!Blander Blahstein: Gamer

Playing: The Last Door: Chapter 1

2013-11-19T12:16:00.000-05:00

I found the last door on armor games, but noticed right off that they have their own website with the rest of their content. thelastdoor.com. You have to register to play it on the developer's webpage, but there's more content available on there, so you won't regret signing up. The game comes as a series of chapters. This is one of those times when you get to experience something a little more old fashioned than the internet usually provides... waiting.

This game is like one of those old fashioned radio shows your grandparents used to listen to. It's spooky, but not scary. It sort of creeps you out slowly until you get a shock. Then everything slows down again. Each shock being a little more shocking than the last.

The game is done up in bit graphics. It gives a nostalgic feel and you don't get any of the adobe flash lag that you sometimes get with visually appealing games. The visuals are still creepy though. From the very beginning title screen when the raven is shuffling around, you can tell that this is a game that is still going to keep you weirded out even without hi-res graphics.

The game doesn't disappoint, and I'm not going to spoil it, but I'll say this much... I'm pretty sure I hate birds.

I'd suggest you check out their page, maybe even donate to the kick starter. They have an area on their page, where if you've donated enough, they can add your character into a special version of the game! The game is also available on their website, where you can not only check out your own character they make for you, but you can see the other generous contributors and immediately be part of a virtual community where you will forever be bonded with strangers.

Take a look at the game.

Playing Dildo Hills 2

2013-11-15T20:35:00.002-05:00

So I'm on armor games, checking out the new flash games and I see Dillo Hills 2. I've been on here for a while and I didn't know there was a Dillo Hills 1. I checked it out, apparently there is one made a couple years back. So this is the long awaited sequel to another game I've never heard of.

Here's a video of me playing that game for a half hour. You'll get the idea how slow and painful powering up is in this game too. There's really no way to make money any faster, even if you're good. You pretty much just curve up a little bit at the beginning and then the rest of the upgrades are slower and further in between and meaning less each time. The only upgrade that is worth getting is control and that one gets expensive real quick. So, if you want to progress faster, you might as well just watch my video in fast forward.

I hope you enjoy watching me play the game more than I enjoyed playing it.

Bait and Switch

2013-11-02T00:29:00.000-04:00

This game is a unique twist on bass master. Instead of catching the bass and marveling in the size of it, you blast wave after wave of aquatic jerks into oblivion. The game is made by Poponga and available (at least) on armorgames.com.

Here's a couple screenshots of the game, although you might want to watch my YouTube video to get an idea of what the later levels are like before you play it. Also, you can see if you beat my score of 2,870,135 (I did die five times though).

There's also a survival mode you can play after you beat the game, where you play until your inevitable deat at the hands of millions of exploding fish and piranha. There are also these enemies that look like killer whales.

Check it out. You can play the game here: Bait and Switch

Samsara Room

2013-10-28T04:31:00.000-04:00

Every now and then you have to treat yourself to something trippy. Samsara Room fulfills that requirement in the food pyramid of weird. It's a typical point, click, story progresses room-escape. The goal of the game is to become enlightened.

The first thing you see is this nice living room setup with a little phone table. You feel like you're being invited over to have lunch or something, so you press the "play" button expecting to see some happy-jolly shit, when instead are greeted by a dark screen with ominous white font that says, "I woke up in a room I never have seen before. My head hurts and I feel dead inside." While that is still coming into focus, there is a horrible sound that I can only imagine would feel like having a knife jabbed into your stomach while your murderer stares in your eyes. Pretty intense. The game is telling you right away that you're gonna get scared.

This is how I feel without my coffee.

Now that your spooking out, the dark screen fades back into the living room scenery again. You're staring at an old grandfather clock. Not scary at all. Just like here you go again, we're gonna put you back into this place until we're ready to scare you again. The game does have its weird parts, and while it did make me think, there were only a couple spooky parts.

The upside down lizard man room.

Is grandpa off of his meds again?

Bizarre fish necromancy.

I'm hoping this messes with your head.

