Reviews

I find that there are often problems with peoples conception of what a review is. That isn't to say I'm the perfect person to do reviews just that I don't feel it is necessary to verbally harm people over one. That seems to be the norm for people now.  The definition of a review as it applies to works is defined by Merriam-Webster as:

"6 a : a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)"

The thing to remember is that an evaluation does not exclude ones opinion of something. It is simply a break down of the pros and cons to something.  Which is someone's opinion.  Too many people say you shouldn't have your opinion in a review. They fail to realize that for instance if you are talking about a book a review of a book without someone's opinion of it is nothing more than a synopsis. Most books have one on the back and I would then suggest reading it rather than a review. Also the worth of a review is how often you agree or disagree with some ones opinion of a type of work. When I was young I knew that if both Siskel and Ebert liked a movie then I would hate it. I loved their reviews because I could determine what was worth my time even if there was a negative review. As long as they actually explain why the liked or disliked the work the a review can be helpful. You don't have to agree with someone for it to be a good review even if they rated something you liked poorly.

The other problem I have people can be a little to vague in their review in an attempt to avoid spoilers. The problem is that if you say nothing and make only flowery speeches then it isn't a review. One could say "There is an interesting dichotomy between the Empire and the Rebels" when it comes to Star Wars. However that is more relevant to a word-a-day calendar than to reviewing the movie. I would say currently you are very lucky if people are even that direct about what they are reviewing. That isn't to say there is no one good at writing reviews out there, because there are. It is more that in this day where everyone can say something often all they say is "something" which says nothing. :)

Some of the worst reviews are about books. If all you have to say is some variation of what is the synopsis of a book then it is best not to say anything at all. I don't know how many times I've read a review that was nothing more than rewording the synopsis. I don't know the reason behind it other than maybe an attempt to feel learned or just unable to speak with their own words. What ever the reason it is unhelpful because you can just read the back of a book just as easily.

So what is the perfect review to me? First, it should have substance if you liked it say what you like the relationship between one character and another or that if it seems forced then why. If it is simply one action that prevents you from being able to finish a book then warn about spoilers and explain the situation. The point is if you say nothing in your review how are you doing the book or yourself justice?  There could be people that would really like to read a book and your review because it is vague prevents this or encourages someone to buy the item even though they are actually going to end up disappointed in it.

Next time I'll talk about my pet peeves in books and the things I wish people would have mentioned in there reviews so I could have skipped them.

(Update: The follow up to this can be found here: http://sorwen.blogspot.com/2010/04/things-that-i-feel-review-needs-to-let.html)

Profound

So, I thought to myself it has been awhile and I should make a twitter post just to do so. The thing is with these social sites I often don't have a lot to say. Most of the time I'm not a talkative person. I don't feel the need to share most of the time. There some things I talk about as more of a warning or a hey look what this person did. My opinion on something rather than my opinion on myself. So when trying to come up with anything to say I thought about the word profound.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Main Entry: pro·found
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French parfunt, profond deep, from Latin profundus, from pro- before + fundus bottom — more at pro-, bottom
Date: 14th century
1 a : having intellectual depth and insight b : difficult to fathom or understand
2 a : extending far below the surface b : coming from, reaching to, or situated at a depth : deep-seated <a profound sigh>
3 a : characterized by intensity of feeling or quality b : all encompassing : complete <profound sleep> <profound deafness>

Often when most people talk on these blogs or something like twitter we are trying to do one of two things. Either we are trying to convey something or gain something. An individual may want to convey their feelings in general or about feelings about something (including themselves). Then there is gain where the individual wants to gain readers so he knows what he conveys reaches someone or a group/company is trying to gain an opportunity (generally an opportunity to gain money).

So why the word profound? It is just that like with what I'm saying here there may be the hidden hope that in some way what is said ends up profound. Either an attempt to prove that the individual writing has their own hidden depths or maybe that a chance comment might spark something profound in someone else. Even better that the words will create a feeling and that feeling will lead someone to come back again or to look at what the writer is trying to sell them. Not necessarily a monetary sale, perhaps rather sell them an idea.

Do I hope I'm being profound? Maybe if I'm honest I would say a little. I'm not honest with myself at least so I'll lie to me and say "no I'm not". :) I refuse to be profound on sheer principle. I did however manage to finally say something so the word wasn't pointless.

Star Trek Online

I know I'm going to hate myself for this, but I went ahead and bought the lifetime subscription to Star Trek Online (before the dead line for the cheaper price). The reason I was worried about spending the money was I had already done the same with Cryptic's other game Champions Online. A game which they continue to make most of the power combinations unplayable. There are so many "must have" powers that I don't understand the point of giving us a choice. Still I gave in to the silent peer pressure (my friends said nothing other than they were playing) and bought the lifetime. The only bright side is so far they haven't royally mess the game up....yet.

