Wednesday, March 22, 2006

oblivion

The first thing that I have to say is "wow". And I mean "WOW" in the fullest possible meaning. The last time I really enjoyed a game this much, it was The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. I mean it, I haven't been excited to really play a game since then. Well, maybe I was pretty excited about Ocarina of Time, but it didn't pay off quite as well.

But, I wasn't totally won over by the hype. I really try not to be, after all it's hype. Usually it's junk and doesn't tell you anything about the game. One thing that I was worried about was the silly names in the game. This is my first Elder scrolls game, so I had not been exposed to just how cheesey the names can be. I mean, come on. "Hammerfell" and "Bosmer". What is this. The only guy who can make up words that sound good is Tolkein. He had a complete consistent system. He also had an unfair advantage: he as an etymologysit by trade and qualified at making up languages. But my point is this: it didn't matter. The environment is engrossing enough that I don't care what the words are, they're just placeholders so that I remember where I am going. Maybe that is why they picked the words that they did, so they would be memorable.

What really makes it is the controls. That's what did in Fable in my opion. The controls where to complicated- counterintuitive. These are simple, I had them down before I finished the opening quest. Just like Zelda. Only a few buttons, just make them do a few things. Don't make them each do ten things, depending on weather you are breathing in or out, or one eye is closed, or you're holding down this other button. But I still like that game. It's just that this one is even better.

Two more things. This place is huge. It is a really big game. I haven't used the fast travel yet, just walked form the Imperial City to Chorrol to Kvatch. It took how long you would expect, and covered a lot of stuff. And the views were great. You could see mountains, and then cross those mountains.

The other thing: it plays like I always wanted dungeons and dragons to play when I was a kid, but never got people to play. There are dungeons all over the place and treasure old ruins and all sorts of great stuff. It's like a massive d&d game. How great is that. I expect that I'll play it a lot. With Zelda it was one story. With this, it'll be fun to play a mage, as a warrior, as a thief, as on and on and on. You don't have to play it the same way each time. What fun.

Bottom line is- yeah I'm enjoying it. I'll probably mention it again here. But I really should be studying for the gre for the next week and a half. I can play after. I'll probably have Steph take it to work with her or something so I don't play when I should be studying.

Sunday, March 19, 2006

hater of gamer news-blogs

grrrr. or should I say GRAW. I'm more than a little annoyed with the gamer blogs that I rss. Here are the annoyances:

1. typos typos typos! Don't you people proof read? At least have your computer read it out loud before submitting it. Sheash!

2. misinformed. Get. A. Clue. Don't publish some rumor (such as "the graw demo is up on xblm!") until it is confirmed.

3. all that babbling. This is my own fault: I'm addicted to news. I just shouldn't read it.

Sunday, March 05, 2006

vortex


vortex
Originally uploaded by justingarofoli.
see, I really do have a flickr acount.

Flickr

I've got a flickr account.

Friday, March 03, 2006

gre general test

I'm taking the general test on Monday.  It looks like it won't be too much trouble, but I am a little nervous.  I haven't had a test in a couple of years!