Stabby's GameSpot Blog Posts

Japanophilia

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:52:10 -0700

Even though no one reads my blog I still feel the need to stain the internet some more with pointless rants.

Now it seems no other media has issues with "Japanophilia", the love of Japanese culture than gaming, mostly due to two of the three companies being Japanese and thus there being more Japanese games who as we know love to inject their own into their games. Now of course I am aware of games made in Japan that don't do this like the WWE series, but they aren't considered "Japanese". However the term "Japanophilia" was first used for those who enjoyed the authentic Japanese culture, you know? Culture you preserve and is the foundation of one's modern society? NOT, repeat NOT popular culture. What is considered Japanese culture is nothing more than culture in another country since many things apart of Japanese pop culture, anime and manga being the obvious if not only major case are not only found but even produced in other countries. Sure it was invented there but is Scotland the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the television?

Anyway the point is due to the wide circulation of this form of media has led to Japanese pop culture being the only major form people recognize and so have minor views on real Japanese culture... except misconceptions about "honor" despite like all ruthless leaders it was about power and power only... If you say otherwise try telling that to the Chinese!

Now the most obvious Japanophiles are of course the cosplayers, those who dress like game and anime characters who themselves dress more flamboyantly than Mr. Gay Universe (thats not a prejudice comment, have you seen them!?). These people are fine however, its no different than hardcore comic fans or Trekkies. But there are those who aren't to smart in their blatant Japanophilia. Examples include defense toward aspects of Japanese culture that shouldn't be defended. The most obvious is the Yakuza. We don't like to talk about how well organized and trained people like the Taliban, Mafia, IRA and other violent gangs and organizations... but the Yakuza seem to be admired with the whole honor BS (again its power, sugarcoated). Murder, thievery, trafficking, territorial gain etc... man with honor eh?

The second example is racism... the fact being its all good to call your own fellow country men as bigots, despite in my home country, UK if there was ever a sign that said British/whites... I can't begin to describe the follow storm... but they DO it in Japan still. Hmmm... Did anyone know that? Now here in the UK the Germans get a lot of stick for the Second World War but the Japanese don't and of course try telling that to the Chinese. Maybe they do in America where most readers here are from and thus had a bigger score to settle, I don't know but its something to think about... I'm not calling the Japanese people any more racist than the UK, US etc but how come it seems to fly?

Now lets get my biggest issue out of the way and keep in mind this is entirely my own opinion, pop culture in games. JRPGs have become they're own sub genre, and I think its due to their style. I mean the gameplay mechanics like heavy scripting and turn based cinematic combat are used in many western made games but aren't called JRPGs and of course RPGs that are made in Japan but don't have those features. Since a lot of this J-pop culture is found in this genre, the prevent becoming Final Fansty clone No. 48953, which many already are over there the setting is changed. Heres an example, in Bladestorm that is set during the Anglo-French 100 years war, the Japanese voice option according to reviews is the better option. Sure its bad voice acting but its more believable than Joan of Arc speaking modern Japanese (although this is the same game with elephants and ninjas...). The next example is Valkyria Chronicles that while fictional in its setting is clearly based of the world wars centered in Europe... but still has oddly dressed and blatant oriental looking characters (with the nation based off being against the Japanese in real life BTW)... why can't they explore other cultures? The Americans, despite all the guff they get over being narrow minded from other nations and the extreme left, in all honesty adopt more aspects of other cultures than most nations.

TO BE CONTINUED, MORE COMING SOON (UNFORTUNATELY)...

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"Japanophilia" was posted by Stabby on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:52:10 -0700

Recent Wii games line-up

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:05:14 -0700

I don't own any of the games I first got when I got my Wii (for one hell of a price), not including Wii Sports of course since thats bundled in. I've completed and sold them, although I have re-bought Super Mario Galaxy since that was sold for financial reasons. Anyway for a long time all I owned was Mario Kart, Brawl and a Godzilla game that I maintain is NOT BROKEN!!! Aaaanyway... recently I've picked up House of the Dead: Overkill, Deadly Creatures and MadWorld in one month... so of course I do think the Wii has potential but it really needs more creative concepts, I mean another game I recently got, Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars which critics thought was alright but not great was actually a great concept with very good mechanics.

So the Wii has become fun for me as a hardcore but not fanboyish about Nintendo gamer but thats it? All my other systems have much larger collections...

