Hey Man, well this is Babylon

My pal Catlady-Chris* wrote a handy guide for playing Left 4 Dead. You should read it and heed his words. We spent most of the day Saturday (and the following night) playing this game and exploring the many modes and options for play, and let me tell you something: you fucking whipper-snappers are finally doing something right. For ages I have commented how the games in my time were far better than the games that these spastic trigger-happy 12-year-olds play today. This game has finally proven me wrong - and better yet, it’s the kind of game that those same snot-faced foul-mouthed suburbanite panty-waist kids will fail miserably at playing. Why? Because it’s the kind of game where the He-Man maverick wannabe dies first, and in as gruesome a manner as possible.

Put in other words, Left 4 Dead is one of the most amazingly fun video games I have ever played. It encourages a teamwork-based co-op playstyle way more effectively than any other team-based video game I’ve yet played.

Plus, it’s full of goddamned zombies (of the 28 Days Later “infected” variant) which rush at you and rip you to shreds and die by your bullets and goddammit all that’s just plain awesome. If you have a 360, like co-op game play, and love zombies, then by all means, get this game. And add me to your friends list (gamertag: phasmaphobic).

Sadly, however, my Xbox 360 has given me the dreaded Red Ring of Death. I searched online and found a temporary fix for it by using the towel trick, but that only lasts for so long. So far, it’s red-ringed three times. Each time I’ve used the towels and gotten another full day of gaming out of it, but I can’t rely on that. Sadly, it’s a refurb and out of warranty, and I have no desire to be without it for a month while I hope that Microsoft fixes it. So I did a lot of research and found several folks who rave about the self-fix method contained within this guide. I went ahead and purchased it, printed the guide and watched the vids, and man, this guy really knows his shit. So far, I’m really impressed. After a lunchtime run of tool-collecting, I’m planning on taking a crack at this process tonight.

If this works out, I am considering using this new knowledge of my Xbox’s innards to upgrade from that horrible noisy fan, and maybe even mod it to play burned games. Wish me luck.

* = We have a lot of Chris’s in our group of friends. There’s Original Chris, Catlady-Chris, Girl-Chris, and my buddy Deathmetal-Chris. I’m sure there are others.

I just posted the latest update (version 0.9) to our Team Hotness Spoiler-Free Walkthrough of the game Dead Space. Check it out here. It contains a full 12-chapter walkthrough of puzzle solutions, loot locations, and monster counts, as well as a lot of additional information regarding monster strategies, weapon observations, and more, including a special section in with Veira and I decoded a full series of special secret hidden cheat codes.

If you’re awesome, you’ll check it out.

- NPC

You have my promise, I’m still here. These last few weeks have been remarkably hectic. Admittedly, most of the free time I’ve had lately has been occupied with the games Dead Space and Fallout 3, but happily, there are a handful of… other developments as well (*squee*). Bethany and I have been working on our first-ever “Team Hotness” walkthrough, this one being a spoiler-free romp through the delicious halls of the USG Ishimura in Dead Space.

I’ve also been addicted to the sweet savory crack that is Fallout 3. I’m putting together a series of shorts blurbs about it that I hope to release on here soon.

Also, I’ve returned to a few of my older story projects, getting some creative writing in. No, I’m not one of those NaNoWriMo folks, as I just don’t have the time or desire to cram an entire novel in a month, nor do I personally wish to read the garbage scow of a creation that someone such as myself might actually manage to hastily assemble in such an inadequate span of time. I’ve just had that creative itch return as of late, and I’m liking where it’s going so far.

Uhm, that’s all for now.

- NPC

Bitches

• Not being able to play Resident Evil all the damn time is a new bitch for me. Fortunately, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence makes that desire a little more possible.

Roses

• I very recently acquired a GameCube, and now I’m addicted to Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem. It could very well replace Beyond Good & Evil as my most favorite video game, and that’s a bold, almost dirty statement.
• I’m nearing completion of the fourth playtest draft of Cannibal Contagion. Stay tuned, as it’s going to be a big one!

Hopes

• I’m organizing a group read-along of George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones in the next two weeks. I’m really, really excited about this, and I do hope it comes together nicely and turns into a grand fun time for all involved.

