Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Update + Retro Tuesday Surprise

So I haven't posted anything since last week, I had to have a tooth removed on Wednesday, but it was so badly infected that after 5 shots of Novocaine I was still feeling the needles, so I had to take a course of antibiotics.

I just had the tooth removed yesterday so all is good.

Okay, info from Midwest Gaming Classic. It was a blast, I bought a bunch of stuff, (lol, big surprise there) and I played a lot of great games and saw some amazing systems.

The following is the surprise, It's a console that plays a lot of great classic games


I was there for Hyperkin's newest creation the RetroN 5. Hyperkin is known for building great systems to play your favorite classic games. The RetroN 3 which plays NES, SNES, and Genesis.

They were going to announce the RetroN 4 but they changed it, the skipped the 4 and went right into the 5 and HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!

The RetroN 5 plays:

NES
SNES
GENESIS
GB
GBC
GBC

Wait, that's not all. The RetroN 5 also plays:

Famicom
Super Famicom

and finally

Mega Drive.


 It also looks like no NTSC nor PAL games will lockout at all. You don't have to worry about CIC lockout chips or FX chips.

The system will have and utilize wireless controllers (their own)

However if you want to be more "Classic" then just use the side ports of the system, the include the following:

NES
SNES
Genesis

The wireless controller (Pictured Below) shows off the features that it will have:


Home Button for syncing controller(s) to system, manus, etc.

marco buttons for customing, 6 button config in the style of the genesis, LED Buttons alert you of what player you are.

The RetroN 5 will utilize a save state feature that lots of emulators have, but not systems like this.

also the RetroN 5 will use shaders to emulate the picture in 720P for use with HD tv's

Pictured below shows RetroN 5 and SNES 300% Zoom




 Sound quality has also been seriously improved, most systems (in order to save memory) will use sound of inferior quality to try to emulate it as best as they could, which is often horrible.

Not so with the RetroN 5, here's a sample of their new system's sound emulation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fnXjK0xLkTM#!

it's embedded and unlisted so you have to use that link.

You can also reassign buttons, as shown below in the new GUI of the RetroN 5:



You can also speed up or slow down your games, this next part is taken from their website:

"The RetroN 5 will allow for manual and passive overclocking, giving the users the ability to speed up or slow down their games as they see fit. This option will be available on our GUI, and users will have the ability to access this at any time during gameplay by utilizing the “Home” button on the controller. You will also be able to utilize this function by programming the Macro buttons on the wireless controller as well."

In the end, this looks like it could be the absolute best thing that any Retro Gamer (like myself) could hope for.

It has the ability to not only play NES, SNES and Genesis, but also Famicom, Super Famicom, Mega Drive, GB/GBC and GBA games. It also has the best sound quality out of them all, it also has support for four wireless controllers and even has the ports for the classic NES, SNES, and Genesis controllers.

The system I use now is the RetroDuo, which is awesome, but I want something more. I want something with more features, more controller ports, and will let me play every game without worrying about Lockout Chips.

The RetroN 5 looks like this could be the best thing that there ever was and I for sure am getting one.

When more information comes out I will definitely remark about it on future posts!

I can't give this a score just yet since I don't have it.

make no mistake about it though, I will buy this and I will also be buying gmames that had lockout chips that plagued other like the RetroDuo and I will give this a test.

Hopefully it lives up to what they claim! If they do, then I will damn sure tell everyone to get one!








Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Blog update + reviews for Retro Tuesday

This has been a hard week for me, so I am making sure that I don't miss this week's Retro Tuesday. I will be posting another classic review tomorrow.

Also MGC (Midwest Gaming Classic) is this Saturday

Tetris, the game that really put puzzle games on the map. You can say Tetris to almost anyone and they will know what you're talking about.

Tetris is an icon, it has yet to have any game be able to contend with it, it's unsurpassed.

The greatest thing about this game is that it's hard and easy, but it's always fun. It's a really addicting game since games don't take much longer than maybe 30 minutes at the most.

How can any puzzle game be simpler than Tetris? There are what seven pieces of different shapes, that must be placed and form a line connecting from one end of the board, to the other.

It sounds simple, but it can be very hard on later levels.


Those are the pieces that you must use (in no particular order) to create as many lines as you can. If you can make more than one line at a time, you get more points. You get points for bringing pieces from the top of the field, to the bottom (you don't get points if the pieces use the level's gravity speed to bring them down, you must pull them down) The amount of lines that you can make up to (for using the long piece on the bottom right of that picture) one line, two lines, three lines, and finally four lines. If you can make four lines at once, this is called a Tetris. This is the most point making line that you can achieve.

