sephfire

The fault of Nintendo's flimsy online system, sadly. It's sad that it loses Wii owners so many things. But I suppose the limited "hard drive" space would get packed out quickly anyway.

Well damn, I got beat to Psychonauts. But if it had to be someone, I'm glad it's Mazedude. Freakishly excellent work as always. This will be getting a lot of play time in my household.

I'd have joined already if guitarhero.com wasn't having issues. I'll be in there soon as I can. EDIT: 82% of the notes on Fire and Flames on practice. My wrist hurts.

I like the idea of developing the piano side of things. It's worth a shot at least. It's like a mental brick wall every time I try to sit down and work on this thing. Writer's block blows. http://www.sephfire.com/music/angel_smile.mp3 As before, the mixing is almost completely ignored so far. I'm just struggling to find a good arrangement to go with.

Yeah, I should've looked at your location first.

New review! Hilarious as always. Medal of Honor: Airborne

Yes. If you have a Blockbuster near you, they've been known to rent copies of the game and guitar controllers, so you can try that first if you want to be sure of the investment. But yes, you should bother.

I recall feeling similar affection for this source tune. It led to probably the best remix I'll ever do, and I can only hope the same for you. It's a bit late for me to write in length, but I'd personally love to hear a bit more reverb on some of the strongs in there. Not much, just a pinch. They feel a tad dry. Same with that rapid high piano a minute or so in and especially the string stabs that follow after. The piano after 4:00 is a bit "shrill" too. The percussion, however, is really nice. I wish I could manage nice subtle percussion like that without going overboard. Good luck with the judges. Sorry I'm not being much help. It's getting late here.

Plowed through expert mode without too much trouble, and was quickly put in my place by Dragonforce. Curse their freakishly nimble fingers.

It's true that Portal is pretty fresh to the shelves, but I don't see any reason not to include it in the list. Besides, for such a new game, it's made a pretty strong impression on the gaming world.

Yes, I know I fell behind on updates again, but in my defense GUITAR HERO 3. ***** Round Twenty-Eight: ***** Army Men: Sarge’s Heroes 2 Console: N64 Publisher: 3DO Developer: 3DO Release: Sept 2000 Driver Console: Playstation Publisher: GT Interactive Developer: Reflections Release: June 1999 Colony Wars III: Red Sun Console: Playstation Publisher: Midway Developer: Psygnosis Release: May 2000 Strider 2 Console: Playstation Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: July 2000 Sega Ages: Galaxy Force II * Console: Saturn Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Release: July 1998 (JP) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Console: PC Publisher: Rockstar Games Developer: Rockstar North Release: May 2003 System Shock 2 Console: PC Publisher: Looking Glass Studios Developer: Irrational Games Release: July 1999 Call of Duty 2 Console: PC Publisher: Activision Developer: Infinity Ward Release: Oct 2005 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Console: PC Publisher: THQ Developer: Relic Release: Sept 2004 River City Ransom EX Console: GBA Publisher: Atlus Co. Developer: Million Release: May 2004 ***** Round Twenty-Nine: ***** Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask Console: N64 Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Release: Oct 2000 DarkStalkers 3 Console: Playstation Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Nov 1998 Mega Man X6 Console: Playstation Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Dec 2001 Tales of Destiny Console: Playstation Publisher: Namco Developer: Namco Release: Sept 1998 Gradius Deluxe Pack * Console: Saturn Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Release: Mar 1996 (JP) Blood Console: PC Publisher: GT Interactive Developer: Monolith Release: May 1997 Freedom Force Console: PC Publisher: Crave Developer: Irrational Games Release: Mar 2002 Portal Console: PC Publisher: Valve Software Developer: Valve Software Release: Oct 2007 SimCopter Console: PC Publisher: Maxis Developer: Maxis Release: Oct 1996 Super Ghouls ‘N Ghosts Console: GBA Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Sept 2002 ***** Round Thirty: ****** Super Mario 64 Console: N64 Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Release: Sept 1996 Final Fantasy Chronicles Console: Playstation Publisher: Square EA Developer: SquareSoft Release: June 2001 R-Type Delta Console: Playstation Publisher: Irem Developer: Irem Release: July 1999 Syphon Filter Console: Playstation Publisher: 989 Studios Developer: Eidetic Release: Jan 1999 Mass Destruction Console: Saturn Publisher: ASC Games Developer: NMS Software Release: Oct 1997 Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods Console: PC Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: Bullfrog Prod. Release: 1992 Doom 3 Console: PC Publisher: Activision Developer: id Software Release: Aug 2004 Commander Keen: Keen Dreams Console: PC Publisher: Softdisk Publishing Developer: id Software Release: 1991 Star Control 2 Console: PC Publisher: Accolade Developer: Toys for Bob Release: 1992 WarioWare: Twisted! Console: GBA Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo Release: May 2005 *********************** My votes: Army Men: Sarge's Heroes 2 -- NO Fun, but not must-have material by a long shot. The novelty of fighting army men is entertaining, but there's not too much beyond that. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City -- YES Just take everything good said about GTA III and set it in a Scarface-style 80's coastal city. Easy YES. Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask -- YES Not my favorite installment of the series, but Ocarina of Time is a tough act to follow. It's still Zelda, and a solid entry at that. Portal -- CAKE Portal puzzle brilliance. Plus some great dark humor to keep you giggling all the while. And possibly the best final boss fight and end credits of any game ever. HUGE SUCCESS. Super Mario 64 -- YES This is still one of the greatest games in existence. Possibly still the greatest 3D platformer out there. You would have thought the transition from 2D to 3D gaming would have taken some time to iron out, but Nintendo just nailed it from the start. Doom 3 -- NO Not a bad shooter at all, but not quite special enough to merit must-have status. There are far more deserving shooters to fill those slots.