I didn’t update yesterday because I had the day off and spent it relaxing with video games. Awesome!

Bitches

• Goddamned squirrels are invading my garden! KILL!

Roses

• My roommate Bethany and I have developed this weird thing where we’ve started completing each others’ sentences, and speaking what the other person was just about to say. It’s amusing, and is especially hilarious during our Resident Evil runs.
• Speaking of the roommate, she got a new job. Rejoice!
• Also, the new Cannibal Contagion art from Vero and Leo keeps getting more awesome.

Hopes

• I hope my poor squash plants survive my accidental unearthing from the weekend. I’m new at this, but after re-planting them, giving them lots of water and sun, and holding their stalks up with sticks and twine, I do hope they’ll pull through.

Three separate people have recently asked me “what my deal is” with the game Beyond Good & Evil, which I frequently tout as my most favorite video game ever. It got me thinking about it pretty heavily, so I figured what they hell, time to post about the best video game ever made. Below is a sort of essay on why I love this game so much. No, it’s not a review in the least, unless you consider “fanboy gushings” to be a review.

The Heroine is Fantastic

In this game you play Jade, a gal who hates the establishment, is good at taking pictures, and is handy with a backflip and a gymnastics baton. She’s shrewd, caring, and knows that in order to save her way of life she has to step up and do what needs to be done. What Jade is not is another Jane Q. Titties McActionPants, star of generic summer spy-girl action game #23. She is perhaps the most non-sexist lead role female in a video game to date, and certainly the best such character that could serve as a role model for young gamer girls - much better than the usual “Boobs + Weapon = Success!” formula found in “icons” like Boobies McMurderGuns and Cleavage McStupidBlades.

Starts With a Bang

Every time I start a new game of BG&E, I’m instantly captivated by its opening sequence. When you select “New Game” from the main menu of BG&E, you area treated to 30 seconds (exactly) of story setup, in which you are made aware of all three of the main themes of the game: an unexplained alien invasion, a protective police state, and a heavy focus on video journalism. Following that clever introduction, the next 30 seconds (again, exactly) give you a visual introduction to the main protagonist of the game and the environment in which you’ll be spending most of your time playing. That’s when the action begins… and two minutes later there’s a boss fight. And ten seconds into that boss fight, a drawling auto-mechanic pig with a wrench drops through the ceiling and saves the day.

Five minutes into a game of Beyond Good & Evil, you’ve met the protagonist, learned the basics of the plot, fought some very original-looking alien things, learned how the buddy mechanics work, and defeated a boss. Hell yeah. That’s the kind of stuff I love in my games.

Unique and Immersive Setting

The canvas upon which this amazing game is painted is an original blend of sci-fi and pop culture elements. There’s a lot of style and imagination put into it, and despite mixing so many elements from so many classic sci-fi stories, it all comes across with a fresh and delicious taste. From the weird people-animal hybrids that populate the planet to the strange caves and structures you explore, right from the start you are thrown into a world that is simultaneously alien and familiar.

Each character you encounter in BG&E, from Jade to the talking Pig to the Jamaican rhinos to the gay Puerto Rican AI that lives in Jade’s, uh, “fanny pack,” is instantly memorable. There are lots of really well-acted voices, and it all works together flawlessly to make you feel like you’re in a brand new world.

One of the core mechanics of the game is that you must use Jade’s camera to explore the world and take pictures of everything from weird native flora and fauna to hidden secrets and espionage spy-stuff. From an immersion standpoint, this is just brilliant. You have to take pictures of creates and plants in order to make money, and by doing so, the game forces you to observe and review the game setting in a way that doesn’t seem heavy-handed in the least.

Engaging and Non-Repetitive Gameplay

BG&E has a fabulous mix of stealth, 3D environmental puzzle-solving, clever buddy mechanics, fast-paced combat scenes, and first-person scavenger hunting that kept me fully captivated for the entirety of its (very sadly short) story. I am a gigantic fan of stealth action games, especially those which take great efforts to encourage explorative playstyles. I find very few video games more engaging than those which allow me to just sneak around for house and find things I hadn’t previously seen. BG&E is just such a game, and it even throws in some pretty challenging action moments to keep you on your toes.