Currently it is a fun game, though the missions can be some what repetitive. WoW had what I called the "Do 10s". Go kill 10 of these, collect 10 of these, go get this glowy and on the way kill 10 of these, etc. STO has a few too many "Do 5s" as in go kill 5 patrols of X aliens. Still there are some nifty missions that tie back to the old show. They have also made the Cruiser (Enterprise type of ships) more playable and here is to hoping the continue so. It isn't a horrible game and if they every have a free trial I would suggest checking it out. With lifetimes only available to preorder customers there is the sense of get it now or miss out. Still it is just a hold over till the Old Republic from BioWare.

Round 2x, Ready...Fight!

So this took a little longer than originally planned. That in a way could be a good thing because it has given me a longer view of my two preferred MMOs the FtP Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online and Aion. Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online for those that do not know is based off the Shin Megami Tensei (or MegaTen) series of games which while they have the same theme most of games are not directly related to each other. The main theme tends to be that of an individual with the ability to summon "demon" companions to fight for or with them. The "demons" found in each game are another thing that tends to be a constant throughout the series. While a there are few different demons that are added or taken away for the most part they are the same ones in each game. Also while labeled demons they are actually taken from various religious and mythological source. You might have representation of anything from an Angel from Christianity or Parvati a Hindu Goddess or an Inugami a Japanese dog spirit. While the settings actually differ from Japan in the 1920s to the more common a post apocalyptic Japan.

In Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online (MegaTen Online, MO) you create an avatar that will travel through a post apocalyptic Japan as a "Demon Buster". And you can Insert story here. Like every good MMO there is a story there at the lower levels I've been playing it shows shadows of depth, but whether the story will ever actually reach any remains to be seen. While the quest have some interesting dialog and new takes on old quest it is still pretty much a standard fare for MMOs. I've have yet to run into the totally meaningless FedEx quests that are a huge staple of most MMOs now days. Whether that is just blind luck or they are actually not there remains to be seen.

The combat is based on a general skill system or Expertise as MO calls them. While you can use any Expertise you have access to you will select which ones will actually increase through use. As these "level up" you will gain access to thing such as new abilities, stat bonuses, etc. While you can spread out you only have a limited number of points you can gain throughout your whole career so it is suggested that you specialize to some extent. While your skills have a level your character has its own independent level and at each of those levels you gain attribute point that you can distribute between various stats that can directly effect your skills. While you will not necessarily harm your character through any type of wrong choice depending on what skills you use there may be choices that are better than others.

The additional twist to combat and the hall mark of MegaTen is demon summoning. In MO you must first get the demon with the use of one of three skills. The skill you use isn't about what your characters personal choice might be in dealing with demons, but how a demon is required to be dealt with. Your character is a no better or worse person if you choose to "Greeting", "Bribe", or "Threaten" one to work for you. Once you have one you can then summon them to fight with you. Only demons equal to or lower than your level can be gained in this way. Some demons may be acquired through quests and these maybe higher level than you. If they are you may not summon them until you reach their level. Your character can carry up to 6 demons with them and swap them at will with only a small cool down between. The demons have their own skills and generally add more as they level up. Their levels are separate from your own and they do not level up unless they are active. You can tell them which skill to use or take direct control of the demon and use them yourself. This is a nice twist to a pet system which can be quite fun and helpful. One other twist that is the ability to ride some of your demons. This requires the correct ring for the right mountable demon. I haven't really had the chance to try this out, but seems a nice touch to a mount system and allows them to double duty since when not riding these are in most instances the same demons you have been fighting with till now. Understandably not all demons are mountable by their vary nature this would have become quickly ridiculous if not kept in check.

One other staple of the MegaTen games (MO included) I failed to mention is the ability to fuse two or more demons together. This results in a new demon. Notice I don't say a better demon. While the demon does gain from such a fusion since some skills and traits may carry over there is no guarantee that the new demon will be better. However this is sometimes the only way you can get some demons. A tri-fusion can only be attempted with the help of someone else and it results may vary as well. This can be fun in its own right as you try to acquire that demon or demons that compliments your play style.

The some what down side to this game is the micro transactions. Like most Free to Play games the game subsists on micro transactions. While I've not played a lot of FtP games compared to most I've played they are quite a bite more expensive in MO. They have done well in avoiding anything being necessary some of the things you might like such as unique weapons/armor could run as high as $30 US. Luckily something more useful such as a demon bank slot which is needed to store more than 6 demons is cheaper. The flip side is that it only last 30 days while weapons/armor are permanent. Your first item bank slot is free, but any additional slots cost on a monthly basis. With up to 3 months being purchasable in advance for either bank slot. Again though none of these things are require to play the game to it's fullest (I'm looking at you DDOline).

Now you know the basics(and this really does only scratch the surface) you might be unsure as to why I like this game better than Champions Online right now. The game has been out longer (much longer if you count its release in Asia) so most of the bugs have been worked out of it and major game play changes are generally unheard of at this point. While you don't have the ability to pick and choose individual powers the skill system adds a lot of variety and it is nice to be able to increase those skills through use. For me it makes the system feel more realistic (such as you can feel in a game). The game is quite solo friendly up till this point and from what I have heard continues to be throughout the whole game. While the customization isn't as varied as CO and most of the more impressive armors are pay only, the armor values themselves vary little so you can still pick an choose to create a "look" if some what limited. It adds enough to give you a full and fun experience with the price tag of free so that is hard to beat.

