WEM 06 - Sonic 3 and Knuckles

Did I mention that banner got an update?

Well anyway Chapter 9 of Shadow is up, just one more to go probably.

As there is just one more review after this one. My 2nd favourite game of all time and probably the best Sonic ever, Sonic 3 and Knuckles. It was really hard to fault it and squeeze the best of it into 3 positive points.

Tomorrow is the last day of Winter-een-mas and I should reveal my favourite game of all time.

enjoy!

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When gamers often talk about their favourite Sonic’s there are usually only two names that appear above all else. Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and Knuckles. While both games are excellent it’s the latter that I would rate as the best Sonic game ever.

Ok so technically its two games but only the most stubborn person who see that as an issue. It’s clear to see that the two games were designed to be played as one, and it’s only when they are locked together that its true potential comes through.

Separately the games are just too short. With only six zones each it feels like a massive step back from the nine/ten in Sonic 2. They also miss a character each, Sonic 3 has no playable Knuckles, Sonic and Knuckles has no Tails. It’s just not the same experience until you merge them together.

Story wise the game continues directly from Sonic 2. The Death Egg has crashed into a Floating Island called Angel Island, long considered to be nothing by a myth. The Island crashes into the ocean but the thought of the Death Egg returning to orbit is enough to get Sonic into action. But to get to the Death Egg he’ll have to get past a new enemy Knuckles.

The locked on version allows you to play as 3 characters, with a co-op option with Sonic and Tails. Each has their own distinct advantages. Sonic can make use of the new shields special functions as well as creating a second long shield. Tails can fly for a short period of time, allowing you to explore levels more carefully. Sonic can also grab hold of Tails as he flies for the first time, giving more to the co-operative experience.

Knuckles can glide until he lands on the floor and climb up walls. Unlike Tails he can climb for as long as he needs to, thus allowing you to get even higher. Also certain walls can be smashed open only be Knuckles, allowing him to access secret routes through the levels.

Sonic Team were well aware they would need to cartridges to do what they wanted to do, and so had these secret routes in Sonic 3 that were only accessible by use of the Debug Cheat. Locking with Sonic and Knuckles allows you to explore them as they were intended to be explored, meaning the Sonic 3 levels can be properly explored without cheating.

Conversely the save function from Sonic 3 was left out of Sonic and Knuckles, and by locking on you can now save through the Sonic and Knuckles levels. As well as allowing you to explore areas in Sonic and Knuckles that only Tails can reach.

But one of its best new features is the extra emeralds. There are now another seven to collect making 14 in total. Blasting through the levels of Sonic 2 as Super Sonic was awesome and now you get to do it as Hyper Sonic, Super or Hyper Knuckles and Super Tails.

Getting the emeralds is worth so much more than a good ending as you’ll have an extra level to fight through as Sonic as well. With all of these reasons for getting the Emeralds you be driven to get them.

There are a couple more minor features like the new shields added to what has been mentioned so far, which all blend nicely with the stylish gameplay Sonic is associated with.

Unlike the later Sonic games Sonic 3 & Knuckles offered both the ability to explore and the ability to just blast through the levels at a top speed. And there is so much more of the game when you lock them together. The zone count becomes twelve, split with two acts each and a boss at the end of each act. Make Sonic 2 feel a little small in comparison.

Visually it’s still the best 2D sonic in my opinion. The sprites look their best and the animations are superb. It looks less cartoony than the advance series and only really the latest game Rush is a challenge to its visuals. Levels like Carnival Night, Launch Base, Sandopolis and Death Egg still look amazing for the 16 bit generation game, and still match the later 2D Sonics on more advanced systems.

The soundtrack and sound effects are classics still loved today. Ice cap (not the PC version) is probably the most remixed videogame track; at least amongst the Sonic game remixes. If this is you first time playing then you’re in for a treat sound wise.

The Versus mode from Sonic 3 is left intact. It even feels like its own little game having its own levels with a sort of time trial mode too. If you want to take a break from the main game or you’re just looking for a new challenge, you could always try beating your times here.

By today’s standards you could say it might’ve benefited from some extra missions, or a ranking system. Though to be honest it doesn’t need them. It’s hard to fault this classic Sonic title, which is probably the reason why it’s loved so much by Sonic fans and gamers alike.

There are general complaints that the latter Sonic’s, particularly the 3D ones, that they’re not as good as they used to be. Though to be fair it’s not exactly easy to top this title, and it’ll be rare to see Sonic Team better this.

A classic that will stand the test of time. Sonic 3 and Knuckles pushes its system to its limits so much so that it needs to come on two cartridges. Its music is still loved today and is quite possibly the best Sonic there ever will be. With a brilliant one player and quite good multiplayer it’ll last you a lifetime as you’ll keep coming back for more.

+ Pushes the system to its limits
+ Loads of levels, bonuses and classic moments with plenty of replay value.
+ An awesome soundtrack
- Technically two games, which at the time was expensive
- The game itself isn’t long, even though you’ll play it again and again
- The save system can make it a little too easy, but then there is a no save option if you really want to test your skill

10 out of 10

WEM 06 - Super Smash Bros Melee

Updated the banner to show how my new links system will work. Also the blinking has been aligned properly. Just to make each of those links open a URL in a new window.

Anyway as promised here is my Super Smash Bros Melee review. 2 days late but it's done.

I've also coloured Shadow in my 3 Shadows PSP wallpaper.

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Super Smash Brothers Melee

During the first couple of months of the Gamecube’s life one of its biggest games was the brilliant Super Smash Bros Melee. Generally praised and loved, you’ll find it hard to find a gamer that doesn’t have a favourite character they play as. It’ll be remembered as one of this generation’s greats, but why?