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"Recent Wii games line-up" was posted by Stabby on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:05:14 -0700

RTS Craft online

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:06:50 -0800

I recently purchased the supposedly great "StarCraft", along with the corresponding expansion pack "Brood War". For someone who has played PC strategies from Myth to Total War, why has it taken me so long to play this named "classic", let alone now and making me put everything in "quotes"? Ignoring the later, the reason being previous buys. I didn't normally buy older games until I realised I still play Myth and Age of Empires because they're fun and graphical charming/artistically designed so I've recently gone back and started playing more. WarCraft III was first from Blizzard because I got it for free from a BOGOF offer and I played World of WarCraft. Now let me say WarCraft III is a great RTS title so naturally I would go beyond that and BAM, StarCraft. Now its a great titles, not as charming graphically and sounding as Age of Empires I and II but still great BUT I WILL NEVER PLAY ONLINE.

I don't know how good I am against humans... maybe good because I'm (not bragging hopefully) excellent at many RTS and RTT games online. The reason being simply the lack of fun games I've heard about. If you play properly you play to win and win only or are Korean... and if not they use rush tactics IE Zerging... so why bother? Its far to competitive it seems now, like how China ruined pig pong... sorry if I'm sounding racist. I'm all for competitive games but to this extent... nah. I'll stick to offline and lan games... unless anyone wants to play plausibly then drop me a line.

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"RTS Craft online" was posted by Stabby on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:06:50 -0800

Casual gamers...

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:03:05 -0700

NOTE: Being the rant of all rants I will not be checking for typos or spelling mistakes.

Wii, wii, wii, wii... thats all I'm hearing. Theres nothing wrong with the Wii, it has great games and will have more to come, but the problem is along with the Wii comes the casual gaming. Now let there be casual gamers, let them play by all means, but don't think you can forget about ACTUAL GAMERS! Seriously, a hardcore gamer is NOT someone who plays for freakishly long periods, because a casual gamer can do that to as a cocky Nintendo guy once said, no a hardcore gamer is someone who plays games... regardless of console, regardless of genre, regardless of critics opinion... that is a hardcore gamer, that is a real gamer. Games are so close to becoming an established and respected art form... casual gaming will not do this. It might bring respect to gaming but not the respect it wants. Casual will be like how you respect sports as an activity. No, we want art status, casual won't help that. Making more and more and more casual games for casual audiences will not make more money either. Think about it, a casual gamer is someone who will buy a game due to an advert yelling "WII FIT WII FIT!" while a hardcore gamer will sell his own organs to get so and so IV because he spent all his money and A, B and C last week. There are only so many people, many will buy once and never again. Yes the casual gaming audience is MUCH LARGER but will only make the most money in the SHORT TERM. People ate up Zelda, Galaxy and Brawl for the Wii and will do so next time... will others eat up Wii Fit plus even if they're healthy? And of course the casual gamer will kill the best of the best. Beyond Good or Evil 2 is being made casual... enough has been said on that one. More money, more sh*t... so, casual games. AND THE MEDIA IS TOTALLY FOR IT AND DEGRADES ACTUAL GAMING FOR BEING HARDCORE DESPITE THE FACT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS!!! My main reason for all this hate is due to Nintendo, all they cared about was expanding the market and not console warring but now they're sudden'y doing well and the smug cloud suffercates the conferences... that all it is, smug developers and CEOs... given I'm not arsed to spell his name even slightly, the Mario inventor (you know who) is losing his touch to, to busy waving his arms aroud for the public, even though we know the best game require only the slighest twitch of the wrist... its sad really because while its great that games like GTA IV and MGS4 will win many awards, the mainstream non-gaming press will suck Wii Fit's cock dry as if the later two weren't even slightly good...

Dan Houser and Yahtzee were right!

NOTE: Now that I've calmed down, due to the profanity and hate, I'll apologise if it caused offense or is against GameSpots rules...

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"Casual gamers..." was posted by Stabby on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 16:03:05 -0700

Viking: Battle for Asgard

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:35:41 -0700

I'll do a review much later when I've nearly or have completed it but after 4 hours in I can already say that this game has got to be one of the most underrated games ever. So far barely anyone has heard of it and reviewers like IGN and Xbox Mag call it average. Don't listen to them however! This game is full of action, stealth, tactics and gore gore GORE! Lots of it. Granted its not perfect and I can see others finding it repetitive eventually however that shouldn't stop any action and/or hack and slash fan stall in AT LEAST checking it out.

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"Viking: Battle for Asgard" was posted by Stabby on Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:35:41 -0700

All 3 Consoles so far...

