Games Played 02/01/2010 - 02/07/2010

- 02/01/2010 -
Mass Effect - PC
Mass Effect 2 - PC
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - Wii
Tinker - PC

- 02/02/2010 -
Mass Effect 2 - PC
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate Al-Stars - Wii
World of Wracraft - PC

- 02/03/2010 -
Mass Effect 2 - PC
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - Wii
Risen - PC
Sam and Max Episode 104: Abraham Lincoln Must Die! - PC

- 02/04/2010 -
Mass Effect - PC
Mass Effect 2 - PC
Mushihimesama Futari Ver 1.5 - X-Box 360
Red Faction: Guerrilla - PC
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - Wii
World of Warcraft - PC

- 02/05/2010 -
Mass Effect - PC
Mass Effect 2 - PC
Mushihimesama Futari Ver 1.5 - X-Box 360
World of Warcraft - PC

- 02/06/2010 -
Lumines Live - X-Box 360
Mushihimesama Futari Ver 1.5 - X-Box 360
Street Fighter IV - PC
'Splosion Man - X-Box 360

- 02/07/2010 -
Astro Tripper - PlayStation 3
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Demo - PlayStation 3*
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes - PlayStation 3
Risen - PC
World of Warcraft - PC

*It's your typical Dynasty Warriors game but with a MMO-ish role playing twist.
Finally, a series first: online co-op! The contents are still old though.

New Games Alert: Pink Love Edition!

I went to the PlayStation Store today to visit its "Valentine's Day Collection" section. Though it looked mighty festive, there was no special discounts to be found there and a majority of the items don't even have anything to do with Valentine's Day. It is apparent that no real thoughts were put into its creation. All of those hearts as well as the pink background did manage to put me into a spending mood though: I purchased Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes and Astro Tripper.

Love is in the air but generosity is nowhere to be found.

For a long time, I held back from getting MvC2 because the only thing I like about this re-release is the online play functionality and it didn't feel like that was enough to justify a repurchase. With Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars having an online mode, it reminded me that I needed to check out MvC2 again. Now that I have this game, I don't see a reason for me going back to the Dreamcast version except maybe for the occasional nostalgia. I just love how the game looks now with the resolution of the 3D graphics being bumped up and the sprites cleaned-up - hooking up the Dreamcast version via VGA resulted in heavily pixelated sprites: very distracting. The other thing that made be weary about purchasing MvC2 originally was the fact that the port was handled by Backbone Entertainment. The demo was not flattering at all. Though they messed up the widescreen mode - you'll find unattractive clippings of both the polygonal backdrops and the large character/attack sprites - at least you have the option to disable 16:9. I am very thankful that they didn't take away the scoring system in the arcade mode like they did with Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. As for Astro Tripper, I like a good shoot-'em-up and I have always liked the Mutant Storm series from PomPom Games and since it was only $4.99 I thought, why not?

You should only play this re-release in the 4:3 aspect ratio or you'll regret it.


It's good to see that the Mutant Storm series is getting better and better.

New Game Alert!

When I saw that 'Splosion Man was on sale for 400 Microsoft Points on the X-Box 360 Live Marketplace, I decided to finally play the game's demo. I am so glad that I did that because this game is a lot of fun. 'Splosion Man is a truly old-school platform action game with great graphics and a really funny - not to mention crazy - main character who can explode itself to kill scientists and achieve multi-jumps. The movie clip at the end of the demo showed off the game's gigantic bosses and that made me want the game even more!

What? Self-explosion without death? Suicide-bombers wouldn't like this game at all!

Kimo-Oh-No!

I guess that saying "never say never" is true. I have proclaimed in the past that I would never buy virtual apparels for my X-Box 360 avatar but I just did about 5 minutes ago. While checking out the recently released digital attires and props made available to celebrate the upcoming Valentine's Day (they are freaky instead of romantic), I spotted the "International Collection" tab. I was pleasantly surprised by the adorable representation of iconic looks from around the world that they have for sale under that category. I still think that the "props" are stupid because they don't stay on your character. When I saw the kimono, I just fell in love with it because I really adore the Japanese culture. It cost me 160 Microsoft Points to get it but it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would be because I am just crazy about the look! Dirty Microsoft just knows how to get into my wallet!

At least it's cheaper than a real kimono!

Sonic 4... Ewww!~

It's official. Sega really hates Sonic and Sega really hates Sonic fans. Though it was very obvious that "Project Needlemouse" teaser that stormed the internet a while back with a silhouette of the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog logo was going to be another Sonic game, the official announcement is quite disappointing. Yes, we all want a 2D Sonic but not a BAD 2D Sonic.

Sega just doesn't know how to make a Sonic game anymore...

A new trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 shows the evolution of Sonic from his debut to his future form in the upcoming game - revealing an awkward Sonic with terrible feet animation where he looks like he's merely walking fast instead of running. If you have seen Sonic Rivals, you will immediately notice what I am talking about. Please don't tell me that they are letting the morons at Backbone Entertainment make this game for them! Something's telling me they may have done that... [Update Note: Thankfully, it's been confirmed that the game is being developed by Dimps who was responsible for a number of the handheld Sonic titles - but what is up with the running animation?] And then, the game is going to be an EPISODIC direct download! I don't mind having the game released as a direct download game but EPISODIC? So what does that really mean, Sega? We're only getting two or three stages per release? It doesn't make any sense. It's like the idiots at Sega are not sure that 2D Sonic is the way to go so they want to test the waters first. Then what? The next Episode may end up being 3D if they feel like the 2D-vibe isn't working: it would be easier for them to blame the 2D instead of their own terrible game design or the mistake of choosing the wrong developer. They should really assign the project to Treasure - the game would then turn out incredible. I love my Sonic the Hedgehog but with what I have seen so far, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 seems to be heading towards disaster if Sega is not willing to really work on the game.

The stiff Sonic animation in Sonic 4 is based on the limping Sonic in Sonic Rivals!