For those who don’t know (which I’m guessing isn’t many), Super Smash Bros is a quite unique concept. Every fighter has a damage meter. Hit them at the damage meter goes up. The higher the meter the further they will fly when they’re hit. The aim of the game is to smash your opponent off the stage to get a point. The winner is the person with the most points. Did I mention that up to four people fight at the same time?

Turbo charge its speed to insane speeds, add power ups and fill it with loads of modes and characters and what you have is SSBM. A unique, frantic, beat-em up that simply rules in multiplayer.

At first though it’s very different. It can seem to fast with little more than button bashing needed to finish a mode. Yes finishing the basic modes doesn’t take long, if by that you mean reaching the credits.

There are three main one player modes with an extra one to unlock. These are called Classic, Adventure and Event.

Classic is an updated version of the game you got with the N64 version. You’ll go through a set path of enemies, where who you meet and where you fight will change every time. You’ll face special versions of that character from giant, loads of weak clones, metal version and basic team play. In between these are basic 1 on 1 fights and mini games finishing with the final fight against a floating hand.

Adventure has you doing some light Platforming in between fights, starting from a little remake of classic Mario levels, finishing with a fight against Bowser and fighting characters in between by their rules. For example before facing Captain Falcon you’ll have to run across a small section of a race track during an F-zero race. If you don’t get out of the way from the cars as they speed through the track you’ll probably end up losing a life.

Event mode has you fighting with different rules every time, with challenges is getting harder as you progress. The latter half in particular takes much mastery of the game to accomplish.

You also have the ability to play the mini games you’ve unlocked. These range from hitting a sandbag as far as possible, to breaking a series of plate targets.

There is also a trophy collecting feature that will soon become your main objective. Collecting them all requires doing secret challenges, finding them during the Platforming stages, reaching certain targets in the many modes, completing the game with each character in each mode, and winning them in a lottery system.

All of which can seem to be nothing more than hours of button bashing, but you’d be wrong. Increase the difficulty in any one player mode or raise the ability level of CPU fighters in versus and you’ll see how deep it goes. Within the frantic nature of the game you’ll need to master evading, defending, rolling, and basically learning every characters attacks and recovery abilities.

Each character has their advantages and disadvantages. Heavy characters are harder to smash off the screen and generally have harder attacks, but generally move much slowly or have poor recovery. You’ll need to master them all to complete the game properly. You’ll need to know how affective each individual move is and what its weakness. For example Kirby can turn himself into a heavy weight which smashes into the ground with plenty of force, causing heavy damage to those in the way. Though it leaves him open to throw attacks in the couple of seconds he’s frozen.

Try and button bash through the harder difficulties and you’ll be KO’ed a lot. You’ll be expected to have lightning fast reactions as you counter your opponent’s attacks. Not only that you’ll have to do it with two other fighters at the same time. It’s the ultimate test of mastering skills and reflexes and the more you play the more you’ll realise who deep it really is.

Graphically the game is superb considering it was more or less a launch title. Ok so Samus looks better in Metroid Prime, Fox looks better in Starfox Adventures and link looks better in Twilight Princess (though oddly in my opinion Mario still looks his best here). But overall the graphics are nice and with Rogue Leader showed the potential of the machine early on.

The soundtrack is typical Nintendo. Each stage has remixed or remade versions of classic Nintendo tracks from all the different universes. The sound effects also fit each character well. Overall the game looks good and sounds great.

But it’s the lasting appeal of the game the will win you over. There are loads of challenges in 1 player that’ll keep you going for several weeks, as filling that trophy collection will that ages testing you all the way. And with the frantic unique multiplayer perfect for parties it’ll last an age.

The multiplayer really brings this game to life as all that mastery is still there. With plenty of options for rules and the frantic nature of the game it rarely gets boring. Few games can claim to have an awesome 1 player and multiplayer experience but Super Smash Bros Melee can.

A lot of what makes SSBM so great is the way it makes you feel. There’s generally a character for everyone and they’ll feel like an extension of how you like to play, that tactics you use, etc. It’s something that’s pretty difficult to put into words, but if you visit a gaming message board, particularly one that’s been going for quite some time, and search for Super Smash Bros Melee, you may just see what I mean.

Overall Super Smash Bros Melee is a game loaded with challenges that’ll keep you going for ages. While it may seem like a button basher at first, the more you play the more complex it will seem. And with this translating perfectly from one player into multiplayer and vice versa, it all adds up to a genuinely unique and frantic experience.

And best of all it doesn’t matter whether you still hooked on the game or whether you’re just reliving it from some quick stress relief, the feeling you get is always the same. The only thing missing is online play and that’s very likely to appear in the sequel.

+ Frantic, high charged fun in both one player and multiplayer
+ The more you play the more complex it seems
+ Awesome soundtrack filled with well known themes.
- Feels like a button basher with no real challenge at first
- May be too frantic for some
- No online play

9 out of ten

WEM 06 - Sonic Adventure 2 (battle)

Welcome to my next review. My third favourite of all time Sonic Adventure 2. Went though the hero side story and raised my little Shigeru high enough to finally beat that git Flash. Went into a panic when I couldn't find him, turns out he was in Adventure DX. Wish I knew that before I frantically checked every tiny chao garden I had.

Also makes it the fourth time I've gotten the 180 emblems.

Anyway here's the review and I hope to have Super Smash Bros Melee's done tomorrow (which is my 5th fav game, SOAL is my 4th)

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There is still much love for the blue blur. Maybe he’s not a console seller but generally since he went multi format Sonic game sales have regularly been high. Sonic Adventure 2 probably won’t be as recognised by the non hardcore as say the Mega Drive/Genesis Classics, but shall we condemn it now and wait for one that will?

