The Summer of RPG's!!! And Other Ramblings!!!

I did mention in my last post that I was going to Anime Central and… HAD A FREAKING BLAST!!! Did two of my planned cosplays, Ramona Flowers and Rakshata Chawla, and got props for both characters during random intervals of the con. It’s a shame my boyfriend is “intimidating” and scares off congoers so they’re reluctant to ask for a photo. I strongly encourage people to make plans for ACen 2012, if you’re going to be in the nearby Chicago area next April. You’ll have fun, meet other otaku, and build up a base of friends with the same interests. 

Now onto some gaming news…

I’ve officially finished the Metal Gear series (yes I know, YEARS later) but I played ONLY MGS4 on PS3. The other main titles I had carefully watched and took note of the story/characters/strategy as my sweet manly-man played them for me to see the awesomeness that is METAL GEAR. And along with other games I’ve wanted to SEE, but not play… Uncharted. Yes yes, bad Mimi. “Uncharted is awesome!” Awesome indeed, but if anyone has ever played Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness, there is good reason why I shy away from temple raiding games. I am enjoying it as a dear friend of mine is playing through it for herself. She’s psyched for the third installment this year :D

So I can cross off Metal Gear from my list along with Uncharted and F.E.A.R.  I have declared this summer the “Summer of RPG’s” as it seems the only time to work on a game that consumes hundreds of hours is the summer. So, I’m looking at most (if not all) of the RPG’s on my list for PS3 and 360. That does not mean I will ignore other titles, but my main focus will be role-playing games. 

I do leave this post with one question… (answer here in the comments or on my Facebook fanpage)

What are YOU picking up this summer and why?

Busier Than A Buzzing Bee!

Hi everyone! Mimi is in the building! Well, for now at least. I’ve been a victim of a very serious problem that was going around for the last few weeks.

OH NOES THE PSN IS DOWN!!! D=<

It gave me ample time to play more single player orientated games, but it’s all good (somewhat). My personal data wasn’t anything I worried about…. sure enough I changed my password the MOMENT all PS3 users were prompted to do so. In the future I hope hackers do this to Microsoft so for ONCE in MS’s life they can give some compensation to their customer base (like free games from the Arcade or even Gold subscriptions).

Also, another reason for being away… this week is ACEN!!! (Anime Central for those nor familiar with it). The Midwest anime convention that I look forward to every year and you can best believe I went HARD this year with planning. I’ve gotten THREE cosplays together this time!

Integra Wingates (Hellsing, Hellsing Ultimate) which is recycled from last year.

Rakshata Chawla (Code Geass), the new edition to the cosplay team of tanned ladies in anime. She’s everyone’s favorite mad scientist, so why not?

And last, Ramona Flowers, the girl whom you’ll fight seven evil exes in order to prove your love! Or because you were unknowingly challenged online and ignored it.

I’ve got a lot going on, between planning cosplays, making hotel arrangements, parking and food… and THEN struggling to have spending funds for the Dealer Hall/Artist Alley. It’s enough to drive one insane… but it’s well worth it in the end. I’ll be telling everyone about my trip when I get back J

What else is going on? Where are the GAMES you say? Hmph… I managed to FINALLY play (or watch it being played) the first Uncharted, in which I must now borrow the second one. It’s a damn enjoyable game. I also now have Sims 3 for PS3 (I love the Sims, a guilty pleasure), SingStar Volumes 1 & 2, and my own copy of Super Street Fighter IV. Soon to be in my collection will be L.A Noire, Mortal Kombat, Alice: Madness Returns, Catherine. I ‘m looking forward to finally getting around to some titles I’ve been meaning to play AND seriously hoping that the PSN is back up completely by the end of May. I’ve got my eye on Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy III (VI) PSOne Classics for my digital collection.

When Mimi Updates, She Goes Overboard!

First off, I feel I DO need to thank the few people who follow my blog and take the time out of their day to read my opinions and deal with my ranting/raving of certain topics. Just thank you, and in advance for the day I reach a wider fan-base, GEEZUS THANK YOU!!!

Second, if I ONLY did game reviews that would be dreadfully boring. So I'm going to try to mix it up with something else. New. Exciting. By that I mean...

