Video Game Tag

I was tagged on Youtube by a friend, GeneralJReviews, who did a video entitled "Video Game Tag Questions". I was tagged in this video to answer a few video game related questions, so I thought that I would answer them here instead of in video format. 

Q: What is your favorite video game of all time?

A: Tales of Symphonia.

I love it so much in fact that when I first started my blog, I did an entire post about it here. So if you want me to explain in more detail, feel free to read about it there. It has been my favorite game for many years now for a multitude of reasons. It holds very fond memories for me, as well as being a kick-ass game in general that I have spent hours and hours replaying. It also introduced me to the JRPG genre, which has become one of my favorite genres over the past few years. I could gas on and on about it, but plain and simply, yes, this is my favorite game.

Q: What is your favorite video game genre?

A: RPG/JRPG's

It's very difficult for me to choose a favorite, as there are so many different types of games over an array of genres that I love. I would have to say though that RPG and JRPG's are in my realm of comfort, skills/abilities, and also provides me with what I look for in a game. I'm very much a grinding, completionist, 40+ hours of gameplay type person, so I've become quite accustomed to the genre. I don't always find it necessary to really immerse myself into a game's "world" so to speak, but most of the time I do, and that's what I love most about RPG's. 

Q: Earliest game that you remember?

A: Banjo-Kazooie

The N64 was my first ever console. I remember unwrapping it for Christmas one year alongside Banjo-Kazooie. I begged my grandparents to help me set it up and after that, there was no turning back. They had this massive TV from the 90's that must have weighed 50+ pounds. The brightness was so incredibly low that I could barely see anything, but it was still one of the highlights of my childhood as I sat there glued to the TV.. loving it all the same. From there, my N64 collection grew and it became one of my most played, most memorable and most loved consoles.

Q: What game are you most looking forward to?

A: Resident Evil Remastered

A lot of great games that I was looking forward to came out in the last year, including: Dead Rising 3, Wolfenstein and The Evil Within. When I caught news of Resident Evil being remastered I couldn't contain my excitement. Not only was I extremely impressed by what screenshots (some shown above) that have come out, but I was also excited at the prospect of playing an already great classical game with what will hopefully be better features. Hopefully the controls are a little bit better and the "fear factor" will be cranked up a bit with some better graphics. I absolutely cannot wait.

Q. Least favorite video game character?

A: Ashley Graham from Resident Evil 4 and Roy Earle from LA Noire

This was a tough question to answer because I couldn't really think of many characters who stood out in my mind. Many game villains are very well done and interesting. I sort of 'love to hate them'. There are other characters that stick out in my mind, sure I don't like them, but I don't really hate them. 

However, Ashley Graham will forever be one of the most infamous "terrible escort mission" type of characters that will be forever ingrained in my memory. I've disliked her the moment I laid eyes on her when I first played Resident Evil 4 for the Gamecube back in 2005 and my feelings haven't changed much since. She exists only to make your job a pain in the ass. She is absolutely useless in any sort of situation, can't jump off of buildings or ledges on her own, has no awesome moments or amazing one liners, has no combat abilities whatsoever and is constantly getting in the way. Her only mode of defense is to hide in garbage cans, and frankly, that's where she should stay.

-----

While I hate Ashley purely for the fact that she's annoying, she's never really done anything to make me as the player hate her for any other reason. I had to put Roy Earle from LA Noire on this list too though, because I dislike him for a whole set of other reasons.

I mean.. just look at this guy. You can tell he's an absolute sleazeball the moment you lay eyes on him, and he doesn't fail to deliver in that regard. Although I only played LA Noire recently this year, Roy Earle still sticks out to me as somebody that I just have a burning dislike for. 

Rockstar did a good job in making an antagonistic type character who is so unlike the main protagonist in comparison. I can only try and describe it as "You fuck with the character that I'm controlling, you fuck with me." Is that weird? Like his actions against the main protagonist are something that I seemingly take personally, even though it's playing out for me and they're only characters in a fictional piece. It's a hard feeling to explain, and one that I don't think I've ever had for any other character to date that I can at least think of at the top of my head.

Q: Who is your favorite video game character?

A: Link

It's a big world of gaming out there, but there are certain characters for each and every one of us that really stick out. For me, that character is Link from the Legend of Zelda series. He is the unsung hero, bound by fate to save the world. He is the single shining example of actions speaking a thousand words. The silent protagonist who never has to utter a single word in order to make an impact. The blonde boy in the green tunic who is always stumbling out of bed to start a new adventure. He is simple, modest, honest and a true hero the people of Hyrule.