This game is very interesting, and at least worth a shot. You may miss the ten minutes of your life it takes you to beat this game, or you might find enlightenment. You can play it here at armor games.

Also, I've posted a walkthrough I made, available on my YouTube Channel and viewable below.

Touch It... Go Ahead... You Know You Want To

2013-10-26T00:15:00.002-04:00

Touch the Bubbles 4

I've never been very good with that fine tune mouse control. You can tell from the drawing at the top of my YouTube page, which I drew myself using just the mouse in Windows Paint application. I gotta say... it's pretty freaking hard. Sure it starts off easy, but around level 6, the thing just gets ridiculous. As you progress from one stage to another, you're constantly challenged with progressively more difficult levels. I know that's how most games go, but this game manages to bring new levels of insane with each step forward you take.

Now granted, I didn't understand the control fully until level 9. Up until then I thought you couldn't touch the walls without dying. It turns out, it's just the red stuff you have to avoid. After I ditched that handicap, I figured it was smooth sailing... and it was... until level 15. Just look at this level! There is no place at all to just rest the mouse while you plan your next move.

What are those things? Darth Maul's butter knives?

If you're looking for a unique and challenging game, that will up your skill with your mouse, this is it. Check it out. If you get stuck, you can also watch my walkthrough video on my YouTube Channel or below.

Me and the Key Three

2013-10-25T01:08:00.001-04:00

I like playing flash puzzle games. It's like taking a short IQ test. I just made a walk through for this fun flash game by bontegames. I'd recommend giving this short puzzler game a try.

Me and the Key Three

The Legend of Zelda

2013-10-24T06:44:00.001-04:00

This start screen and music is nothing short of iconic.

Not the best grammar, but the story is clear enough.
Gannon is the bad guy...
Something about a Triforce...
Zelda was kidnapped...
Something else about a Triforce...
Link has to save her.

I think this is the best technique for taking this guy out.
Seriously, I bet you've never thought of it.

On each level, you find a piece of the Triforce.

Link and Zelda with the Triforces of wisdom and power.

Not a lot of franchises have held up to the test of time like the Zelda series. With the exception of Adventures of Link and the CD-I's Zelda: Wand of Gamelon (Angry Video Game Nerd did reviews on both of them), just about every Zelda game has been an iconic and innovative game.

In honor of the series, I replayed the game, recording the locations of the levels and the boss fights. If I need to spoiler alert you of the ending for The Legend of Zelda, you're reading the wrong blog.

The game is challenging, but not ridiculous. I used to remember the blue knights being the most difficult enemy in the game, but after the replay, I realized it's damn blue wizards. They phase all over the place, they're movement is erratic, and if you're unlucky enough to line up straight up on one while you're shooting at him, they just start firing that spell wave at you like it's going out of style. One of the only times in the game I needed to have the old lady's potion was level 6... just for these douche bags.

"Asswhopicus!"

I'd really like to bring your attention to my cool tactic for the level 3 boss. I'm pretty sure it's a good tactic that not a lot of you thought of. Just to set me straight though, I'd like to know if I was able to discover a new trick on an old game.

Match-Three Puzzlers: Triple Town and Pixel Defenders Puzzle

2013-10-19T01:57:00.000-04:00

Triple Town

Triple Town is a match three puzzle game, where you place game pieces down that combine into more complex pieces. The goal is to make the biggest city you can before you run out of space on the board. While the description of the game is accurate in it's simplicity, I've got a game play video that should give you a better idea of how fun this game is. This is one of those games that "you'll need a strong support group of friends to get you to stop playing". I wish you the best of luck in life if you attempt to play this game and think you can stop.

This cute little game has addictive game play, the weirdest sound effects, and the cutest antagonists... da bears. If you can't get enough of these cute little board hogs, check out the Triple Town t-shirts zazzle has for sale.

