Sunday, November 13, 2011

Okami = wolf

Spent the last 4 hours playing Okami with a friend who spent 26 of his 33 years of life in Japan.

... enlightening...

oh btw, he wants to buy a Wii now =P

I would love to discuss it at Sunday's site chat but I will be out of town until Monday =\

Have fun while I'm gone and I'll see you all Wednesday!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Is it Wednesday? Is it almost 8PM EST?

Yea? Then I guess it's just about time for a SITE CHAT!

You know the drill.  Just gonna kick it gamer-style with some flame free discussion.

Tonight's topics include (but are not limited to) :

===NinTemple Backloggery Anonymous
Does NinSage love Okami? hate it? or both??

===Import-ant games
Are we getting MH3G? Do we want it? Does the recent removal of Monado from Amazon.com mean the OpRainfall games are closer or further from localization?

===Cloud Gaming
Could it ever truly replace the current model?
Will the Wii U be left behind if Sony/MS opt for "cloud" gaming in the future?

===The Many Loves of Supa J. Kirbington
Has our young hero found his future Mrs. Kirbington? What about the rest of you? As Valentine's Day Thanksgiving approaches, are there any special someones you're thinking about?

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Site Chat @ 6PM EST

Site Chat tonight at 6PM EST.

Tonight's topics:
-Game culture surrounding Nintendo is reaching an all-time low.  Part of my is convinced a Sage/Supa podcast must be started to combat the insanity.
The other part of me is quite sure no one but our small audience would ever hear the podcasts and thus, it would not be worth my degree-delaying time.
-Holiday wishlists/shopping lists.
-The $50 price tag on RE: Revelations.

See you there!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The 20th Anniversary of the SNES - Part 4

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Despite its groan-inducing pun of a subtitle, this game was a great sequel that is not only better than its predecessor, but stands strong as one of the most well-crafted games of the generation. Not unlike the rest of the game, the music is excellent, and often fits the environments presented quite well. Many tunes also have an interesting dynamic between two main instruments, which is perhaps a metaphor for the game's two friends, Diddy and Dixie. I don't think I could pick a favourite, as there are several from it which stand out.

Mainbrace Mayhem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbKTi_Rph9o
Although one of the shortest tracks in the game, this one makes me want to be a pirate. I don't even like pirates! The tune starts off with wind and rain sound effects, weather presented in the stage which appears to in fact be a part of the music track, but it still works. The upbeat, jaunty melody almost sounds like words could be sung with it as the grunts clean the deck, and the percussion present sounds as if it's being created by banging on barrels or pieces of wood found on a ship.

Hot Head Hop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTEuL3jltQ0
Another one with environment noises present, though the bubbling of the lava doesn't prove distracting given the beat and tone of this one. Hop to the beat and bop to the rhythm, drop if you're slow, don't stop till you get across them. Hey, that almost sounded like a rap.

Mining Melancholy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qp0_NE8M1c
This time, percussion is created using what sounds like tools found in a mine, using the environment in the rhythm rather than as ambiance. Metal banging against metal comprises the beat of this tune, which sets the tone and pace of the mine stages perfectly. A little bit in, it gets melodic for a moment before returning to the beat. The second time it comes around to the melody, the instrument used makes me think of the workers humming along as they continue their daily grind.

Ghostly Grove
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5o_XqDmS1c
Providing a balance of mystery and eerie, this tune uses a flute and tribal drums to set the mood. Moving towards the end, things begin to get a little more upbeat, and a little more melody is added, as if you're close to reaching the edge of this spooky place. But then it loops, and the haunting echos are heard once more...

Bramble Blast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaMcOo-k23U
This tune has perhaps become the most famous tune from the game, in part due to a remix present in Super Smash Brothers Brawl, but it is for good reason. The different sounds in this one may first appear as if they don't belong together, but soon mix in a uniquely harmonious way, providing a somewhat calm tone for what is usually a frantic stage. As for the SSBBrawl Remix, I find that its changes to the notes and tempo of the piece destroy its uniqueness and mood.

Only one more game to go! You can probably guess what it is...

Site chat happening now.

Hey everyone I am in the chat right now and awaiting others to join me. I guess we can talk about our progress thus far in our backlog of games. Hope to see you there.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

November's backloggery game

Well November 1st has come so that means we will start on our backlog of games. Most of us have Okami Wii to finish so some of us will be working on that. Some others have some PC games to finish and others may have 360 and PS3 games to finish.

How many games do you have on your backlog and what caused this backlog to happen? What games do you have on your backlog?

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Site chat 6 PM EST tonight

In about 1 hour we will have the final chat of the month of October. Also starting on November 1st we will start finishing up our backlog of games we need to finish. Okami Wii is what most of us will be working on while others may be working on their own backlogs. Anyway with Halloween happening tomorrow maybe we can chat about that in the chat tonight.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Site Chat TONIGHT @ 8PM EST

Hey let's have a site chat tonight, eh?  I'll see you there in a few hours!

Tonight's topics include:
-games for Halloween
-Holiday wishlists
-the many loves of Supa F. Kirb

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Site chat 6 PM EST tonight

In about 30 minutes there will be site chat.
Hope we can have some more people chatting tonight.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The 20th Anniversary of the SNES - Part 3

Final Fantasy II & III
Due to re-releases of the titles receiving their proper numbering, these two game are more commonly known as Final Fantasy IV & VI, respectively. I'm probably cheating by combining both games as one entry, though it is because I don't find either soundtrack to be particularly amazing as a whole. However, both games have several standouts and deserve to be included, even if it takes both to create one full entry. Plus, my friend would scold me harshly if I did not include Final Fantasy III in this article.

Out in the Field – Final Fantasy II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKqFz5IZSvM
With a nice and mellow pace, this theme represents the vast landmasses the heroes will soon travel across. It may seem a little laid back to embody an adventurous spirit, but it's a long journey out there, and slow and steady does it. There is also another version of this theme in the subterranean area of the game, set at a lightly slower tempo and with a bit of a jazzy bass, which is also an excellent piece..

Jaunt on the Moon – Final Fantasy II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq3Xo84PxsA
Deep in the core of the moon, where a great evil lurks, this tune is all that's to be heard as the party trek ever closer to the center. Rather than taking a foreboding approach, this trumpet melody is instead inspiring, pushing you onward into the final confrontation. Soon, an unavoidable epic battle will commence, inching closer with each step.

Field/Terra's Theme – Final Fantasy III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7RPY-oiDAQ
This is a piece that's hard to describe, as it works on many levels, but I'll give it my best. Normally, I would prefer a more relaxed field theme, but this one represents more than just a sprawling adventure across unknown lands. It also encompasses the soul-searching journey of the game's protagonist, Terra, who doesn't appear to fit in anywhere. The flute in the first part is her spirit, pushing forward, and the brass in the second part is her hope, never dwindling.

Doma Castle/Cyan's Theme – Final Fantasy III
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiLWZzeA3cY
One step into this empty castle, and one listen, is all it takes to realize what had happened. Slow in tempo, the flute and the drums convey the lifeless castle, its people killed off in a great tragedy. A lone survivor is all that remains, with nothing left but revenge. Farther into the piece, the segment with the brass and strings gives hope that he will prevail, ensuring that no one else will feel his pain.

The next game may or may not be surprising! But probably not.