re insane you should definitely purchase one.
Reading that last paragraph it seems I’m being a little harsh on the DSi but that’s not my intention at all. I just think there’s not that much innovation in it, certainly not enough to warrant the cost anyway. Like the PSP I always have a slightly bitter taste in my mouth when I purchase one in the full knowledge that I basically already own one and that in a few months time the one I’m in the process of purchasing will be obsolete again.
Okay so now onto the positives and despite my previous gripes these are numerous. Nintendo have very wisely made both dual screens larger and while this is only by an inch it’s remarkable how much of a difference it makes. Initially I didn’t really see the difference but after comparing it to my girlfriends DS I was shocked. It’s not something you instantly notice but, oddly, if you try and go back to a normal DS you’ll feel short-changed by the pokey nature of the screens.
The Japanese advert for the DSi. Unlike me they use theirs for taking pictures of toy dogs.
Also, and I’m not sure if this is a case of the Emperors new clothes, but I’m sure the sound is much improved. Currently, as I type this, I have no internet connection and thus no method of checking if the speakers have improved – if they haven’t then maybe I was just over excited when I first unwrapped my shiny, new DSi. Actually, that brings about another point quite nicely – in that it’s not shiny. It’s matte. Which looks nice, really nice if I’m honest. I wasn’t sure at first but I think it certainly looks cooler and I prefer what Nintendo have done with the shoulder buttons and the volume control now. Also, with the matte finish, you no longer get your DS covered in sticky finger prints when small children grab it off you.
Altogether it’s a much tidier and, dare I say it, a much more “adult” design.
Nintendo have also incorporated a menu reminiscent of that of the Wii. Mine is currently empty bar the default apps that come with it (curse you internet) but there are numerous empty boxes that can be filled to your hearts content by accessing the Nintendo shop and downloading new games, demos etc. This is a neat addition but Nintendo are a little late off the mark considering that downloading from a market has become common place now. That said though, the idea of being able to download and play the likes of Secret of Mana appeals greatly to me and if Nintendo can provide more support than the PSN for the PSP (which shouldn’t be difficult) then they’ll definitely be onto a winner.
The main pull of the DSi, and the reason that many will convert is that the day of the GBA slot is over. Now put out to pasture Nintendo have replaced it with an SD memory slot. This means that data is now interchangeable between your PC and your DSi, be it pictures or MP3s, and while I’m not sure of what file types the DSi supports this is still a nice feature. Possibly unnecessary but nice nonetheless. Using the built in camera and microphone it’s now possible to take your own photos and record your own sound clips and using the DSi software you can mess around with them – adding distortion to the sounds and using art tools to manipulate the images. Again, this is cool and something of a distraction but if you have an MP3 player and a reasonable digital camera the DSi equivalents become relegated to the status of novelty and not much more.
Ultimately I’d thoroughly recommend the DSI but only for those of you who don’t already own the original. The machine itself offers untapped potential in terms of downloading old titles and god knows that Nintendo certainly excel in that department. The new design is sleeker and trendier than the original for sure and it makes the DSi look less like a child’s toy and more like a must have gadget.
With so many five star titles available on the DS to date you’d be a fool not to get one, it’s just debatable whether you need a DSi. Unless you intend to download games and apps it would probably be best to stick with an original DS for now, especially as their price has now fallen. If you’re buying for a child then it would definitely be best to stick with the older model, if you’re buying for yourself it may be frugal to wait a while and see what online support Nintendo intend to pull out of the bag.
A growing addiction.
I’ve noticed lately how counter- productive my gaming has become. With the end of term fast approaching, and having racked up an impressive amount of money that I now owe the loans agency, you’d think I’d be beavering away desperately trying to finish up the string of assignments that I’ve partially neglected over the last few months. Not so!!
No, every time I think to crack on with a different assignment my finger accidentally slips and pushes the power button on the PS3, I then find myself decapitating zombies or creeping around spaceships breaking people’s necks, far from the grim reality of the ever impending end of term. In case you were wondering that was Resident Evil 5 and Chronicles of Riddick I was referring to, respectively.
It’s testament to my girlfriend’s infinite patience that she doesn’t punch me in the face sometimes. Often she can have full conversations with me and I’m almost totally oblivious, the worst culprit for distracting me at the moment is Suikoden on the DSi. Now about 55hrs into it I’m thoroughly immersed although it does tend to eat away at my observational skills to the point where I probably appear rude which is not the case. Well, not intentionally away.
Psychologists would probably tell me that I use games as a form of escapism but I’m okay with that as I most definitely do. For me there’s nothing better after a heavy day at college or a crap day at work to come home and stick on a video game. The only disadvantage to playing games so much is that it almost becomes sub conscious, as if I’m only going through the motions and only half there. I could probably play most driving and FPS games without even really concentrating, at least in single player mode. Multi player tends to be harder as you’re playing against actual people who have their own thought processes and can be unpredictable.
I’m going to use every ounce of my willpower to ignore my consoles and crack on with my college work – my chief motivation is that when I’m a well paid journalist (hahaha) I can have a games room where I retire at the end of the day with a cigar, a glass of port and a multi player session of Killzone 2. Except without the port or the cigar.
Here begins my pledge of commitment!! For the next month assignments and revision will be my thrill, screw Metal Gear Solid!! It’s Public Affairs all the way for me.
No, every time I think to crack on with a different assignment my finger accidentally slips and pushes the power button on the PS3, I then find myself decapitating zombies or creeping around spaceships breaking people’s necks, far from the grim reality of the ever impending end of term. In case you were wondering that was Resident Evil 5 and Chronicles of Riddick I was referring to, respectively.
It’s testament to my girlfriend’s infinite patience that she doesn’t punch me in the face sometimes. Often she can have full conversations with me and I’m almost totally oblivious, the worst culprit for distracting me at the moment is Suikoden on the DSi. Now about 55hrs into it I’m thoroughly immersed although it does tend to eat away at my observational skills to the point where I probably appear rude which is not the case. Well, not intentionally away.
Psychologists would probably tell me that I use games as a form of escapism but I’m okay with that as I most definitely do. For me there’s nothing better after a heavy day at college or a crap day at work to come home and stick on a video game. The only disadvantage to playing games so much is that it almost becomes sub conscious, as if I’m only going through the motions and only half there. I could probably play most driving and FPS games without even really concentrating, at least in single player mode. Multi player tends to be harder as you’re playing against actual people who have their own thought processes and can be unpredictable.
I’m going to use every ounce of my willpower to ignore my consoles and crack on with my college work – my chief motivation is that when I’m a well paid journalist (hahaha) I can have a games room where I retire at the end of the day with a cigar, a glass of port and a multi player session of Killzone 2. Except without the port or the cigar.
Here begins my pledge of commitment!! For the next month assignments and revision will be my thrill, screw Metal Gear Solid!! It’s Public Affairs all the way for me.
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