Pixel Defenders Puzzle

Pixel Defenders Puzzle, I'm not gonna lie to you is straight up ripped off from Triple Town, just like Candy Crush Saga is taken from Bejeweled Blitz. They are the same puzzle game, but so much more dynamic.Candy Crush added some walls and shit, but this game added a whole other game that could not have been possible without the Triple Town puzzle style. Both of these guys, Spry Fox and these other like nobodies - just this group thrown together,

Who?

No like production team name, just two dudes and a chick who make games while Dare to Oppress has band practice. Oh, by the way, while we were hanging out we only made like one of the most challenging and rewarding puzzle games you'll ever play. These guys even have a support page, but like no programming team name. Like... who am I suppose to call if I'm in trouble.

So it's like this, the enemy gets your guys, you're defeated. You mess up on the puzzle, you're defeated. You walk out that door without eating a bologna sandwich you're done. There is like no way to keep it together on the later levels. You are going to lose, and when you do, you'll learn, and you'll go right back at it. You're gonna hit it so hard its insides burst. You are better now than you ever could have been without this game.

Basically, I'm saying the game provides a rewarding challenge in a volume that few games achieve.

So you should enjoy these games. Triple Town will make a nice "waiting in line" game on your phone, and Pixel Defenders Puzzle is more likely going to sear itself onto the inside of your head.

Flow - iPhone and Android Puzzle Game

2013-03-04T01:52:00.000-05:00

This addictive puzzle game gives you a series of colored dots you connect to complete consecutively more difficult boards. to make it a little more challenging, you have to use all the space on the board too.

This game is a little like the Lightcycle game from Tron crossed with any other Tetris style game. With tons of maps, even in the free version, this game will keep you occupied for a long time.

Also, since the levels are short, you can use it as a momentary diversion just about anywhere: in line at the bank, DMV, traffic jam, or during sex... Pretty much anytime you have a couple minutes you're not doing anything important.

Burger Time

2011-07-06T18:25:00.003-04:00

Has anyone actually ever beat this game?!

I've only played it a few times, but this game is ridiculous!

Death Rally

2011-07-06T18:14:00.002-04:00

Apparently, I can post from my phone... Let's give this a shot.

Speaking of shots, I've been playing Death Rally for the iPhone lately. This game is madly addictive.

This game has a basic story line, you're a street racer who gets caught by the cops. Rather than put you in jail, you have to join the Death Rally in order to bring in "The Adversary". He's not an easy target though, you have to race your way through multiple tracks, upgrading your cars and weapons as you go.

Not only is the story mode for this game engaging, but it's full of mini games like a free for all kill fest featuring none other than, Duke Nukem.

It's a free download, so there really isn't any reason to miss out on this game.

Finishing off Skyblazer

2011-04-29T22:36:00.000-04:00

Here's the second installment of my review on Skyblazer, complete with the final boss(es) video. After playing this game for a while, I realized it's pretty reminiscent of Megaman Zero, having the closer combat with abilities to back it up.

Like a lot of video games the last level makes you revisit old bosses you've already beat, who for some reason have been either reincarnated or the final boss just had extras lying around. I understand that with a game like Megaman, since your enemies are machines, but djinn, fish monsters, walls with faces and whatever that elephant-snake trunk guy is I'm just not sure about. Still the game keeps to it's quick style by only making you fight four bosses over.

You fight the boss in two forms, which is pretty typical as well. The first one requires you to start off using your phoenix ability to break his shield, so if you die, you're basically fighting him with half health. Your best odds are to beat him on the first go around. Both forms of the last boss hate being punched in the face. It's pretty much their only weakness. Really, there aren't a lot of things that punching in the face enough times doesn't take care of. I'm pretty sure that even works on vampires and werewolves.

If you watch the end story segment, you might notice that Sky is a total bad ass. I've never seen a game where the main character taunts the final boss. The whole game he just tells the old man he's got this guy under control and basically just pwns him and his minions with style.

How to Get Your Girlfriend to Play Video Games

2011-04-03T17:52:00.001-04:00

When I first started dating my girlfriend, we were at the laundromat and to kill some we played the coin monster Pac-Man. I was expecting to beat her pretty badly, because I had played the game and knew the ghosts techniques. Well, she beat me... twice. It didn't matter how serious I played, it happened. It wasn't a fluke, my girlfriend is genuinely better at Pac-Man.