It's really hard to come up with one reason that it's so popular, I guess if I had to pick one reason it would be that it's simple. It's not an overly complicated game, it doesn't have a bunch of features that other puzzle games have that might hinder the quality or the tempo of the game.

In the end, Tetris is a game that can transcend time because it's something that everyone, young old, everyone can relate to and experience together because it doesn't try to be one thing or another. Tetris is something that people should follow in their lifestyle and just be themselves.

I give this game a 10 out of 10

Tetris is the best puzzle game, and even though it has been remade since it came out, it still keeps the core value of the game and while some variants might have new game modes, the classic classic mode is still the best and is still the go to mode for everyone.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Skyrim Review

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the fifth installment in the popular Elder Scrolls series. The Elder Scrolls game type is ARPG (Action Role-Playing Game.

One of the best things about these series is the open world aspect. You want to go here? Go ahead! Now you want to go all the way over there? No problem. You are not limited by anything except for how big the game's world is.

The game takes place on the continent of Tamriel in the providence of Skyrim. I can't go much into the story (I've only just started playing the game) you are (??? - You can choose between various races that all come from various places) who is slated to be executed by the Imperials when all of a sudden a Dragon attacks. As chaos ensues all around, you escape (you have a choice as to who you escape with between two people) and soon you will be on your own while trying to avoid dangerous and powerful foes.

While yes there probably is a real story (Like I said I have only begun) since Skyrim is a true Open world Action RPG that means that even though there is a "fixed" story, you can still do whatever you want. You want to only use your time to attack civilians, go right ahead, you want to kill bunnies have at it (There is a stat for how many bunnies you ahve slaughtered) you want to kill a chicken?????

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can kill other things, just don't kill those chickens!

Graphics in this game are simply amazing, from character models to the foliage, to dungeons, caves, towns, etc. There are very few RPG's that can compete with Skyrim in terms of graphics. Sounds and more importantly music in this game is also one of the greatest you will ever find. I actually find myslef attracted to the sound that plays while you choose to srat a game, continue, load, etc.

The sound effects of your weapons being both sheathed and unsheathed, your bows firing, swords hitting enemies, rocks, etc. are also one of the best I have ever experienced. Don't even get me started on how much I love the sound of my fire spell blasting away at things, <3


Now onto problems with this game. First thing is I'm playing with a PS3 and this is what I've noticed.

Random game freeze, within the first 30 minutes of the game, it just froze. Now you might say that might not be a problem, remember that this game has come from Bethesda, who are infamous with their games freezing, glitching,. lagging, bugging out on the PS3.

Also interestingly enough, I have noticed what appears to be a frame rate issue with this game. Some of you may wonder how do I know this since you can't get a true frame rate with anything other than a PC? Simple, I've played way too many games to know when a game is lagging and it's mostly because of the graphics in that area causing a drop in frame rate. I would think that they could do a better job with this but then there's another problem.

Bethesda sucks for PS3 users, quite simply they don't know what a PS3 is. This is both a joke and true at the same time. Bethesda has said that they've never touched a PS3 as far as making a game is concerned. They used an outsourcing company to port the game over to the PS3. Which is why Skyrim DLC was never released on the PS3 until last month when the first three arrived.

The outsourcing company couldn't port it over for the PS3 so they had to completely re-make the DLC for it to work on the system.

Oh boy and they will probably do stuff with the PS4?

GAMING PC FOR THESE GAMES NAOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The gameplay mechanics are pretty solid though, I would love a wheel similar to Dishonored's system. I only hope that the next game will have this wheel, this wheel is really nice. I would also love to see (stealing something from Call of Duty here) custom class setups, but have it limited to weapons and magic, and shouts only. Like oh I'm going to go against this type of enemy, let me select this setup. it's a bit annoying to use the regular menu and even the favorites menu can be a bit of a bother. However they are on the right track.

I would also like to see the carry weight restrictions to be able to grow higher than they can. Sometimes this can be annoying when your in certain places like a city and if you drop weapons, guards will give you a warning at first. I'm not sure when the second or more times will cause but I'd rather not find out.