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:47:52 -0800

I hate the concept of a "console war". Its all Sony and Microsoft fanboys care about and the big heads at Nintendo say they don't care about that but bringing in new gamers but when they do well sales wise they THEN START to gloat about it... and in turn so do Nintendo fanboys. Well screw them, and screw you if you care so much about which console is winning, I care about gaming!

Xbox 360 - Amazing so far, been over a year and I haven't got the red ring yet but other who have got it sorted out rather fast so I'm not worrying. Games line up if great with BioShock, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect etc... Now theres alot of people out there who say you can get these games on a PC (or soon to be at least) however one must remember the following, the best PCs cost alot more than a 360... nearly 4 times as much so to be fair, anyone who bashes the 360 because of this is most likely a Sony or Nintendo fanboy.

Wii - Not as amazing but soon to be, we already have Zelda: TP and Super Mario Galaxy and of course theres Super Smash Bros. Brawl to look forward to... but it should be noted that despite what is advertised, not many of these games have that much activity involved on the scale of Wii Sports for example. So all those non gamers who Nintendo like to brag about aren't going to be the lasting buyers. You've got your massive audience now pay up with more REAL gamers for your REAL audience!

PS3 - Its not a bad console, its powerful and realiable but in terms of games its really really lacking. But hopefully 2008 can be its time to shine.

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"All 3 Consoles so far..." was posted by Stabby on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:47:52 -0800

Kane and Lynch

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:40:58 -0800

After the first few hours of the controversial shooter, being so not for its content, sales or even when looking with an open mind... reviews, I found it a simple yet fun action game, in the manner of a blockbuster flick. Sure it has its flaws but sometimes reviewers forget a key element.

"Oh no! It doesn't look good!" - I think theres many games that don't look that good either, going to be awhile for another Gears guys.

"Gunplay is broken!" - No, its realistic, I mean thats what happens when you fire a weapon, kickback! Plus its just like Stalker's gunplay and yet they praised that game...

"Characters our unlikeable!" - Erm... opinion... not fact... I know they're technically the badguys but meh, don't lie and tell me you've never cheered for the away team?

Sure its not what was advertised but its still fun. Simple to pick up and its an interesting if bumpy ride. And that whole thing about Jeff? Some people are just plain pathetic when that bombshell crash-landed. You never played the game, you never met Jeff, you never cared before yet all those 1.0s? And guess what, NOBODY LISTENED! I waited and played the demo via Xbox Live and at my friends house and I'm glad I didn't sink as low into mobmantality...

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"Kane and Lynch" was posted by Stabby on Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:40:58 -0800

So... they like to ban stuff do they?

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:14:41 -0700

I know what you're thinking, Manhunt 2 right? Well yes to an extent. While pissed off I also found my message for that story deleted, then later I got nagged on another forum... not game related.

No sure why (for all 3, Manhunt 1 seems alot more violent) but still it just goes to show you that we shall be able to see the forth Reich! OH JOY!

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"So... they like to ban stuff do they?" was posted by Stabby on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:14:41 -0700

What is it with Nintendo fanboys?

Sun, 13 May 2007 05:30:02 -0700

Today I look at a news story talking of good sales for Nintendo in Japan... then suddenly swarms of fanboys start posting about how there is no competition and they have better tastes etc etc rant rant rant...

Now lets be honest, if you go to Game Rankings yu'll notice that the Wii has only a few must have titles, both Zelda and Mario franchise. The DS has it's own exclusiveness for the gamer due to the whole portable aspect and for that that DOES dominate the portable market. Now lets look in 2 years time, besides the new Mario, Metroid and Zelda titles what does the Wii have which is fresh? Another motion game? I don't know if you remember Eye Toy but that was considered like the best invention ever... then it died after REAL games came out. I'm sure Wii games are fun for those who have 50 friends that all want to play but in real life there will be 2 or 3 round at the same time, and even then theres always online which the Wii doesn't have, atleast not now.

Then of course you Fanboys all forget what REALLY dominates the market... the PC. Think about it? The Sims rules the charts with every new games, World of Warcraft has over 8 million players, new MMORPGs are coming out every second and the RTS/RTT genre will never die, so console fanboys can keep on debating who is the better person based on a small box when what really matters is what YOU think of the game for YOURSELF.

This includes Sony and Microsoft to.

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"What is it with Nintendo fanboys?" was posted by Stabby on Sun, 13 May 2007 05:30:02 -0700

Zelda TP... be warned of over fanboyism...