He usually slips in some positive side-notes if he really does like a game, but I think he knows the pessimism is where the funny is.

Every wednesday.

Try a different browser maybe? At the very least, these videos should be all over youtube. Just try keywords like "zero punctuation" and "fully ramblomatic"

This is a few months old, but I never saw a thread about it here and Yahtzee's reviews are just too great to miss. A british-born, Australia-based guy by the name of Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw has been releasing short, hilarious game reviews for the last few months. The Escapist picked him up a while back and he's been making a new video every week. I'd try describing the videos to you, but you really have to see them for yourself. Zero Punctuation Reviews by "Yahtzee" (in chronological order) Heavenly Sword (demo) and Resident Evil 5 (teaser) Psychonauts Next-Gen Console Rundown BioShock Tomb Raider Anniversary Manhunt Peggle Halo 3 Tabula Rasa (beta) The Orange Box Super Paper Mario Medal of Honor: Airborne Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass Clive Barker's Jericho F.E.A.R. Perseus Mandate Assassin's Creed Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Mass Effect Super Mario Galaxy Silent Hill: Origins Crysis The Witcher Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Sim City Societies Yahtzee Goes to GDC Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Devil May Cry 4 Burnout: Paradise Turok Zack & Wiki Army of Two No More Heroes Condemned 2: Bloodshot Super Smash Bros. Brawl God of War: Chains of Olympus Mailbag Showdown Grand Theft Auto IV Painkiller The World Ends With You I eagerly await every wednesday now. Enjoy.

Two days on schedule. A new record? ***** Round Twenty-Seven: ***** Rampage 2: Universal Tour Console: N64 Publisher: Midway Developer: Avalanche Software Release: Mar 1999 Vagrant Story Console: Playstation Publisher: Square EA Developer: SquareSoft Release: May 2000 Persona 2: Eternal Punishment Console: Playstation Publisher: Atlus Co. Developer: Atlus Co. Release: Dec 2000 Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped Console: Playstation Publisher: SCEA Developer: Naughty Dog Release: Oct 1998 Blast Wind * Console: Saturn Publisher: TechnoSoft Developer: TechnoSoft Release: Jan 1997 (JP) IL-2 Sturmovik Series: Complete Edition * Console: PC Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Ubisoft Release: Mar 2006 (EU) MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries Console: PC Publisher: Activision Developer: Activision Release: Sept 1996 Psychonauts Console: PC Publisher: Majesco Games Developer: Double Fine Productions Release: Apr 2005 Transport Tycoon Deluxe Console: PC Publisher: MicroProse Developer: MicroProse Release: 1995 Mega Man Battle Network 2 Console: GBA Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Jun 2002 ****************** Psychonauts -- BIG YES There are very few games in existence that are truly funny. Psychonauts is one of the proud few. Well-written, fun and aesthetically creative, this game deserved far more sales than it got. The game is truly brilliant. If you don't believe me, listen to Yahtzee.

