Tuesday, September 30, 2003
"Oh My God", indeed
The Bard's Tale. I burned countless hours playing the original Bard's Tale on my Apple IIgs. Truly a classic. (Particularly that port of the game, which was far superior to the PC and Apple II versions).
The Bard's Tale. I burned countless hours playing the original Bard's Tale on my Apple IIgs. Truly a classic. (Particularly that port of the game, which was far superior to the PC and Apple II versions).
Why Phantasy Star III rocks:
1. Layered overworld theme. This game has a great overworld theme. In the beginning of the game, you have a single character in your party. Eventually, you end up with five. Each time a character joins, a level of complexity is added to the overworld theme. The final overworld theme is essentially made up of five layers of instrumentation that are added one at a time. This is an awesome concept, and I don't even know of another game that's attempted it.
2. Generation system. This was revolutionary for its time. The game covers three generations of characters, and the storyline splits between generations. Granted, the execution was flawed (in the third generation, you essentially get to do the same things with four sets of characters). But the second generation had two completely distinct and interesting storylines. That's where the game really shines. Even twelve years later, very few games have attempted true branching storylines. I can't think of any that did it on the same scale as PS III. Consequently, this also allowed them to have...
3. Multiple endings. This is also something that was pretty new in 1991. I can think of some pretty limited examples happening before this (such as Pit turning into an adult in Kid Icarus, or Samus taking off her helmet). But, as the simple idea of a game with a story was just starting to catch on in the console world, a story with multiple endings was definitely a new thing. These days, lots of games have multiple endings - Silent Hill being one game that's used them to great effect.
4. Fast battles. If one aspect of RPGs has been completely stagnant for the last 12 years (and it has), it's the battles. If anything, they've gotten worse, as there are now dramatic attack and spell animations that suck up lots of time without adding anything to the game. PS III was good in this respect - most attack animations were less than a second. Even better, no input was required between rounds of combat. If you wanted, you could set the characters to keep repeating the same actions until the battle ended or you intervened (which allowed you to input new instructions at the end of the round).
5. World design. Phantasy Star III had a great concept for the design of the game world. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't played the game, but when I finally understood how the PS III world worked, I was amazed.
1. Layered overworld theme. This game has a great overworld theme. In the beginning of the game, you have a single character in your party. Eventually, you end up with five. Each time a character joins, a level of complexity is added to the overworld theme. The final overworld theme is essentially made up of five layers of instrumentation that are added one at a time. This is an awesome concept, and I don't even know of another game that's attempted it.
2. Generation system. This was revolutionary for its time. The game covers three generations of characters, and the storyline splits between generations. Granted, the execution was flawed (in the third generation, you essentially get to do the same things with four sets of characters). But the second generation had two completely distinct and interesting storylines. That's where the game really shines. Even twelve years later, very few games have attempted true branching storylines. I can't think of any that did it on the same scale as PS III. Consequently, this also allowed them to have...
3. Multiple endings. This is also something that was pretty new in 1991. I can think of some pretty limited examples happening before this (such as Pit turning into an adult in Kid Icarus, or Samus taking off her helmet). But, as the simple idea of a game with a story was just starting to catch on in the console world, a story with multiple endings was definitely a new thing. These days, lots of games have multiple endings - Silent Hill being one game that's used them to great effect.
4. Fast battles. If one aspect of RPGs has been completely stagnant for the last 12 years (and it has), it's the battles. If anything, they've gotten worse, as there are now dramatic attack and spell animations that suck up lots of time without adding anything to the game. PS III was good in this respect - most attack animations were less than a second. Even better, no input was required between rounds of combat. If you wanted, you could set the characters to keep repeating the same actions until the battle ended or you intervened (which allowed you to input new instructions at the end of the round).
5. World design. Phantasy Star III had a great concept for the design of the game world. I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't played the game, but when I finally understood how the PS III world worked, I was amazed.
Buffylog
9/24: Buffy vs. Dracula
9/23: Primeval, Restless
"Restless" was the one episode of Buffy I had seen part of before I started watching the DVDs. As anyone who's seen the episode knows, this is a pretty confusing episode. Considering that the first time I saw it I didn't even know who the characters were, it's no surprise I was lost.