Sat, 18 Nov 2006 02:54:31 -0800

8.8 is an excellent score thats worthy of great sales and praise yet seriously, the sheer amount of Zelda fanboys are acting like it was given a 3... I don't get it! Are some fans so smug, selfish and greedy that they have to flame an official reviewer's opinion because he was thinking outside of the box instead of being dragged into the line? Apparently so, if you're a Zelda fan be warned that many other gamers will think little of you whether you're a fanboy or not, me? Well, I'm going to play on Battlefield as its hardcore fans stick to their game and don't go nuts over a not 100% prefect score...

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"Zelda TP... be warned of over fanboyism..." was posted by Stabby on Sat, 18 Nov 2006 02:54:31 -0800

No one reads these things anymore...

Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:34:52 -0700

Am I bored? Lonely? Crazy? Well either way many post blog posts but on average most of the time they never get read... or even noticed the posters blog in the first place...

If you have read this then good! Someone does notice...

If you haven't read this then good! I'm right... and talking to myself...

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"No one reads these things anymore..." was posted by Stabby on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:34:52 -0700

Shadow of the Colossus... the gay man's game...

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:50:38 -0700

Funny fact recently through a thread that went WAY off topic, it appears most of the few dedicated fans that hang around longer are homosexuals or so called "half there" (and I'm not joking)... now the thing here is, any link?

Well only if you apply this game being art more closely and sterotypically... although we're talking about the more dedicated fans right? Meh, who cares, not me thats for sure!

Thats nothing though, it also appeared that many members of GTA: SA actually had some point lost grop on reality and thought about jacking someone's car to get home quicker... not to mention the Doom fanatics that even see the keys in the middle of the road!

And yes, Manhunt is for the mentally disturbed on average, thanks for not asking!

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"Shadow of the Colossus... the g*a*y man's game..." was posted by Stabby on Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:50:38 -0700

Stabby's Top 5: Most ass kissed games...

Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:36:50 -0700

There are great games, bad games, fair games... but no matter the quality there will always be those games that get weird treatment even though no one can ever understand... you'll notice these are fairly new games...

5 - Halo - Its got amazing online and thats what most seem to only like, so how come just the one thing keeps it so high? I mean, Microsoft only bought Bungie for this, it lacks soul!

4 - Psyconauts - Yeah it was a crazy funny game but no one want to admit it was one of the least popular games in a long time, didn't stop some reviewers puckering up! When I asked others they said: "O that game, what about it?" They had little as much as idea I did lol!

3 - Shadow of the Colossus - Firstly the game is different in a good way, but the fans... gosh, they latch on to much, it barely sold much in Europe and only won a few awards in comparison to others that year but to them they can use it to vent their anger on other games? WTF is that? And we all know MGS3 had the best ending ever!

2 - God of War - I really liked this game but not as much as everyone else, its was more or less the game of the year in 2005 with like 100 awards, just cheack wiki... didn't think it was THAT good though and IGN give it a 9.8? Tuh, I give it an fair respectable 9.0, didn't seem like the best thing ever...

1 - Half Life 2 - Over 35 game of the year awards?! 35! Thats beaten any other game ever made and I only thought it was a nice squeal to the orignal which by the way I liked better personally, and somehow its even beaten the crap out of all these games you see above...

If these games had an ass, it would be red, sore and bone dry... and I don't think thats a cause noting!

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"Stabby's Top 5: Most ass kissed games..." was posted by Stabby on Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:36:50 -0700

Level 10

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:48:09 -0700

Look, I hit the big 1-0 today, woot... cough cough...

I got to here via Painkiller, Advance Wars: Duel Strike, Shadow of the Colossus and Mario Kart DS forums... buy these or die!

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"Level 10" was posted by Stabby on Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:48:09 -0700

Game Developers piss me off these days!

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:11:10 -0800

I've noticed that from media shows, award passes and news I've seen from this site, developers look so smug and up their own a**... And from interviews and experience in new games these days... gaming is going down hill... you'll disagree but it seems so. The developers now JUST leech onto the money aspect of games now and their either fun but short or just plain c***! Wheres the determination and soul you put into games eh? I remember small time companies that made some of the greatest games of all time like Doom and Myth... then they get bought out by a non game developer... and now they look like snooty guys... o well... its just a past time NOT a Imperial government!

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"Game Developers piss me off these days!" was posted by Stabby on Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:11:10 -0800