Analog Gaming: Pandemic

The first draft of this review began as a lengthy article trying my best to consolidate the manual with the occasional witty remark, but after reaching halfway in a day, I scrapped the entire piece. Instead, I'm going to use a new format and just list the major points, with brief explanations. You can find rules on boardgamegeek.com. Instead, I'll give you short, bite-sized statements, and leave the rest up to you!

Anyways, here we go with Pandemic!

What?

You're part of the CDC team hired to take down the viruses infecting the globe. Work together to find all 4 cures, or lose as a team.

Who?

2-4 Players (up to 5 with expansion), and about 60 minutes of gametime.

What's cool?

• Different roles - Everyone has different skills depending on their role, and can help out in their own way.
• Each turn is tense - Everyone performs their actions and draw cards on their turn. But they also have to infect the board. On every turn.
• Turns can get tenser - Some cards are Epidemics - which will add more infection to the board, leading to...
• Cool infection mechanic - Infect the city in the bottom of the deck, then reshuffle all the discards and put on top, to "intensify" the infection rate. Old cities can get infected...again!
• More than one way to lose - All virus cubes of one color gone? Game over. Number of outbreaks reach 8 or more? Game over. No more cards to draw? Game over.
• Adjustable difficulty - You can make it as easy or hard as you want.

What's not?

• Alpha Male - When one player plays for everyone.
• Bad luck - A game could end quite fast, depending on your luck.

Fun for people who...

• Want to play a co-op game and work together.
• Don't mind losing - you will lose...a lot.
• Enjoy curing diseases as the CDC.

Thought my wife would enjoy it because...

• It's a co-op game.
• It's relatively easy to pick up.
• It would be nice to cure the world together.

So, if she's not interested, can you play by yourself?

Yes.

Overall?

Tense fun, unforgiving board, cool infection mechanic, lots of finger pointing.

Recommend?

Yes. Absolutely.

This game has been played many times single-player, but only about a handful with multiple people. But in that handful, everyone had fun winning or losing.

No more New Year Resolutions

I'm stopping New Year Resolutions. I don't remember the ones I made last year, and I'm certain I won't remember the ones I make this year. Besides, they're nothing more than statements you know you'll eventually break without knowing. Who has come out at the end of the year screaming, "I made it!! I stuck with this year's resolution!!"

For me, I'll just stick with the ones I make in the spur of the moment; ones that I can complete in a relatively short time span. And being a new father with a recently strong propulsion towards board games on top of my game addiction, short-term goals are all I can afford to achieve.

For instance, my post numbers last year were abysmal. I didn't break past 40 posts for the ENTIRE year, making 2012 the year of fewest posts. Saying I will post more this year won't help much, since I've said that before. All I can do is just post as much as I can, when I have time to.

And really, that's all you ask yourself on a daily basis - what can you complete in a day?

And if you want to be cynical about it, yeah...saying that I won't do New Years resolutions is ironic. But at least it'll be one resolution I can stick with without remembering.

Kickstarter: Know the risks

Whenever I read articles about Kickstarter projects and their misgivings, I feel confused at the uproar from investors. People who felt they were lied to, who thought that the product will come out as initially scheduled, who cries foul when no updates have been posted since the funding ended. What part of "investing" eludes them? Isn't is assumed that the production of goods isn't largely based solely on the fact that they fronted the project with their own money?

Clearly, people forget that Kickstarter is an investment site, not a pre-order site. The rules for companies with official release-date products can't apply to Kickstarter projects with an estimated date of delivery. You're only setting up for disappointment if you think like that.

Rather than detailing all the gripes people have with Kickstarter projects, I'm just going to list some things to be cognizant of when funding these projects.

• You're investing in an idea, not buying a product - The sooner you know that you're funding someone else to pursue their ideas into fruition, the sooner you save yourself from getting let down when they bear bad news. It's a risk that comes with every project you fund, unlike setting a pre-order for a product that you know will eventually be delivered.


• Don't wait up - There's a very likely chance that a Kickstarter project will exceed their projected deadline, which is just that - "projected." NEVER expect the project to be done on time. Complications are bound to occur in even the most optimal projects, and these contribute (more times than naught) negatively to the final release date. Again, as long as you set your expectations low, you won't suffer from extreme disappointment. But that's not to say you shouldn't express your concern, so...


• Politely inquire - As easy it is to just troll or post some angry message to the comments section, a polite response will get acknowledged faster. Sure, people are open to express their feelings, and for some it makes them feel better. But know that not all silence is ignorance - people could truly be busy...which leads me to one tip for Kickstarter project owners...