Generally a marmite game, Sonic Adventure 2 is hated by many but loved by some. I’m in the latter category but I’m going to try and stay neutral despite being Sonic’s biggest fan. So why do I rate this so highly and why is it in my list of favourite games? Read on.

Sonic Adventure 2 was released in June 2001 for Sonic’s tenth anniversary. Later an enhanced port with the subtitle battle was released at launch for the Gamecube. It attempts to give Sonic a decent enough plot to follow and hopes to bring the series into 3D. In some areas it succeeds, in others it fails.

One of the biggest issues seems to be incorporating all the characters of the past. You see stick with just Sonic and you’ll have an uproar from fans of other characters. Use too many and you’ll be criticised for it. Sonic Team attempt to cover the middle ground, sticking with the basic three Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, and giving them darker counterparts, Shadow, Dr. Eggman and Rouge.

However some of the more unique features of Tails and Knuckles don’t translate all that well from 2D to 3D. Flying through the stages freely as Tails is a massive task due to the length of Sonic levels. Knuckles exploration moves like Climbing and Gliding don’t work either. So instead they split the game into 3 smaller games. Racing style Platforming for Sonic, Exploring areas for treasure for Knuckles, and Shooting enemies from an armoured mech for Tails.

This is what will make or break the game for you and what makes it a marmite game. Hate one style; you’ll wonder why they poison the game with it. Like all three and it’ll be a favourite.

Anyway let’s start be analysing these three gameplay styles. Traditionally Sonic and his dark counterpart Shadow race through levels at high speed. They appeal to the player who likes to beat times, testing reflexes and quick moves more than anything else. If you’re the type that wants to see what it’s like on the building in the distance you’ll be sorely disappointed. Levels are usually thin tracks, much like a racing game, which you’ll be expected to do quickly and efficiently.

For what it intends to achieve it does it very well. You keep going forward at high speeds and you won’t suffer from many problems. The better you play this game the better it responds to you. Play poorly and the camera will be your worst foe. Like most 3D platformers this game has camera that attempts to make you do something, rather than give you the freedom to explore. Though if you wanted to explore levels this isn’t for you.

That’s left for Knuckles and his Dark counterpart Rouge. Their levels have you searching areas, which get bigger as you progress, for special items hidden in random locations. To help you, you get a hot/cold radar system to help you pinpoint their locations. Like most of Sonic they expect you to learn how to do this quickly and efficiently for the higher scores and ranks. Fortunately both are equipped with climbing, digging and gliding skills to help you get to those dark corners they may be hiding in.

In between them two styles if the shooting style. Either as Tails or Dr. Eggman (Robotnik if you just can’t let go of that, either name is seen as acceptable); you’ll proceed through a thin track like Sonic but at a much slower pace. The aim here is to get you to shoot everything down while still proceeding through the level quickly. Locking on to many enemies at once before shooting rather than shooting each one individually will give you a higher score. Much like most shooters on the market actually.

If you hate one of these three styles you’ll condemn the game due to the fact you have to play them. There are no options to only play one style of gameplay. Though each style does set out what it achieves to do well with a common theme of speed throughout.

Actually that only applies to the story. More on the other modes later but as far as the story mode goes it’s both a blessing and a curse. It is ridiculously easily to complete, obviously designed to give some challenge but to let the story flow naturally. No waiting at a checkpoint for days when you want to know what happens next. It really won’t last you all that long. It’s a good plot though. Enough questions to keep theorising fans happy, enjoyable enough to keep the rest mildly entertained. Not the most amazing story but then it’s never been about the story.

Where Sonic Adventure 2 gets its length from is the stage select mode. Here you can attempt 4 extra missions per level that has you collecting 100 rings, finding a lost Chao, doing it within a strict time limit and finally the very challenging hard mode. Each has its own score and rank system and to really get the most of the game you’re expected to get every A rank, which involves mastering each level almost perfectly. Here’s where the challenge really starts to kick in.

Amongst all this is the last time we’ve seen the brilliant A-life system called Chao. When you want to cool down and take things a little more casually you’ll have the option to raise your own little creature, increase their stats then race (of fight in the GCN version) them in tournaments. Some may find this boring but others might relish in playing with a child like creature.

Added to all this is a fairly decent multiplayer mode, again split in the three styles. It’s quite a lot of fun but not enough to challenge the more famous titles in this area. It’s a nice extra that’s reminiscent of the 2 player mode in Sonic 2.

There are also boss rush modes and a kart racing mini game, which all in all gives you plenty of options and lots to do. This is why I personally love this game. I feel a good indication of how good a game is, is how long it lasts. Getting all 180 emblems is a lengthy challenge, and with times and scores to beat there is potential for it to last even longer. I’ve done it four times, each taking at least 20 hours, with the longest being 77 hours, and have enjoyed it every time.

Visually at the time it was very impressive. Characters felt a little more 3D with areas such as eyes bulging out. Compare this to the later 3D Sonics where individual areas like these merge into one. You felt like it was pushing a system too, whereas the later ones seem like they are going at the speed of the slowest. Cities seem to expand for miles even if you can’t explore them, and levels are generally huge. Even today playing on the ARK levels is a treat for the eyes.

Sound wise things are very Sonic mixed in with another rock soundtrack. This is another area that’s hit and miss but I personally love it. Music is usually used to highlight the games better moments, such as the brilliant opening, the awesome finish and the more tense moments in between. If you didn’t like the soundtrack of Adventure, Heroes or Shadow, Adventure 2 is more of the same and I don’t see it ever changing.

