Friday, July 23, 2010

Let's play: 'Which box art is better?' (The Shoot edition)

When the PlayStation Move launches around the world later this year, it will be accompanied by the imaginatively--and rather wittily--titled The Shoot. (After all, players are tasked with helping film a series of Hollywood action flicks.)

Interestingly (well, it's interesting to me), Sony's designers seem to be "pulling a Kirby" (kind of) when it comes to this title's cover art.

The cover that will appear on the European version of The Shoot, for instance, will feature the following family-friendly art:


The cover of the North American version of the game, on the other hand, will feature art that's decidedly more malevolent.


If I were forced at gunpoint to choose one over the other, I'd probably go with the European cover, as it seems to do a better job of showing off the game's various enemies and environments.

See also: 'Let's play: Which box art is better? (Metroid: Other M edition)'

Sexy secretary

My main Dragon Quest IX character, Madonna, is sporting a "sexy secretary" (or should I say "sexy administrative assistant"?) look at the moment. (Check out the photo to the right for some rather crappy photographic evidence of said costume.)

Sorry, I just had to share.

I'm still (slowly but surely) working my way through this wonderful little game, by the way. In fact, I just found the seventh and final "fygg." I guess that means I'm nearing the end of the main quest?

I won't be finishing it anytime soon, though, as I've barely experimented with the title's alchemy or class systems. Also, I just found my first treasure map (yeah, I'm a little late to the party when it comes to those)--so I've got plenty of exploring to do before I move on to the final boss (or whatever I'm supposed to conquer to trigger the end credits).

See also: 'But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?' and 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

But what about Beyonce's blue ball gown?

I've always been a bit obsessive--OK, a lot obsessive--when it comes to collecting loot (i.e., accessories, armor and weapons) in RPGs, but Dragon Quest IX has taken those obsessive tendencies to new heights by allowing me to actually see the accessories, armor and weapons my avatars are currently sporting.

The problem with this "feature" is that I tend to equip my party members based on how a particular accessory will make them look as opposed to how it will help them in battle. For instance, Beyonce, my martial artist, currently sports a silver tiara, a spangled dress, fishnet stockings, high heels--and a shiny pair of crow's claws.

Thankfully, the former Destiny's Child frontwoman--and her digitized Dragon Quest IX cohorts--are a bit over-leveled at the moment, so they're still holding their own rather handily despite the fact that they're all wearing less-than-desirable (from a defense standpoint) gear.

I don't suppose any of you fabulous Dragon Quest IX aficionados are experiencing this same, er, "issue"?

See also: 'The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever'

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Please excuse me as I drool all over my keyboard

If I had a cellphone (I know...), I'd buy one of these Classic Mac felt cases, created by Etsy seller RabbitRampage, in a heartbeat.


Instead, I'll just stare at it--and this similarly slick GameBoy felt case--longingly.

See also: 'You know, I think I need a new mouse pad ...' and 'That's nice. Now where's my Game Gear soap?'

Red, blue, yellow, green

I am deeply envious of Maré Odomo. Although I consider myself a doodler of some endowment, I have nothing on the artiste behind the 'Letters to an Absent Father' strips.

I mean, even his drafts, such as the following, are disgustingly appealing.


This one is pretty awesome, too.

See also: 'Ash Ketchum's (and Maré Odomo's) Letters to an Absent Father'

Alex, what is: 'Another game the folks at Nintendo of America will ignore'?

The answer to the Jeopardy-esque question above, of course, is: The sequel to Hotel DuskLast Window: The Secret of Cape West.



Actually, I shouldn't say "of course," as Nintendo of America has passed on releasing a number of internally-developed DS and Wii games this generation, including Daigasso! Band Brothers (aka Jam with the Band), Freshly-Picked Tingle's Rosy Rupeeland and that title's sequel, Ripening Tingle's Balloon Trip of Love, on the DS and Another Code: R, Captain Rainbow, Disaster: Day of Crisis, Fatal Frame IV and Zangeki no Reginleiv on the Wii.

Anyway, although Last Window will hit the streets in Europe on Sept. 17, it has yet to receive a North American release date. As much as I'd like to bemoan that fact, I'm also happy that the game has been translated into English and will be released somewhere in the world. After all, ebay.com is just a click away...

(Via infendo.com)

Finally, another reason to pull out my PSP

I hate to admit it, but my PSP hasn't received much love since I picked it up earlier this year. In fact, I've bought just one game in the past five months: Patchwork Heroes.

That PSN-only title is about to have some company thanks to the impending release of Cladun: This is an RPG.



Don't worry if the name Cladun doesn't ring any bells; in Japan, the game was called Classic Dungeon.

Why am I going to buy this game, which will hit the PS Store on Sept. 7? Well, one gamer who played through the Japanese version described it as a mash-up of Disgaea, Shiren the Wanderer and Ys, three of my all-time-favorite titles.

(Via gamepro.com and rpgfan.com)

Monday, July 19, 2010

The gayest (Dragon Quest IX) party ever

The only way my Dragon Quest IX party (below) could be any gayer is if it included Babs, Cher, Judy or Lady Gaga.

My diva-licious Dragon Quest IX party (clockwise from the upper-left corner):
Madonna, Utada, Beyonce and Janet.

Actually, I would have included the first three if I had thought of it--as any of them would be a worthwhile replacement for Utada, who I adore but who really isn't a gay icon.

I thought of including Lady Gaga but decided against it because without the ability to give her a big schnoz she'd look just like Madonna--and that ain't right.