Welcome to the Galaxy!

OK so check me out. In 1997 I got a Nintendo 64. I think that was the day that my life changed - seriously. The reason: Super Mario 64.

This thing was unbelievable. Truly revolutionary. It was pretty much the only game I played for a year (I had to borrow 500 bones from my folks to buy a 64 and Mario - took me a year to pay off!). Lulz.

Anyway, I've been pretty critical of the 3D Mario games that have followed Mario 64. Sunshine had awesome controls, but terrible level design and Galaxy is too linear. But having played through the first 37 Stars of Super Mario Galaxy 2 - a game which follows the linear model of Galaxy 1, I'm throwing out that complaint.

Linearity in games is by no means a bad thing. Linearity can provide focus, it can enhance the impact of the moment. Linear design can also increase the awesomeness of sequence breaking, over that of a sandbox model - because you're breaking the rules.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 has some of the best level design I've ever seen. The transition from 3D to the 2D sections is seamless and natural, the gravity effects play havoc with your senses, the camera angles are dynamic and intelligent, and the difficulty is challenging yet achievable. And because the levels are primarily linear, all these elements are so much more refined, as the game does not have to account for the user doing something out of the ordinary.




Know this peons, Mario Galaxy 2 is kicking my ass, and I'm loving it. Seriously I'm like a kid in a candy store.

There is this one section where you are on a cylindrical planet, and the gravitational force is from inside the cylinder. Because of this, you can drop from a ledge and fall endlessly around this cylinder until you hit a platform. It's mind bending stuff.

Another section had Mario running towards the camera, with a King Boo (giant ghost) chasing closely behind. Anyway, if you aren't running at full speed you will get caught. But if you are running at full speed, you get about half a second to react if there is a gap in the path or enemy in front of you. It's twitch gameplay at it's best, but the cinematography totally makes the experience.

But there is one moment that I'm going to take away from Mario Galaxy 2 above all else (thus far of course) - and to be honest, I am kicking myself that I allowed this moment to be spoiled for me pre-release - and that is the return of slides. Yes SLIDES. The fact that I knew about their return, and still got SO excited is a testament to how insanely awesome the slides were in Mario 64. And the best thing - the return of Peach's Secret Slide music! Check out the original and the new version below.







Super Mario Galaxy 2 is phenomenal! Will it overtake Metroid Prime as my favorite game ever? Probably not. But the level of creativity on display is absolutely off the hook, and can only be attributed to what I assume is an almost lethal combination of hallucinogens, happy gas, caffeine and hookers. Think about it.

As it stands right now, every day I go to work and day dream about getting home and playing some more Mario Galaxy 2. I haven't done that in a long-ass time. If you haven't already picked up a copy, do it, before I snatch your ass in a bear trap. I'll make your eyes all black and blue and shit.

Audi.

E3 2010 = Done. Me = Hyped

So I'm a gaming fanatic. And for people like me (nerds) it doesn't get any bigger than E3.

With E3 done and dusted for another year, lets have a look at what caught my eye (hint = NINTENDO!!)

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii - Release: 2011)
I love me some Zelda. Absolutely love the franchise. As such, I was SO looking forward to seeing the new Zelda title. So Nintendo delivered a playable demo - and it's Wii Motion Plus compatible (compulsory), and has a water-colour-ish graphical style.

The demo focussed on the controls - and I'm not impressed. I really don't want to be swinging around like a madman (ala Red Steel 2) for a 40+ hour adventure. Also I hate the idea of the 3D mouse to select your item. Just use the damn pointer.

Speaking of items, what the hell is up with only having 8 slots? Seriously, 8 items? 2 of those are the Slingshot and the Bow. What is the point? Nobody uses the Slingshot after they've acquired the Bow. Nobody!

Also the controls for the items look rubbish and gimmicky. Wii Sports Resort archery is cool, but in a combat situation (aka Zelda) - no dice. Give me pointer controls (ala Twilight Princess).