Overall Sonic Adventure 2 is a thrilling adrenaline rush from start to finish, that may occasionally slow down a little. If you’re not the type to master levels for good ranks, which in turn leads to cool unlockables, or you prefer games at a much slower pace with more freedom, then this isn’t for you. But if this is what you want there’s so much in this game on offer to you, you’d be foolish not to at least try it yourself.

+ Loads of missions, modes and stuff to unlock
+ Gameplay styles change frequently giving you a little variation as you play
+ Great replay value
- Gameplay styles change frequently, even when you only want to play one style.
- Poor Camera, especially why you try to explore
- Levels can be too restrictive for some

9 out of 10

quick apology

Sorry, I know I promised my next review now but I got sidetracked and there's no way I could do it now.

It was going to be on Super Smash Bros Melee which I played all last night (it's past midnight now)

As for my other projects I may get something done this weekend but don't count on it. It may take until after WEM before I finish another Shadow Chapter and even longer before I finish my art projects.

WEM 06 - Skies of Arcadia (Legends)

For Winter-een-mas 2006 I've decided to play my top 5 games again and write a review for the new TGN site whatever it's called.

Today I played the last 3 bosses of Skies of Arcadia Legends all over again. I wish I could've played more but there's no way I could do the game in a day, especially when Man Utd are playing for a place in a cup final (We did win the game and we're going to cardiff the day after my birthday WHOO!)

Below is a copy and paste of what I submitted just moments ago. Tomorrow is a different game but what will it be...? Come back tomorrow to find out.

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Late in the life of the Dreamcast SEGA released a brand new franchise RPG called Skies of Arcadia. Later on it was ported with some bonus material on the Gamecube and given the subtitle Legends. Many of those who have played this game have praised it to the heavens; many have said it’s the one of the best Dreamcast games. I am one of them, I’ve been through each version and enjoyed every last minute.

But what is it that makes this game so special. From just the screens and videos it looks nothing more than a Traditional style RPG, entering a market saturated with plenty of Traditional style RPG’s. Most notably Square-Enix’s infamous Final Fantasy series. Will it be more than a match for the series or fail like many a contender before it?

You play as a young, probably teenage, boy called Vyse. A member of a group of pirates called the Blue Rogues who spend their days stealing from an iron fisted government, and generally helping those who need it. You soon meet a mysterious girl on a mission to save the world from massive weapons, sought by that government, all to stop a possible apocalypse.

The Gameplay remains very traditional in many areas, such as turned based combat, special attack limits, and controlling a party of four at once, it does have some more unique elements. Most noticeably in the battle phase of gameplay where your attacks are practically dictated by the Team Spirit Bar at the top.

Like previous titles in this genre, barring some basic actions your most powerful moves use up points on this Special Bar. However the whole team has to use it. No rushing in with your most heavy attacks and healing those character’s individual bars with items. If one character has used most of the Spirit bar the other characters must use what has been left over.

It’s a very smart system particularly with Magic as now you have sort of a magic counter. As long as you have a Magic point you can use magic, but stronger magic spells will take up more of the spirit bar. Also when you reach certain levels you will generate the right number of spirit points on the bar to use special widespread attacks each turn. This makes battling weaker enemies much easier and quicker.

This is a good thing, as unfortunately its biggest flaw is the frequency of Random Battles. It came out in a time where these types of RPG’s were experimenting with seeing enemies and being able to avoid battles. Seeing some of the systems in place now and looking back, using Random Battles seems like a bad idea.

Though what makes this game so unique are the brilliant Ship Battles. You fight as one ship against another ship but have as many actions per turn as you have characters. You can see the turn after the one your about to assign actions too and it’s really a case of thinking ahead. As you progress you can recruit crew members, each giving their own unique skill and making your ship overall much stronger.

Outside of battles the gameplay is a pretty standard affair. You move across a huge adventure field, discovering secrets and entering towns or dungeons. When in towns you can buy and sell items, weapons and armour, and find information on side quests. When in Dungeons you solve puzzles to venture deeper and eventually face a boss. Pretty much what’s expected in this type of game though just because it’s expected doesn’t mean it’s bad.

There is a small part of the game that has you customising your own base with some limited options. This is a nice feature offering you some freedom of expression in the game.

Overall the gameplay is very solid and nicely polished outside of battle, and very stylish in battle whether as your party or as your ship. It could be argued that there are a lot of menus to go through, which can put people off. Though this isn’t an issue exclusive to Skies of Arcadia and very few games try to get round it.

There are loads to do in this game. Not only will you be hooked with the nice and long story, there are also plenty of side quests that practically stare you in the face (such as the Discoveries and in Legends, the bounties).

You’ll spend ages recruiting every crew member, finding every discovery, fighting hidden bosses, tracking down bounties and collecting hidden items to strengthen your party and ship. There are also moments where you’ll be tested on your quality as a leader and rated accordingly. This is called the Swashbuckler rating and the more you progress the better it will be. The Ultimate challenge of this game is to get the title Vyse the Legend.

The bounties in Legends really open up the game. They are bosses that get stronger as you do and the only way to beat them is to use good strategy. One of the games highlights has you pitted against a group of impostors, with moves more powerful than your own. Beating them is a real challenge that I certainly enjoyed.

Visually at the time it was very good. Dungeons were presented and played in full 3D, i.e. no pre rendered backgrounds or isometric perspectives. However when Legends came out the graphics had already looked aged quite a lot, and paled in comparison to most of what had been released. It probably won’t bother you all that much though.

The music is beautifully composed and fits in well with the pirate theme. Though sound wise there isn’t much else. There’s very little voice acting and when you do hear something it can be quite annoying. But then what else is new. Rarely does a game actually have good voice acting. You can’t have many quarrels with the sound unless you’d rather hear what they say rather than just read it.