Thank god, another Saturn owner. I thought we might have to drop the Saturn category entirely until you showed up. ***** Round Twenty-Six: ***** Harvest Moon 64 Console: N64 Publisher: Natsume Developer: Victor Interactive Release: Nov 1999 Einhander Console: Playstation Publisher: SCEA Developer: SquareSoft Release: May 1998 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Console: Playstation Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: May 2000 RayStorm Console: Playstation Publisher: Working Designs Developer: Taito Corporation Release: Dec 1999 Dungeons & Dragons Collection * Console: Saturn Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Mar 1999 (JP) Deus Ex: Invisible War Console: PC Publisher: Eidos Interactive Developer: Ion Storm Release: Dec 2003 Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars Console: PC Publisher: EA Games Developer: EA LA Release: Mar 2007 Final Doom Console: PC Publisher: GT Interactive Developer: id Software Release: May 1996 King’s Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow Console: PC Publisher: Sierra Entertainment Developer: Sierra Entertainment Release: 1992 Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland Console: GBA Publisher: Nintendo Developer: HAL Labs Release: Dec 2002 ***********************

Just to let you guys know, I've laid out the rest of the voting rounds and it looks like we have two weeks (14 rounds) remaining, starting today. New round tonight.

Almost forgot. Metal Gear Solid -- YES A brilliant, top-notch game to kick off a brilliant, top-notch "trilogy" of four games (qualogy?). Strong storytelling and tense stealth action make this an easy game to recommend. If you hate stealth games, you may still want to give this one a try for the great story it kicks off. If you try it and still hate it, then never play a stealth game again. The Metal Gear Solid series is pretty much stealth at its finest.