The Buffylog is done for now. I watched the first episode of season 5 on tape, and I've decided to wait for the DVDs. I had gotten used to the sweet, sweet picture and sound quality of the DVDs. Not being able to use my headphones, and having to deal with commercials (my roommate seem to have lost the remote for their VCR) just make the experience that much worse. Instead I've started watching Angel, which I'm not going to log.
9/24: Buffy vs. Dracula
9/23: Primeval, Restless
"Restless" was the one episode of Buffy I had seen part of before I started watching the DVDs. As anyone who's seen the episode knows, this is a pretty confusing episode. Considering that the first time I saw it I didn't even know who the characters were, it's no surprise I was lost.
The Buffylog is done for now. I watched the first episode of season 5 on tape, and I've decided to wait for the DVDs. I had gotten used to the sweet, sweet picture and sound quality of the DVDs. Not being able to use my headphones, and having to deal with commercials (my roommate seem to have lost the remote for their VCR) just make the experience that much worse. Instead I've started watching Angel, which I'm not going to log.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Buffylog
9/22: New Moon Rising, The Yoko Factor
9/21: This Year's Girl, Who Are You, Superstar, Where the Wild Things Are
9/20: --
9/19: The I in Team, Goodbye Iowa
9/18: Doomed, A New Man
9/22: New Moon Rising, The Yoko Factor
9/21: This Year's Girl, Who Are You, Superstar, Where the Wild Things Are
9/20: --
9/19: The I in Team, Goodbye Iowa
9/18: Doomed, A New Man
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Buffylog
9/17: Something Blue, Hush
9/16: The Initiative, Pangs
9/15: Beer Bad, Wild at Heart [fucken Oz! - Ed.]
9/14: The Freshman, Living Conditions, The Harsh Light of Day, Fear Itself
Sorry this blog is so lame - I wouldn't read it, if I were you. At this point I'd probably shut it down if I didn't want to keep track of my Buffy watching.
9/17: Something Blue, Hush
9/16: The Initiative, Pangs
9/15: Beer Bad, Wild at Heart [fucken Oz! - Ed.]
9/14: The Freshman, Living Conditions, The Harsh Light of Day, Fear Itself
Sorry this blog is so lame - I wouldn't read it, if I were you. At this point I'd probably shut it down if I didn't want to keep track of my Buffy watching.
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Buffylog
9/13: The Prom, Graduation Day part 1, Graduation Day part 2
9/12: Enemies, Earshot, Choices
9/13: The Prom, Graduation Day part 1, Graduation Day part 2
9/12: Enemies, Earshot, Choices
Friday, September 12, 2003
Buffylog
9/11: Consequences, Doppelgangland
9/10: Helpless, The Zeppo, Bad Girls
9/9: Amends, Gingerbread
9/8: Revelations, Lovers' Walk, The Wish
9/11: Consequences, Doppelgangland
9/10: Helpless, The Zeppo, Bad Girls
9/9: Amends, Gingerbread
9/8: Revelations, Lovers' Walk, The Wish
Monday, September 08, 2003
Housing
So, it seems I may be able to move in with Kenshin in a few months. That would be excellent. Staying in this place past December is not a possibility, which is fine with me. I'll definitely be happy to cut my commute down from 50 minutes to 20. Living with Kenshin would save me the hassle of looking for a place, and would either save me money (vs. living alone) or additional hassle (vs. finding a new roommate). The details have not been worked out yet, but apparently his current roommate is planning to move out at some time in the future and his timeframe may be flexible. The one drawback of this plan is that San Jose does not seem as nice as Berkeley, but it's definitely not worth the commute to live in Berkeley.
So, it seems I may be able to move in with Kenshin in a few months. That would be excellent. Staying in this place past December is not a possibility, which is fine with me. I'll definitely be happy to cut my commute down from 50 minutes to 20. Living with Kenshin would save me the hassle of looking for a place, and would either save me money (vs. living alone) or additional hassle (vs. finding a new roommate). The details have not been worked out yet, but apparently his current roommate is planning to move out at some time in the future and his timeframe may be flexible. The one drawback of this plan is that San Jose does not seem as nice as Berkeley, but it's definitely not worth the commute to live in Berkeley.