If you want a very long one player experience you can’t go wrong with Skies of Arcadia. Its story is a good 40 hours at least, with around 15-20 hours of side quests and a further 15-20 on legends. You’ll be hooked from start to finish and the feeling doesn’t fade on your second run through.

And this is why I love it. It’s long, quite addictive, challenging and gives the same feeling every time you play. Arguably the best in the genre and it’s a crime that there hasn’t been a sequel yet. It has its flaws like any other game but your honestly won’t care. A worthy addition to any collection

+ Loads to do including a lengthy main quest
+ Stylish Battling including an awesome team spirit system
+ An awesome soundtrack
- Do we really need Random Battles? Especially at this frequency?
- Might benefit from more voice acting, though only if they can get it right
- You may feel there are too many menus during battles

9 out of 10

Not another computer rant

Yeah sorry, Been trying my hardest to get my piece of shit router to actually do what I need it to do.

You buy the hardware, connect it all up. If this was a console you'd be done by now.

But no. You install the software, you use the automatic settings, may adjust with stuff like usernames and passwords and then...

NOTHING.

That's right. So you access the Advanced settings. You get a list of terms that completely alienate you. You look at the manual, it's no help. It assumes you know what you're doing too.

You go to Tiscali for help. They repeat what's in the help section even though any dumbass has already gone there for advice. You send them an attachment with all the menus but do they say what goes where? NO.

You go to the manufacturers website. The systems obsolete. FAQ's are ancient but still no help at all.

3 weeks after going through a return hell you've got a £35 paperweight all because somewhere the settings are wrong or something and I just can't get the help I need.

All I want is something that will connect to Tiscali with very little setting up, that I can connect to my Xbox. Why the fuck does it have to be this fucking complicated.

I might as well spend more on a wireless router instead and maybe sell my piece of crap on. Though I've been on Ebay and I see a LOT of my modem/router. FUCK!

Just for the record the modem/router is a "Safecom 5 port combo ADSL Modem Router". It's sitting under my SAGEM modem, which was so fucking easy to install why can't they all be like that.

On the subject of help, why do they treat you like a retard everytime. I'm having problems with Play.com. I've ordered through them loads of times in the past though for some reason when I use Firefox it just won't let me order. I can do it in IE but not firefox for some reason.

Before I knew of the IE thing though I contacted them about the issue. Their response was that they couldn't find the order codes (well duh I couldn't make the fucking order) and that I should confirm them in the checkout (again duh! I've done it before). I asked them again nicely mentioning how it's the final confirmation in the checkout which is giving me the problem, no answer.

You know all these little technical problems and shit are what makes computers so shit compared to consoles. Things go wrong and you need help. Either you make a call to india or deal with being treated like a retard over E-mail. It's just stupid and retarded, needlessly complicated and very very annoying.

Pokemon rant

I love pokemon. Strange way to start a rant but give it time. Anyway as I was saying I love pokemon. I love it's depth. I love creating a team and I love filling out my collection. I love facing trainers and gym leaders, all to lay the smacketh on the elite four and the champ. Those that think it's only for kids haven't played it enough to truely get into it. Your team becomes an extension of yourself. It's brilliant.

Though it is also annoying. Very annoying. You may remember back in october I was saying how I needed to finish Leafgreen and do another quest before I could trade between versions and get my old party back.

It gets worse.

There is only one tool that allows you to transfer by box, Pokemon Box. Some may say that this is pointless, but I'm glad I used my stars to buy it. When you want to move your entire collection between versions you'll praise the fact you don't have to do it six at a time. Also you can't trade into an empty space, it's only pokemon for pokemon. Do you know how many Pidgeys and Rattatas I've collected just so I had something to trade with when I moved my collection? Too many.

But even that's annoying in that you need to get 100 pokemon in each version before you can transfer pokemon from box to your GBA cart. I restarted Sapphire to get the other fossil and another starter. I rushed through the story again while my collection stayed on LeafGreen. Didn't bother filling out my pokedex and only got 34 entries.

Now I have to capture 60 odd pokemon just to transfer my entire collection which has those pokemon already. Worse if I want to bring a high level party across I have to transfer from Box to LG, from LG to Colloseum, to Collosuem to Saph. It's just pointlessly annoying.

On top of that you have those events which give you special items to get special pokemon. Do they ever come near me? No. It's a 3 hour car journey just to attend an event designed for youngsters.

Only way to get Mew is to buy Emerald. Just for that ONE pokemon. Actually I can see three worth collecting on it (Mew, Groundon and Latios). Still a lot of momey for a game I already own just to finish a collection. I mean do you honestly think an Emerald owner is going to just give me their mew? or a Ruby owner willing to let go of their Groundon and Latios. Stupid.

And then there's Pokemon XD. Has only ONE exclusive pokemon, Lugia. Would've been nice to have Celebi, Jirachi and Dexoys available for capture.

And the worse thing, I'm betting that when Diamond and Pearl come out we'll have to do it all over again. Is it so hard to give an option to bring over your GBA collection? I mean you have the GBA slot, you have the interaction between DS slot and GBA slot. Come on give us the option, PLEASE.

I love Pokemon but sometimes it feels like they go out of their way to make it so annoying you rip out your hair, and tempt you to spend more money on the same game with a little bit more.

Right now I feel I need Emerald...DAMN YOU NINTENDO, ARGH!

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Update:

Started adding the links to that menu and fixed the blinking.

Uploaded Chapter 8 of Shadow. 1, maybe 2 to go.

Update lost count +2

updated Shadow and put up Joz's PSP wallpaper up on my DA.

Up there

You may have noticed the above has changed quite dramatically.

