I've spent the last week or so trying to organize and delegate retrospective features for all the Metroid games. I think Carlos, Wes, and I have finally gotten it all together, and you can expect to see them up on the site today. As of this moment, Prime and Echoes are already posted for your reading pleasure.
In addition to getting these features up, I'll also be picking up Other M this morning, but will have to resist it's allure until all the other features are posted, so don't expect a review until tomorrow, or perhaps Thursday if I think I need more time to play through it. There are already plenty of reviews out there, so I'll try to approach my review in a different way. Not quite sure what that will be right now, but I'll figure it out.
I still plan on writing a review for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, which I liked very much. As a student and critic of film, I have to acknowledge that there are a lot of major shortcomings with the movie; but as a lover of movies and games, I'd say fuck it, it's an incredibly enjoyable experience.
Ryan and I will be recording a new episode of Nickel Film tomorrow, so check that out on iTunes tomorrow night. And Carlos and I will be doing another Jon and Carlos Show on Thursday. It's the all-Metroid show, so tune in.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A Trip to Mars
I was shocked to learn that the Mars 500 project is now on Day 78, or that it even existed. But then again, I don't keep up much with current events outside the video game sphere. Check out what they're all about here. The short story: a few dudes in a capsule for 520 days to simulate the stress of an extended space voyage (i.e. to Mars).
If science fiction films have taught us anything, it's that long, isolated journeys through space can only end in disaster. Tragedy awaits mankind in the void. With that in mind, the Russians are giving a trek to Mars a trial run. And they're bringing a Wii.
However, instead of playing the incredibly appropriate Super Mario Galaxy (1 or 2), apparently they only have a version of Rock Band or Band Hero or some music game of the same type. Dude... who the fuck can play the same 20 songs or so for 52o days straight? Whoever is in charge of this science-mandated, government approved, 17-month torture session is just asking for a psychotic break from one (if not all) of these cosmonauts. For fuck's sake, these men are going to be buried under layers of psychosis perpetrated by 1000-too-many amateur performances of Free Bird.
I give it 240 days before someone is sodomized with a plastic guitar and strangled.
Anyway, I put up a feature about the 5 games they should be playing up on the site. Check it out.
If science fiction films have taught us anything, it's that long, isolated journeys through space can only end in disaster. Tragedy awaits mankind in the void. With that in mind, the Russians are giving a trek to Mars a trial run. And they're bringing a Wii.
However, instead of playing the incredibly appropriate Super Mario Galaxy (1 or 2), apparently they only have a version of Rock Band or Band Hero or some music game of the same type. Dude... who the fuck can play the same 20 songs or so for 52o days straight? Whoever is in charge of this science-mandated, government approved, 17-month torture session is just asking for a psychotic break from one (if not all) of these cosmonauts. For fuck's sake, these men are going to be buried under layers of psychosis perpetrated by 1000-too-many amateur performances of Free Bird.
I give it 240 days before someone is sodomized with a plastic guitar and strangled.
Anyway, I put up a feature about the 5 games they should be playing up on the site. Check it out.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Metroid: Other Games
I'm getting pretty excited about Other M coming out within the next 2 weeks. So much so that I've been playing through my Metroid collection to get myself pumped. I played a bit of Metroid Fusion (GBA), but I can't seem to get into it. There's just too much blasting away at walls for my taste. I also prefer the 3D Prime games over the 2D side scrollers. That's not to say I don't like the 2D games. I like them a lot. But I'm also playing through Prime 1, and I don't even think it's fair to Fusion to compare the two. Prime is a masterpiece. Fusion is a good time, with a few issues. Prime is Citizen Kane. Fusion is Baseketball.
Don't get me wrong, I love Baseketball.
So, what I've decided to do is write up some little articles about each game as I'm playing through them. I'd like to finish up Prime before moving on to Echoes and Corruption. I think I may have to hand over half of the duties to Carlos, if he's game. I'll tackle those 3 and give him responsibility for Super Metroid, Fusion and Prime Hunters. Since he's never home but always on his DS, I'm sure he can handle it. The question is, can he still type?
We'll find out. But for now, you can check out Looking Back Part 1: Metroid Prime on the site.
Don't get me wrong, I love Baseketball.
So, what I've decided to do is write up some little articles about each game as I'm playing through them. I'd like to finish up Prime before moving on to Echoes and Corruption. I think I may have to hand over half of the duties to Carlos, if he's game. I'll tackle those 3 and give him responsibility for Super Metroid, Fusion and Prime Hunters. Since he's never home but always on his DS, I'm sure he can handle it. The question is, can he still type?