Anyway, apparently the playable demo from E3 isn't actually part of the game, so we can't really read too much into that. Let's just hope that we get a whole bunch of clever puzzles, some amazing dungeon designs, a re-thought system of game progression, and most importantly I want the controls to work.

Total Hype = B-

Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii - Release: 2010)
Let me get this out of the way - I don't really like the original Donkey Kong Country titles. I find the level design boring, and the controls unresponsive. I liked Donkey Kong 64 - although it has aged terribly. I LOVED Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. That game was amazing. The level design, the gameplay hook, the sound. Fantastic stuff. Now with Retro Studios at the helm, I am VERY excited about DKCR. Retro Studios are all about level design, ambience, sound engineering etc.

Just looking at some of the stuff that they showed off in their trailer it just looks off the freaking hook. The sillhouette style of some levels, the tag-team moves - man, can't wait.

Total Hype = A+

Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii - Release: 2010)
I've never played a Kirby game, but Epic Yarn is my kind of game I think. The artstyle is beautiful, and the way it's linked to the core gameplay mechanic is beyond brilliant. Reminds me oh so much of the Paper Mario titles - and that my friends is one of the biggest compliments I can give.

Now we don't know too much about how the game actually plays, or progresses etc, but I have faith in Sora and Nintendo. Sure it may seem kiddy - but fuck it, I'm comfortable with who I am.

Total Hype = A-

Mortal Kombat (Xbox360 & PS3 - Release: 2011)
I love the original Mortal Kombat Trilogy. I spend many months hammering MK3 with my mate Big Bear. We had every move, combo, fatality, friendship, and animality down for every character. It was amazing. And while I've still kept up with the cannon of Mortal Kombat since then, I really didn't get into the games much after that (MK as a 3D fighter was a BAD idea).

Anyway, this new Mortal Kombat looks immense. Now a 2D fighter (with 3D models), going back to the original characters from the Trilogy, and bringing back the gore, in a big, BIG way. So much so that I doubt this game will pass the Australia censors - but alas, that's another blog entry. The inclusion of Reptile, Nightwolf and Kung Loa means that this game is a Day 1 purchase!

Total Hype = A

Metroid: Other M (Wii - Release: 2010)
As a relative newbie to the Metroid-verse. Metroid Prime broke my cherry (best game ever BTW). Metroid: Other M is going to be excellent. It looks amazing, I love the setting, I love the control scheme and the auto-aim, hell I even love the idea of a deeper narrative.

I see alot of complaints about 'it's not Metroid because you need to be authorised to use certain weapons'. What a load of horse shit. That may be the case for the intro level (which is all anyone has played mind you), but that won't be the case for the rest of the game. The dude with the authority, Adam Malkovich, dies sometime between Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion - the exact time that Other M covers. He is dying early in this game. No doubt. Once that occurs, its gonna be old school Metroid - but better.
August cannot come fast enough. Bring it!

Total Hype = A+

Nintendo 3DS
I'm not a big handheld gamer. Sure I own a GBA-SP and a DSLite, but I don't own many games. I'm also not interested in stereoscopic 3D. But the 3DS has such an amazing looking lineup that I just cannot ignore it.
All new Kid Icarus, all new Pilotwings, all new Paper Mario - 3 awesome, AWESOME franchises. Plus we have Lylat Wars (Star Fox 64) and Ocarina of Time remakes. Fuck yes.

 

While I am heart broken that Kid Icarus, Pilotwings and Paper Mario aren't coming to Wii, I understand that they are PERFECT games to showcase the 3DS technology. The missus expecially is upset about Paper Mario, she loves those games just as much as me.

But the 3DS hardware is truly amazing. Stereoscopic 3D without glasses - check. Gyroscopic control - check. Media player - check. Powerful as a mofo - check. 3rd party support including Metal Gear Solid, Assassins Creed, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell, Dead or Alive and Saints Row. Holy fuck. That is more 3rd party support than the Wii and Gamecube have had COMBINED.

