Very Pure

My copy of Wipeout Pure arrived today, and so far I’m extremely happy with it. So far I’ve only played through the first Tournament and look at a few of the other modes, but even with that this game really is another feather in the PSP’s growing cap.

The first thing you notice is that a lot of time has been put into the presentation of the game, it’s very clean and it really helps to convey the Wipeout style that was presented to gamers many years ago by The Designers Republic.

Music is also in the standard Wipeout vein with tunes from many a electronic artist in their, if you’re an electro fan your sure to recognize some of the names listed. Being a huge electro/techno fan I love the music throughout the Wipeout series, this one being no different.

One of the elements that concerned me most of all was how well the handling was, however, it’s solid. Cruising around tracks, taking corners using the air brakes or using speed boots are all a joy due to the study handling of the craft in the game. The gameplay is the usual Wipeout fan fair, race around a track and use the available weapons you pick up to destroy your opponents. The weapons are pretty much the same as other games in the series, and provide the usual tactical advantage when used well. Everything just seems to have the right feel to it, from the weapons and their explosions, to the craft and the tracks.

The track designs are quite interesting, usually requiring you to really concentrate on what you are doing most of the time. Otherwise you will consequently find yourself going off the edge of some tracks or smacking into a wall at top speed. However there are many excellent fast sections of track, and many great corners that chain together.

There is also plenty do within the game. With countless new items to unlock and many, many gold medals to be collected, it will surly take up some time.

Of what I’ve played so far, it’s not a hard game; you know usual leaning curve crap and all. After you played the tracks once, you’ll blitz them the second time.

I picked up the Japanese version, you’re probably wondering why, especially since I would have gotten the US version cheaper and also earlier. Well to be honest, I really don’t like the cover art of the US version. The other thing is all my other gamer are JPN versions so why not keep it that way. Plus the Japanese version of Pure has an English option so it works out great.

Wipeout Pure Japanese Box


Wipeout Pure Japanese Box Inside (The UMD is in the PSP, Sorry!)

Tweaking

So the JPN PS2 that I bought from eBay finally arrived, and lo and behold it doesn't work 100%. I've only tested DVDs on it so far, and they are hardly a benchmark for this type of thing, regardless it just didn't want to participate in my little trial. So I had the bloody thing apart and tweaked the laser height, it will now play most things fine, with it still being picky about certain things. So today I just decided to order Katamari Damacy and see if the unit will actually play games, which at the end of the day is what I bought the unit for in the first place. I'm sure with a little tweaking it will be fine.

It also seems I might have jumped the gun with the info about La Pucelle Tactics. I went into EB tonight and the "magically" had it in stock, so I have no idea what is going on there. So if you still after it, try hitting up your local EB, that is if you can stand the hordes of the great unwashed that frequent there these days.

My copy of La Pucelle Tactics shipped today, so hopefully I’ll put up some impressions of it next week. I should have Wipeout Pure for the PSP soon also, since it shipped about a week ago and I’ve yet to see it, hopefully tomorrow.

Also a nice picture of my PS2 in bits, Enjoy!

The Import Thing

Sorry for the late post, I've been fiddling with a wireless connection for the past few hours. It's not mine; I'm just playing with it.

I’ve been trying to decide recently what import games to pick up for my new JPN PS2 that should arrive this week sometime. I’ve got to pick up something to test it with first of all because I don’t actually own any JPN PS2 games. There are a few titles that I basically bought this import machine for, which are: Initial D: Special Stage, Beatmania IIDX and Katamari Damashii. The problem is it’s quite hard to buy Initial D or Katamari without them being from “The Best” collection, which is basically the “Platinum” range in Japan.

It’s just I now have this “thing” about owning “Platinum” or “Classic” titles, even though I do, I just don’t’ want to buy anymore of them. I even went out of my way no to buy the “Gamers Choice” for the Gamecube, and I’m glad that I did. I can get hold of Initial D from eBay so I might go with that. The other thing is I may end up just buying “the best” of hard to find titles, it’s less effort and also a fair bit cheaper.