*Anime

*Manga

*Cosplay

*Books

*Movies

*My Life As A Young Adult =D 

Probably more. I haven't done any YouTube vids due to issues concerning camera (my darling new computer did not come with one and I'm a sucker for the high tech stuff) and also issues with AT&T (a story for one of my personal life rants). Hopefully before ACen rolls around, which I will DEFINITELY be blogging about after the event is over. I've been debating between a Twitter and a Facebook fanpage. I've gotten some insight on both. 

The fan page won, hands down, until I have a lot more people subscribing to my blog anyway. That will be up and running within the next few days. I took the time, after finishing Homefront, to look at my old list of games back in January and redo it according to release date. The better for me to keep up with new titles to play along with the older ones I've yet to pick up. Not to mention it'll be a LOT easier to actually put in new game titles I find interesting.

I do gotta ask this though... would you enjoy having a fan page to ask me questions or would you prefer the blog itself? I am calling it "ASK MIMI" for a reason peeps :D

April Showers Bring... Big Game Titles?

Well, the NAME of the blog is “Ask Mimi”, so I’m thinking
about getting a Twitter specifically for questions to be asked. My Facebook is
for friends/family only, I don’t approve of just anyone looking at my personal
info like that. Who knows… I know my cousin Mugzie has a Twitter she updates
onto her blog here, so I may cave in to the “tweet” craze.

Sorry for the long wait, once again I have been playing a
variety of games. Not only that, but have some personal things going on in my
life that need attention at the moment. You know, LIFE =D

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REVIEW!!!!

Dragon Age II – 9/10

I am mindful that because I played Origins and a small part
of Awakening on PS3, that I also played this on console as well. Given that, I
do not have the biased opinion of a PC gamer (no offense to my PC peeps) as far
as the new combat and weapons/armor system goes. Also, I’m not new to the
series, but if I were to have only played DAII, some story elements would have
been lost on me. The story would have been fun to play through, but it wouldn’t
have gripped me as much. Sooo… an eight out of ten. Why?

Reason #1: Improved Combat System. I HATED the combat system
of Origins, because it was a game that was taken from the PC and slammed onto
consoles, which was an awkward transition. In the first, I know I could not
give specific commands to my party members and therefore ended up changing my “Tactics”
so much that it annoyed me. The faster, improved system feels solid on console
and a lot more engaging, if you like watching yourself practically fly across
the screen and slash an enemy to death. (Yes, I was a rogue. I LOVE ROGUES)

Reason #2: Dialogue and Choices. Bioware? THANK YOU. They
took notes from Mass Effect and used that same dialogue/choice wheel in DAII.
Of course there weren’t as many options when you had the Grey Warden in
Origins, but Hawke is engaging enough whether you choose the “wings” or the “hammer”.
Hell, I like the sarcastic middle option. It makes for good entertainment the
second play through.

Reason #3: Storyline. To be honest, it was NOT as deep as
Origins, but that might be solely because you play a pre-determined
hero/heroine. You can just choose to either be good, bad, or an odd mixture of
both. Certain areas of the game, character development-wise, I felt it had been
improved upon (like the romance options). Hawke, as the “Champion of Kirikwall”,
great character to play as. Instead of being a nameless characters, I was
SOMEBODY.

Overall? Dragon Age II is a game made for n00bs and veterans
alike. I enjoyed it both times through and am proud to have the Collector’s
Edition in my game stack.

Holy Geezus, An ACTUAL Review (or Two)

It’s been awhile, but I’m going back to my regular posting
after almost a month hiatus. I’ve been playing games in that time (obviously),
juggling around a few titles that have recently caught my attention and
interest. Here are a few “quick reviews”, just overall what I think of recent
titles.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 – 8/10

Reason #1: I for one miss the old layout of at LEAST 50+
characters to choose from, but in this day and age of DLC, we all know this is
an opportunity to grab more money from the gamer’s wallet. The recent release
of Jill and Shuma is a testament that if we want all our beloved characters in
game, we’re gonna have to pay the price.