Of course it's not going to end up like that, I have to match stuff up properly and fine tune, but it'll look something like that.

Hopefully those tab menus will open over the rest of the blog and not disappear under the table border.

I know of some issues I'm just experimenting how.

Though you see that Joz in the banner, not only do I hate his left hand but that was going to be Joz in the PSP wallpaper and also a picture profile. Stupidly I saved over the non cropped version and I have to colour and shade all over again!

That banner has been cropped to 120x500 so I can use it as a sig pic.

Edit: A change in direction. I hope to have the links appear in the black space, but I still want Joz to blink. While I could do a menu by going to specific frames that's going to mess up the auto blinking. I'm going to have to experiment.

Two categories for links, links relating to Sonic fandom and Master hunter in general. The other for my favourite links. All to shrink the sidebar.

Shame I have to get rid of the Make poverty History border but it was getting in the way.

Edit2: As soon as I finished the first edit I knew what to do. All systems go, now to add the links.

And for some reason the make poverty history banner won't disappear, it's not in my blog template.

Let's all whine, we can get our way

Now you may have remembered that around june last year, maybe late may, I mentioned how Liverpool fans were complaining that UEFA bent over backwards for them to enter a tournament they had no right of entering, in the Qualifying stages rather than straight through.

Now they feel like their Champions League, no, the Flukey Champions league win should be honoured with OBE's and shit. In fact I think they're actually doing it in the summer now. WTF? They win one cup and think they deserve this honour?

The England team that beat the Ashes were all honoured because it was an ENGLAND team, not an ENGLISH team. Their Victory was for the whole of England, not just Liverpool.

Onto Sir Alex. Sure he was Knighted after he won the Treble. But let's take a closer look.

1. Only the manager was honoured
2. That was for three cups in one season not one
3. And winning so many trophies in such a short time
4. That Champions League, the one that completed that treble, was settled on goals not penalties.

You expect the ENTIRE TEAM to be honoured, for winning ONE CUP on PENALTIES, with that ONE CUP being the ONLY CUP won by that manager.

Madness.

In other footballing news I was watching Sunderland vs Chelsea, hoping that Chelsea would slip up and make our terrible derby loss seem a little better, and Arjen Robben got sent off for "celebrating".

Actually he got a SECOND YELLOW for jumping over the AD BOARDS to celebrate with the CROWD. Even if it was the teams own fans it doesn't matter. It's a yellow card offense. I do believe Van Nistlerooy got the same punishment at Charlton. Two Yellows and you're off.

Sorry despite your claims Andy Gray, Robben was rightly sent off. Not for Celebrating but for jumping the ad boards to celebrate with the crowd. You can't do that. The Crowd aren't supposed to interfere with players at all. All they can do is chant.

Speaking of Sending offs, Ronaldo's shouldn't have happened. That referee was crap giving many a decision to city. Not saying city didn't deserve their win, united were awful on the day. But Ronaldo got a straight red for a tackle with no contact. After the much worse challenge on Ronaldo only a couple of second ago, that went unpunished, it seems very unfair to give him a straight red.

I do applaud the journalists though. Surely this was the perfect excuse to bring out the old "FERGIE OUT" comments. Glad to see none of that crap. Mine you I'm kinda concerned about Danny Fullbrook. He wants to see Fergie leave but Souness to stay? If you look at form, league position, top scorers, defence records, etc you'll find Man Utds are high and Newcastle's are down. Usually you replace a manager when you do poor.

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In other news I got a new router but I can't seem to get it to connect to the net. There are just so many setting and I haven't a clue what they mean. The "manual" is no help either. Some how I'm supposed to know what the hell a VCI and a Subnet Mask is. Oh and if I knew what the difference between a static IP and a Dynamic IP I might've got it sorted by now. Depends what Tiscali use to be honest.

I also have a job interview tomorrow. It's a short temporary position but it's vital money and experience.

God of war mini review

Like the new look? It's not finished yet, I want a proper flash image menu for the title so I can shorten the side bar. I also want to add an image or two.

Finished God Of War today thought I'd rate it like the others of 2005

God Of War (PS2)

A game in the same vain as Ninja Gaiden, Devil May Cry and at a stretch Prince of Persia (latest trilogy). Quite polished and very playable, decent difficulty and a plot you can follow quite well. Could do with some camera control though and the high beam sections are quite hard control wise. Plenty to keep you going, well worth the asking price (especially at Play.com). Plus it has lots of Blood and a fair few pairs of tits. Not often you get a good game with them as they usually become the focus point.

A

Update lost count +1

Chapter 6 of shadow is up now.

Miles' tag profile is up on my DA

I have linearts of Joz and Miles for my 3 Shadows PSP wallpaper drawn. Just being lazy with it. Been playing games and watching DVD's.

Bored post

I be bored. I suppose I could log off earlier than usual this time. Not enough time to write or draw and I've checked all my regulars.

I thought I'd list all my plans/ideas for fanart/fanfiction.

Fanart

A PSP wallpaper featuring the 3 Shadows
A new sig and Avatar.
Some images to brighten up a few of my places, especially here. I wanna do a flash navagation system at top sometime
Becky NMS
Lothar NMS (and the rest of EN)
The rest of my favourites NMS'
The rest of the demons properly
Picture profiles for all my characters
Joz Sonic riders style
Proper Jade Falcon and co.
Covers for fics.

