Sunday, December 26, 2010

Year of the not Acheived Redemption

The finale of this year draw his bated breath and it has certainly been the penultimate form of mixed feelings. From the world making a scene literally, to political mash ups, I kinda hoped this year would be a year of Redemption after what happened during the last 2 years. It seems that humans will never learn. I now fear that humanity will be continuing what is considered to be called a "dork age".

As for me, it also has been a mixed bag. Some forms of good, to Tommy Wiseau levels of bad. Ok, bad analogy as Wiseau is funny to some, it's just been a festival of shit. This is probably going to be a bet of worst of this year, but then again, each of them balance out. Here's what happened.

The start of the year wasn't that great. Still being under the influence of GUILT no thanks to the vampyr, I went to Maryland with a somewhat stable mindset. It was my grandfather's 80th birthday and I was going to go. That also meant seeing my dad's family for the first time. I honestly don't remember any of them. Some seemed nice, but they all came off as uncomfortable. I did the best I could with what little time I had. However the bad part came before the trip. One day while at Micro Center preparing for my eastbound journey, I thought I would get some reading material for the plane. When I got to the register, I was charged twice. This is bad on one end, but considering my wallet was still suffering from PVS (Post Vampyr Syndrome) so the monetary life support was a little low. Then the overcharge just overkilled me. Not exactly a good way to start the year of redemption.

After that disaster, spring came along and I was ready to get back to class to continue on my major after parting with the radio station. That didn't end well. I was kicked out or was intimidated by the bad teachers. My math class was no exception. The administrator let me go because I didn't make it to the first day on time. Now this is happening mere days after the Micro Center fiasco. I explained to the administrator that I was having financial problems and I wasn't able to get my pass in time. That and the curriculum changed even though the same teachers copy was being used. The second of my classes I collapsed because the teacher was threatening me about my business and how it's illegal. My business is middlemen, the extra money I make helps me get the item there. That or burgers.

So with my classes dwindling, I ended up in the hands of KJCC, but instead of being part of them, I was a mere shadow of who I used to be there. In other words, a ghost. In addition to a lack of classes, I became an observer of the Associated Student body of SJCC. On an awkward day, the president herself let out her dirty laundry about some event in front of the whole counsel. You don't do that in front of strange people. It's wrong. And in the middle of this controversy, the acting chancellor was caught embezzling money for herself. The news was all over it and the district tried covering it up.

After the tragic spring semester it was that time where I go up to Santa Rosa to see my friend, however at the same time there was a new movie that I actually took interest in seeing. That also meant going up and wander off into the hipster city. What was significant about the movie was that actress Cristina Vee and the author were there signing books, as well as the premiere. I took friend over interest. Sadly I also took a request to find something and I ended up screwed. The biggest salt to injury, my friend went to Fanime and I didn't. I was SO close to go and possibly develop a friendly acquaintance with cosplayers, and my friend got a boon in Touhou merch. I'm still punching myself thinking about it. And that's just halfway through.

June came by and I thought I would finally check out the movie I was denied. It was good, but getting there was a challenge. Being somewhat new to SF I went only by instinct and a paper map. I was well worth it. One filler later I invited a childhood friend to see The Last Airbender. I already said my fill of it. It sucks. Then July with Twilight Eclipse. Again, I refer to this is as cancerous ass. How can you suck movie? Simply put adapt a crappy romance story aimed at tweens and they'll eat anything up. Bella is probably the most diabolical manipulative evil 2faced whore ever conceived in history. To think, she was modeled after Stefanie Meyer herself. I smell symbolism.

Later on, I regained my composure after suffering from GUILT for a whole year, I went back to taking in requests for my side business. When I heard Scott Pilgrim was going to be made into a movie, I became curious to watch it. I saw the graphic novel and was initially turned off by it's artstyle, but was enticed to read it after watching the movie. It was well worth picking up the individual books and the game that came with it. It was an amazing feat to bring what is essentially a video game set in a Jackie Chan flick, as what Spoony said. It was however shunned for being what it was and really the fault was the fault of everyone as they preferred to see Vampires Suck more than Scott Pilgrim. Think about it, a pop culture parody making fun of Twilight made by the guys who brought you Disaster Movie and Epic Movie. The worse of it all was, that Vampires Suck did better than the Expendables and Scott Pilgrim. Americans have shitty tastes.

