InvertY.com
A Gaming Diary
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Mar 4th
Wow.
The Red Sox just offered me a two-year contract for $500,000. Five hundred thousand dollars.
My last contract was one year for $30,500 – which I negotiated up from $30,000.
I don’t think I’m going to negotiate this one, just accept it before they change their minds.
Wow.
Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (360)
Mar 4th
My wife’s been playing this a lot, so while she was in the bath last night I started my own game, as the 360 was on and the disc was in the drive. I chose to be Kasumi because… well, because I’m always Kasumi. I bought her a hat, bought some presents for Ayane and Lisa, got to be good friends with them, played some volleyball, took some photos and did an awful lot of jet ski racing. (Which made me long for some Waverace action on the Gamecube, but I’ve got the US version and no way to play US Gamecube games at the moment.)
It’s quietly compulsive, which is all down to the freedom of choice. If I don’t want to do pool-hopping – which I don’t – then I don’t have to. It’s all a bit strange – especially how certain parts of the characters’ bodies move – and no one element is outstanding, but it’s more than the sum of its parts.
Hardest game ever to get an achievement on, though. I didn’t get one in the couple of hours I played last night and my wife, who’s played a lot more than that, still hasn’t got any.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Mar 4th
I did get back into the majors with the Royals, but they didn’t seem to be interested in extending my contract, so I’m in spring training with the Red Sox. I’m doing all right. I think I’ve got the best batting average in the club, but I’m a bit down on RBIs compared to some of the other guys. I must admit, I get a silly, giddy thrill from getting emails from Mike Lowell and Coco Crisp in my Inbox after a game. I’m hoping to finish spring training today and see if I get a spot in the majors. I won’t be playing this game for much longer, so it would be nice to finish on a high.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Mar 1st
Well, at the end of the season I was busted back down to the minors by the manager of the Braves, despite my .359 batting average being the best at the club – and by a comfortable margin
So I threw my toys out of the pram and walked out. Next season I tried out for the Royals, who put me in their AAA minor team, the Omaha Royals. I’ve been playing there for the last month and a half and I’m doing pretty well, but there’s no sign getting back into the major league.
Ah well.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 28th
This is now my life.
Evenings, lunchtimes, any spare moments.
I’m doing okay, too, but the Braves are so incredibly rubbish it hurts. I’ve got a good batting average, but barely any runs or RBIs.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 26th
After only a month in the minor leagues I got promoted to the majors. Fantastic. Playing for the Atlanta Braves felt very special, which wouldn’t have happened if I’d gone straight there.
I’m not doing as well as I did in the minors. I’m hitting about 0.300, which isn’t bad, and I’ve got a few runs, but my batting average was about 0.475 when I was playing for Richmond. I’m also getting fewer games and a lot of times I’m only being put in as a pinch runner or pinch hitter late in the game. (Which makes the load times even more unbearable.)
Still, I think I’m doing well enough to stay where I am. It would be most dispiriting to get shunted back to Richmond after a taste of the big time.
Railfan (PS3)
Feb 26th
I’ve now done all the Chicago missions. After the first seven short training missions, the final mission was an hour-long journey across Chicago. It was quite hard and I failed quite a few times, but luckily it just dumps you back at the last station you stopped at when that happens.
Really was very good fun, but I was exhausted at the end of it. I never realised being a real driver was so difficult. Trying to stick to all the different speed limits, stop in the right place at the station and keep on time requires a fair amount of skill.
MLB 07: The Show (PSP)
Feb 24th
Back to a career I started last summer with the Braves. I finished spring training and got offered a contract. Wasn’t good enough for the majors, but I’m now designated hitter for the Richmond Braves and doing really, really well… in terms of hit percentage. I can get on base. I still don’t understand the base running controls, though, and keep over- and under-running. I think I’ve only got one run myself so far this season, which isn’t good. Doesn’t help that the rest of my team is rubbish.
Still, having a good time with the game. If only the load times were less terrible. Hopefully 08 will be improved in that regard.
Railfan (PS3)
Feb 24th
This train simulator has been sitting on my shelf for many, many months.
My wife was asleep, so I thought it might be safe to play it. As soon as I put the disc in the drive she woke, came downstairs and laughed at me. I can’t say I didn’t deserve it.
Anyway, despite having controls that consist of a whole two – count ‘em! – buttons, this has actually been very good fun so far. Mainly, I think, because the instructions for each mission are in Japanese, turning even the easiest training mission into an intriguing puzzle.
There’s something very compulsive about it.
Riff: Everyday Shooter (PS3)
Feb 24th
Why is everything a twin stick shooter these days?
Anyway, this is Rez meets Geometry Wars, if you want a lazy comparison. Hampered slightly by only having eight-way shot control, but good fun.