Fanfiction (*Name may change)

Finishing "Shadow the Hedgehog: A Rogue's adventure" is my current project
The 3 shadows Episode 9: Level 3*
The 3 shadows Episode 10: G-009 Pluto*
The 3 shadows Feature: Negative Reflection*
A 3 Shadows episode that features the Black Arms.
A separate fic all about how Joz got his sword.
Eternal Shadow*
Sonic Adventure 1: Perfectly Chaotic* (possibly for Sonic's 15th birthday)
The Sonic Preludes*


A lot of 3 Shadows it seems, to be honest I can't think of anything Sonic

Little update

Missed out Yoshi's touch and go (NDS), world tour soccer (PSP) and Pro Evo 5 (PSP). The last two need more play. More on Yoshi later.

First though I've added a survey for Extra Life on the Extra Life website. Do me a favour and check it out, http://extralife.homestead.com/files/home.html and click the link to the doc file.

Onto Yoshi.

Yoshi's Touch and Go (NDS)

A lovely little game that really uses the DS's unique features at it's best. It is however nothing more than a top score beating game and it gets old pretty quick. Worth it on budget if you're bored

C

Best of 2005 GAMES

As you all know I'm a gamer and this a list of my favourite games of 2005. January and February seemed to be more getting the games I missed for 2004. I got Ninja Gaiden, Sonic Mega Collection Plus and Metal Arms Glitch in the system.

March really started the year off with a bang. The UK got the DS but since I imported I only really got one PAL game.

GRADING SYSTEM

AAA - You'd be mad to miss it.
A - A must have which may not be as good as AAA, but certainly worth buying
B - A great game, often sitting on the fence of Budget or must get now
C - A good game, best for Budgets and whenever you're bored
D - An Average game, might consider a budget purchase when you're bored
E - Not worth it at all
M - A Marmite game. Some may like it, some may not. Try before you buy

(format played, other formats)

Project Rub (NDS)

Not too bad. Some interesting mini games and some good use of the DS's unique features. Just not all that gripping and quite short. Good budget game

C

Timesplitters: Future Perfect (XBX, PS2/GCN)

Simply one of the best FPS' ever. Frantic fun throughout. Graphically very nice, Sound is good. Plot, characters it's all good. It's hard to think of something bad to say about it. Long Lasting, excellent multiplayer, quite awesome mapmaker. Maybe too much like it's prequels but that isn't a bad thing. A must have.

A

Resident Evil 4 (GCN, PS2)

Everything a survival Horror Game should be. Creepy, disturbing, tense, completely playable and with looks to die for (bad pun I know). Definately one of the best games of the year. Simply brilliant and a Must have.

AAA

APRIL: Viewtiful Joe 2 (GCN, PS2)

More of the same which isn't a bad thing. Challenging, quite addictive, stylish. A solid game in more ways than one. A worthy purchase.

A/B

Metal Gear Solid 3 (Was it march or April, can't remember) (PS2)

Very cool game. Some new directions from the usual Metal Gear Solid that don't really feel like an improvement, just different. Involving plot every step of the way. Emotional ending. Some cool details. Hard to fault it really. Worth getting

A

Another Code: Two Memories (NDS)

An awesome game that just feels too short. Some ingenious puzzles that uses the best of the DS's features. Involving plot and great gameplay. Worthy Purchase but should consider budget release due to it's shortness.

B

Destroy All Humans (XBX, PS2)

A brilliant unique game. Quite quirky and often funny. Quite Challenging too. Definately a must have

A

Conker's Live and Reloaded (XBX)

Conkers bad fur day didn't really get me going. It felt too slow and a little awkward. CL&R fixes these problems and if you didn't get CBFD it's a must have. Otherwise you may just wait for budget. I really enjoyed it this time as all the problems I had with the N64 version were gone.

A/B (depending on whether or not you have CBFD)

Killer 7 (GCN, PS2)

A stylish game that some may feel is restrictive. It's plot will grip you and confuse you all the same. Creepy, disturbing, wierd and a little frantic at times. Definately a Marmite game though. To me it's a must have

M - A (like)/ D (don't like)

Wipeour Pure (PSP)

A lovely little racing game in the same sub genre as F-zero. Don't feel as tense though as F-zero GX. A pretty worth purchase

B

Fahrenheit (XBX, PS2)

A stylish game that questions the whole interactivity issue (whether it intends to or not). Many a time you will feel like you're just pressing some buttons while the action happens during an uncontrollable cutscene, much like Shenmue's QTE's. It intends to appeal to a different side of you and it suceeds. A great plot the involves you every step of the way. You have to play to understand and trust me you won't be disappointed. A must have.

AAA/A

Sonic Gems Collection (GCN, PS2)

A pretty nice collection with a quality title or two. Should really have more though. Worthy Budget.

B/C

Advance wars: Dual Strike (NDS)

Awesome, Amazing, Addictive. This defines triple A. Addictive, Challenging, simple interface, good use of touch screen, decent enough story to follow, plenty to unlock and do. I'll be keeping this close to my DS. GAME OF THE YEAR

AAA

Fable: The Lost Chapters (XBX, PC)

Ok so this really didn't come out this year, well the Lost Chapters version did and that's what I bought. A fairly involving game, some nice ideas, and a good plot to follow. Some freedom too. Definately a highlight of the year and if you missed Fable you really need to get this.

A/D (Not got Fable/Have got Fable)

Shadow the Hedgehog (GCN, XBX/PS2)

A game that fails so much at first. You lose control easily, you're thrown into the thick of it, the camera fails, it's too easy and boring, the music is boring and the graphics hardly look inspired.

The more you play though the more you see it's beauty. The different routes and other choices you make are what makes Shadow good. Far from Amazing but if you give it a chance it won't be so bad.

C

Sonic Rush (NDS)

A little Marmitey, to me this is what Sonic should be. Fast, tense and challenging. Sometimes it can feel challenging for all the wrong reasons (too many bottomless pits), and it does end quite quickly if you're an expert. But you won't care. Like a firework, it may end quickly but it's one hell of an explosion of greatness.