Once the fall arc came around I took a job at West Valley because of sheer coincidence. After a few days I quite enjoyed the atmosphere and was more woodsy than the fuckall that was the controversy at San Jose City College. When I was let go because I did my deed, I decided to continue on the Zoids project that I started months ago. In between I started the omake project in which I would make promo dvds to entice the viewer to check out the personalities in which I chose to show. Linkara, Spoony, Nostalgia Critic and D2brigade. The challenge however was in creating something using no knowledge whatsoever using advanced software like Adobe. Going in blindly I made what I could with what limited resources I had and shipped them out...then one of NC's videos and Spoony's videos had no audio. So I slap dashed a vanilla DVD and said done.

In between projects there was a sad time in which a relative of mine passed on. That meant traveling to Maryland to visit what was essentially the antithesis of family. Some at first were decent, then the fangs came out and everyone was at their throats after the burial. I've never seen so much snark come out of some one's mouth when someone else did nothing to garner any kind of douchebaggery. I mean come on! I may seem like a jerkass, but at least I'm a nice guy. Fighting jerkassery with jerkassery is second nature. Like fighting fire with fire. Once the part of the family came and went, I spent what I could with Uncle Outcast. The one uncle who apparently was the scapegoat to the other brothers and sisters. Which is sad cause it seems he is a, and I refer to TVtropes for this but, a jerkass woobie. Sure he seemed like a jerk, but you gotta feel sorry for him. Once the family parted ways I was on my way back to Sunny California where everyone else is envious for it's pleasant weather. I'm jealous myself for not having snow.

Which brings me to now. The winter arc is in, but the year is at it's end. I've made peace with some and their character routes were practically finished. Due to the holidays, it was for certain that Thanksgiving would be a good time to take requests to find some rare items for people. I didn't get everyone, but at least I did what I could. Couldn't be more happy for that. With that said, Season's Greetings to all, enjoy your cardboard flavored crackers and latkes, enjoy those boxing days and Hanukwanzmas and I'll see you at the beginning of the new year.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

RPGs and My Relationship with Them

Naturally, I'm a gamer, and a gamer's job is to play games and have fun. However, in recent times, that simple philosophy has lost it's luster and has been reworded so many times to show that games are more than just things you play. Now it's more like games are simulations and cutting edge looks need to compete with other mediums of entertainment. Among the many genres of games that I've played in the last 23 or so years, nothing is more close to my heart, than the RPGs.

RPGs, or Role-Playing Games are a tough breed to describe. At it's core you play the role of someone in an interactive story. What differentiates each RPG is based on the many mechanics or gimmicks that are featured in each of them. I myself being a 3rd generation gamer see that RPGs nowadays are too complicated and seem to cater to the younger gamers with visually pleasing graphics and, normally I don't say this, but the choose your own adventure style.
There's an ongoing debate over the difference between the eastern style RPGs, commonly from Japan, and the western style RPGs, commonly from the US. In a recent shift in quality game design, it's the western style RPG that is getting the proverbial nod. Mostly because of the stereotype of every hero needs to be macho. I don't buy it. It really matters not to me who's been out of the loop of the current gen whether or not the main character is a little kid with a ball-in-a-cup for a weapon, some big muscled dude with a gun, or a composer with a conductor's baton for a weapon. What really should matter in an RPG is the story and whether or not it will entice you to keep going till the end.