Cable-O-Rama

As I said I was going to in a previous post, I took on the task of re-cabling all my gear today. It was a bigger job than I thought and ended up taking me more time than I had initially anticipated. Because I moved some of my gear around to make it easier to cable, I then had to cut two extra holes in the back of my TV cabinet. Then the task of moving things around and all the cabling just seemed to take up a fair amount of time. Though it's all done now and looks a damn sight better, except for my poor VCR which has been relegated to the floor because of lack of space for it. Anyway here are a few pics of it all.


This here is one of the god awful before pics, I'm kind of ashamed that I let it get this bad. It was mainly due to the location of the switcher and the DVD player that all the cables ended up crammed into such a small area. This thankfully has now been remedied by moving said devices.


This is another before pic of everything, it's not too bad but it certainly isn't great to look at, and there is just stuff everywhere. This is with the TV cabinet pulled quite a way out, it usually looks ten times worse because everything is all push together.


More of before, this time with everything unplugged and just tossed into a pile, this all got sorted out shortly after.


This is the end result, with the TV cabinet back in it original position and everything tied up. Some cables are mounted onto the back of the TV cabinet with little release clips, just to keep things tidy. I use cable ties for most things, I know some people use those velcro cable ties, but I find they are more suited to large groups of cable. I know cables ties can be a pain because you have to cut them off, but I just prefer them.


This is just another after pic, it's how the first picture now looks. There are quite a few power supplies there, I have no idea what to really do with those. Also the cables to the left are for the Gamecube, they will get hooked up when I get my component switcher.

That's pretty much it. I know it might seem strange to put so much effort into something like this, especially as no one ever sees behind the TV anyway. But it's just something I like to do, it also makes it much easier if I need to remove anything or pull out a cable later on.

3 Cans Maximum Per Day

Another long strange week draws to an end, thank Christ for that. Not as strange as last week, but I still think my lack of sleep at times affects my daytime awareness level. Good old RedBull, always there when I need it, this blog should really have a little button saying "Powered By RedBull".

I mentioned a couple of posts back that La Pucelle Tactics is getting a release next week. Well I went to pre-order it in EB Thursday night, only to discover that it's listed in the computer, but as discontinued, meaning EB aren't going to stock it?! Yes I know, possibly due to the bad sales of Phantom Brave. But hey, EB's loss is DVDCrave's gain, as they now have my pre-order. DVDCrave have it listed for the 15th, so I'm guessing that's the correct release date.

Though one good thing did come out of going to EB, I got a free Gundam Seed 1:144 injection kit model. It's just a little cheap kit, but it was free! I've put these thing together before and they always look like arse just plain, even though they are colour moulded, but with a bit of additional work and paint they turn out great. I'll put some pics of it up soon, I've only done some basic painting to it at the moment.

One last thing. I finally, after quite a long search, managed to pick up a Japanese PS2. Well it's really the Asian release, which is an NTSC-J model with a 220-240v power supply, so no step down converter! It cost me just over $100 from eBay which I thought was quite good, I've been wanting one for quite a while but didn't want to pony up the cash for a new one. So I can now, after so much time check out Initial D and the new Beatmania IIDX series.

Cable Nightmare

Recently I’ve been noticing the mass of cables behind my TV cabinet, and it seems to be getting steadily worse. At first they were all nice and neat, tied up and run properly, but as I’ve added new things and moved devices about it’s really gotten out of hand.

So I’ve decided that I’m going to finally re-cable it this weekend. I was going to wait until my new JVC component switcher was in but it’s on backorder and could be a while, and every time I see the mass of cables now I get the urge to pull it all out and start over.

I’ll post some pics of what it looks like now and a few of it when it’s done, just for the sake of it, plus you get to see my cabling skills are any good.

On the gaming side of things, I finally managed to spend some more time with Metal Gear Solid 3, and it’s still holding my interest. For some reason I really love the cut scenes, at time I just can’t wait to see them to see how the story is going to unfold and the action in them is fantastic. Also I’ve noticed that the handgun is really accurate, or that I’m just really good at getting headshots. Either way there is some immense satisfaction in stealthy picking off 3 guards.

That Time Of The Year

I rocked down to Harvey Norman with my sister on the weekend after getting word that they had a few games on sale. It was pretty much just the usual rubbish no one wants, however I did manage to pick up a copy of Toe Jam & Earl: Mission To Earth on Xbox, as it was just a tenner.