A

Mario Kart DS (NDS)

A game made for multiplayer. The 1 player is no slouch but it's multiplayer, especially Online, where the games true beauty shines through. Online may not be perfect and quite a few things need to be fixed, but the overall experience is amazing. Loses out on AAA for being one of those games that need to be played in Multiplayer before it's greatness is truely shown

A

Prince of Persia: The two Thrones (PS2, XBX/GCN)

More of the same. Not a bad thing. Feels like the best of Sands of time plus the best of Warrior Within all in one. Involving Plot, great quite stylish gameplay. If you've not played a PoP game of this trilogy play them in order. Not as good as sands of time but still a must have.

A

Donkey Konga 2 (GCN)

Something feels different, I not sure what it is. Maybe it's the freshness that's just gone. I dunno I felt underwhelmed with it. Songs just don't seem to inspire either. Not bad but closer to Average than good.

C/D

GAMES UNRATED (cause I feel they need more play)

God of war (PS2), Burnout Revenge (PS2, XBX), Mario Mix (GCN), Pokemon XD (GCN)

It's 2006 / Review of 2005

Well it is here, has been for 1 hour 40 minutes ish.

Kinda lame this year. Folks are in bed, mum's going to work, dad has to take her. Leaving just me and my brother. This could be the first new year I go to bed at my usual time. How lame.

Tomorrow (or when I have time) I'll post my top games of 2005.

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Well it has been quite average year this year.

January started kinda bad with being slapped with import tax and my PS2 braking down. All that month was really was playing my Xmas games. And to be honest it looks the same this year. But with God of War, GTA:SA, Burnout Revenge and Pokemon XD to try, PoP3 to finish and Fahrenheit to explore it doesn't seem all that bad. God I love January sales, I also have 8 DVD's coming my way.

Oh and I see I was writing my favourite of my fics, Chaos Demons back then. Cool.

Feburary, ah the month of my birthday. Got a great present. Arsenal 2 - Man Utd 4. They play on tuesday as well, same fixture. Can't wait. Got FanArt and even Fanfiction of my Fanfiction. I started drawing myself. I finished Chaos Demons. My Sonic fandom really picked up this month. Cool. But current events were lame and our main computer fucked up

March, The month of the TGN ninja craze and a shit load of quality stuff coming out. This month we got the new Stereophonics album, Timesplitters 3 and above all Resi 4! Though what happened to the GBA2. Around this time I was praising it but it just seems to have gone. Shadow was announced, fears were justified.

April, big month for current events. Mainly the pope dying and the whole voting thing. I also did the Gateway to Work course and learned how the Government really tries to help people find work. It's a system that's easily taken advantage of but it works for me. Man Utd crashed. Over the last three months I had critised channel 4's "lists" too.

May, The disaster month with E3 being the shining light in the darkness. My aunt died and Man Utd got taken over by an American Tycoon who sounds so dodgy. Not only has he used a lot of debt to get us there, what he did to that American Football team and the fact that he knows nothing about our football, it just seems like we're doomed to fail. Gladly we aint doing that bad. Oh and Labour stayed in charge of the country, a small ray of light to accomply E3.

ARGH! Just remembered that the scousers fluked the Champions League too.

June, Ah the month of Sonic's Birthday. My thoughts were focused on that. Though I was rather annoyed how the scousers felt cheated that UEFA/FIFA bent over backwards to let you in the competition. There is also the small matter of me joining DeviantART and I think I discovered Photoshop too.

July, This month was about getting rid of poverty, Well at least raising awareness of it. That's what Live 8 was all about. Instead it'll be remembered as the month of the London Bombings. A true month where Good and Evil collided (sp? I am getting tired). We got the Olympics for 2012 this month, and I started a voluntary work position to raise my overall experience. An eventful month.

August, Two things come to note as I overlook my blog. How much Tenerife could improve, and the start of Jack Thompson's insane Ramblings. Not much happened really. Was this the month of Hurricane Katrina? Meh! I commented on it the following month.

September, My mind was on finishing my placement. Though Football took centre stage as people claimed it was getting boring, and Roy Keane said he was going to leave Man Utd. We also got TGS which restored some faith in future gaming. Oh and we found out that 4kids have taken over the voice acting for the Sonic games. That's the reason Rouge sounds like a whore in Shadow the Hedgehog, rather than the sneaky manipulative bitch she really is.

Oh and I joined Sonic Hot dimensions this month, after familiarising myself with Becky's amazing SA tutorial I felt I had to do something more than lurk.

October, The games of last month got plenty of play, especially Advance wars DS. Probably best game of 2005 for me. TV started to pick up with Hex and The 4400. And this was certainly the month of Jack Thompson too. Overall pretty uneventful though.

November, two Sonic games in a single month, I must be in heaven. Plus Mario Kart DS came out and it's gotten the ocassional online play ever since. CUBE died, Man Utd beat Chelsea. We also got the redesign of TGN 2, which is ace. The Death of George Best dampened the spirits around britain, but the amount of support he got took that away. An Amazing month overall.

December, This month has literally flown by which is good because despite christmas the only thing I can say about it was that Man Utd crashed out of Europe. Oh and there is this little thing of Microsoft rushed launch of the Xbox360. A quick end to what has been quite a quick year.

2006, My hopes are that I start Extra Life, seriously. I get into the habit of doing sit-ups again. I find that someone special and overall I start earning money. No doubt though I'll still be doing nothing but writing Sonic fics and Drawing Sonic fanart.

This is Joseph Rafferty aka Master hunter wishing you all a Happy New Year.