Now, as a kid there is an ongoing series of RPGs that I grew up with and is near and dear to my heart. That series is the eponymous Final Fantasy. As a kid I loved playing the role of the hero and saving the world. And RPGs filled that gap. The one that stuck out the most was FF itself. The peak of the series came when I was 10 and the 6th one received critical claim as the best of the SNES, 1st or second place or not to Chrono Trigger. However, I believe the fans itself are critically putting a high demand in the series and assume it would be AAA material in the same vein to it's western counterpart. In other words, western gamers are poisoning the influence in the developers. Which is why I'm hearing speculation that the recent entries in FF are dwindling because it will never have that same wow factor that the previous entry received. And honestly, I'm starting to hate the hate.

If I may go off on a tangent for a bit, the fans themselves are really killing the fun factor in FF mostly because they are comparing the latest and how they are inferior to their previous entries in the series. Saying stuff like how 13 is inferior to 7 and how no one remembers 5 or 6 is better than 4 and people hate 9 without any reason. I've tried to ask a legitimate question in regards to why? Why does everyone hate 13, without going into fanboy mode. Why are they comparing the previous entries to their past counterparts? Why do they want a remake? Why not seek out the originals, and finally why not just buy the damn game in it's entirety instead of going online, donning an eyepatch, and seeking it out on the information super highway? The bile however was spilled onto the 14th, which in my opinion was still in beta form when they were releasing it. Hence why it has become what it was. It was you damn fans that rushed 14 out too quickly. As much as I respect the SpoonyOne, it was probably in it's Alpha stage when he saw it in Pax. i honestly will ask you, the reader of this a serious question: Tell me why people hate 13 in regards to the game itself and not on a fanboy base. Why compare the entries in the series in the first place? And finally, why deny a free game even if it's in it's beta stage? That is all I gotta say on that, now lets talk about other RPGs.

When it comes to RPGs, I am on them like a fat kid in a crisco suit. Many of them come and go, some stay on, some I avoid, and some I want to go back to, but wait for the opportunity. Here are my opinions of the series that I have experienced. It's not a best or worst of, I have no favorites, everyone gets an equal share:

Mana series: Legend of Mana was at it's peak and I consider that to be the best second to Secret. I'll play Seiken Densetsu 3, but sadly I think other factors show that it jumped the shark.

Kingdom Hearts: The bane of my existence. Not because it's Disney and Square make a bastard inbreed love-hate child, but mostly the fans who have to make creepy gay yaoi fanfics of characters who have no depth. KH is basically Disney's attempt to advertise their passed movie entries into a game and then shove that off for their own online game to surpass it. Even Wada might be on it to.

Star Ocean: It's pretty good and the mind screw is nifty, but I'm somewhat at a standstill when it comes to Vesper in Second Story. If I can't beat a third to last boss at level 80, it's unwinnable.

Atelier Iris: Item making is fun and the localization is pretty decent, but in some cases it will be overlooked from other perspectives. I want more of it though.

Dark Cloud: The only dungeon based RPG I played, and rather engaging as well. Plus, Scott Menville plays a kid who was born of a future mother and a past father making him a rare time hybrid.

Legend of Zelda: My love for this rivals of Final Fantasy, but it's simplicity and complexity keep me coming back. Not so much the animated proportions of Zelda who is basically tease to Link who is just a jackass. But honestly, how come Zelda is in the legend if Link is doing the dirty work. and wasn't he left handed? The whole wii thing just threw a spanner in the southpaw community. Hope the next one can let you tinker with the interface. Making things go from left and right with the touch of a button.

Radiata Stories: Jazzy strategy based. Not a bad concept, but jazz? I'll get back to it.

Tales: The only series out there that will be shunned over by the demographic. Such a shame to cause i rather like Tales. Cliched or not, it's still good. Just bring more to us damnit, or let Axsys or Atlus bring it here. Your a douche for not exporting your flagship title Namco!

Eternal Sonata: introducing me to Chopin, playing this beautiful game makes me wonder why aren't they making a game based on Bach? Potential of a game based on musical composers? sign me up!

Mario & Luigi: I have a new found respect for trying new things. Ever since Super Mario RPG which was the best RPG experience out there, there have been many attempts to reclaim that glory. Mario & Luigi may end up reclaiming the title. When you fought with your past baby selves to an ugly princess mushroom which sounds like an LSD name for a villain, it was kinda lame, but you really brought it back with the fight against Dark Star. I'm talking about the musical aspect in this regard. Superstar Saga was great, Partners in Time was kinda weak, but Luigi's Inside Story (I know it's Browser's) is where it redeemed itself. It goes to show that you can make good final battle music.