• Update, update, update - As an owner, you just completed funding for your project, and have a lot of people with their eyes on you. Whether you like it or not, you're now center stage, and people are at the edge of their seats waiting to be impressed. Of course, you don't have to provide daily updates, but some meaty ones within reasonable time intervals will keep people interested, while at the same time making yourself more liked because you listen to your followers. And finally...


• Research - Once you acknowledge that funding a Kickstarter project is a investment risk, you'd naturally research what you want to invest in. Apart from what may be provided already (like websites or email addresses), it doesn't hurt to go to the forums and do some investigating on your own. Unless you personally know who's behind a project, you don't know if you're going to end up funding a scam or a legit idea, so it's best to find out as much as you can about where your funds are going to. The general safe case is if it's a company with a good past track record, your chances of getting a final product increases. Again, nothing is guaranteed, even if the creator is a well-known one.

Sure, most of these tips try to spin Kickstarter in a positive light, which is precisely the attitude one must have if people actually fund these projects. There is always the option to never fund these projects, or, as any naysayer would suggest, just avoid them like the plague. But for those that do invest, there was something they saw, that they believed in...enough to support them financially to see it through to the end.

Putting miles into my Steam account

I'm very big on materialism when it comes to games. I enjoy having a physical copy of a game, manually inserting the disk into the console, and then shelving it away like a good book. It's a sense of ownership that a collector feels, and it's something I'll always favor. But, being a new dad and assuming more responsibilities, I sometimes can't afford the luxury of owning tangible copies of games. I guess this was what led me to embrace more of Steam's approach to games.

Yes, I know Steam has been there for a while, and yes, I've had my account for quite some time. But back then, I never felt any value towards owning merely a digital copy of video games. There wasn't even some virtual shelf for me to "place" the games in; the library listing felt so boring, so dull. No longer could I "put my favorite game in the system and hit the power button." All it was now was a simple click on a "play" button on the screen, and I'm up and running. Call me old-fashioned, but that takes away half the enjoyment that video games bring.

However, I overlooked one simple fact. Most of the games offered by Steam can't even afford to become physical copies. Many are just indie games, games created by people who just wanted to bring their project to life without the messiness that physical mediums carry with them, such as publisher and distributor costs. Then I realized the one injustice I brought onto myself for not embracing Steam - I'd deprive myself from many many good games, games I would never have experienced without Steam.

Take Machinarium, for instance. A masterfully artistic point-and-click adventure, Machinarium is a sight to behold. Half the time I'm just admiring the scenery, and the other half playfully struggles with the thoughfully laid-out puzzles throughout. It clearly falls within the same ranks as The Neverhood, Monkey Island, and many LucasArts titles. And I would have missed it if it weren't for Steam.

Another game I probably wouldn't have known if it weren't for Steam would be Jamestown, a SHMUP game based in 17th-century British Colonial Mars. That alone should be a selling point. Graphically, it shows the traditional trademarks of a standard SHMUP, from the pixelated graphics to the tiny hitbox on the player to avoid the "bullet hell" that could ensue. Most SHMUP games are exclusive from Japan (being the "bullet hell" masochists they are), so this game would've skirted past my radar if it wasn't for Steam.

While I will still go out of the way to make the occasional materialistic purchase, there's nothing like getting a digital game on the cheap to play at a moment's notice.

Analog Gaming: Not all games needs to be on TV

I've played video games for a number of years, from the Atari 2600 days to today, and while the medium has evolved multiple times right before our eyes, it still is just fidgeting fingers on a controller while watching TV. There's a certain detachment from society whenever people play video games, much like how social games on Facebook are anything but, sitting in front of a PC monitor mindlessly clicking on buttons. While today we play a lot of multiplayer games, we're often not with multiple physical bodies in the same room.

What ever happened to the times when people didn't need a console to connect to people for fun, when others didn't need to pay a monthly charge to participate in an online group romp? I can't remember the last time we even played an entertaining game without the aid of electronics, or something where everything involved constant awkward social interactions, like charades or Twister.

With a new child in my life, my priorities as a gamer have changed slightly. A family dynamic demands more family time, and what better way to prepare for that social medium with a nice huddled group for board games?

But gone are the days of Monopoloy, Scrabble, or The Game of Life. No, I want something with a bit more depth, something with a nice theme or mechanic that's fresh and new. Thankfully, there are plenty of games to choose from.

I could...defend a castle from surrounding orcs as they attack from all sides...

...or stop deadly viruses from plaguing the entire world...

...or join a group of heroes in a dungeon to kill enemies and loot for treasure.

The way I see it, board games are much more tangible than video games, making social interaction the center of attention in every session. It's something I hope to highlight during these Analog Gaming segments.