Even though I’m a Sega fan and owned a Mega Drive, I never played either of the original Toe Jam & Earl games, I know blasphemy. So I can’t really compare the remake to the classic games, but it’s not half bad. It’s your usual 3D platformer collectathon, so it get a little repetitive after a while. The humor in the game is pretty decent and keeps it kicking along for a while, and it also looks quite tasty.

I’ve been watching some new anime recently, I sort of delve in and out of it every now and then, seems to be that time of the year. Anyway, out of the latest few that I’ve picked up one really stood out. Samurai Champloo is the latest series from the creators of the excellent series Cowboy Bebop. Samurai Champloo is, at its most basic level, samurai action set to hip-hop music. It’s been quite a while since I’ve watched an anime and then check to see when the next volume is getting release. Samurai Champloo is such a well produced anime and carries so many of the traits that made Cowboy Bebop so great, that it’s simply a must see for any anime fan.

I also picked up Volume 3 of Ghost in the Shell: SAC it's pretty decent, more of the same and with some continuation of the laughing man story. Volume 4 is also out this month, so if your a GiTS fan check it out.

I also picked up Paranoia Agent, though I've only watched the first episode. It's very strange and quite slow moving. It's quite well done though with decent animation and fairly interesting story, but Boogipop Phantom springs to mind when watching it. I don't know if I could handle watching too much of it in one sitting. So far it seems it's about a string of attracts on people late at night when they are alone. The attacks are committed by a young boy with rollerblades and a baseball bat, that even the victim doesn't really see. In all truth I bought it because I love the front cover of volume one, and the box is also quite cool. I'll watch the rest and see how it goes. Volume 2 of it is out this month so I'll probably pick it up, I'm kind of committed now.

Also I’d forgotten that La Pucelle Tactics is getting a PAL release soon, it’s out on the 12th of this month, so get your pre orders in.

Hardcore Boss Style

After completing DMC3 I can say that it wasn't as enjoyable as I thought it was going to be, there are by far way too many boss battles and the levels at times just seem so short and pointless. They are at times just designed to lead to another boss. However when you are fighting enemies though out the game, it's great. The moves and combos you can pull off make for some great gameplay. Like wise the battles against Virgil are also one of the highlights of the game. It's not a bad game when you consider the puzzles, secret missions and overall style and gameplay. It just seemed like such a slog at times, and just boss after boss, gets a little repetitive. Though the bosses themselves are quite good, and the fights interesting so I'll give it that.

I think I might try and complete MGS3 next as it was getting quite good up to where I stopped playing.

I noticed that Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is now available, though I think I'll leave this for the moment. I'm not too concerned with it even though I do like the Splinter Cell series. The thing I know I'll be able to pick it up in a few weeks for just fifty, so I'm fine with waiting for now. Plus I don't know if I can handle any more stealth action at the moment.

Devil May (Make You) Cry

I don't think I'm particularly bad a Devil May Cry 3, I even finished the first the original in one night. However after playing DMC3 for a little while, dying a few times, and then the game telling me that "Easy Mode" was now unlocked, I took it as a hint.

DMC 3 is hard, not even Ninja Gaiden hard, it's frustratingly hard to a point where you have to play though a chapter again just too try and beat some insanely hard boss. Oh and this game likes it's bosses, almost obsessive compulsive, one in each chapter.

Because I don't enjoy replaying the same level over and over, mainly because it hampers my enjoyment of the game, I decided to start the game over on easy. It's easy alright, too easy in some parts and Devil May Cry 1 easy in others, but it's a lot more enjoyable. If they had made the game slightly harder than easy mode, then it would have been perfect, this game just isn't right to be overly hard.

In the end though, it's still a fun game eve on easy mode, plus it's stylish as hell and worth a look.

Fudal Fun

After buying Otogi 2 over a week ago, I finally got around to checking it out today. While I did like the original Otogi, there was something about it like it wasn't polished enough. Otogi 2 takes the original, throws in more of what made it great, and tops it with so many needed extras. Making it quite good.