Lunar: I haven't seen you in a long time and as much as I want Silver Star on the PSP, it is the original complete game on the Playstation 1 is what I seek. Get Xseed to make more entries for you and I'll be there to play them.

Breath of Fire: You are basically put on a bus cause people are having a hard on for the next big fighting game. Please come back, I miss you.

.hack: An not-MMO to be sure seeking you out is kinda tricky, then again i don't play MMOs that much.

Now the western side is obviously lost on me who grew up with the aforementioned. I'm just not that choose your own adventure type of guy. I'm always going to be a Neutral Good and seek out logic over magic and fight as a last resort. I just think western RPGs are getting too much of a hard on from other developers.

Which brings me to now. Right now as I observe the eastern side is running out of new and innovative ways to stay afloat. It's basically become too much like Hollywood in the make something new category. Westerners don't need to point out that the east side is running out of ideas. It's just pressure from the consumers and how they don't like the same ol same ol or they didn't like this so they want a newer version of that same game.

The other gripe I have is the devout, or as they are called, fanboys. There are alot of types of fanboys. Some are commonly known derogatorily as otaku, there are tech fanboys, the egregious of them is the apple cult in which they cherish Apple for being the end all be all of tech. But that's beside the point. The fanboys who I refer to are the FF and KH fanboys. It is they who I find to be irksome only because it is they who brought the mighty to be the fallen. In other words, they deliberately made XIV suck. SpoonyOne is another example of devout believing the word of Spoony. As much as I enjoy his work, some wounds aren't meant to be pierced. People believe Spoony as he said 8 sucks and this is why and it then it went onto 13 and now to 14. The problem? People believe and agree with Spoony.

Now the reasoning behind the way 13 and 14 were made were based on a time based deadline. In 13's case, the jump to consoles had Square scrap what they got and didn't have enough resources to make it the way they wanted. Slapdash what you could scrap later and it is a game that people poo pooed on, yet no one gave me a reason why it sucks. XIV was an anomaly. When it was shown at PAX, it was from what I saw, an alpha. Still being worked on, yet people still saw what it was and immediately crucified it. Once again I blame the Spoon factor. Sheep follow the sheppard, and fans everywhere follow what is heard. If they hear FF sucks now, they believe it without giving it a second thought. Plus, the pressure from western developers are causing eastern developers go for the macho factor. Consumers want to believe in the masculinity of the main characters. Yet Chuck Greene is wearing a lady's nightie while riding a tricycle punching zombies with flaming boxing gloves. How is that manly again? Everyone knows that Princess Tutu is manlier than every macho character in existence. Yes, even Frank West.

KH fanboys are worse. Because of the series itself and how many have tried to debunk it's story, there are many who consider it the end all be all game for all to enjoy. It's nothing more than a Disney product placement. Yet in their store there is no sign of those beach towels I saw at FYE. The theory I have is, KH is to shill the worlds that were brought by Disney and then the producer drops ship and makes an MMO for them with their characters from KH. It's dastardly awful. It's like Rare face heeling Nintendo for Microsoft only to be put out Old Yeller style. The creepy fanfiction and crossovers are byfar the worst that this series has churned out. To think, this is the series that usurped the Mana series. I think Mana didn't jump the shark, more than they couldn't keep up with the story about the Mana tree. I'll play Seiken Densetsu 3 and see that this is the best of the two.

People need to remember that games are games, they are there for us to play, not take for granted as a savior for our lives. That's what the Savior Spirit is for. So remember, think of how the games are developed before passing judgement and therefore ridiculing while it is being conceived. It's like throwing rocks at a newborn. Those who do it are despicable. Enjoy RPGs as stories, like I do. As what they are and not what they are trying to imply. You're just ruining it for the rest of us.