VGM of the Day: Now Taking Requests!

In light of both the idea being thrust upon me by several people, and a certain comment I've received word of by a fellow blogger, I am now taking requests for my VGM of the Day articles to both spice things up and give myself a broader range of material to work with.

Got a song you want others to hear? Wanna know what I think about a particular track? You can drop your requests at vgmoftheday@yahoo.com, but please try to have either an MP3 or a Youtube link to the track in question, and I may critique it in my next post!

Thank you for your time.

Psychotic Informer - 7/29/11

 

 1. First up today is an insane eBay bid! Do you like Tetris? How much do you like Tetris? Enough to spend 1 million dollars on a copy? Well, if for some reason you do, now’s your chance! A copy of the original version of Tetris for the Sega Genesis is expensive on its own, but guess what? This copy is signed! According to the creator of the auction, the lot has the ONLY signed copy in the world of the original version! The 1 million dollar price tag is only an asking price, though he’s willing to go lower than that. If for some odd reason you have a million dollars and you feel like blowing it on a game (or just want to check it out), place your bid here. What do you think? If you had the money, would you even consider buying this? Do you think it is a good deal?
 

 

2. Because there is NEVER enough 3DS news, here’s some more 3DS news! Yesterday I said that 10 select NES games will be coming to the 3DS Virtual Console and will be available for free for the people who bought the 3DS at full price. You may have wondered (but probably not), what about the games that have a multiplayer function? Take Super Mario Bros. as an example. You can’t really do two player with a single 3DS unless you just pass off the 3DS when it’s another person’s turn, but you definitely could not do simultaneous multiplayer. Well, Nintendo has thought of this! The classic NES games will actually be upgraded with multiplayer across two 3DS’s. It hasn’t been announced whether it will be local or online, but knowing Nintendo and their knack for making things less convenient then they should be, it’s probably going to be local. What do you think? Will this upgrade be any good, or will it be ruined by local connectivity? (For more information, read the full article)

Psychotic Informer - 7/28/11

1. There is a lot of breaking Nintendo news today, so stay tuned! First up, we have something pretty big. The 3DS is being marked down by 32%, specifically $80 from its original price of $250, now $170. Nintendo released no information as to why the price drop occurred, but we can assume that it was because 3DS sales were so slow. The new pricing will be in stores on August 12th. But don’t feel bad, people who already bought the 3DS for $250 (including me)! For being awesome and buying it for full price, you’re going to get 20 3DS eShop games! The games will include 10 NES titles such as The Legend of Zelda, Bubble Bobble and Super Mario Bros, and 10 Game Boy Advance titles such as Metroid Fusion, Mario Advance 3, and WarioWare! I really hope Pokémon Emerald or any GBA Pokémon game will be included in the package.

 

In the long run Nintendo is probably overcompensating, because each game would probably be worth at least $4 a piece, probably more! I’ve also heard complaints about this deal, though. For example, some people don’t want the 20 free games and they just want a check for $80. I think this was a very smart move on Nintendo’s part, because the Playstation Vita is priced for $250, and with the 3DS significantly less than the Vita I think it will sell much better than it. What do you think? Is 20 games a good deal for compensation? Do you think it was a good move for Nintendo to drop their price? (For more information, read the full article)

2. More Nintendo news coming your way today! Two highly anticipated games have finally been given official titles! Super Mario 3DS and Mario Kart 3DS have been given (slightly lackluster) titles! Super Mario 3DS will simply be called Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 3D will simply be called Mario Kart 7. I think these titles are pretty dumb, in my opinion. Nintendo has been coming up with pretty lame titles lately. Kirby Returns to Dreamland, and now these. Mario Kart 7? Really? I could think of a better name anytime! What about something less lame like maybe ‘Mario Kart 3D’ or something. It at least has some class to it...Super Mario 3D Land is an alright title, but it makes it sound like it’s a sequel to Super Mario Land for the Game Boy. What do you think? Are these titles lame, amazing or somewhere in between? (For more information, read the full article)

Preview: Spider-Man: Edge of Time

Superheroes are everywhere. Between the multiple blockbuster movies released every summer and the powerful momentum of comic books, society has recently acknowledged the significance of the superhero genre again, allowing the theme to completely blow up. The Avengers may be taking the spotlight in 2012, but Marvel has certainly not forgotten their other representatives like Spider-Man.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time, a new game developed by Beenox, features two incarnations of the titular hero, both of whom behave quite differently. While the original, "classic" Spider-Man, Peter Parker, is playable throughout the game, the futuristic Spider-Man 2099, Miguel O'hara, acts as his counterpart (For those who are unfamiliar, Spider-Man 2099 stars in his own line of comics which acts as a futuristic reimagining of the original series).