Then I started to think, what if I could get my girlfriend to play games with me like ZAMN?

Moreover, what if I could get her to play StarCraft II on my team and actually win?

By Art by Bones at deviantart.com

We've played Left for Dead before, but she can't figure out the controls. I can't justify losing half my screen for someone who gets me killed more than helps me out. How can someone who can't even handle two analogue sticks kick my ass with only one D-pad?

*REAL SCIENTIFIC FACTS*

First off, women think faster than men. They have a better developed central nervous system and more left/right brain cross communication than we do. What this means, is that if a woman were genuinely interested in video games and played as much as a man does, she is more likely to win, because they will have better control.

It made me think back to the Golden Eye days for the N64. There was the two analogue control option on that game, no one ever seemed to use. After Halo, It was the standard in any FPS. No matter how natural it seems now, if you've been playing games since NES, you had to gradually learn more complicated control. Now to the bread and butter of this blog. How do you get your girlfriend to play video games with you?

Start her off like you did, with simple games and gradually step it up. I thought back to the first game I could remember upping my gamer skill, but still being easy enough for any nubie to play. Mega Man II was my choice, but maybe you'd choose something else.

The thing is, I wasn't expecting much from her, but you have to remember, no matter how bad she is, and she will suck at first, never take the controller from her and show her. Best case, she'll just be imitating you, worst case, she'll go make sandwiches and forget about the game. I've been played Mega Man II more than a few times, and can beat Quick Man's stage first. That's pretty much the test for Mega Man II, or so I thought. My girlfriend really surprised me when she played. After she beat Bubble Man, she went on to Heat Man's level. I told her that she really would need to use item 2 (the rocket board) to beat this one part. She told me that she could do it. She failed more than a few times, but who playing any Mega Man hasn't? Eventually, she did it. What made things more interesting is when she beat Heat Man, she didn't use Bubble Man's ability. I said, "Honey, you're supposed to use the boss ability you got from Bubble Man." She replied with what is perhaps the most badass gamer comment without realizing it, "That sounds like cheating."

I know that you can theoretically beat any boss in a Mega Man with just the buster, but I never thought of using the learned abilities as cheating. After that, she beat another four bosses without using abilities. The one boss I did have to help her on was the dragon in Wily's castle.

Pink is the new blue, says MegaWoman

The thing about training your girlfriend to play a game, is that sometimes, it will be painful to watch her lose over and over doing something that you could do with your eyes closed. Just remember, even though it's old hat to you, it's new to her.

After she beat Mega Man II, she played Mega Man X. . . and hated it. I thought that continuing the series might work, but there are a lot of games we've played between MM2 and MMX. Try to remember those milestones in your gamer history and present them to her in that order.

Who knows, maybe this could bring you two closer together. Also, you might have to end up doing something that she likes in return. Maybe you can see if she would be willing to scrap book your video game exploits. Call it compromise.

The Wright Stuff: Flying High

2011-01-30T22:25:00.001-05:00

Last time I posted a flash game I played it seems that I've been getting more hate mail for ruining your lives than good comments. So in an attempt to alienate the rest of my readers, I've got two more games I want to recommend, also found on the Armor Games website.

Learn to Fly

**Spoiler** this video is the end of the game.

This is the sad little epic of a penguin who realizes what he's missing out on, being a "flightless" bird. He defies fate and throws caution (and himself) to the wind. It's not only a fun game, but a valuable life lesson.

Flight

After reading the directions a few times, you'll pick it up.

Another simple flyer game, but this one just seems to have an addictive quality that's hard to explain. Anyway, give it a try if you don't have work today... or if you're boss is ok with you being two hours late.

