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Monday Gaming Diary: So LEGO The Hobbit for the Vita isn’t Terrible

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160095bBecause I’m part masochist and part optimist (at times), I bought the Vita version of LEGO The Hobbit in the hopes once again that maybe they’ll go back to the traditional formula for LEGO games with handhelds. I’m pleased to report that while they have continued their challenge model for the handheld versions, the handheld version for LEGO The Hobbit isn’t as awful as it has been in the past.

One of the biggest problems I’ve had with the handheld LEGO games as of late is that they have time trials as part of the challenges. LEGO games have always been about taking your time to explore and smash all the things, not burn through a level as fast as you can. These time trials put stress on games that have never, ever been about stress. LEGO The Hobbit still employs these time trials, but they aren’t in every level. In fact, many of the levels and challenges really do focus on exploration.

Unfortunately, you can still die or get a Game Over penalty, forcing you to restart a level. One level requires a bit of stealth, and if you fail at any time, you get to do the whole level over again. Any challenges you completed are forfeit as well, so get used to starting from scratch quite a bit.

It’s a step in the right direction, but I really hope they forgo this model completely soon. Although, I guess why would they do that when I continue to fork over my money to them?

I really do need that T-shirt that says, “I’m part of the problem.”

Monday Gaming Diary: Forget the Backlog, I’m playing inFAMOUS Second Son Again

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inFAMOUSSecondSon-3

I have a huge backlog. I even dedicated a new blog about it. My plan this year was if I got no other backlog games played, I would finish Dragon Age: Origins because Inquisition is supposed to release this year. I haven’t touched DAO at all, and I’ve shoved Lightning Returns into my backlog.

So what am I doing in the meantime? Well, I finished inFAMOUS Second Son last night and immediately started a new game for the evil side. I have so many other things to do, like FFX and the like, but no, I’m playing a game AGAIN just for the evil powers.

I’m so part of my own problem.

I look at my gaming to-do list, and some part of me is completely blinded by shiny inFAMOUS. I haven’t finished Kingdom Hearts HD either, I really need to work more on FFX, and I know I need to wrap up Lightning Returns so I have this summer free for DAO. But no, why do things I should be doing when I’m having more fun being a complete jerk and zapping people in Seattle with powers.

I did this with both Mass Effect games and inFAMOUS 2. Maybe I have a soft spot for games that have moral flips? Or maybe I’m not as into Square Enix as I used to be.

Either way, eh, hold on a minute…I need to free Seattle from the DUP by killing everyone. Be right back to finish this thought.

Monday Gaming Diary: I can’t stop playing inFAMOUS Second Son

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It isn't just about smoke powers...

It isn’t just about smoke powers…

I have barely touched the story in inFAMOUS Second Son. I may have done 3 or 4 story missions after reaching Seattle. I’ve been spending hours on clearing Seattle of the DUP in the various side missions available.

Clearing out the feds reminds me of taking down the Borgia towers in Assassin’s Creed 2: Brotherhood. That was easily my favorite part of the game, as rooting out the Borgia commanders was always enjoyable and then I could buy more vendors and get rich, rich, rich. I’m not able to get rich by clearing out the DUP in inFAMOUS, but doing so shows all of the blast shards, it makes people happy, and well, it’s really, really fun. It seems like a lot of mindless shooting most of the time, but sometimes that’s all you really want to do. Maybe it’s because your arsenal isn’t just simply shooting? I have more fun with the creative kills than anything else, almost like Bulletstorm.

One benefit to clearing out so many districts so early on is I’ve maxed out all of my available weaponry. I’m also already a level four in karma, one level away from maxing that out as well. I like being super powerful early on so the story isn’t as much of a potential drag, particularly with boss fights.

Each time I do max out what I have available, then I dive back into a story mission, which almost always unlocks a new ability. Then it’s back into clearing out another district! Hooray!

It also makes me want to go back and finish my Evil playthrough of the first game. Then again, all of the Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls talk makes me want to replay Diablo 3 a few dozen more times. One thing at at time…that’s how the stack of shame got started in the first place.

Monday Gaming Diary: Podcasting Fool

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furious-fourcast-29-in-defense-of-dudebro-games-600As I’m sure you’ve read me saying numerous of times, I’m on a weekly podcast with a few other SGR writers, The EvilCast. Just ignore the fact that we’re a podcast on a website that isn’t exactly functional anymore. That isn’t the point. The point is that the four of us still get together on a weekly basis to yell at one another over the week’s gaming industry news. If that isn’t a sign of BFFs, I’m not sure what is.

In addition to the EvilCast, I participated in two other podcasts last week. I’m still exhausted.

The first podcast of the week was the Power Button podcast with MattG (occasional writer here) and Blake. We discussed games we find ourselves binging on, whether it’s during severe downtime or just for pleasure. I’m sure all of you know which games I talked about the most.

Next up was the Furious Fourcast with Scott Grill, Max Parker, and Jen Bosier. Topic of the week–defending the dudebro. Over the last couple of years, Jen and I have noticed several negative nancies slamming the “dudebro” games for whatever reason. What’s worse is that many of them are bashing games they haven’t even played and know nothing about. And of course there are some who disdain the dudebro because it doesn’t appeal to their artistic sentiments. That’s fine, but to each their own, and we set out to discuss why we love the dudebro so much.

I had a lot of fun podcasting with these folks, but damn that was hard on this introvert. Plus, it really cut into my gaming time. I only had time to finally nail down that platinum trophy in The LEGO Movie Videogame!

Give these episodes a listen, and if you like them, subscribe to their podcasts. These guys put out great content for your ears each week.

Monday Gaming Diary: Achievement Hunting

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270590-SouthParkHeaderI’ve never really thought of myself as an Achievement hunter. If there are some Achievements I think I can easily get, I’ll go for it. Will I sit and try to do something over and over and over to get them all like prized Pokemon? Not really. The LEGO games are really the only place where I try that, and that’s mostly because I have this thing about getting the 100% mark on all LEGO games. Over the weekend, I finished South Park: The Stick of Truth, and I think I was the victim of an Achievement glitch for two Achievements. I know for sure a glitch prevents me from getting one.

For whatever reason, I’m really, really mad about it.

I know Achievements mean nothing in real life, that it just adds some silly arbitrary number to a Gamerscore no one cares about. I know all this. I’m still frustrated I couldn’t get those two Achievements.

So like a stupid child, I’m spending free time going back through the game and picking up other Achievements I didn’t get at the time but know I could get with a little time. Not only that, since I’m not sure about one Achievement being glitched, I’m considering playing the game again with the purpose of redoing my plan for that Achievement as well as to take a different course with one decision you have to make in the game.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

Part of it is this game is extremely fun and I don’t want to stop playing, even though I need to turn back to Lightning Returns. Other part of it is I’ve developed a stupid obsession with this game. I really hope this doesn’t lead to future obsessions with Achievements. I don’t got time for that!

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