First of all, after playing about 5 levels or so I can say that it's not as hard as the original Otogi, which is a godsend. Otogi 2 is pretty much more of the same as Otogi, mainly being complete a mission objective which is usually killing, or destroying everything in a level. This time however you are able to select your next mission, usually from 3 or so on the screen, and then select one of 6 characters to use in the mission. Each character is very different from the others, each with very distinct attributes and weapons. This is a great help as certain characters are better suited to specific missions.

The graphics and effects are improved greatly over Otogi also. The graphic have been polished and the effects have much more style to them, making for some truly great battle scenes.

The controls are a little more solid this time round, though I still have issues with the camera control. It's a little slower to refocus behind your character when you tell it to, and also there seems to be a limit to where you can look which can hinder things at times.

The new Havoc mode is also quite interesting. It's basically a load of side missions where you are giving a set task to do usually in a giving time limit. Going by the name you can pretty much assume that these missions focus on you destroying a lot of things in a given mission, and they pretty much seem to be that. A nice break from the main game.

Overall I have to say I'm much more impressed with Otogi 2 than the original, it's just more fun and enjoyable. Also having the extra characters is a blast, they are so varied that you get so much more satisfaction when using the right one for a mission.

Zombie vs Shotgun

After completing Resident Evil 4, I cant honestly say that no game, for a long time has possed such a force that has compelled me to play it until it was complete. Now I don't get around to completing many games, I usually come to a part that really tries my patience and stop playing it with either the intention of going back and just don't or going onto another game.

I just couldn't put RE4 down. Maybe it was because there was never a section that I didn't think I could beat, even the boss battles. Sure some were challenging, like most of the game was. Just due to the fact that you are rationed ammo through out, which makes you cherish what you have, and crave more like some kind of gun junkie. There is also plenty of replay value there, especially once you complete the game and the extra options that come with that.

I threw in Devil May Cry 3 today, just to see how that fares. All I can say is Jesus Christ. Sure the first game was probably a little to easy, but damn this is just insane hard. Just on the first boss I got owned about 3-4 times, the FIRST boss. What the hell is that about?

Though I do have to say, the cut scenes are great, just the wicked style and attitude that DMC is. Once you see them you'll understand. I didn't play a great deal of it, just until the end of Stage 2. Though it's pretty much standard DMC gameplay, sword, two guns and totally insane carnage. There are the new "styles" now though, I'm not sure how much bearing they have on the overall gameplay, I just know that they affect what your certain "stylish move" is. I'm not sure though, I really hate games that make me play the same goddamn level over and over because I died fighting the boss. Sure replay the boss fight, but why the whole level, I don't have time for that shit.

Oh some pics of the RE4:Collector Edition.

Quatre

I managed to pick up Resident Evil 4 Collectors Edition and Devil May Cry 3 tonight. I managed to score a free t-shirt with DMC3 which isn't bad, for some reason these things are always a large, go figure? I haven't touched DMC3 yet because of the goodness that RE4 embodies.

The RE4 Collectors Edition is the standard RE4 game, plus an extra movie disc that has a load of movies from previous Resident Evil games, and a making of RE4. I thought it was just going to be a DVD, but it's actually a Gamecube disc. This disc also comes in it's own case, and is packaged with the game in a cardboard sleeve. It looks quite smart, I'll post pics tomorrow.

On to the game. Let me say this, after I started playing RE4, I didn't want to put it down. The only reason I did was because it was getting late and I wanted to type this. You can't compare or even think of other RE games when you play RE4. It's in a class of it's own, Capcom have gone all out and made this game something to marvel, they pioneered the survival horror genera and now they have kicked it up a gear.

RE4 seems to do everything right and doesn't miss a beat. The atmosphere is fantastic, aided by great sound effects and excellent visuals, you always seem to be wary of what's around the next corner just waiting to impale you with a pitchfork. One thing that makes this game so great is that is just feels solid, movement and control are great. I've had a few issues getting used to the controls but it's just learning curve. However the way the game feels when you fire the shotgun, you just know you are going to do some damage.

While I so far haven't found the game to be hard, it can be quite challenging. I have been constantly low on ammo, desperately searching barrels and boxes for another red pack of those lovely projectiles. It's not from wasting ammo either, this game makes your work for those kills.