Flash Games: How I Waste My Life

2011-01-20T01:13:00.000-05:00

Armor Games is a flash video game site that has a great collection of games. I've probably clicked hundreds of hours of my life away on this site alone. I'd like to share a little "gem" I have found on their site. If you're a fan of tower defense, this is game is for you. I would say, that this game is quite possibly the best tower defense game ever. I'm not taking that comment lightly either. The link and a few screen shots are below. If you decide to take my advice and play this game, I'll just say goodbye to you now, because it's possible that you'll never visit my site (or anyone other than GemCraft) again.

If you're not a fan of tower defense, consider yourself lucky. You might still have a life... or at least the opportunity to get one.

GemCraft chapter 0 | Armor Games

Audio / Video Editing on the Cheap... Free

2011-01-14T16:02:00.006-05:00

I've been posting a lot of videos on my site, but I don't have paid video software... and no I didn't pirate it either.

For all of us who don't have the extra few hundred dollars to buy an awesome program like Adobe Premiere, the functionality can be replaced by using a couple different programs to get the same (or similar) results.

I think you'll be able to get your hands on just about everything I mention here from FileHippo.com

First you need codecs, I heard that the codec packs like CCCP or Klite are pretty effective, but I just use ffdshow and the matroska splitter. Between those two things you don't need much else.

I use VideoPad Video Editor (from NCH), it's a paid program, but when you attempt to uninstall it, you get the option to use a less functional free version.

Another free and useful tool I use is Sqirlz Morph. This program is probably one of the most intuitive and clever morphing tools I've ever seen. There is so much you can do with this, but I use it for making .gif and .avi files from just simple pictures.

Sample work using Squirlz Morph

For video conversion, I found a nice free tool Super(c). I like it not only because it's a free fully functional audio/video converter/joiner, it's also named Super C... as in Super Contra. You know... the old Nintendo game.

I hope you found this post helpful. Anyway, that's about it.

Sam and Max Hit the Road

2010-11-19T00:25:00.001-05:00

I've been on a personal quest lately to find a game I think most people never played that is still something special today... I think I've found just that.

This is without a doubt, one of the funniest and well thought out games I have ever played. Maybe it's just me, but I never heard of this game. It's one of the old SCUMMVM platform games made by Lucas Arts, the guys who brought us Maniac Manson among other games.

The main characters are two freelance police officers Sam and Max. Sam is a dog who looks like a classic detective and Max a psychotic and violent (yet still cute) rabbit.

Skyblazer... I can't believe I forgot Skyblazer!

2010-10-21T06:44:00.000-04:00

The other night I was having a few drinks at the bar with a friend, and I let it out that I've got a little blog going where I replay classic SNES (and maybe NES) games. We got to talking and he wanted to contribute some ideas. I trust my friends, but this is why I didn't want to tell anyone about my blog. Before I know it, I'll have all my buddies giving me a list of games to review and they'll all think I'm picking favorites when I choose a game. However, this time I didn't regret it.

I pulled out the iPhone and showed him the site. He liked it and started to mention games I should play. He recommended Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Lufia, and Megaman all before I could stop him.

"Look man, I'm just trying to put those games out that I played and enjoyed that weren't popular. I'd like people to know what they missed out on." I then started to tell him that my next game was going to be E.V.O. The Search for Eden. He told me that game sucked. I was just about ready to end the conversation and play some pool when he brought up Skyblazer. He kept going, but I told him to stop. They're my creative juices and I'd rather not throw his oranges in with my kiwi.

This game has all the best elements of a side scrolling platform (maybe lacking a little in storyline). First off, the control for this game is fantastic. It's as smoothness is right up there with Super Castlevania. The graphics are simplistic, yet not disappointing. The music is a bit redundant, but nonetheless engaging and appropriate. This game plays itself. I was just taking videos and screen shots and beat the first world before I even realized it.

Skyblazer was published by Epic/Sony Records games in 1993. These guys also released Utopia: The Creation of a Nation and Live in Power Bowl: TM Network (Japanese only). I wouldn't call the other games ground breaking, but I haven't played them yet either.

The box art looks like Nuclear Man beating up a bunch of robot monks.

