Monthly Archives: December 2011

Skylanders and Tales Of My Pokemon Dollhouse

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Skylanders. That is what is happening blog-world. Pretty much the coolest game I have come across in a long time (multi-player wise). Yes, I know what age it is recommended for. But I’m all about rebelling when it comes to Video Games – common sense says I shouldn’t be playing them at all.

Besides, this is screaming for everyone to play it. Cute figures to collect, you can take your characters to other systems – meaning yes, your friends house too- and they will save the XP/Items you find. It’s. so. cool. This is the kind of game I have been imaging for years, exactly what I wanted years ago, and heck I am going to enjoy it now!

The one thing that I have made very clear is this: I love Bash the Dragon, you better not freakin’ touch my dragon. He’s awesome. He rolls around on the ground and gets up in everybody’s business. I just love him.

I even drew this picture so everyone knows which Dragon I am speaking of. See, he’s awesome. He swings his spike tail, he just takes care of business.

Little did I know how fast this game would suck me into it. Currently I am planning my next Skylander purchase (I’m thinking Wreckingball? But I have a magic one, maybe something else..) and really considering purchasing the 3DS version. There is an exclusive character in that pack. Exclusive.

(Who am I kidding – truth be told I am going to get it tomorrow if all goes to plan. Please be in stock, please be in stock.)

What is totally awesome about the Portal idea is how easy it is to switch characters. Don’t feel like playing Spyro? Switch it up on the spot – even mid-battle should you really hate him that much – and place a new Skylander on the portal. BOOM. Magic. You are ready to rock n’ roll.

This may be most fun I have gotten out of a figurine to date. Like, even more then the cute little pokemon ones I use to play house with. There is even an online website where you can decorate a whole island and play some re-carnation of Angry birds a la Skylanders style.

Brilliant. So. Freaking. Brilliant.

Activision – should you ever read this – Please release more expansions and keep this awesomeness going. I am hooked now and I do not want to let go. Let’s keep the cool vibes going with Skylanders.

(PS. Please make the Portal Backwards compatible with new systems – heck let’s keep the characters going from system to system as well.)

Awkward Skyward Movements

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My family really is awesome. If there is one thing they know I love, it is “The Legend Of Zelda.”  This is a tried and true gift – future friends take note – you can not go wrong by gifting me something Zelda themed, especially the game itself. Without missing this chance to get on my good side, “The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword” was wrapped ever-so-delicately underneath the tree Christmas morning.

Although I had expressed strong interest in the game, I was also frightened this would be a failed and rather miserable repeat of my last Zelda Wii adventure – “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” – in which the game itself became so utterly frustrating with the movements I gave up ever completing it.   Which is not something I do ever with Zelda.  Ever.  I have struggled through so many demanding puzzles in the past, nothing has ever required me to just put a game in this series down, and just give up.

“Twilight Princess” and it’s lack of clear controls & easy movement did just that.  While brilliant in it’s thinking and rightful progression for the series, the lack of translation for the Wii-motion abilities was painful.

The memory that is most clear within my mind of “Twilight Princess” and it’s controls, is Link’s love affair with poking his Sword.  No matter which way I would waved the magic Wii remote and Nunchuck, he was more then sure poking it would do just enough to win every battle.  So. Much. Poking. 

(Rest assured readers, I did think this was my lack of Wii abilities. But later confirmed with fellow Zelda fanatics and friends that Twilight Princess is just Poke-happy)

I also had unfortunately not picked up a Wii-plus-motion-thingy or a game that required it. Entirely new experience.

(Our poor Wii probably doesn’t get the attention it deserves, only when I go on Nintendo Binges in the house mostly Animal Crossing or Luigi’s mansions - love the Mansion)

See my hesitation? While unsure, I was very excited to unwrap this gift, and even more so to get started in my new Zelda adventure –especially after some fantastic reviews from gaming sites–I was just hoping I wouldn’t be poked into depression by the lack of Sword Skills both of us possessed.

Thank goodness someone up in Nintendo still aims to please.  I can honestly say that two hours into Skyward sword – there has been some awkward moments – but nothing that has been game breaking and frustrating so far. The controls appear to have legions of more thought to it.

The Bird flying, while totally awesome once you get onto it, does have a slight learning curve. But nothing that I think will prevent someone from enjoying it.

(Spoiler: I am referring to it as Ebirda the entire time – drives everyone crazy)

The most hilarious part (so far) based purely on the awkwardness of some Wii games, comes at about an hour and thirty minutes into the game-play. I won’t spoil it, as it is story related, but let’s just say it leaves you feeling like you need to get into some sword defying standing-on-my-head-with-Wii-remove-in-hand position. 

I still have hours of content left to go, but so far, Link and I are just like old pals again.  It may not please the die hard “Oceania of Time” fans, or appeal to those who still hold “Link to the Past” as the one true champion story wise – It really is breaking Zelda tradition so far (personally, I think it’s refreshing this far into the game, we will see how I hold up.)  But I think it is going to be the worth wild contender, and the best snickerdoodle loving Nintendo title I’ve played through in a long time.

Long live Nintendo & It’s Skyward Sword.

Five Red Leggings

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If you could have seen my room this past week, you probably would think something along the lines of “Wow, this girl has the organization business going on!”  It was impressive.

Like really impressive, because if you really knew how bad I can be at keeping physical things in line - not so much work related, or volunteer related, things I have to do – but things I actually have to physically put away.  Gads.

(Side note: I swear I don’t have a boxy-box monitor, it’s just easier to draw)

But like all good things, this had to come to an end.  And it did it in the most incredible and ugly fashion available. I would like to lay blame onto three different things – although it all links to one key problem: myself & cleaning – these things are… 1.) Flu. 2.) Colds. 3.) Shopping.

I love this time of the year, really I do.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t get into the awesomeness of Christmas, Hanukkah, whatever. I LOVE IT.  However, it may also be the stupidest time of the year, because I lot of stupidity goes on.  Stupidity like greed.

I could tell everyone how wrong it is to want things. But I would be painting myself in this picture – because I do want things.  I do think to myself every now and then “Do I really need five pairs of red leggings!?”  No. But how stylish would I look with those leggings on for Christmas?  Exactly, greed (and a mix of vanity for good measure – excellent holiday cocktail).

But I do try to purge the stuff when I can. And I do try and find a special home for each stuff that I wish to keep/need. Sometimes it’s more of a motivation thing, and I will talk about it all week and make it a huge event in my life.  (Maybe this is why it only happens twice a year.)

Secondly – Flu and Colds.  Who made it possible to get sick at this time of year? Gads, does it ever suck.  It is like a suckyness monster who wishes to take the fun out of everything.  It’s the scrooge of Holiday Spirit.  It beats the snickerdoodles out of me.

Between the coughing, stomachaches, snotty-nose-I-may-be-dying moments and just Christmas in general.  I. am. wiped.   Thank goodness it’s almost here!

Long story short. My room went from the room equivalent of Beverly Hills, to a Disaster zone. And it feels like this was done in a matter of minutes. I swear the thought of “Do I really have the energy to fold this top & put it away” went through my mind many times.   Flu – you suck monkey balls.

My only desire after work this week is to pretend my Bounty Hunter or Trooper self, will blast this flu-now-cold’s great big sucky monkey balls in the snickerdoodles, and slowly leave me to fend for myself once again.

Right.  So eventually – maybe tomorrow – I’ll get to cleaning this up. Hopefully it’s less sucky then the flu-monkey-balls.