Reason #2: The battle system. Even I, who was TERRIBLE at
MVC1 and MVC2 knows it was dumbed down for an easier controller scheme.
Understandable yes, but it’s dumbed down so much that it only takes a few
hours/days of practice to whip your favorite team into shape for competition.
Speaking of which…

Reason #3: ONLINE PLAY. The story mode is just not
satisfying at all and the game itself is more orientated for online play. That’s
all fine and dandy, but what about the epic story that could have come from
this franchise? The past games of MVC did not have the best storylines, not at
all, but with the large array of characters and battle system/control setup it
was a hell of a lot more entertaining than a few rounds of “arcade mode”.

Overall the execution of the game is excellent and I was
happy to have bought the Collector’s Edition, but I’ll be damned if I wasn’t
just a little disappointed by the minimal effort put into single player mode
and the large focus of online play.

Little Big Planet2 – 9/10

Now, while I may have just gotten a PS3 this year, I am not
at all new to its exclusives. I enjoyed LBP as one of the first I played on the
system. It’s fun, innovative, and just plain frickin’ cute. Because of these
reasons, when I was given LBP2, I will say I had a squeal of joy burst forth from
my mouth as I took the case. Why should YOU be playing this?

Reason #1: Improvements! The story mode of the game was
light, entertaining, and the puppet-like characters actually have voices AND
personality. I was in shock to realize I had gradually come to like, even
partly love, the simple story behind LBP2 and the adventure that awaits your
Sackboy. That being said, the “Create A World” tool was simplified enough so
that a n00b like myself could toy around with it. Even if you have no interest
in making a world for publishing, the game gently nudges you to try it out
(with a few trophies to give that little push).

Reason #2: The online was enhanced enough so that the worlds
created in the first game are indeed playable if you have LBP2, so there is no
need to go out and buy both at all, unless you just want that shiny copy of
GOTY Edition sitting in your collection. The new tools to create new worlds
also make for great levels, since there is a LARGE deal of customization.

Reason #3: SACKBOTS!!! They’re cute when they’re afraid and
running away or following you like lovesick puppies. ‘Nuff said.

These are just the games in February I played relentlessly,
with a few older titles between. I did finish Red Dead Redemption and I greatly
encourage those who haven’t picked up that title yet to GET IT. You will love
the story, the gameplay, the characters, even the horses. Yes, the horses. Also, if anyone has never played Killzone 2, you should (if you own a PS3). I mean it. It's a damn good shooter game and I for one, who has trouble with the controller-scheme (I've been spoiled by the 360 for far too long), enjoy it when I do pop it in and give it a go.

Next Post: Dragon Age II

Valentine's Day? No, MVC3 Day!!!

Haven't posted here in awhile, but I figured why not post today? I don't have any big plans at all except the release of the game I have been itching for since last summer.

While I wish there were nearly as many characters in this sequel, that isn't possible with only a roster of 36 characters (not counting DLC Jill and Shuma-Gorath). I hope to see some more, even if they are going to be DLC that has to be PAID for, that is how things work. Characters just can't come with games at the get-go, you have to unlock with special conditions or pay the price. Definately going to review the game once I get my hands on it, may have a video on my YouTube page as well of footage. That would be great for a first vid wouldn't it?

Anyway, Happy Valentine's/Anti-Valentine's Day!!!

Thinking of Converting Your S/O into a Gamer?

Think again :/

I was reading up the latest news on Kotaku, just browsing around when I saw a link to a specific article.

http://www.split-screen.net/features/hardcore-games-to-convert-your-girlfriend

I understand that not everyone is into gaming, that's alright. I don't hate the casuals who pick up a controller only for social events nor do I hate those who bash gaming altogether. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. This, however, angers me just a little bit. Why you ask? As someone who is currently dating a hardcore gamer (we're talking room-of-doom material), I have to ask if there is anything wrong with having different hobbies. Just because she doesn't have your love of making headshots in Call of Duty or any knowledge of Link's latest adventures doesn't mean you HAVE to convert said person. If you wanted a serious gamer as your S/O, why not have looked for that quality to begin with?

Understandable to want her to share your hobby of late night monster killing in Dead Space and not want to immediately find something else to do from the impending boredom she'll suffer watching you on the controller all day/night. Likewise, you're on the game and not making any effort to include her whilst playing single player mode on the newly released title you picked up from the store. 

You know what? I don't even... I really don't at this point. Leave a comment on if “converting” is the right way of putting it or if it should be left up to that person to decide what they want.