The bosses are creatively designed.

Seeing the sprites should give you an idea of how smooth the game is.

The game has such a variety in game play from level to level, that I couldn't just pick one or two videos to sum it up. You'll have to see for yourself. This game is a truly undiscovered gem, probably due to the retarded looking box. I could imagine if the box didn't look so stupid, this game would have become a strong series, comparable to Megaman, Metroid, or Zelda.

If seeing this review made you want to play the game, it's going pretty cheap on Amazon. Honestly, at a price less than a pack of cigarettes, this game is a steal. Do yourself a favor and play it as soon as possible.

Debate on How to do Retro

2010-10-17T22:53:00.000-04:00

I've been having this debate with a friend for some time about nostalgia and why we would choose to play Stealth over Halo Reach.

He tells me that true nostalgia is about the overall feeling of the sharp cornered nintendo controller in your hand. The way a game slows down when more than three things are moving at once. That sort of forced "bullet time" which kind of gave you the edge to defeat the enemies. The opportunity to see that zombie eating your fellow Stars team member and when the tension is at it's highest, having to wait three more seconds while the disc loads.

While I can't disagree with that, I have a different interpretation of nostalgia. Sometimes, playing an older game the limitations of technology prevented a designer from realizing his actual dream. I purchased two (Wireless) Logitech Cordless Rumblepads and an HDMI cable. This way, I can download roms (legally of course) of the games I used to own and replay them on my flat screen TV with scaleX or super eagle graphics upgrades. Super eagle is nice! It makes an 8-bit game seem 16-bit. The game has more vibrancy and life. The game plays as it was meant to be played, without delay or graphical glitches.

Moreover, I am not forced to fight against my own bodily functions and personal life, because emulators allow you to save the state of the game in that exact spot at any time. This way, if you're tired you can go to sleep and beat Super Mario tomorrow, or after work. Not to mention that bumping a Nintendo could mean your game is over with, bumping a computer does not have that effect at all.

So Neo, the choice is yours:

The new school upgrade to old school games...
Or the true old school experience in it's original glory and frustration.

New Logo

2010-10-13T11:29:00.001-04:00

What do you guys think of my new blog logo?

Stealth for the Super Famicom - Lost in Translation

2010-10-12T02:13:00.000-04:00

Firestriker, was a sweet game that got overlooked, but some of the best games you've never heard of were literally unheard of because they weren't being talked about in your language. I could not find a copy of Stealth in English, but I'm not going to let a little thing like literacy bother me. I found the Japanese version and had at it.

If you don't understand the menus, that's fine, but the action should be pretty obvious.

I have no idea what is being said, but I figured out how to play.

You lead an elite squad of army commandos against the Viet Cong. Your mission (or so I've read) is to destroy their missile caches. I don't know if the Viet Cong really had missiles or not, but it makes for good game play.

Fortifying missiles with five dudes behind barrels... SRSLY?!?!

Since I can't read any of the names, I made them up:

Sargent Leader Guy - Squad Leader

Chief Raging Bullets - Sniper

Fatty Donuts - Demolition Expert

Steve Bushemi - Bullet Magnet

Crazy Ryu Rambo - Combatives Specialist

Nerdy BigNose - Radio Operator

Once I figured out how to play the game was actually really awesome. You walk through the wilderness, killing Viet Cong and innocent farmers, none of which said anything I understood. I really felt like I was getting the feeling of what it must have been like for American soldiers in this war. I think it's possible that the villagers were supposed to be giving me tips, but it was all wing-dings to me.

He could be insulting my mother for all I know.

Me love you long time.

Oh noooooo.... to boku.

Unfortunately, this game never came out in the US, and I haven't seen a translated version in my searches. I think that if you want to play this one, you'll have to bite the bullet and either learn Japanese or just fill in the dialog with your own flavor. For example, after you beat the first level, there's a bunch of Japanese and then it says "Yes or No"? I chose yes and this black guy up here joined my party.

I'm not sure how to rate the game, but it is definitely playable. Maybe just drink a few beers first.