Finally, seph does his job. ***** Round Twenty-Two: ***** Castlevania 64 Console: N64 Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Release: Dec 1998 Final Fantasy Tactics Console: Playstation Publisher: SCEA Developer: SquareSoft Release: Jan 1998 Legend of Legaia Console: Playstation Publisher: SCEA Developer: Contrail Release: Mar 1999 GunGriffon Console: Saturn Publisher: Sega Developer: Game Arts Release: 1996 Battlefield 2 Console: PC Publisher: EA Games Developer: Digital Illusions Release: June 2005 Commander Keen IV: Secret of the Oracle Console: PC Publisher: Apogee Software, Ltd Developer: id Software Release: 1991 Fallout 2 Console: PC Publisher: Interplay Developer: Black Isle Studios Release: Sept 1998 Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Console: PC Publisher: LucasArts Developer: Raven Software Release: Mar 2002 Project Eden Console: PC Publisher: Eidos Interactive Developer: Core Design Ltd Release: Oct 2001 Mega Man Zero 3 Console: GBA Publisher: Capcom Developer: Inti Release: Oct 2004 ****** Round Twenty-Three: ***** WWF: No Mercy Console: N64 Publisher: THQ Developer: Aki Corp Release: Nov 2000 Bushido Blade Console: Playstation Publisher: SCEA Developer: Light Weight Release: Sept 1997 Front Mission 3 Console: Playstation Publisher: Square EA Developer: SquareSoft Release: Feb 2000 Legend of Oasis Console: Saturn Publisher: Sega Developer: Ancient Release: Nov 1996 SimCity 4 Console: PC Publisher: EA Games Developer: Maxis Release: Jan 2003 King’s Quest V: Absence Makes the Hearts Go Yonder Console: PC Publisher: Sierra Entertainment Developer: Sierra Entertainment Release: 1990 Supreme Commander Console: PC Publisher: THQ Developer: Gas Powered Games Release: Feb 2007 Taito Legends 2 Console: PC Publisher: Destineer Developer: Empire Oxford Release: July 2007 Final Fantasy V Advance Console: GBA Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Square Enix Release: Nov 2006 Super Street Fighter II: Turbo Revival Console: GBA Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Release: Oct 2001 ****** Round Twenty-Four: ****** Perfect Dark Console: N64 Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Rare Ltd Release: May 2000 Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Console: Playstation Publisher: Eidos Interactive Developer: Crystal Dynamics Release: Aug 1999 Metal Gear Solid Console: Playstation Publisher: Konami Developer: KCEJ Release: Sept 1998 Shinobi Legions Console: Saturn Publisher: Vic Tokai Developer: Sega Release: 1995 Marathon 2 Console: PC Publisher: Bungie Software Developer: Bungie Software Release: Sept 1996 Tactical Ops: Assault on Terror Console: PC Publisher: Atari Developer: Kamehan Studios Release: Apr 2002 Unreal Tournament 2003 Console: PC Publisher: Atari Developer: Digital Extremes Release: Sept 2002 Wolfenstein 3D Console: PC Publisher: Apogee Software, Ltd Developer: id Software Release: May 1992 X-COM: UFO Defense Console: PC Publisher: Atari Developer: Culture Brain Release: Dec 1993 Iridion II Console: GBA Publisher: Majesco Games Developer: Shin’en Release: May 2003 ****** Round Twenty-Five: ****** Jet Force Gemini Console: N64 Publisher: Rare Ltd Developer: Rare Ltd Release: Sept 1999 Tomb Raider 2 Console: Playstation Publisher: Eidos Interactive Developer: Core Design Ltd Release: 1997 Viewpoint Console: Playstation Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: Visual Concepts Release: Nov 1995 Hyper Duel * Console: Saturn Publisher: TechnoSoft Developer: TechnoSoft Release: Nov 1996 (JP) Battlezone Console: PC Publisher: Activision Developer: Activision Release: Sept 1999 Half-Life 2 Console: PC Publisher: VU Games Developer: Valve Software Release: Nov 2004 Rome: Total War Console: PC Publisher: Activision Developer: Creative Assembly Release: Sept 2004 Space Quest IV: The Time Rippers Console: PC Publisher: Sierra Entertainment Developer: Sierra Entertainment Release: 1991 The Pinball of the Dead Console: GBA Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Release: June 2002 Shining Soul II Console: GBA Publisher: Atlus Co. Developer: Grasshopper Release: Apr 2004 ********************* My votes: Final Fantasy Tactics -- YES Beyond the bad translation and unforgiving death penalties, this game had few weaknesses. Playstation owners must own this, no question. Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast -- YES Star Wars FPS with lightsabers that handle great? Customizable force powers? Sign me up. The online multiplayer was almost more fun than the game itself. Perfect Dark -- YES Refining the GoldenEye formula, the Perfect Dark campaign was brilliant. The multiplayer was great too, although the inclusion of bots could destroy the framerate. Still, it was fun, and the single player game was superior even to GoldenEye's. Buy it. Half-Life 2 -- YES One of gaming's greatest FPS games. Beautiful to look at, handles like a dream, and features a great method of storytelling. Also featured an insane physics engine (which is actually still one of the best 2 years later). Also: gravity gun. Great game all around that blows its prequel out of the water.

I shame the Must-Have list with my inconsistent updating. Big ol' stack of FOUR ROUNDS coming tomorrow.

Just finished the 5 song demo for the 360. Everything seems solid. And playing Tenacious D feels heavenly.

Whatever problems our kind might have with EA, they didn't grow this large selling stuff that no one wanted. Their business model may not thrill us, but it's proven to be profitable to them, and they would be idiots to abandon a succesful business strategy.

Lemme go ahead and lay down the gauntlet now: if any man fancies himself a guitar hero, let him come forth. I will best you. (offer probably limited to 360 owners)

A demo should be coming out tomorrow with 5 tracks on it. Can't wait.