A Gaming Diary
Archive for March, 2009
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (PSP)
Mar 31st
Had this lying around for many months, but never got around to playing it. With GTA’s story completed, I thought it was time.
I had a brief addiction to the first game a while back, so thought that I’d remember how things worked.
I don’t.
Luckily there’s a full set of very thorough tutorials that I’m working my way through. So far I’ve killed some big shaggy things for their meat, cooked the meat (which is very difficult without having any sound, but I got there in there), gathered some herbs and honey and mined a whetstone.
If I can keep my momentum up and not leave it for long enough to forget how to play, I could probably get addicted to this all over again.
UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 (360)
Mar 31st
Four quid this cost me. I wanted to try out the Ultimate Team card game thing without buying FIFA 09, which is a fair bit more expensive.
First impressions are that the interface for the card stuff is incredibly confusing and I can’t seem to score a goal, even on the easiest difficulty. I guess I should read the manual to see what the buttons are. I think I’ve got them pretty much worked out, but I bet there’s a lot I’m missing.
I only played it for a very short time to check the disc worked, mind.
Left 4 Dead (360)
Mar 31st
Possibly the most fun you can have with an Xbox 360, based on my first impressions.
None of my so-called friends were playing this last night (at least not when I was online) so I played some campaign missions with randoms. I’d been warned that playing with randoms was awful, but that wasn’t my experience. People were dropping in and out all the time, but everyone was helpful and didn’t mind that I didn’t know what the heck I was doing a lot of the time. They even said it was okay when I apologised profusely after disturbing the witch. And even the squeaky-voiced kid who wouldn’t shut up wasn’t too annoying. Especially as he healed me a couple of times.
Anyway, it’s fast, intense, wonderfully paced, full of amazing panicky moments and is just plain awesome. I played for a couple of hours, but if I hadn’t seen the time, I’d have thought I’d have played for a maximum of forty-five minutes. Time just flew by.
I got a couple of Achievements, too – both Smoker-related.
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (Wii)
Mar 31st
A very, very quick go last night while I was installing Left 4 Dead to my 360′s hard drive. Talked to Alli about fashion choices. She gave me a pair of 3D glasses, which I sold at Nook’s for a massive 30 bells. I’m rich!
Cubello (Wii)
Mar 30th
Got through a few levels of this, which I’d bought a while ago and then ignored. It’s a great little puzzle game. Once you get past the first few levels you really need to start being clever with your shots. Somewhat overlooked, I now understand just why many of the people who have played it like it so much.
World of Goo (Wii)
Mar 30th
Tried to play this, but the cat only let me play one level. Sometimes she decides that she needs the attention the TV’s getting and does everything she can to get in the way.
GTA IV: The Lost and Damned (360)
Mar 30th
Played some more of this. Did a few story missions, some gang wars and tried a race several times, but couldn’t win it.
The best moments were, once again, nothing to do with the story or side missions, though. The most enjoyable parts were when I just walked through the streets, seeing the sites and randomly killing people who seemed like they deserved it. Sunny days, rain-lashed nights, a dirty beach under cloudy skies.
I love Liberty City.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
Mar 30th
Finished the story over the weekend. The missions stayed fun and never got to hard, possibly because I was spending all my drug-dealing profits on guns. Lots of guns.
I didn’t stop playing now the story’s over, though. I dealt some more drugs – finally getting rid of one hundred ecstasy tablets I’d had for several days. Then I found the car dealership again and bought myself a tank and went on a fairly short rampage in it. Got a six star wanted level for the first time. I didn’t survive, but dying’s no real problem. (It’s getting Busted that hurts, as you lose all your drugs and weapons.) I’ve done about a third of the stunt jumps now, so lots more to find. I’ve hardly touched the ambulance and taxi missions. And I got attacked by a tooled-up gang of prostitutes who had finally had enough of being killed for their money after providing their services. All very meta.
A truly excellent game and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the seventeen hours or so I’ve put in. I just wish there was even more, despite it being one of the most generous games on the DS.
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (Wii)
Mar 30th
Remembered KK Slider on Saturday, hooray! Still haven’t found the final fossil needed for the museum. Am telling my neighbours that I’ll order furniture for them and then forgetting to do it. I am a very bad man.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
Mar 26th
Three more story missions done. All three great fun. No annoyances, boredom or unfairness.