Spider-Man 2099 in his city of future Nueva York.

Spider-Man: Edge of Time focuses on both "Spider-Men" and their teamwork to prevent the Alchemax corporation from striking the world with its iron fist, which would imminently lead to a dark, dystopian future. A scientist goes into the past to help the Alchemax corporation develop at a much faster pace, killing Peter Parker in the process. Miguel O'Hara, a geneticist, becomes aware of the devastation that would ensue and goes into the past to save Parker from his demise. In order to prevent the grim future from occurring, O'Hara and Parker cooperate between different timelines, applying their abilities, strategy, and teamwork to every situation along the way.

Modern Spider-Man using his speed to confuse enemies.

In Edge of Time, Both incarnations of Spider-Man play similarly, yet have unique specialties in combat. Spider-Man 2099 is melee-oriented, equipped with a battle suit that allows him to fight similar to classic Spider-Man. Additionally, due to this suit, 2099 can both accelerate rapidly and zip around to confuse enemies. On the other hand, classic Spider-Man can use his webs to spin together weapons and grab enemies from afar. Reliant upon his web and speed, his "spider-sense" also gives him an edge when fighting a large number of opponents.

Arguably the most unique feature within Edge of Time is the cooperative actions that can take place between both versions of Spider-Man. For instance, Spider-Man 2099 would be facing a giant robot that he is incapable of taking down. However, classic Spider-Man may be within the factory that created the robot, able to demolish it before its construction is complete. Thus, Spider-Man 2099 can continue on with little trouble.

That situation may not be as hypothetical as I said.

Spider-Man Edge of Time comes out October 4 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, PC, DS, and 3DS.

Short Version: Due to the unique gameplay style, Spider-Man: Edge of Time promises to be an enjoyable and exciting experience. Anyone who likes Spider-Man will love this game.

VGM of the Day #15: Robo's Theme

Here it is, folks! The big one - issue number fifteen of SilverTrinity's VGM of the Day! Why such an odd number? Why fifteen? You know damn well why!

Ah, man. It seems like only yesterday that I...slacked off and didn't post this when I should have. Ho-hum.

I'm just happy that I've managed to not cRap out On myself and the Blog yet, being notoriously unmOtivated as I am. That being the case, it wasn't a haRd decisiOn to seLect one of the cheeriest songs of alL time for this momentous occasion, Robo's Theme from Chrono Trigger.

Undoubtedly Nobuo Uematsu has won the hearts of fans the world over with his works over the years. This would be one of those timeless gems of his, with its hard-hitting bass (get it? hard-hitting? because robo is overpowered? hah) and a catchy melody that will leave you humming it all day. Chrono Trigger really wouldn't be the same without it, and in a game with one of the most renowned soundtracks of all time, that speaks for itself. The track also sounds remarkably similar to a certain song which has in recent years grown immensely popular in the Youtube community and around the internet...but we're all aware of this.

Truly a work of art at the time, Chrono Trigger marked an occurence where three visionaries in the industry combined their efforts to make what is now one of the most critically acclaimed ever: the likes of executive producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, artwork and character designer Akira Toriyama, and none other than Nobuo Uematsu handling the music. I applaud their collective efforts on the second game they joined together for, Blue Dragon, but it never really got quite to the level of their previous endeavor. You can't just MAKE another Chrono Trigger. And you certainly can't replicate its music.

The Verdict: Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down...

