Star Ocean: The Last Hope

So what can I say, Star Ocean: The Second Story is my favorite game of all time. When I first read the news about the release of a new Star Ocean game, I was thrilled, excited and was looking forward to it like no other game at the time. Then it came, and still I didn’t buy it on the release date, I was not first in line (even though I doubt there was one), and instead I waited for some reviews of the game.

The game prior to The Last Hope, was released on Playstation 2 with the title: Till The End Of Time. I liked the game per say, but it was lacking so much from earlier games. Sadly becoming a game shortly after being completed wasn’t revisited, like the other Star Ocean games (not to brag but I completed the second one up to 6 or 7 times).

So with this behind me, I did not buy the newest Star Ocean game on the release. Shortly after reviews followed… and that didn’t really help me situation. I read how they thought the game was lacking in emotion, how the Japanese inspired RPGs’ were dead. Now after my foolish decision to wait for a price drop. I finally got it for Christmas, seeing how the special edition version of the game was on sale I added to my very short list of things I wanted for Christmas. There it was, wrapped in paper and my name on it.

I opened it, I played it and WOW! I just felt like kicking some of the people badmouthing this game. Okay okay, I didn’t want to do that (a punch would do). The fighting in the game had been greatly improved with new ways of dodging attacks, jumping around and the visuals are stunning! So after awhile… to be exact, after four hours of playing, I was happy, satisfied and can’t wait to see what will happen with my new virtual friends.

For everyone that loves the Star Ocean saga, The Last Hope won’t be disappointing, it’s a lovely game that really brought me back to the series. So remember, whatever a review might say, as long as YOU like the game, it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks in the end. The good thing about waiting before you buy a game:

1. The price goes down.
2. You may end up getting as a gift!
3. Well the above two just makes it feel so worth it!

/Nurgleprobe
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

PS. A proper review of the game will be up as soon as I… either finish it or feel ready to do so.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everybody!
Hope you have a good one!

A special christmas gift:

/Nurgleprobe
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

Heroes Of Newerth – A “review”

Most gamers… I should say all gamers that play computer games, know about the phenomena known as DoTA. For all of you that just went: hum what’s that?
Here is a short about it:

“Defense of the Ancients (DotA) is a custom scenario for the real-time strategy video game Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, based on the “Aeon of Strife” map for StarCraft. The objective of the scenario is for each team to destroy the opponents’ Ancients, heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called “creeps”. As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission.” – Wikipedia.

Dota:

Lets go on shall we!

Once upon a time, I tried DoTA, I played it, i failed at it, I played it some more and never really liked it. I understand the beauty of it, being a very cooperative game means that friends can easily get together and play. Fighting for a common goal or to slash each other. Two or so months ago, a friend of min told me about game called Heroes Of Newerth (HoN). It’s basically polished version of DoTA, making it look better, flow better and making the menus allot less confusing (kudos on that one). The item and hero picking was something that really took a long time for me to learn in the DoTA, annoying people in game about my lacking skill.
In HoN you pick the hero you’re bringing to the game, before the actual games starts. You can also see what characters the opponents are going in with. This also makes strategic choices a part of the game. “Does our team have enough counters for what they have?” Of course I’m still in the N00b games, learning and evolving my skills, but I can see this being very important in actual matches or for pro players.

The graphics also helps allot when it comes to items, skills and any other type of management you have in your HUD. Huge problem for me in DoTA aswell. The game comes with several game modes and settings, including Single draft (pick between 3 heroes only), easy mode (more gold and weaker units) and much more. Going in with this game with a friend is probably one of the reasons I have enjoyed this so much more as well. The team work REALLY helps when playing the game. Teamwork is key, and with people you know it just becomes so much easier to do.

The graphics are better; a lot better, the game seems to have a better flow in general. The creators are really quick when it comes to balance. They update often and listen to the community of the game. As you’ve noticed, I may have been a bit bias in the review, starting off with a disliking of DoTA. Seeing as the games are very much alike and how much more I loved HoN, should speak its own language though.

If you get the chance, try it, and if you don’t, try and find somebody with a invite and try it! It’s worth it even for the ones not being huge fans of this type of game.

For more info on Heroes Of Newerth go to:

http://www.heroesofnewerth.com/

/Nurgleprobe
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

Bang bang bang bang! Vamanos vamanos!

Hello everyone!

Ever heard a great song in a game trailer? Not really wanting to look for it yourself. Well here ya go.
A short list of my favourites. (That I acctualy ended up hearing or looking for).
Thanks to miss \m/ for sharing the song “Still Alive” a while back. ^^

Trailer: Left 4 Dead 2
Song: Electric Worry
Band: Clutch

Trailer: Army Of Two
Song: Runnin’ Wild
Band: Airbourne

Trailer: Gear Of War
Song: Mad World
Artist: Gary Jules

Trailer: Mirrors Edge
Song: Still Alive
Artist: Lisa Miskovsky

Hope you liked it!

/Nurgleprobe
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

YouTube project coming up.

Hello everyone!

Currently im working on a few episodes for a YouTube project thats gonna connect with this blog. That also means I need to be a bit more active here, and acctualy record a few videos every week. The YouTube blogging will be about everything from Video Games, Board Games, Roleplaying Games, Card Games and much more.

Cya on the Tube.

/Nurgleprobe
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

The Truth About Marika.

When I first found this. I was a bit suprised. Not only by the wow factor of the whole idea, but rather: That I MISSED IT! The biggest interactive “event” I’ve ever heard about and… I had to find it by chance? This should be brought to light, mentioned in every Media class out there. Game developers should be drooling over this project. Creative designer should be looking at this and try to understand how to evolve this to a new type of entertainment.

Yes. I fell in love with this whole concept. And again… cant believe I missed it.

/Alex
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com/

Mega Man 10 <3

I’ve hardly completed the 9th game (im in the last bit and I just got annoyed with it at one point). But I still love the little bluedressed boy-robot-thing! Mega Man 10 has been announced for Wii-Ware. Im sure it will be released to 360 and PS3 soon enough aswell tho. So happy moment for all us retro fanatics!

/Alex
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com

Modern Warfare 2 (and more)

This game just doesnt give me any rest. Currently at prestige two, and I doubt I need to write a review for such a game. Seeing as the reviews are flying around the net, even now after a few weeks of its release.

Hope you’re enjoying it as much as I do.

Oh, and also, completed Assassins Creed 2, so much better then the first one! Played a little bit of saboteur as well, didnt suck me in as much as Assassins Creed 2 but Im still blaming MW2 for that. Addicting.

Cya online game lovers.

/Alex
@Start And Select

http://startandselect.wordpress.com