Well with this running a little long it looks like next time it will be Aion.

MMO Round 1x, FIGHT!

Likely it is more like round 1 hundred something as last year alone I tried at least twenty different MMOs (this year has been slow). What all this means is I have a tendency to get bored with most MMOs quickly and try as many as I can looking for the right one. The problem is all of them in the end seem to be the same. They may start out trying to be "revolutionary" then digress into just being the same thing as people voice there negative opinions and game play is changed. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing so, but often it turns into nothing more than an attempt to make it more like WoW. If you really want WoW please go play WoW. I on the other hand quit the game because I got tired of the whole thing. The graphics were always a disappointment and the game play mediocre. Like every other MMO it is like every other MMO.

WoW disgust aside I still end up trying different MMOs constantly in the attempt to find the one that continues to fulfill some gaming need that even I don't know what that need is. My first new attempt was Champions Online in spite of the fact that Statesman’s (aka Jack Emmert) involvement. I had not kept up with it as I normally would and had not realized that Bill Roper had take over the reins quite a while ago. I knew he was working for Cryptic, just not the fact he was in charge of the project. Would I have still purchased it if I had? Yes. Mainly because during Open Beta it could be fun at times and a few friends enjoyed it. I paid for the lifetime, along with them; in the hopes it wouldn't follow my Hellgate London's lifetime example and have a coronary after about a year.

I think I hoped too soon. While there is nothing to say it will not last a long time they are making some similar mistakes as both Hellgate London and Tabula Rasa. The first similarity was a drastic game play change. TR's game play change was right before release so at least it got some beta time. Which was enough time for a lot of people to get very disgusted (me included) as it totally changed the game we were enjoying to that point. However that is a different disgusting, I mean discussion. CO being revolutionary took it a step forward and release an untested patch that made major changes to how the game played day 1. The second problem was the amount of bugs a release. While most MMOs start with bugs (this shouldn't be the excuse that it is) where all 3 games failed was with the combination of major game play changes and major bugs at the same time.

They fixed that right? Actually no. What they have done is continued to nerf various aspects of the game without fixing the core problem of the fact the game no longer plays as it originally did. This is most evident in how mob agro is handled. Defenses where one of the major changes in the Day 1 patch, never mind fixing the actual bugs that were still in the game as a very few people leveling too fast is more important. While there are exceptions to the Defense nerf most are about half as effective as before. This would not be a problem, a disappointment but not a problem, except the fact that mob dichotomy and density was unchanged. To use CoH terms (with their CO equivalents) a normal fight would be 1 to 2 lieutenants(Villains) with 3 to 4 standard mobs(henchmen), 2 to 3 Bosses(Master Villains), or 1 Elite Boss(Super villain). Add to that anything under a Super villain may feel that they need help so they could get a villain pickup group easily since the mob density is so high. Generally a villain pickup group (VPuG?) will consist of 1 villain and 3 henchmen.

Yet you were a SUPERhero, well before Day 1 you were, and this is was to be expected. A "day in the life of" if you will. Then they gave Superman a Kryptonite wedgie. Thankfully they have the most forgiving death penalty, you lose a star. Basically a star is a bonus effectiveness you character has. You can easily regain them by completing quests and defeating mobs (sometimes what was left of the ones that just killed you). Does this mean CO will fail? I sincerely hope not as I have another lifetime account and that would mean Bill owes me for two. Still along with a lot of other problems this can lead to frustration. When the Sith in me tries to come out, rather than strike anything down, I turn to another MMO to appease the MMO side.

(Tomorrow I'll talk about my current "turn to" MMOs Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online http://megaten.aeriagames.com/ and Aion Online http://na.aiononline.com/.)

Edit: Decided to name the blog 1x to signify the first post rather than 2x as an inaccurate guess as to how many MMOs I've played. 2x will be tomorrow.

A friend sent me this link to a fun little flash game:
http://sorwen.mybrute.com/

Fallout 3 (PC)

I told myself I wasn't going to, but I did. Yes, I bought Fallout 3. The reason I was not going to is because I hate how both Morrowind and Oblivion controlled. While Fallout 3 isn't up to how well Half-Life 2 controls in first person or any decent game handles in third it is an improvement over M/O. That said while I'm disappointed that it isn't turned based like F1/2 it has been a very enjoyable game. I've had a lot of fun with it. With a large and growing mod community it really extends the life of the game.

The story isn't really worth writing about. I don't really think of it as having any real shocks or it being the engaging part of the game. Some people are unhappy with the ending, but Bethesda has already said they are going to have some DLC later that will continue past the ending. That should hopefully make it more palatable.

As for mods a good community can be found at http://www.fallout3nexus.com/. I mention this of course because I do use several mods from there and have posted a few as well. I went on a bit of an undead rampage.

True Vampire
Necromancer
Restore Life

I figured I might as well proverbially "pimp myself" in my blog since I have one. While I don't think it is up to "game of the year" as others do it has still been fun and looks to keep me a lot more busy than games I liked better.