Games acquired during hiatus: Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!

Say what you will about the cartoon Adventure Time, but if it's anything, it's just weird and fast. Sure, most of the stories are simple plots, but they're littered with such random nonsense that even making a burrito can be quite amusing. And the writers enjoy throwing their viewers for a loop. Some stories have a natural beginning, middle, and end. Others, however, sometimes end on an abrupt note, on something that is often not explained until an episode later on in the season. For example, one episode had one of the characters mysteriously vanish at the end, and left it at that until a later episode down the season. 

And, through each progressive episode, Adventure Time has developed a strange language and following all its own. With phrases like "oh my glob" and "schnaowzow," the cartoon attracts eclectic and bizarre fans alike.

So, when the 3DS game "Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!" was announced, the natural assumption is that the video game would be like the cartoon - unique and random. At least, that's what my assumption is.

I've yet to play the game, but I acquired the Collector's Edition, which encases all the goodies into an Enchiridion-shaped box. I've heard from my brother that the game is short - like 7 hours short, even with replay for every hidden thing. But, given my current situation of baby + work, 7 hours would probably be long enough.

Hiatus gone, and Christmas is upon us!

Let's make this return quick. Long story short, new baby and work has kept me extremely busy, so I almost forgot about the Wii U.

Almost.

So, without a pre-order and some perseverance, I was able to grab myself one.

Now, if only I could get enough time to open it and set it up...

Super Mario 3D Land...finished!!

I under-estimated this game. I seriously didn't think Super Mario 3D Land was much of a challenge at all. Arriving at the last level with 100+ lives in reserve, I thought to myself, "I didn't really die at all." After this, however, is when I realized where people said it becomes a challenge. Once you finish the game, the number of levels double, and the second batch are crazy variants of past levels. It's these levels that saw my lives count drop one by one.

Is...is this what I think it is??

I'm already freaking out here at what I believe may be the small teaser to an actual sequel to one of my most favorite games to come out of Square Enix, The World Ends With You!! The game back then (now more than 4 years ago since I 100% the entire storyline) was such a well-crafted game for a non-Final-Fantasy title from Square Enix. Definitely for the multi-tasker ADD person in mind, The World Ends With You was a strong departure from the typical sword and armor faire, making the real world the setting for this modern-day RPG. This, along with many other strong points, made TWEWY such a fan favorite, even warranting its characters a special appearance in the latest Kingdom Hearts game, Dream Drop Distance. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the character designer for both games is the same - Tetsuya Nomura.

The countdown is set to end around August 27th, and you can be sure I'll be there at the ready!!

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance - Mark of Mastery Edition

That title is a mouthful, but I finally got the "Mark of Mastery" 10-Anniversary Edition of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. It's been a long journey so far: from Kingdom Hearts 1 on the PS2, to Chain of Memories on the GBA, back to Kingdom Hearts 2 on the PS2, to 365/2 Days on the DS, to Birth By Sleep on the PSP (Yes, I'm still omitting the Re:Coded game), the story has been stretched quite long.

At this point, you're either a fan or you're not. And with something like the "Mark of Mastery" edition in my hands, you bet your bippy I'm a fan indeed. Let's see what's inside.

Lollipop Chainsaw, and gaming in moderation

One of the biggest disadvantages any video game reviewer has is time. There's never enough of it when you need to play through the game enough to write an honest opinion of a gamer's experience. But in truth, hardly any gamer will sit down for 20 hours straight and feverishly play a game to its end credits. The time spent in appreciating a game, taking it in a couple hours at a time…that's when a gamer can truly give a more honest review. Now, take this thought process and apply it to a game - let's say Lollipop Chainsaw.

Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue...finished!!

Despite earlier concerns of game-breaking bugs and wiped PS3 saves, Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue is now complete! In fact, the saved game indicates I completed the game 100%, giving the entire ordeal of 3 replays well worth the time and effort. But why give this game a chance, when so many had decided long ago to abandon the effort in a huff?

Re-Play: Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue

Since the birth of my daughter, video gaming has become vastly scarce.  As a parent, of course my flesh and blood will always come first, but the moment they get some good rest, daddy's gonna get some time in.  So what better way to quench the thirst than a good few hours mindlessly killing enemies in Deathspank: Thongs of Virtue.  At least, that's what I thought.

Alchemy adventures with Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland

Alchemy game elements are more common in Japanese RPGs than you'd think.  While it's true that Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland (and, for that matter, any other Atelier games in the past) holds alchemy as a primary feature, other games hold the ingredient-mixing element close to their hearts.  And while the whole ingredient-fetching quest-and-grind is a little tedious and mundane, I still find it somewhat appealing now in this latest Atelier game.  And you know what comes to mind?  Facebook games.