As for the buddy thing, well… Okay, let me get this out there: I frinkin’ love well-implemented buddy mechanics. BG&E has a system in which Jade will frequently find herself accompanied by a partner of some kind, be it the aforementioned grease-wrench Pig-man or another character you meet later in the game. There are spots all over the various levels where having your buddy with you can get you some nifty bonus rewards, or help push you further along in the stage. The implementation of this in BG&E is pretty simple, and you rarely have to even think about the controls. Plus, your helpers are fairly combat-capable, so they won’t hold you back in a brawl.

Fantastic Story

Beyond Good & Evil is the story of a neophyte freelance reporter named Jade, who goes on a quest to uncover a sinister and chilling conspiracy whose revelation could shake the very foundations of society. It’s not entirely original (what conspiracy story is?), but it’s quite compelling, and has enough twists and hooks to really suck you in. I can’t really say much here without giving some major spoilers, but I can say that you will not be disappointed with any of the directions it takes.

Dear God, The Music!

The score to BG&E, composed by Christophe Heral, is phenomenal. I even have it on my Zen and its tracks are in regular rotation on my daily playlists. What I appreciate most about it is how the music never once disconnects me from the game. It perfectly fits each and every in-game moment. While exploring it sounds inquisitive and comforting, while fighting it is pulsing and active, while sneaking it is eerie and foreshadowing. I hear the same guy is doing the music for the sequel, and that suits me just fine.

The Unfortunate Cons

Sadly, the game isn’t quite perfect (betcha never expected me to say that). There is one big glaring problem that I have with the game: it’s too damned short! There needs to be more! I could play this game forever and ever! I want to explore more of Hillys, and space, and the other planets in the solar system. I want to meet more of these weird people, and learn more about the bad aliens. I want a sequel! I’ve seen the teaser promo vids, and I’m frothing at the mouth. When this game comes out, I am so getting it, regardless of what system I have to buy.

In Summation

I haven’t loved a game this much since The Longest Journey. In fact, after I’m finished with my current BG&E playthrough (must be, what, my fifth?), I’m totally reinstalling that title and going through it again.

But if none of that got you, well, here’s a video of girls kissing girls in video games.

Bitches

• The second to last boss in the “ClaireB” section of Resident Evil 2 is a mega-bitch, and then some. It almost breaks the enjoyment of the game for me, sadly. There should be better ways to evoke a feeling of “survival horror” than “repetitive death due to terrible controls.” The bosses in RE1 were way better, but then again, the GC version we played had a fabulous control layout. For me, the main cause of the game-breaking disconnect is that for the entire rest of the game, the difficulty has been more evenly paced and balanced, but then BAM this jackass comes and breaks Claire’s virgin ass in half with little warning. At least Pirate Baby gave a warning when the end was approaching.

Roses

• The release date for Deadspace has been pushed forward a week! Yay! And two weeks later, Fallout 3 is released too! Yay! I’ve totally reserved the next day after each release date for some all-day stay-at-home gaming.
• This morning, on the long and pleasant walk from the bus stop to my place of employment, a song from the Beyond Good & Evil soundtrack queued up in my Zen’s playlist, and listening to it brought a tear and a smile as I remembered how goddamned amazing that game is. I’m definite;y going to post something about it in the next few days.

Hopes

• I’m finally getting to try out the Cold City rules in our upcoming sci-fi “horror” game. I’m considering importing the Aspect cards from Verses to add some spice, but that’s still under debate.

I recently started playing Oblivion on the PS3. Okay, I like this game, but… let’s just say were I ten years younger, I would love this game. I just don’t have the time these days to devote to traveling this fully-immersive fantasy world. There’s just so much to do that I’m completely overwhelmed. I wonder how this bodes for the upcoming release of Fallout 3, which I’ve actually reserved a day off from work so I can play all day? Will it too be a completely suffocating expanse, or will there actually be some kind of story I can play along with? Hmmm, we shall see…

I’ve been updating a crap-ton of stuff for Cannibal Contagion. I’m gonna wait a few more weeks before I post the new playtest update, as there are so many changes and additions that I think it deserves a bigger all-encompassing release. The Contagion and NPC rules have been drastically re-written, I’ve added a big mess o’ sample bad guys, and I’ve made allies easier to incorporate into the flow of the game. Slowly but surely, the game is falling into the perfect flow, and I’m very proud.

