HARK! The goblin troop approaches. Five strong and one with explosive balloons on his back, ready to lob. Lightning crackles at fingertips and fire exhausts from palms as a sign of our imminent retaliation, subtleties for the show that is about to begin.
My companion is silent, waiting. Her spells are secrets and her plans shrouded. Does she plan, or merely wait for the razor's edge of a moment? I don't have time to think. Scorching flames and lightning stop several in their tracks (reducing them to red kool-aid), but another push is imminent.
It was then she struck. With the flurry of a hundred tornadoes a gust shot from her outstretched hands forcing the approaching goblins back and those too close were launched into the air like so many naked chickens. Though, there was an anomaly among them. It looked to be some sort of fellow dressed in scarlet bath-robes. Yes! He, he was also launched through the air.
Oh.
Wait.
That was me.
Landing in the deep waters of the coastline I quickly and solemnly sunk to my demise because, as everyone knows, wizards cannot swim.
It was really no trouble at all, of course. A few seconds later and she revived me. But, I did have to wonder, was this payback for the 300 foot launch I accidentally sent her on two forests ago?
In Magicka friendly fire cannot be turned off and any number of wizards given near limitless power are prone to a few accidents. It's kind of the point...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Eat me
Go ahead. Six heads or one, just try it. But, first I would like to point out some very substantial facts.
One, I am made of pixels and vertexes. Two, I have the god sent ability to save my game. GET AROUND THAT slimeballs.
Killed, eaten, used as biofuel, or treat me like a bunny? Goodbye. You have just been reduced to little more than a memory. I know where you are, how to beat you (eat you), and exactly how many psychic thwomps on the head it takes to stop your butchering ways. You can't stop me. You can't stop any of us. We will invade your world and treat you all like some sort of game.
Do you ever get tired of defeat? Like us do you simply call it a day and turn off the code when you can't get past that super tricky a gajillion-to-one outnumbered part? That's why my computer crashes...
The ultimate gamers tool. Don't believe me? Try playing a game that doesn't let you make a time stamped reversal point. Don't want to? I don't blame you, but the alien/fantasy creatures equal-rights movement will be on you shortly. RUN.
The next time you decide to call a game unfair just consider that you have traveled back in time more times than I can count with retained strategic knowledge that completely upsets the balance of the universe. How else do you think a hero such as yourself can be born?
No wonder at that why game makers everywhere strive to challenge us. I once played King's Quest VI for over 20 hours before realizing that I had made a critical mistake and needed to restart the game. Was I frustrated? Yes. Did I ever try again? No. Newer games have learned from this.
Schleets! PANTS THAT EAT YOUR EYES OUT! (Play Dragon Age Awakening).
Further more, if more games would include Prince of Persia rewinding time features--the ultimate in convenience--I would be more apt to scream about them from the rooftops. It is unsurpassingly wonderful to actually see the creature regurgitate you before you side leap to foil his plans. Can you imagine how frustrated the geth would be? Point closed.
One, I am made of pixels and vertexes. Two, I have the god sent ability to save my game. GET AROUND THAT slimeballs.
Killed, eaten, used as biofuel, or treat me like a bunny? Goodbye. You have just been reduced to little more than a memory. I know where you are, how to beat you (eat you), and exactly how many psychic thwomps on the head it takes to stop your butchering ways. You can't stop me. You can't stop any of us. We will invade your world and treat you all like some sort of game.
Do you ever get tired of defeat? Like us do you simply call it a day and turn off the code when you can't get past that super tricky a gajillion-to-one outnumbered part? That's why my computer crashes...
The ultimate gamers tool. Don't believe me? Try playing a game that doesn't let you make a time stamped reversal point. Don't want to? I don't blame you, but the alien/fantasy creatures equal-rights movement will be on you shortly. RUN.
The next time you decide to call a game unfair just consider that you have traveled back in time more times than I can count with retained strategic knowledge that completely upsets the balance of the universe. How else do you think a hero such as yourself can be born?
No wonder at that why game makers everywhere strive to challenge us. I once played King's Quest VI for over 20 hours before realizing that I had made a critical mistake and needed to restart the game. Was I frustrated? Yes. Did I ever try again? No. Newer games have learned from this.
Schleets! PANTS THAT EAT YOUR EYES OUT! (Play Dragon Age Awakening).
Further more, if more games would include Prince of Persia rewinding time features--the ultimate in convenience--I would be more apt to scream about them from the rooftops. It is unsurpassingly wonderful to actually see the creature regurgitate you before you side leap to foil his plans. Can you imagine how frustrated the geth would be? Point closed.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Ferelden and Greenwort
Fantasy varies.