Analog Gaming: Ticket To Ride

During the time I've spent at home tending to the newborn, I found more time to spend with the misses (GameritisGal).  The more time I found spending with her, the more I thought about playing some good board games.  This led to the eventual purchase of Ticket To Ride, a simple game about trains and routes.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep...finished!!

Taking care of a newborn is exhaustive work, and requires plenty of time spent at home to tend to the child's every need.  That being said, when Alexa's sound asleep, it's daddy's time to play!  And play he did...clocking close to 60 hours, the PSP game Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is now complete!

Unlike Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, this version is more canon throughout the game, referencing key points in the Kingdom Hearts universe.  I want to think that finally...finally...all loopholes have been covered.  Another thing that was missing from the DS game was any hope of a secret movie to unlock in the end.  Much like the other games before it, it's either unlocked by completing your collection list in Standard Mode (which is very challenging and difficult, despite my best efforts), or by merely completing the game in Proud Mode or higher (which is why I'm playing the game once more).  However, this game is more unique in its playthroughs.

You see, there are 3 main characters in this game, and you can only play with one character at any one time.  Their timelines intertwine like a braid, with characters crossing paths every once in a while, but the focus is always on your selected character at the time.  What does this mean?  This means you'll need to finish the game 3 separate times (each with a different character) to get a full understanding of the entire story.  And to tie it up in a nice bow, a final episode is unlocked after those 3 separate completions.

For anyone that's considering to get up to speed on the whole Kingdom Hearts universe, you'd do yourself a favor and play this game.  In fact, I'd say almost half of the content from the preview trailer for the upcoming 3DS game Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance (Oh...3"D"...really?) is in direct reference to the story in Birth by Sleep.  I know it's probably a lot to take in, but given the large span of time between games, it's probably worth spending it playing the games to catch up.

No E3 attendance this year, possibly ever

From 1999-2006 and 2009-2011 (conveniently missing the downsizing), I've been fortunate enough to attend and cover the happenings going on in E3, traversing the ground floor to provide an attendee's point of view on everything shiny and new.  And while I had already applied for my pass this year just because I could, I knew deep down that I would not partake in the festivities.  I have spawned a little one of my own recently, and I intend to care for her and nurture her - mold her, if you will - in my ways.

And despite not being at the yearly gaming mecca that is E3 in LA, I am somewhat relieved.  It's probably because of the many times I've attended E3 in the past that I've been jaded of everthing - of the large crowds, the long waits in lines, and the concert-like mob scenes that frequent around PR folk that toss free swag to the masses.  Being a spectator viewing the press events on TV now, after all these years, is something I can appreciate even more.

Who knows.  Maybe I won't attend E3 ever again.  Not because of my newborn daughter, but because I've lived that part of my life.  I'm less naive than I was back then.  In its core, E3 is an industry event, one where it's a business to prove to everyone else that they still have what it takes to make great games.  You tend to forget that everyone out there is vying for your attention, whether you give it or not.  It is video-game overload in the best and worst sense, and it can both entertain and wear you out physically and mentally.  But in the end...in the very end...I've had a great run.  Not many people in my position can say they've attended a yearly video-game event 11 times, and every time I've enjoyed every minute of it.  Now, I am content in enjoying the games that I want to enjoy, not what the press wants me to enjoy.

It's good to take the backseat this year, and just bask in its glory.

Alexa, my "player 3," has arrived!

In a sunny afternoon on April 24th, my daughter Alexa finally pushed start and began her game of life!  It's because of this, naturally, that I haven't been making any posts for the past 3+ weeks.  Every fiber of my being is spent caring for this adorable bundle of joy, and I gladly will sacrifice games to no end.

As a new father/gamer, I'm now presented with the challenge of balancing child and console.  I hope that, while being an awesome dad, I can impart some gaming fun into my daughter's life as well.  Above all else, however, my child will always come first.

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days...finished!! And self-imposing Kingdom Hearts catch-up challenge!

In an effort much like my self-initiated challenges for Final Fantasy XIII and Disgaea 3, I've begun the progress to get myself up to speed on the Kingdom Hearts saga.  I've already completed both Kingdom Hearts 1 and 2 (secret movies unlocked for both) and Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (on the GBA, not the PS2 remake).  Now, I can add Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days to that list of completed titles!

Uncharted 3...finished on crushing!!

Back when I finished Uncharted 2 on Crushing Mode, I really didn't think much about it.  Sure, the game was harder, but not by much.  Uncharted 3, however...I knew at least 3-4 key moments in the game where I would have extreme difficulty.  Sadly I was wrong; there would be more moments than that.