FireStriker... I just can't put you down

2010-10-11T16:25:00.000-04:00

Last time I blogged I (re)introduced you to the old SNES cart Firestriker. In this installment, I'll show you the boss fights as well as a preview of my next blog.

Oh, I gotta hurry up and beat this guy, I've got a turtle head peaking out!

The third boss is a total flamer.

Every time I try to get close to him, he just throws up this emotional wall!

I'd like a video of me beating the boss, but to do that I'd have to actually beat the boss.

While researching Firestriker, (which you can buy for like $4.00 on Amazon by clicking this link) I found the company Hect which made this game, made another game that never came out in America that looks damn amazing. Stealth puts you in the shoes of a squad of US soldiers during the Vietnam war. This turn based I was going to check out Illusion of Gaia, but this game is a must see for me. Here's a sample of what Stealth has to offer.

The box art for Stealth

I'm not really sure how historically accurate this game will be, but I'll let you know if the USA wins in this one or not.

(Re)Discovering old SNES games: FireStriker / HolyStriker

2010-10-11T02:31:00.000-04:00

My friends and I were getting pretty drunk a while back, and playing old video games. We definitely weren't randomly playing games from a thousand ROM pack downloaded from uTorrent or LimeWire, because that would be illegal. So for this story, we bought a box of 1,000 old games at a garage sale and we were playing those. So FBI, if you're reading this, you can move onto someone else's blog.

Anyway...

We found this game called Holy Striker that was still in Japanese (and I just happened to have a Super Famicom laying around). We played that game for the rest of the night and much into the next morning. All this despite the fact that we had no idea what the storyline was since it was still in Japanese.

A while later, I found out that this game did come out in America as Fire Striker. I'm posting this gem for you, because I honestly think a lot of you will have never seen this pretty awesome game.

Title Screen, don't know what multi mode is...

Reason for using a fiery pinball as a weapon

Gameplay videos captured with SNES9X and encoded with Super (from eRightSoft).

The opening screen and the first level

The first boss, tricky guy is strong on the front side

If you still have your SNES and you're looking to play a game you missed out on as a kid, try and find a copy of this game someplace. It's definitely worth the time.

Final Fantasy: Mystical Quest. . . I just don't know

2010-10-09T16:46:00.000-04:00

The Final Fantasy series is probably the longest running successful series of RPG games to date.

I remember playing the first one for the NES and being enthralled. When Final Fantasy 2 (4 if you lived in Japan) came out, I was awestruck. The storyline was so deep and well developed. The classic battle between Kain and Cecil over Rosa. The awkward allience between Kain and Golbez to gain the crystals for dominance and revenge.

The game really had what it took to withstand the test of time. Having played more than a few RPG's since, I can say this game left a mark on me.

Haven't played it? Been living under a rock? Are you too young to know what records look like? Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_IV

A year later (1992) the SNES released a sequel to the FF series with the subname Mystic Quest. I was 11 years old at the time and still thought Thunder Cats were sweet. I bought the game played it through, and I remember enjoying it (just like Thunder Cats). A few weeks ago, I was feeling nostalgic and gave FF:MQ a shot. I played it all the way through and beat it. Overall, I'd have to say that the game had all of the elements I'm looking for in an RPG, but something felt off about it. I'd say it's something like playing the Cliff Notes version of a real RPG.

If you need to figure out what I'm talking about I've got a few screen shots of the last boss battle that might help you understand.

Default intimidating final castle name...

Default boss is waiting for you in an alternate space universe...

Default boss gives you plot twist right before fight...

Default boss taunts you while you fight him...

Default boss changes his form during battle...

Default boss changes his form again...

Default boss continues to change his form until the last fight is actually boring...

====

So, if anyone has played this game before, I encourage you to tell me what you thought of it, because frankly I have no clue if I hated this game or if I loved it. It's the peanut butter and pickles of RPG's.

Hacking 101

2010-10-09T01:52:00.000-04:00

You want to hack. . . start smoking Marlboro Reds.