¡Es el Forastero!

As it happens in 9 days one of my favorite games of all time will be re-released in HD downloadable format for the PS3 and XBOX360, which will mean that it will be available for 5 consoles and PC. Yeah that's right this game is so awesome that it was on the Gamecube, PS2, Wii (psssh silly Wii), PS3, and XBOX360 and PC. What game could be so awesome that it needed to be on so many platforms you ask? Well it is the panty-peeling, face-melting Resident Evil 4 (or Biohazard 4 for you import fans). Yes, it's back from the dead, or well a re-animated corpse through the use of a plaga.

This is the game the that propelled yours truly from a casual to hardcore gamer. Ah the fond memories I have of this game and the not so fond memories. First before I recount some of them there is something that you need to know about me, I like playing games first before any of my friends especially if they are games that we can all play at some point. So I'm not talking about console exclusives, I'm talking about big name, multi-platform deals. And the reason that I like doing this so much is because I like watching my friends play them after I have beat them and give them tips, and maybe watch them squirm for a bit on areas I had problems with or seeing what different tactics they use to surmount obstacles.

Well the best part of Resident Evil 4 was that it was the first Horror/Survival game we all played, so being the first one of our circle to play, I was the unofficial game guide. Well asking me for help in Resident Evil 4 was like asking for a wish from a Djinn, maybe you will get what you want, maybe you will get a trick played on you (more on that later). It's a position of power, not just power but absolute power and you know what they say "power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely."

So I think it's time for some fond memories of not only walking people into traps, also helping them find some hidden goodies, and even my first time (is it just me or does this sound like this is about sex? nah it's probably just me, anywho...) playing Resident Evil 4. Let us start out with walking someone into a trap, my friend we will call him Ent_King well he was having a little rough time with getting to the church and killinglights and I were watching him play and trying to give him some pointers, well Ent_King was getting frustrated as he is want to do and I tell him to shoot the bell that's in the tower. If you don't know what that does well it summons a mob of enemies to attack you poor Ent_King already flustered, frustrated and low on ammo barely survived the encounter. Later when Ent_King had saved Ashley from the church and finally escaped the church with her I told him to head back into the church because there was treasure. Inside the church are two enemies you won't fight until later in the game and they are the fanatics with crossbows, Ent_King was not prepared for that battle at all it was a miracle and his skill that saved him. Well I felt a little bad after walking him into two traps so when he was far enough in the castle I helped him get the Broken Butterfly, maybe I forgot to mention the Novistador in his path I mean come on there has to be some surprises lets just say Ent_King was none too happy. I suppose it's time I recounted some of the things that happened during my first play through, I died 69 times, I was led into an ambush of those godforsaken demon dogs, and I murdered absolutely everything in my path there was no chicken, snake, fish and enemy that was safe and I loved ever minute of it. I guess that's why I played it 23 times which happens to be the most times I have ever played a game. And I will probably play it 23 more times when it gets re-released September 20th which if you are a fan you will know it's the 15th anniversary of the series.

Hasta luego,
                   toddlekittens

Awesomeness that comes in a box

Greetings,

Sorry about the wait for a new post. (We’re not getting paid to do this…) But life happens, and believe me, when you’re working 10 hours a day in a factory, you don’t really feel much like doing anything. But alas, I’m finally done and back at school (because I’ll have soooo much free time this semester with my 17 credits. Whee). But hopefully, we’ll all get our posting fiber and keep regular.

But today, I’d like to talk to you about a game I played this summer. It’s a pretty well known game that’s been around for a while. Some of you might know this game to be Batman: Arkham Asylum. This game…holy shit. Where do I begin? In all honesty, this was one of the best $20 I’ve ever spent. This game is truly incredible. The combat system is crazy awesome, (takes some getting used to. I will admit, I beat the game by button mashing most of it, which is very problematic, but I’ll get to that a little later). But just being able to control Batman, doing what Batman does best with his gadgets and sneaking around. Oh…it’s simply phenomenal. You start the game off walking with a shit ton of guards into Arkham Asylum with none other than the Joker himself (I LOVE the Joker. He’s awesome). If you didn’t know this, they actually got the original voices of Batman and the Joker from the animated series. Awww yeah, Mark Hamill. Anyways, you’re leading the Joker to his holding cell in the depths of the Asylum. Joker is creepy awesome with his dialogue. But, naturally, Joker has a plan and he tricks Batman into essentially letting the Joker free to take of the Asylum. You find out that the Joker has been planning this for a very long time.

So, you control Batman, finding all of his juicy little gadgets, knocking bad guys out (never killing, which is why Batman is my favorite super hero) and making your way through the Asylum to get to Joker. Along the way, you find all of these secrets and riddles left by the Riddler (you don’t meet him in game, just chat with him) and you find out all kinds of interesting tidbits about the people and things of Batman, including things like character bios, which are AWESOME. But, you level up and you can upgrade Batman’s abilities and gadgets. I can’t tell you the ending, because it spoils it (derp) and I want you all to find out for yourself. This game is truly incredible, its so much fun, very in depth and there is so much to do in it too. It took me quite a while to find all of the riddles. But it was worth it (and you get an achievement, so all of you achievement whores out there like me will enjoy that hunt.) Also, you get to meet some other baddies, such as Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Bane, Poison Ivy…the list goes on. It’s very cool seeing how they all intertwine in the game. But there is more after you complete the main storyline. Challenges.

Oh boy…challenges. There are two types of challenges, combat and predator challenges. Combat challenges are self-explanatory. …You fight…bad guys. Well, okay, it’s a little more complicated then that, but not much. Basically, you string together combos through each round (which get progressively harder with more enemies) trying to obtain the highest score you can. You earn one, two, or three “medals” depending on your score. Higher score, means more medals. There are 8 maps, 3 medals each for a total of yep, you guessed it, 24 medals. (You get achievements for this too, 8 medals, 16 and then 24 all earn you achievements.) But this is where the button mashing comes into play. DON’T FUCKING BUTTON MASH. Seriously, makes the challenges impossible. I can’t do them. I’m getting better, but they’re hard as fuck. So please, try to tap the buttons, not mash them during the story to set up for combat challenges. It’ll save you time and stress.

But the other type of challenge is the predator challenges. To earn these medals, you have to knock out the bad guys in a certain way to get them. They’re a hell of a lot easier than the combat challenges, but still kind of tough (some. Plus getting timing down is tough).

So folks, I hope I have convinced you to run out and buy this game, if you own it, wipe the dust off and play it again. Remember, Arkham City is out October 18. I’m getting it, are you?

Until next time folks, stay in the shadows.

Killing lights