After playing the game you can see why it has acquired the acclaim is has. This is Resident Evil, this is what survival horror is all about, surviving.

In The Jungle

I got around to playing a bit of Metal Gear Solid 3 last night and also tonight. I'm only two hours into the game but so far it's been really great. Because you are now in an open jungle with no radar the game seems much harder at times, but after you adapt to the gameplay change everything seems to click. There are now many more gameplay elements as well. Simple things like healing are now more involved, though nothing complex. The new hunting for food concept is also quite interesting, as you now have a knife, you can kill pretty much anything that moves, which isn't as hard as it seems. Also the new camouflage aspect is well implemented and requires you to select the right camo depending on your environment.

For what I have played so far, quite a bit has been movies, story establishment and codec talk, though most being interesting. One of the best cut scenes was an excellent one around an hour and a half into the game, one of the best I've seen in a game for a long time, classic MGS.

I wasn't sure if I'd really get into MGS3, as I'm a fan of the series just not a huge one, but sure enough it has pulled me in again.

Hitting Today

Just got a call from EB to let me know that Devil May Cry 3 and Resident Evil 4 Collectors Edition are now available. Two whole days before their release dates, not bad. As far as I know neither of them have street dates so that’s why they are available now. I probably can’t get to my local store until Thursday, so I’ll have to wait till then. On the plus side, extra long weekend this week, 4 days of gaming goodness!

Is More Less?

Not too much to report today. I went back to Big W on Sunday and managed to pick up Eternal Darkness for $30, not a bad price since it's quite a hard game to find new. I've heard that it's quite good, but I've yet to check it out.

I haven't really been playing much since I'm really into GT4 right now, but I will get into MGS3 soon and post some impressions.

One other juicy titbit for all you out there. My good friend at EB told me that starting Thursday, they are having a two for $50 sale. Basically it's a load of assorted games, that vary in price, but if you buy two of them you get them for $50. Bargain! I meant to mention this in my last post but it totally slipped my mind until today. So get down to EB Thursday and check it out.

I also mentioned Initial D Battle 9 DVD in my last post. Well I had a chance to watch it and found a interesting surprise. The last episode on the Battle 9 DVD, is actually the first episode in Initial D: Second Stage. As much as I adore Initial D, and after the first episode of Second Stage I'm still hooked. It's just they have refined the animation so much that it now looks strange. I loved the gritty look of the First Stage, now it's just really bright and far too clean. Sure it's still Initial D but it's lost some of it's feel. Though the CG is now much tighter.

Speaking of Initial D, there is a live action movie in the works. You can check the site here for a trailer. Doesn't look too bad, and if it's done well I guess it could be a pretty decent movie.

Fellow Gamecubers...

Lend me your ears, and I will tell you of good morrow. Urm, kinda. Anyway I found out today from my good friend in EB, that Big W has got (and has had for the last 2 days) 50% off all their Gamecube games and accessories. Oh!. I kinda wish I had of know when it had started, but hey I couldn't have gotten their until today anyway.

But all was not lost, upon hearing of this info I took a few paces into the Big W and purchased Metroid Prime 2 for $46, bargain get! Then I went to my local Big W and managed to pick up Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for $46 also. So if there is a Big W near you go there now and have a butchers! They have a few titles in the two I checked out, though nothing great. Things like Paper Mario, Donkey Konga and such, I think they are just clearing stock, who knows.

Intial D Battle 9 is now out if your into that. I haven't watched this one yet, but will tomorrow since I've been waiting the last two months for it. Don't miss it!

Limited Metal Edition

Well here it is, the much anticipated Limited Metal Edition of Metal Gear Solid 3. I picked this up in EB tonight but haven't had a chance to actually play the game yet, I'll check it out over the weekend. With regards to the metal case that this game comes housed in, it's quite similar to the metal case for Halo 2. It also comes with a very nice game manual, contained within are plenty of the usual MGS offerings, with artwork and the such. Sorry about the rubbish picture, but because it's metal it just reflects everything.