He has been by my side throughout my entire gaming life and I have nothing but the upmost respect for him. 

-----

Those were the six questions included in the video game questions tag. A big thank you to GeneralJReviews for tagging me for this. I tag anybody who wants to take part and answer these questions for themselves! 

Reviewing: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

I dreaded for the day this would come.... because this is my favorite Zelda game of all time. I am so incredibly biased about the Wind Waker that I knew it would be hard to think of things I didn't like about the game! Truth be told is that I love everything about it. This blog post may look a little different because it will more or less be things I like about the game, with things that it could have improved on... rather then things I didn't like about the game. I hope that you enjoy, as I have so very much enjoyed Wind Waker the countless times that I have played it. If you would like to see the Youtube video walkthrough I did, you can click here. Thank you! 

Synopsis:

Link's quiet island life is quickly turned upside down in an instant. When his young sister is kidnapped, Link goes to save the day! Link enlists the help of pirates to search the great seas, in an attempt to save his sister from her captives. Our young blonde hero has more then his sister's life at stake - he must also save the land of Hyrule! With the help of some friends, Link awakens as the Hero of the Winds and embarks on a great journey. 

What I love:

1. The creators of the Wind Waker dared to be different, and created a colorful and fun art style.

Most 3D Zelda games (although all animated) have a more realistic looking graphic and art style. Comparing Twilight Princess and Wind Waker is like comparing night and day. I feel a lot of people don't like the extremely cartoony nature of the Wind Waker, but this is, in fact what I (nearly) love most about this game. It's so incredibly quirky, and sets itself apart from other Zelda games in the series. I see absolutely nothing wrong with bright colors and a more "cute" style for the characters. If anything, it made the game so much easier to see, and gave the game a positive feeling right from the beginning. Link's large eyes and stubby legs really gave him a lot of character, as he's small but deadly. Facial expressions were done very well, and because Link's a silent character, I feel they were that much more meaningful. I feel this game's atmosphere is built around the style of the game, and the two go so well together. So if you like your whites whiter, your oceans bluer, and your blondes blonder... then this is the game for you. 

2. The game is easy to handle with a well implemented controller and camera system.

I feel that the Gamecube controller is the best controller out there to date. It fits in the hand well, the buttons are all in a great place, and the mapping just makes sense! There's nothing better then a game that controls well, and Zelda in general does a good job with this. It follows the formula of a lot of Zelda in terms of how the buttons are set up, so it's familiar to previous Zelda players. The thing I think I love most about Wind Waker is the free camera! Camera angles in this game are never a problem, which I think is huge. I think that it also sets it apart from the rest, as it's certainly been a huge problem in other games. It's especially useful when looking for chests or when you're out on the map doing free exploring. If you don't want your camera to be free, just have it focus back on Link and it will be a set camera again. I love not having to worry about crappy camera angles or terrible button controls.

3. The setting and method of travel.

It's too bad that the sea exploration part of Wind Waker seems largely unappreciated. I think that sailing as opposed to just walking around was an interesting twist. It was the first 3D Zelda game (now that Skyward Sword has come out) that dared to deviate from the norm. Because the game title "The Wind Waker" is about the wind (duh), making the game in a traditional "Hyrule Field" type of setting wouldn't have made any sense. Having your feet planted on solid ground doesn't exactly put you at the wind's mercy. However, being in a sailboat in the middle of the ocean definitely suits the game's theme of using the wind. You gotta get some wind in those sails!  I do admit that sailing can feel boring, because there's not a whole lot of scenery on the great open sea. However, the game does compensate for the large amount of sailing with songs to warp and change the wind's direction. One can argue that travelling in most games can become tedious at times. Although some may find it dry and dull, I think there's something appealing about looking at the big open blue and feeling the wind on your face. Plus, who the hell doesn't love the King of Red Lions?

4. Your companions and main characters that are included in your journey.

 I feel that the Wind Waker did a fine job of mixing in older Zelda characters with some new and unique ones. Classic and long lasting races in Hyrule like the Gorons, Zoras and Kokiri are mentioned, but are not the main focus of attention. This is a refreshing change from other 3D Zelda games from it's time (Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Twilight Princess a few years later). Some of the main characters are seen exuding some similarities to ones in the past, but manage to have their own twist on things.

