A Gaming Diary
Archive for June, 2009
Gunstar Heroes Demo (360)
Jun 30th
Probably the best Megadrive/Genesis game in the whole world. Fast, fluid and fun. But did it always look so horrible?
Played it, loved it, but didn’t buy it. Why? Well, because I’m awful it, that’s why, and didn’t actual get to where it asked me to buy it. If I’m so terrible that I don’t need the full game, then I think I’ll keep my points.
(Although, I know the boss that killed me was pretty easy when I used to play on the Genesis, so I’ll probably cave eventually.)
Fuel (360)
Jun 30th
Got an Achievement last night. First one in a while. It was the one for collecting one hundred liveries. As luck would have it, it wasn’t just a random livery for a vehicle I never use, but a new design for my beloved Dustgrinder bike. Hooray!
Collected another livery after that, then went off to do an actual career race – this one a buggy race that took place mostly on roads. Took me three tries, but was pretty easy once I discovered a shortcut at the beginning of the race that put me far enough ahead that I could avoid being overtaken on the bits that I couldn’t do very well. There was a hairpin on to gravel which I could never quite get right, a jump it was hard to hit at the correct angle and a curved, woody section where I knew there must be a shortcut – the AI cars were certainly finding it – but which I couldn’t find. Excellent race.
The Sims 3 (PC)
Jun 29th
Sims now properly autonomous – except for fact they won’t come home from trips out unless you tell them to, as far as I can see. Left to their own devices, they will do what needs doing, including peeing, showering, sleeping and cleaning. This is a major step. My wife likes to micro-manage her sims, I prefer to watch them and then prod them gently or get them doing things they wouldn’t normally do.
Making friends seems to take ages. Acquaintances are easy to get, but building up relationships seems hard.
La’Quisha grew up to school age. Once she’s going off to school each day, I’m going to have Steve explore the town a bit during the days before he gets a job.
Used build mode to extend the house, as it was far too small. Very easy to do, doesn’t cost the earth. Good. Restrictions, though, like not being able to move walls with counters attached to them. Reasonable, understandable, annoying.
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (Wii)
Jun 29th
New monkey, Tammi. I’ve always wanted a monkey.
Sam & Max Save The World Demo (360)
Jun 26th
Didn’t play this for long. I probably want it, despite the voices being all wrong, but I don’t honestly know if I’d ever play it. I can see myself spending 1,600 points and then never even finishing episode one. Something to ponder.
Rocket Riot Demo (360)
Jun 26th
Lovely art style, brilliant “Rocket Riot, Rocket Riot” sound burst at the end of levels (almost enough to make me buy it on its own), plays as well as an unholy union of Bangai-O and Worms ever could. Very generous demo, too. If I had points to throw around, I might well throw them around on this. But I don’t. And after hearing complaints about a terrible second boss, I’m not going to add points for this game.
If that makes sense.
Wolfenstein 3D Demo (360)
Jun 26th
Doom has aged very, very well. Wolfenstein… less so. It’s nice to see a shooter with a score, though. That’s always good.
Droplitz Demo (360)
Jun 26th
Wasn’t quite sure what I was doing – I knew to make paths, but didn’t know what the win/lose conditions were – but enjoyed my time with this time. Four hundred points would seem like the right price for a puzzle game like this, eight hundred seems a bit much. Not completely out of the question, but a bit much.
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (Wii)
Jun 26th
Catchphrases in McNulty include “on a boat”, “like a pig” and “I like men”.
Animal Crossing: Let’s Go To The City (Wii)
Jun 25th
Bella’s gone. Redd sold me a fake a painting and a rocket.