In the end, this is a great open world ARPG with lot's of stuff to do, like killing wolves, giants, spiders, giant spiders, etc. This might not be the game for everyone so before you play this, please check out the other games in the series like ES IV Oblivion (Which is $19.99 brand new GotY edition at gamestop, well it was when I bought it 3 months ago)

I give this a 9.2 out of 10

I feel that the constant frame drops and somewhat annoying equipment menu to be a hindrance, however if it causes less of a problem for me I might have to re-write this review to reflect on it.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

New Feature - Retro Tuesday - Tetris Attack Review

In honor of the Midwest Gaming Classic (which is March 23rd - 24th 2013) and I'll be going to, I hacve created a new feature called Retro Tuesday.

Every Tuesday I'll be reviews a classic game, nothing newer than PS2, but more reviews will be pre PS2.

First up is a SNES Puzzle game called Tetris Attack.

Ah Tetris, the game that started the puzzle game crazy. It's addictive and challenging. There have been ripoffs, and spinoffs, but this is (In my opinion) neither. This is it's own game, it has it's own feel, and here's why.

Tetris Attack has nothing to do with Tetris at all, it's not about shapes being fit and making lines. It's about sliding pieces around a field and trying to match 3+.

Sounds like a boring game right? WRONG!!!!!!!!!! While other sliding puzzle games are inherently boring (try to prove me wrong, I dare you!) this is completely different due to a few things.

#1. It has characters that (If you've been playing Nintenod games you would know and connect to)
#2. It's a hard game, it can be easy, but it can also be BRUTAL
#3. It's a great game to play with and against your friends.

Firt off, here is a picture of Tetris Attack:


Now, here is a picture of a game called Panel De Pon:


Tetris Attack is based off a Japanese Puzzle game called Panel De Pon, everything from Tetris Attack was taken from this (sans characters) the mechanics, the story (with slight alterations) EVERYTHING.

You may be asking, so why does this game have the title Tetris?

MONEY!!!

How many people (outside of japan) buy a game called Panel De Pon? Now I know that poeple would buy it, now ask yourself this, how many people WILL buy any game with Tetris in it's title?

Answer is a lot! Tetris Attack, is Panel De Pon with some of Nintendo's  infamous characters, and a slightly changed story. For the most part the mechanics stayed unchanged, except for slight argumentation.

All of this aside, forgetting that fact that it's a ripoff of Panel De Pon (Similar to what Super Mario Bros. 2 did with Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic) removing all of that from your mind, it's still a really amazing game.

This is a crash course, err...let's go to youtube instead!

As you see, you must match 3+ pieces in either horizontal or vertical position. The object is to get a combo (4+ pieces matched up) or make a chain, whereby you match three, then (if there are any) pieces on top of them fall down and match with the any below, you get a chain.

The game takes some time to fisrt pick and and be able to hold your own on the lower difficulties. However, once you progress and get farther in not only the level (there is a VS mode) but also in the difficulty you select.

Game modes ar as followed:

SOLO ONLY:

Endless - No time limit, it's just you vs the puzzle (Well not truly endless, score that ends the game is 99,999)

Time Trial - How many points can you score in 2 minutes.

Puzzle Mode - Complete the Tetris Attack puzzle with the amount of moves that allow you to make

Stage Clear Mode - Clear all blocks until you are under the Stage Clear Line.

VS - You (Yoshi) must battle and defeat enemies to save your friends. More levels unlock when you play harder difficulties.

2-PLAYER MODE:

Time Trial - You both play for 2 minutes at the same time. See who gets more points. Great for either playing with beginners or being a beginner yourself.

VS Mode - You and your friend play and see who can take the other out by making chains, combos, etc. Really addictive and a fun game to play. Recommended to play with people on same level as you, since better players can beat you before you know what happened.

One of the best things is that you don't need a friend for VS mode. You can play with the Computer.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

UNTIL YOU CAN EASILY BEAT, OR MOST OF THE TIME BEAT HARD MODE, DO NOT SET CPU TO LEVEL 7.

CPU levels go from level 1 to Level 7. Obviously the lower, the easier and the higher, the harder.

This is great, best of both worlds, you don't need anybody to get good at the game, you can use the bots.

This is one of my favorite games ever, I've wasted well over 100 hours in this game.

I give this game a 9.9 out of 10


I think that they could have made the chains go past 13 instead of ? chains that give you like no points at all, well hardly at all)

Well that wraps up this first review of Retro Tuesday, stay tuned for more reviews and a review of the MGC on the 24th where I'll detail everything I saw.