Total Hype = A


Now to the disappointments - No Pikmin shown. Lame. Fuck I love Pikmin. Just give it to me already. I don't even want any real improvments. Just 100 Pikmin on screen, the same 5 species, some different enemies, some new types of puzzles, and some hard-ass randomly generated dungeons. Sold. Take my money.

Also, no F-Zero. I need a new F-Zero. Monster Games (the team behind the awesome ExciteTrucks and ExciteBots) would be a perfect fit for this. They already have the motion controls, the sense of speed and the actual game mechanics in place. Just slap in the 30+ racers of the F-Zero universe, create some fantastically over the top tracks and we're done. It will be brilliant.

Finally, Star Fox. Treasure must make this. Sure, Namco screwed around with Star Fox on the Gamecube, but Treasure are shooter specialists. They know how to make intense, laser flying action. Just look at Sin and Punishment and Ikaruga. Hell, make it a joint effort between Treasure and ex-Factor 5 guys at White Harvest. Those guys know flying games!

OK, I'm going to finish my rant here. I think we can all safely say that the big loser here is my wallet. It's going to cop an absolute hammering with all these games coming out. Not to mention the games that are already out that I've yet to buy, or games that weren't shown at E3 for some reason. Here's a quick list: No More Heroes 2, Trauma Team, Lego Harry Potter, Batman Arkham Asylum 2, Sin and Punishment 2 and Xenoblade.

I really need to win Lotto and quit my job. Too much awesome gaming to be had, so so little time.

Chapter 1 - The obligitory tutorial level (aka 'About Me & My Blog')

So I've decided to start a blog (*hint* you're already reading it). Not really sure why. Maybe I like the sound of my own voice; Maybe I think someone will enjoy my ramblings and try to head hunt me (please do!); Maybe I just want to get my thoughts out of my head and into yours, so that you'll go crazy before I do. Take your pick. 

So who am I, why should you read my stupid blog, and what kinds of stuff can you expect to read about?

Who am I? Well I'm referring to myself as 'Uh Oh'. Not because I'm particularly clumsy, and not because I'm a slag who steals other girls boyfriends! My 'real life' friends all know the backstory behind this name, and I may choose to share this further down the track - but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Why should you read my stupid blog? I dunno. You probably shouldn't if we're being honest with ourselves. Hell I'd much rather grab a carton of twist tops and get rowdy with the boys - but alas, I'm stuck at 'work'.

What can you expect from my blog? Random thoughts on my favorite topics as well as a cynicle perspective on the everyday experiences, that as a whole, make up my life. What are my favorite topics you ask? In short: video games, professional wrestling and rugby league.

I know, I know. I'm a nerd. And yes I am telepathic (just one of the skills I've learned from video games...) I'm not your stereotypical nerd however - I'm not severely underweight (or morbidly obese), I shower daily, I hold down a 9-5, I have a mortgage, I'm in a steady relationship, I've never played an MMO, and I have zero time for anime.

 Why is this blog called the 'Clock Town Chronicles'? Well 2 reasons I guess (maybe more...). The first is due to my love of Zelda (the game series, not the Aunt from Sabrina the Teenage Witch). For the non-Nintendorks out there, Clock Town is the setting for The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (buy it or else!), probably my favorite Zelda game. In this game, you replay the same 3 day cycle over and over (and over) again. It's pretty much Groundhog Day in video game form.

My life, often feels like Groudhog Day. Same shit, different day as "they" say. As such, this blog will 'chronicle' my thoughts and experiences, in a hope that I can look back and think to myself 'wow, you actually did do something cool this week/month/year'.

So here is the scoop. I'll be 'blogging' everyday from work (Monday to Friday - for those keeping score). Maybe more if I'm really bored. If you like my blog, tell your friends, the more the merrier. If you think I've ripped off an image from your site, all I ask is a few hours notice before you 'release the hounds'. If you've got a question or suggestion, let me know.

Uh Oh