How hard it is to acquire these limited MGS3's I have no idea. One of the guys in my local EB I know quite well and who has no reason to try and put the hard sell on me, mentioned that they are only available through EB. Since none of the online retailers that I peruse seem to list it I'm lead to believe that it may in fact be true. I'll have a look around some other local stores and see who's got what. One interesting thing to note is that the case has a PEGI rating on it (partially covered by the Australia rating sticker) which means it's from Europe, usually the UK. However the only mention of this metal edition I've seen thus far is that it's available from some French retailers, and the case just says Made in Austria, which to be honest doesn't mean much at all. So as to it's availability I have no idea, but for coolness factor and collection sake, try and pick one up ;)

More GT Love

Yes, I know I keep on about Gran Turismo but, hey it's a big game. I promise I'll start posting about something else soon, maybe the Metal Gear Solid 3 Limited Edition Tin which is supposed to be available from EB via Pre Order only, well we shall soon see.

I started on the Special Licence the other night, and after doing the first eight or so I though that it was pretty easy, pretty straight forward. It was at about the test that is a full lap of the Gran Canyon that things went west. For some reason after that point, some of the tests are just a lot harder. I think it's because the tests use cars with a lot more power and thus the test requires that you get a much better time on that course, oh and the Special Licence tests are all full course time trials. It's always the same with GT test though, you either do it the first or second time, or spend a fair few goes at it. Anyway I've got 4 more test to do, which I hope aren't going to be a hassle, just the Nurburgring.

Oh, a couple more quick images from Photo Mode, I really need to spend some time with it, but it's like some kind of time eating mode...

More News or Just Hype?

Sorry for the late post, I was going to do it last night but after a session of Gran Turismo 4 I looked at the clock and realised how late it was, then remembered I hadn't posted anything.

I've been putting most of my time into GT4 at the moment so I don't know if Metal Gear Solid 3 is going to get any playtime when it's released in Thursday. Even with all the time I've put into GT4 so far I'm still not at 20%, though I am starting to unlock some decent cars. I'll try and post some more pics from Photo Mode later tonight.

I don't know if everyone has seen the bad news, but the PSP has been delayed in Europe for several months, yes this sadly includes us. How long several months is, who knows, but I would say it would be over 3, which is a goddamn long time.

With the recent GDC, there has been a lot of talk and speculation surrounding the next gen consoles. The reason I haven't really posted much about this is because in all honesty, it's still just speculation. None of the big three companies are willing to reveal what the current hardware plans are until E3, so everyone seems to be kicking off about something that at the moment is just pure speculation.

The article that Xbox.ign posted which has some nice info, is just based on Alpha and Beta kits. I'm sure the info of the final Xbox 2 is going to be extremely powerful, but why not just wait till E3 and not just guess on these things. I know the IGN article does have info that will undoubtable be true, but these days there is just too much info that's just nonsense.

In all reality though I do still lap all this info up like some kind of animal depraved of next gen info, and usually find myself disappointed because everything just gets so overly hyped these days. I am very excited to see how things pan out at E3 this year though, it's going to be one of the biggest E3's ever, and it's only a couple of months away.

Many Hours Ahead

After putting a few more hours into GT4, I still have to say that it's an excellent game. At times the difficulty seems to oscillate between very easy, and just frustratingly difficult. One thing that does annoy me is the penalty that is imposed in certain races. I've only noticed it in the Rally stages so far, and I can see why it's there, however it's not implemented extremely well. On the rally tracks if you hit the other car, or a wall at a certain speed you receive a penalty of 50km/h for 5 seconds. That's fine, it's when the other car hits me mid corner and I still receive the penalty and the AI just races off, or I get hit from behind and the AI still doesn't receive a penalty. On the plus side though the rally stages are great, and the first few a fairly easy and get you into the flow. Though Cita Di Aria reverse is still a real shocker.

I'm loving the music in the game, there is a really great variety from a selection on genera's and artists. Plus the jukebox mode is also very useful so you can customise the music you race to and such.

The Arcade mode now seems to just be that, an arcade mode. Unlike previous GT's there isn't anything to complete, you can just go in there and race a range of cars on various tracks.

One thing I can't get over is that the amount of cars you need to own for certain races. Now that there are manufacturer, county, size, era, etcetera you need to own far, far too many cars. I just hope the money get a lot, lot better.