Buffylog
9/7: "Faith, Hope, & Trick", Beauty and the Beasts, Homecoming, Band Candy
9/6: --
9/5: Anne, Dead Man's Party
9/4: Becoming part 1, Becoming part 2
I didn't watch any Buffy on Saturday because I was out quite late at Kenshin's house with Kenshin & Aaron. But, I made up for it on Sunday. I think I'm lowering my average to two episodes per day, so the series will last a little longer.
9/7: "Faith, Hope, & Trick", Beauty and the Beasts, Homecoming, Band Candy
9/6: --
9/5: Anne, Dead Man's Party
9/4: Becoming part 1, Becoming part 2
I didn't watch any Buffy on Saturday because I was out quite late at Kenshin's house with Kenshin & Aaron. But, I made up for it on Sunday. I think I'm lowering my average to two episodes per day, so the series will last a little longer.
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Ugh
I think I might be coming down with something. My throat has been sore, which often seems to precede other symptoms. I also went to the doctor today (unrelated) and apparently had the uber-bloodtest. I don't remember them ever filling up more than one of those little blood-vials before, although maybe I just didn't notice. This time they did nine, which I did notice. After the first few I stopped looking at my arm and started looking at the cute receptionist in the next room, which was an improvement.
I think I might be coming down with something. My throat has been sore, which often seems to precede other symptoms. I also went to the doctor today (unrelated) and apparently had the uber-bloodtest. I don't remember them ever filling up more than one of those little blood-vials before, although maybe I just didn't notice. This time they did nine, which I did notice. After the first few I stopped looking at my arm and started looking at the cute receptionist in the next room, which was an improvement.
Buffylog
9/3: I Only Have Eyes for You, Go Fish
9/2: "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", Passion, Killed By Death
Both of today's episodes were mediocre, especially "Go Fish". But seeing Shane West make a brief appearance as a member of the swim team made my day. Among yesterday's episodes, "Passion" was outstanding. "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" was also entertaining - like Oz, I kind of wanted to punch Xander, for pretty much the same reason.
I've been meaning to write something longer about the series for a while, but so far I haven't made time for it. Hopefully that will happen within the next few days.
9/3: I Only Have Eyes for You, Go Fish
9/2: "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered", Passion, Killed By Death
Both of today's episodes were mediocre, especially "Go Fish". But seeing Shane West make a brief appearance as a member of the swim team made my day. Among yesterday's episodes, "Passion" was outstanding. "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered" was also entertaining - like Oz, I kind of wanted to punch Xander, for pretty much the same reason.
I've been meaning to write something longer about the series for a while, but so far I haven't made time for it. Hopefully that will happen within the next few days.
Monday, September 01, 2003
Buffylog
9/1: Bad Eggs, Surprise, Innocence, Phases
8/31: The Dark Age, What's My Line part 1, What's My Line part 2, Ted
8/30: Inca Mummy Girl, Reptile Boy, Halloween, Lie To Me
8/29: When She Was Bad, Some Assembly Required, School Hard
8/28: "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", Prophecy Girl
8/27: I Robot… You Jane, Puppet Show, Nightmares
8/26: Teacher’s Pet, Never Kill a Boy on the First Date, The Pack, Angel
8/25: Welcome to the Hellmouth, The Harvest, Witch
9/1: Bad Eggs, Surprise, Innocence, Phases
8/31: The Dark Age, What's My Line part 1, What's My Line part 2, Ted
8/30: Inca Mummy Girl, Reptile Boy, Halloween, Lie To Me
8/29: When She Was Bad, Some Assembly Required, School Hard
8/28: "Out of Mind, Out of Sight", Prophecy Girl
8/27: I Robot… You Jane, Puppet Show, Nightmares
8/26: Teacher’s Pet, Never Kill a Boy on the First Date, The Pack, Angel
8/25: Welcome to the Hellmouth, The Harvest, Witch