Psychotic Informer - 7/27/11

 

 

1. Some more Skyward Sword news today (because what’s an Informer without Skyward Sword news). Officially announced today, Ganon will NOT be returning to the game. “The Triforce sort of takes on a different meaning and plays a different role in the story. So because of that, Ganon will not appear," said the Zelda series producer. Taking his place as the main villain is a new villain called Lord Ghirahim, who you can see above. Am I the one who thinks he looks sort of like a Zora? Either way, I would love to see Ganon back on my TV, and Ghirahim looks pretty sweet, but I’m hoping Ganon will be back and bigger than ever in Zelda Wii U! What do you think about this new villain? Post your opinion in the comments! (For more information, read the full article)

2. Here’s some news to make you realize how obsessed with games people are; a Chinese couple sold their children for money to play online games. Back in 2009, the couple sold their first child, their daughter, for $500 US dollars. Later on they sold their two newborn baby boys for $4,600 US dollars each! The couple was finally turned in by the wife’s mother. The couple actually didn’t know they were breaking the law! They said "We don't want to raise them, we just want to sell them for some money." What do you think about this story? Post your opinion in the comments! (For more information, read the full article)

3. Remember how outraged fans were when Capcom made Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D without the ability to erase save files? Could you imagine if that happened again? Well, of COURSE it has. Apparently Namco Bandai didn’t get the memo that everyone hates this feature and that it is ridiculous. Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions has this awful feature in it. The game was released on July 26th on 3DS  What do you think? Should companies stop implementing this stupid feature? Post your opinion in the comments! (For more information, read the full article)

 

 

4. Did you ever want a giant ape on your wall? Well, now is your chance! The new Club Nintendo rewards include the Donkey Kong poster set and a Giant Mii AR Card! The poster set includes three posters and is like the other poster sets that include Mario and Zelda. The poster set it 400 Club Nintendo points, which is 50 more than the Zelda and Mario posters. The AR card is available for a mere 200 points and is a giant AR card for the 3DS. It features the question box so you can take pictures with your Mii, and on the reverse side it has the Mario AR card. (For more information, read the full article)

Preview: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The future is everywhere around us. Cars are being developed that require no fuel. Prosthetic limbs are being designed that almost perfectly mimic a real limb. Machines are becoming more prevalent in our daily lives than ever before. In the Deus Ex series, our future is now.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a prequel to the series' original entry, focuses on five different "Pillars of Gameplay," consisting of combat, stealth, hacking, exploration, and socialization. While combat generally focuses on firearms, Adam, the protagonist, has biomechanical augmentations that give him superhuman abilities, all of which are usable in battle. Stealth plays out much like one would expect, as the player can sneak around an area and assassinate enemies without a trace, similar to the gameplay of Batman: Arkham Asylum and the Metal Gear Solid series. Hacking is used for several different purposes, ranging from manipulating a machine to lockpicking to access additional items. Exploration involves the player using the environment to his or her advantage, applying knowledge and memory to find the best routes available. Lastly, socialization focuses on interacting with various characters, gaining new information from these characters, and manipulating them to gain their allegiance. These five Pillars will segue into each other throughout the entirety of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, i.e. a conversation can lead to a fight if the "wrong" dialogue is chosen.

A hacked computer that gives access to multiple actions that can be used for great strategic advantage.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution takes place in 2027, 25 years prior to the first game. The story follows Adam Jensen, a security officer working for one of the leading manufacturers in human-enhancing devices. Upon getting critically wounded during an attack on his company, Adam is given multiple biomechanical upgrades that both save his life and enhance his strength beyond natural limitations. Both of Adam's arms have been replaced with biomechanical arms that can be used for a variety of actions that benefit him in combat, including weapon transformation and the previously mentioned boost of strength.

Adam Jensen after his augmentations.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution deals with the idea of "transhumanism," or transcending the limitations of a normal human through the new biomechanical augmentations that are being built. There are countless arguments regarding whether people should augment their abilities. Some crave them for power and convenience, while others believe it will lead to arrogance, cause more wars, and give a false sense of godhood.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution will be released on August 23 in North America and on August 28 in Europe for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.

Short Version: Deus Ex: Human Revolution is shaping up to be a true successor to the previous two games, allowing for diversity in every playthrough, determined purely by the player's actions.