Medli and Makar are both very important characters in game, and are both from two new races that Wind Waker created. They are both well rounded characters with their own quirks, and both serve as great companions later on in the game. Medli is one of my favorite characters from the game, and I just cannot imagine playing Wind Waker without her in it. Princess Zelda (as expected) appears later with an amazing plot twist. Her matter of fact and tomboy personality is the perfect partner to Link. Additionally, I like that "help" characters are not irritating. Tetra dropping you occasional hints throughout the game is something that is reasonable and manageable to deal with. I love the King of Red Lion's character, and the fact that he knows when to stop talking (unlike a certain blue fairy that we know) is nice. Wind Waker's difficulty level in comparison to other Zelda games is low, so you don't need a lot of guidance in the first place, and the companions reflect this perfectly.

What could be improved:

1. Rupee grinding

We all know that side questing is a common trend in Zelda. Rupees can be found nearly everywhere in the game, and yes, there are uses for rupees in nearly every single game to a certain extent. I will admit that even for me, rupee grinding became tedious from time to time. Because this game is largely situated around money, the rupee grinding carries on throughout nearly the entire game. If you're not aware of how much money you'll need at the end of the game, you can easily waste many valuable resources. By the end of the game, if you have exhausted chests, you'll be forced to hunt for money using other methods. Trying to fish for treasures in the ocean can be hit or miss, because you don't always know how many rupees you'll get. Selling accessories doesn't get you a sizeable amount of rupees, and grinding is a pain. There's no open field to cut down grass to look for rupees either. Although there's plenty of methods for gathering your much needed (and very necessary) rupees, it's not always easy and by the end you'll feel cheated.

2. Tingle. *angry face*

I'm glad that there are many other characters to make up for Tingle's character in this game. If I could, I would have left him locked up on Windfall Island, but unfortunately he is actually necessary in this game. Who would have thought? That rupee grinding I mentioned in point number one? Yeah. You have to give this jerk off all of your money. It's easy to miss Tingle if you don't explore around Windfall Island your first time there. Tingle even has his own very island, where he practices slavery while he stands there like a gigantic asshole. Tingle's role is to decipher charts that are actually necessary in the game. You'd think that him being your number one fan boy would land you a discount.. but no. There are 9 charts in total to decipher and Tingle charges 398 rupees per chart. PER FRIGGIN CHART. Case and point: I hate this rip off. I wish that he would decipher charts that weren't necessary to the game, maybe for some heart pieces or something. That way you wouldn't need to fork out so much of your hard earned money and spend so much time searching for rupees. 

3. Lack of customization. :c

This really isn't a complaint, as much as it is a suggestion. I personally (maybe because I'm a chick) like being able to customize Link's look. I loved the tunics, swords, shields, and boots featured in Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess. In the Wind Waker, there are no additional tunics available until you finish the game once. If you complete the game once and play through the game again on this completed file, you will get a change of clothing. However, you're stuck with this new outfit and are unable to change it. Although cool, it would be nice to have a choice between the traditional tunic and a more laid back look. The same goes with shields. You only get two shields in the game, and once you get the second one, you lose the first one forever.  I can't complain though because it doesn't take away from game play and I can't think of a specific situation in which the cosmetic changes would become useful in the game. It's a bonus to Zelda games that I've just been spoiled by!

-----

End.

Phew. Alright, well that's it for that super long review! Because I feel most people don't love Wind Waker as much as I do, feel free to share why you disliked/liked it. I'd love to hear some thoughts, and I hope you enjoyed my review! I leave you with Zelda's super adorableness. :3

Best friends, forever..

This has always been one of the saddest scenes in Ocarina of Time in my opinion.

So little words but so many emotions involved in this brief scene. 

Your best friend leaves, and you can't leave the forest because you'll die if you do.

I feel that Link never talking adds to the scene, he has no words to say and just runs.

Your friend would grow up, and you'd be stuck a child eternally. 

I guess that's destiny, and I guess that is friendship.

Allowing your friends to do what they need - no matter the sacrifices.

And no matter the circumstances, you will forever be friends. 