Many designers take shadowed and brooding approaches. Dark fantasy. This is where the world is always leering on the edge of some horror and humans are children in a world of greater powers. Personally this viewpoint leaves me wondering what is even the point. How can anyone exist, and why would they want to? There are no children to raise and no smiles to encourage. Good deeds mean nothing in a dark fantasy world. You can save a village only to have it ravaged by some nightmare. One stops even caring after a while.
In the alternative is the light and happy fantasy of childhood games. Dark things do exist in this world, but the foes are slain by noble knights to rescue lovely princesses. Dragons sleep on mounds of delightful treasure, and the village is always in need of saving. Perhaps everyone can just get along? This world is preferable only on virtue of positivity. Otherwise it is just as bland as the dark one. There is no point to their ridiculous happiness. They haven't accomplished anything because there is no way not to. Agonizing.
The quest is to find a fantasy world, then, that contains both elements of dark and light fantasy. Happiness and children need to be on the line before we actually start caring about impending darkness. We actually need to care about death and life.
Fine examples of gaming dichotomy: Dragon Age: Origins and King's Bounty: The Legend.
Dragon Age leans towards dark fantasy. The world is a gritty one. Dishonesty, tricks, traps, and faith crisis plague the humans while the horrible creatures that are building their forces to invade are always an inch away from invading. But, there is good in the world that is worth fighting for. You meet children and families in small villages, beautiful forests, and large fantasy metropolis locations. The situations are horrifying because they take away from the beauty and innocence in many situations. The swearing is minimal but the violence extreme and some of the moral dilemmas downright frightening, but what would we expect from the makers of Mass Effect and Jade Empire? This game is serious, yet still makes time for humanity. A near flawless mix, though it can make you come away feeling a bit less than morally fulfilled.
King's Bounty is a more recent conquest for me and seems like a sleeper. Here we have a bright fantasy world filled with intricate details. The caves are classic fantasy with bats and spiderwebs and creepy music, the world as bright as a fantasy picture book and just as filled with adventure. Here you take on the role of a king's servant and wander about the country side seeking out quests. You lead armies tactically in a turn-based map while expanding your influence, inventory, spells, and skills. A cheery and bright game with just the right amount of aura and a kingdom of troubles and fantasy adventure. Delightful (And only $9.99 on GOG. Shameless advertising).
Maybe not all of you are fans of fantasy, high or dark or light or avante garde, but these games bear decisions and experiences that all will enjoy or at least find fascinating. Enjoy!
Many designers take shadowed and brooding approaches. Dark fantasy. This is where the world is always leering on the edge of some horror and humans are children in a world of greater powers. Personally this viewpoint leaves me wondering what is even the point. How can anyone exist, and why would they want to? There are no children to raise and no smiles to encourage. Good deeds mean nothing in a dark fantasy world. You can save a village only to have it ravaged by some nightmare. One stops even caring after a while.
In the alternative is the light and happy fantasy of childhood games. Dark things do exist in this world, but the foes are slain by noble knights to rescue lovely princesses. Dragons sleep on mounds of delightful treasure, and the village is always in need of saving. Perhaps everyone can just get along? This world is preferable only on virtue of positivity. Otherwise it is just as bland as the dark one. There is no point to their ridiculous happiness. They haven't accomplished anything because there is no way not to. Agonizing.
The quest is to find a fantasy world, then, that contains both elements of dark and light fantasy. Happiness and children need to be on the line before we actually start caring about impending darkness. We actually need to care about death and life.
Fine examples of gaming dichotomy: Dragon Age: Origins and King's Bounty: The Legend.
Dragon Age leans towards dark fantasy. The world is a gritty one. Dishonesty, tricks, traps, and faith crisis plague the humans while the horrible creatures that are building their forces to invade are always an inch away from invading. But, there is good in the world that is worth fighting for. You meet children and families in small villages, beautiful forests, and large fantasy metropolis locations. The situations are horrifying because they take away from the beauty and innocence in many situations. The swearing is minimal but the violence extreme and some of the moral dilemmas downright frightening, but what would we expect from the makers of Mass Effect and Jade Empire? This game is serious, yet still makes time for humanity. A near flawless mix, though it can make you come away feeling a bit less than morally fulfilled.
King's Bounty is a more recent conquest for me and seems like a sleeper. Here we have a bright fantasy world filled with intricate details. The caves are classic fantasy with bats and spiderwebs and creepy music, the world as bright as a fantasy picture book and just as filled with adventure. Here you take on the role of a king's servant and wander about the country side seeking out quests. You lead armies tactically in a turn-based map while expanding your influence, inventory, spells, and skills. A cheery and bright game with just the right amount of aura and a kingdom of troubles and fantasy adventure. Delightful (And only $9.99 on GOG. Shameless advertising).
Maybe not all of you are fans of fantasy, high or dark or light or avante garde, but these games bear decisions and experiences that all will enjoy or at least find fascinating. Enjoy!
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