We'll find out. But for now, you can check out Looking Back Part 1: Metroid Prime on the site.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Nickel Film 2
The new episode of Nickel Film should be on iTunes soon, but you can listen to it here if you want.
In this episode, Ryan and I review Salt and The Other Guys, as well as talk about new release DVD's and Blurays, trailers and a bit of film theory.
In this episode, Ryan and I review Salt and The Other Guys, as well as talk about new release DVD's and Blurays, trailers and a bit of film theory.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Halfway There
I'm giving the latest episode of The Jon and Carlos Show one last listen before posting, but it will be up on iTunes tonight. Ryan was here as well, but we did not get a chance to record a Nickel Film episode, because Carlos and Wes were playing Smash Bros. Brawl and they get really fucking loud. They fight like an old married couple too. Getting them in a room is like watching a really homoerotic version of Everybody Loves Raymond. An unfunny, homoerotic episode.
But not to fret, Ryan will be back tomorrow and we'll record the show then. I'm actually hoping that he'll want to do another show next week as well for The Expendables and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We'll see, then we'll know.
I'll also be posting a feature on the site tomorrow for the 20 most wanted Virtual Handheld games (if the Virtual Handheld ever happens, that is).
UPDATE: the show is up and you can listen to it here as well as on the site.
But not to fret, Ryan will be back tomorrow and we'll record the show then. I'm actually hoping that he'll want to do another show next week as well for The Expendables and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. We'll see, then we'll know.
I'll also be posting a feature on the site tomorrow for the 20 most wanted Virtual Handheld games (if the Virtual Handheld ever happens, that is).
UPDATE: the show is up and you can listen to it here as well as on the site.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Double Your Pleasure
Both podcasts are long delayed, but new episodes of both WILL be recorded and up on iTunes on Wednesday, come hell or high water. The plan is to keep The Jon and Carlos Show to 1 episode a month (preferablely at the beginning of month) and an episode of Nickel Film at least once every couple of weeks. I'm actually hoping to record our 3rd episode next Wednesday after seeing The Expendables and Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. I'm excited to see what Edgar Wright has come up with in his latest film.
I did pick up a copy of Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box the other day before seeing The Other Guys. It's more of what you expect from a Layton game, and if you have not played one before, they are a treat. They're slow-paced and challenging, games that you can take your time with. I'm trying to finish it up before Metroid: Other M comes out while simultaneously returning to the call of Starcraft 2.
The Other Guys was pretty good, by the way. You can check out the full review on the site later tonight. I'll don't think I'd be going out on a limb to say it's Will Ferrell's funniest comedy since Talladega Nights. He is always at his funniest when teaming up with director Adam McKay. The duo also worked together on Anchorman as well as Step Brothers. I will go out on a limb and say that it's the funniest movie so far this year. Although, given the quality of this year's comedies, perhaps it's not much of a limb.
I did pick up a copy of Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box the other day before seeing The Other Guys. It's more of what you expect from a Layton game, and if you have not played one before, they are a treat. They're slow-paced and challenging, games that you can take your time with. I'm trying to finish it up before Metroid: Other M comes out while simultaneously returning to the call of Starcraft 2.
The Other Guys was pretty good, by the way. You can check out the full review on the site later tonight. I'll don't think I'd be going out on a limb to say it's Will Ferrell's funniest comedy since Talladega Nights. He is always at his funniest when teaming up with director Adam McKay. The duo also worked together on Anchorman as well as Step Brothers. I will go out on a limb and say that it's the funniest movie so far this year. Although, given the quality of this year's comedies, perhaps it's not much of a limb.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wings of Liberty
I finally got a chance to pop in Starcraft 2, and it is nothing short of a pitch-perfect RTS. I used to play these games religiously, but had fallen out of the scene for a long time. Games like Starcraft 2 are the reason I loved the genre back in the day, and the reason why I still love it now. Hat's off to the guys over at Blizzard. Superb job.
And I've only had a chance to play the single player campaign! I think the game will really shine in multiplayer. Since I have not been able to check it out, I'm not sure if you can select other races besides Terran. The campaign is purely Terran in this installment.
Some people are complaining about only having a Terran campaign. Since I've always been a Terran kind of guy, I'm thrilled about having so many missions as the humans. And not to worry, the Protoss and Zerg will get their day in the sun soon enough.