<3

Sheik VS Link

 Now.. I am in no way, shape, or form a "fan girl". I don't watch enjoy hentai or fantasize about characters that do not exist, nor do I have anything against anybody who does. But I always get the question, "If you could theoretically have the hots for a video game character, who would it be?" I get that question a lot... for whatever reason. I haven't done a video game post in awhile, so I thought I'd answer this question, and that I'd also put through a battle/comparison between two of my tough choices. I'm going to think about Link and Sheik as if they were real people, so here we go!

Sheik

Why I love him:  

1. He's so mysterious.. which makes him intriguing. One minute he's there... one minute he's not. It makes you want to know where he is.. when you'll see him again. The sneaky bastard also always knows where you are.. seriously, how the hell does that work?! He's just like the guy that you could never have.


2. He plays the harp. It's so bad ass, yet so beautiful and soothing. Seriously, I don't know of anybody who plays the harp.. and goddamnit, he looks so good doing it.  


3. He's nimble and fast. Everybody loves a man who's nimble and in shape if you catch my drift. ;) All joking aside though, he just seems like he could run forever and he'd never run out of breath. I think this adds to the mysteriousness of his character as a whole. I also like somebody who's not a complete clutz, and Sheik seems far from a clutz.


4. He seems like this own character. I know that a lot of people are going to say, "What are you a lesbian? You do know that Sheik's really Princess Zelda right?" Yes of course I know this. But because Sheik is only in OoT, it doesn't seem that way. He feels unique, and maybe I was the only one, but when I was a kid I honestly didn't know that Zelda and Sheik were one in the same. When I found out I was a little heart broken actually! ;_; But because Zelda and Sheik seem so different.. I've always considered Sheik and Zelda two different people, although I know that in reality they're the same person. 

5. There's not enough of him!  I think part of the reason Sheik has always intrigued me is because he's only in one game out of all the games in the Zelda title.  I starve for more of him, I want moooooooooooooooar! I focus so much on the one and only Sheik that I know, and I cling on to him. Not in a.. "creepy fan/stalker girl way" but I do so because it's the only image and side of Sheik I have to go on.

-----

Link

 

Why I love him: 

1. He looks good in a skirt. Look... I don't know to explain this, BUT IT'S THE TRUTH OKAY?! Link's tunic is sexy as hell. In fact, I love his outfit so much that he'd be the only character I'd ever consider cosplaying. I don't know any man in real life who looks good in a skirt... or kilts for that matter. Blegh. 

2. I've always enjoyed his voice.  Again, don't ask me why this is. But his voice has always just sounded so.... suiting. Link is a silent character, but if he could talk I can imagine he'd have a nice voice.. manly, but not too manly. Still sexy though! Even if they did change his voice from version to version, it still stayed relatively enjoyable and suiting to his character. 

3. He's a good looking  bunch of pixels. I think this one is pretty explainable. But his figure, his sandy blonde hair, paired with some piercings and a nice face..... <3 If he was a real person, you bet your ass he'd be some hot stuff. 

4. He's a true hero! Link never complains and gets his shit done! Link's not trying to rescue his Princess who'd much rather be in the company of a certain dinosaur.. hell no! He's always doing something for his friends or for his Kingdom. A hero is somebody who acts for others, and not for himself. 

5. You can relate to the guy, and he'd probably make a great friend. Because Link really does act for others.. I feel that you can easily relate to the guy. Any person would do something for their friends if asked, or go out of their way for their girl. Many would want to keep their family/town safe or save their Kingdom in any way that they could. He'll help those in need, and he gets to tend to his sense of adventure at the same time. As a child (in OoT) I always felt myself saying, "Oh man Link.. I feel bad for you," being that he was so lonely and confused. I think we all feel like that sometimes. Link's a type of guy that'd you want to sit down and talk with. If he talked, I bet he could tell you some wicked stories. He'd always have your back. 

-----

Phew! Well.. that was long. I feel that I maybe didn't need to explain things that much, but I always like to tell people the reason behind things that I say. Maybe I put too much emphasis on people, and they should just remain a bunch of pixels. Maybe you don't agree with me, and have never felt a connection to a character, or thought to yourself "I wonder what they'd be like if they were a real person?" If that's the case then you probably thought this whole blog was strange and a huge waste of time.

Feel free (if you're comfortable with it) to answer the question "If you could theoretically have the hots for a video game character, who would it be?" I won't judge and I'd love to hear some input/answers. Also, do you like Sheik or Link more.. and why? Thanks for reading everybody!