I’m totally in love with the stuff that Vero and Leo have been sending me. Here’s a sneak peek at a piece from the core rules, intended to introduce the section of the rules for running and arranging the game:

Fabulous! Every new pic they send me makes me all the more excited. So far, with spacers for full-page art, the game is quickly approaching my original mark of 125 pages, and there’s a small chance it might even be more.

Bitches and Roses? Huh? Read here for the low-down.

Bitches

• Bethany and I have just started part two of our Resident Evil marathon, and are now playing through the collector’s edition of Resident Evil 2 on the Playstation. This is so far lots of fun, and would actually qualify as a rose if it weren’t for the godawful controls. See, in playing through the REmake on the GameCube, I got used to my favorite survival horror control scheme, in which I use one of the shoulder buttons to move forward and the stick to turn. I’ve been using it for years in other games, and love the fact that it doesn’t disorient me. But RE2 lacks this option, and additionally it also lacks a “quick-turn” button, which has become so invaluable to my Resident Evil experiences. Grrrr. Otherwise, this is a pretty great game.

Roses

• #1: I’ve signed on a pair of artists to illustrate the interior of the Cannibal Contagion book. Their work is amazing, and I look forward to posting some sneak previews in the coming days.
• #2: I’ve also signed on another amazing designer to illustrate the book’s cover and draft a game logo. Again, I’ll post more as I hear it, but goddamn, this excites me.
• #3: Getting to play Castle Crashers with Chris, Sam, and Kevin, and then collectively nerd-rage afterwards over a wide variety of geeky conversation topics.

Hopes

• I’m meeting with three players tomorrow to get a new Unknown Armies campaign started, and I do hope it goes well.

Back around the turn of the century I lived as a renter at the Psi Upsilon fraternity house on Georgia Tech campus. They had weekly house meetings, and a common feature of each of these meetings was a little round-robin venture they called “Bitches and Roses,” wherein each attendee got a moment to say something they were happy about and something they were upset about, be it relevant to their life or whatever. Each person would give a “bitch” which would be something like “studying for the goddamn finals sucks!” and then follow it with a “rose” such as “i wuvvs my hot nerd girlfriend!”

I’m going to continue that tradition here, and hopefully keep doing it every Monday. Additionally, I’m adding “Hopes” to the list, to catalog the things I’ve got in the works, or the desires I’ve hopefully got coming to me just around the corner. So without further ado, I’ll kick this off.

Bitches

• My roommate heinously sprained her ankle and had to go to the emergency room Friday night, right before our much-anticipated night of zombie-murdering. She’s in a lot of pain, and it makes me sad.

Roses

• Thankfully, she wasn’t too incapacitated that we weren’t able to pick up our plans Sunday. We finished Resident Evil (Gamecube Remake) yesterday as Jill, and it felt good. Sure, we used a walkthrough, but that’s only because we’re on something of a tight schedule. We need to be able to finish the series in completion before the new one rolls out next year, and we’re both quite aware that the October releases of Fallout 3 and Deadspace will heavily impact our playing of the other titles in the franchise. Go Team Hotness!
• A second one! Saturday we had a fucking fantastic six-player game of Twilight Imperium (3rd Edition). That’s the most epic game I’ve been in yet, and I’ll be uploading pictures soon. Special kudos to Sam, who despite never having played before kept tied with the highest score right to the end.

Hopes

• I want a weekly game again. I’m really inspired for a street-level Unknown Armies game focusing on members of a small zine (maybe grass-roots, maybe political, maybe even poetic). The game would take place, as they say, “20 Minutes into the Future” and be very inspired by Transmetropolitan, Global Frequency, Strange Days, Max Headroom, and Dark Angel. Of course, I have to find players first, so likely this concept will change drastically once I get them. But regardless, I really want to run a street-level UA campaign with some element of journalism uniting the people.