One thing I will say is that installing it is a bitch. It never crossed my mind that a processor with a several GHz processor and 4 gig of RAM would have a tuff (that's right: T-U-double "fuh") time installing a game. However, it was no picnic. But was it worth the wait: fuck yeah. What seemed like forever to install vs. 6 straight hours of Starcraft? I'll take that trade.
I may not get a chance to play more until next week, but expect a full review before the end of the month. I'll give you a hint: It's awesome.
And I've only had a chance to play the single player campaign! I think the game will really shine in multiplayer. Since I have not been able to check it out, I'm not sure if you can select other races besides Terran. The campaign is purely Terran in this installment.
Some people are complaining about only having a Terran campaign. Since I've always been a Terran kind of guy, I'm thrilled about having so many missions as the humans. And not to worry, the Protoss and Zerg will get their day in the sun soon enough.
One thing I will say is that installing it is a bitch. It never crossed my mind that a processor with a several GHz processor and 4 gig of RAM would have a tuff (that's right: T-U-double "fuh") time installing a game. However, it was no picnic. But was it worth the wait: fuck yeah. What seemed like forever to install vs. 6 straight hours of Starcraft? I'll take that trade.
I may not get a chance to play more until next week, but expect a full review before the end of the month. I'll give you a hint: It's awesome.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
August Games
Because our work schedules had to get shifted around, the next episode of the Jon and Carlos Show is going to have to be delayed till next week. However, look for a new Nickel Film podcast within the next couple of days. Ryan and I will be talking about Salt and Dinner for Schmucks.
And Yet It Moves has received an official release date for WiiWare: August 23. It's been quite a long time since I've done any downloading for any platform. I'm pretty excited for this one, since I've always been a fan of unconventional (as well as conventional) platformers. The multiplayer aspects of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair makes it all the more intriguing than it already was just from having the Castlevania title. It mashes a lot of recognizable characters together from different games, so I don't think that this one will be fitting into canon.
I've long suspected that NBA Jam would be jumping platforms, and EA has finally confirmed this. However, only a basic version (with online play) will be available via download when you purchase NBA Elite 11. The question is: will people be willing to pay $60 for a EA NBA title, which have long ago lost their luster? The short answer: yes. The long answer: maybe.
One last thought: Sega claims that it is nearly impossible to please Sonic fans. Noted. But could you try pleasing someone? Anyone?
And Yet It Moves has received an official release date for WiiWare: August 23. It's been quite a long time since I've done any downloading for any platform. I'm pretty excited for this one, since I've always been a fan of unconventional (as well as conventional) platformers. The multiplayer aspects of Castlevania: Harmony of Despair makes it all the more intriguing than it already was just from having the Castlevania title. It mashes a lot of recognizable characters together from different games, so I don't think that this one will be fitting into canon.
I've long suspected that NBA Jam would be jumping platforms, and EA has finally confirmed this. However, only a basic version (with online play) will be available via download when you purchase NBA Elite 11. The question is: will people be willing to pay $60 for a EA NBA title, which have long ago lost their luster? The short answer: yes. The long answer: maybe.
One last thought: Sega claims that it is nearly impossible to please Sonic fans. Noted. But could you try pleasing someone? Anyone?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Resolutions
I've resolved to trade in Arc Rise Fantasia. I have not gone back to it in a couple of days, and the longer the game stews in my mind, the more disappointed I am in it. I don't feel fooled or cheated. I know that my expectations were way too lofty for the little guy. Maybe I just don't like RPG's as much as I thought I did. Maybe I'm just a crotchety old man living in the past.
I could take advantage of GameStop's 7-day return policy. I am unlikely to, just because I think that just getting some trade credit (as opposed to a full refund) is a proper penance for my poor discretion.
Games are once again scarce in August, but there's always Metroid: Other M to look forward to. I've never been into Madden, or any sports games for that matter. But with Professor Layton coming out next month, I'll also be picking up The Diabolical Box as well. Good times.
I could take advantage of GameStop's 7-day return policy. I am unlikely to, just because I think that just getting some trade credit (as opposed to a full refund) is a proper penance for my poor discretion.
Games are once again scarce in August, but there's always Metroid: Other M to look forward to. I've never been into Madden, or any sports games for that matter. But with Professor Layton coming out next month, I'll also be picking up The Diabolical Box as well. Good times.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)