My addiction to the latest iteration of thePokémonfranchise is no secret. After all,I woke up this morning at a vaguely reasonable hour intent upon spending time in linewith unwashed children, their even more unwashed parents and teens who I’m almost positive have only heard the term ‘wash’ in fairy tales and on the backs of well-written Bazooka Joe gum wrappers.
As much as I love the game, certain aspects of it completely frustrate me. For instance, the life-cycle of the Feebas — or as the Native Americans called it ‘Butter Face Fish’. This fish, unlike most Pokémon, has an evolution entirely dependent on how pretty it is. While your average Charmander or Bulbasaur can evolve into a more powerful creature as it gains experience — the virtual equivalent of aging — the life-cycle of the Feebas is tantamount to a caterpillar that can only become a deadly moth once it has covered itself in rouge and lead-based cosmetics.
I realize that decrying the lack of realism in a video game about capturing monsters, stuffing them in balls and somehow learning life lessons from the entire experience is sort of silly, but my weekly soapbox consist ofat least15% silly. The other 85% is a hearty stew of lies, half-truths and boiled potatoes the likes of which would make an Irishman cry.
In closing,I hate you Feebas. I hate you and all of your unattractive aquatic friends!
I swear, this is the only time I’ll dedicate an entire one of these to a fictional creature. Also, please don’t hold me to that promise.
We play games:
Ron Workman:1 words, Poon Tang! This message has been paid for by Jesus Christ and the Church of Latter Day Saints. Oh, andHalo 3andTronon XBLA.
Jim Sterling:I know it’s cliche’ and annoying to do these “state activities as if they were games” things, but I’m going to do it anyway — I’ve been playingGoing Back to England and Feeling Utterly Miserable. The Sense of Loss physics rule, and the whole Pang of Familiar Agony as One Stands Waiting for a Bus for Twenty Minutes in Lewisham level is an old favorite.
Anyway, today is the day I came back to my lonely and rancid shack, so I tried escaping to some real games — mostlySonic 2andMarble Blast Ultra. Anyway, I’m going back to cutting myself and crying into my Linkin Park LPs.
Leigh Alexander:It’s been theRune Factorychannel on Planet Leigh, still. Every time I get a newHarvest Moongame, like, that’s it, for at least a few weeks. I can actually feel my butt getting bigger from all the time spent lying around with my DS instead of, like, y’know, going outdoors and stuff.
Nex:In between the standardPokémon DiamondandWorld of Warcraft, I’ve been wrapping upBioShock,The Legend of Zelda: Phantom HourglassandWartech: Senko no Ronde. I’ve also been putting in some time with surprise favoriteWordjong, Team Fortress 2, and of courseHalo 3.
I also spent an entire day at Seattle’s Gameworks enjoying the addictive joy of the full sizedTaiko Drum Mastercabinet. As much as I like to think I’m amazing at everything there’s something truly depressing about realizing that your insanely attractive ex-girlfriend — who has never before touchedTaiko— is an tremendously talented drummer who probably broke up with me entirely based on my inability to keep up with her surreal drumming skills.
Ah well, at least I still have fantastic skin …
Colette Bennett:Still hacking away atEternal Sonata, interspersed with bouts ofWariowarefor DS and theJerichodemo. Also had the pleasure of 5 personBombermanlast night with five people dressed as Mr. Destructoid. If I had a dick it would have been stiff as hell, let me tell you.
David Houghton:Can you believe I’m playing throughHalf-Life 2properly for the first time? I didn’t have a decent PC to run it on when it came out so I’ve only played it in bits and bobs until now. It’s every bit as good as I hoped though. Near perfect in fact. I’m also just about to start on theJerichodemo. I’ve played quite a bit of it already at previews, but I’ve been dying to get my hands on it with PC controls for ages.Grim:I’m in the same boat as David; I just now started playingHalf-Life 2and I’m loving every minute of it. Other games that I’ve enjoyed this week includeTeam Fortress 2,Peggle Extreme(no, really), and theJerichodemo.
Dale North:I’m just getting intoEternal Sonatawhile still making my way throughPersona 3. The rest of the time is spent withBioShock, which I’m still savoring.
Dick McVengeance:Naruto: Uzumaki Chroncles 2is…unbelievable? Besides that, I’m busy touching witches and I’ll start digging intoSoul Nomad and the World EatersandMother 3.
Nick Chester:Halo 3, of course. What else would I be playing? Well, that andMadden NFL 2008.
BlindsideDork:Picross DSowns my soul like no other … oh andHalo 3is annoying me.
Aaron Linde:My life is dominated by the Ultimate Team-Up of Time Consumption:Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Eternal Sonata, andHalo 3. It’s a good thing I don’t like leaving the house!
Topher Cantler:On Niero’s own reccomendation, I’ve been playingBird Weekfor the NES, which has taught me that squirrels are evil, filthy creatures. There’s also nothing quite likeBomberman Livewith 8 DToid helmets, and I spread the rest of my time out overForza 2, Alien Hominid, and just about anything that isn’tHalo.
Gameboi:Halo 3has taken up most of my gaming time, but it wasStrangleholdbefore that. While I’m still enjoying Master Chief’s adventure, Inspector Tequila’s action was starting to wear a little thin on me. Loved it at first, but my affection for it is growing dim. Look for it on eBay after I finish the single-player. Will somebody please give me anotherMax Paynegame? I miss him so.
Faith:I’ve been playingBioShock— still — andBlue Dragonwhich I found has Poo Crabs too. I’ve been playingCarcassonneandCatanon Xbox Live. On my Nintendo DS, I’m still working on getting smarter withBrain Age.
Pidge:HALO3 HALO3 HALO3
Wow, I’m playing again!
Chad Concelmo:While everyone was waiting in line late Monday night for tickets to see Hannah Montana in concert, I … oh, they were waiting forHalo 3? Sorry.
Well, while everyone was waiting in line Monday night forHalo 3(wishing they were in line for tickets to see Hannah Montana), Topher and I played some coopContraandSuper Contraon Xbox Live Arcade. And that made me very happy. In addition, I also played someKameo: Elements of Power, Gradius III, more ofThe Legend of the Mystical Ninja, andCars. Yes,Cars. Don’t make fun of me. I am going to get toHalo 3soon though, I promise.
Hamsa “CTZ” Aziz:I finally picked up a Xbox 360 and got myself the Legendary edition ofHalo 3(Only cost me $80, HAH!). I also playedCrysisfor over 5 hours straight at a event on a battle cruiser. I’ll have impressions of the game up Friday.
.tiff:I also bought a swanky new Xbox 360 (all for myself to the register lady at Best Buys surprise) and was given a PSP from a very generous friend of mine. All in one week! Joy for two shiny new systems! Between long, candle-lit sessions of nuzzling and curling up next to the fire with my new consoles, I’ve finally been able to playBioShockwhile having the additional pleasure of dabbling inRezfor the first time.
Tristero:I’ve been painting the town blue with my crazy cult friends in Happy Happy Village on my billionth play through ofEarthbound. I’m anxious to hear Brad’s thoughts onMother 3. My Japanese is currently rustier than an old trombone, so I’m still waiting — probably in vain — for an English version.
On the side, I joined in on some of the most excitingBomberman Livematches of my life. Did anyone else feel extra pressure for their performance while wearing the Destructoid costume? Oh, andSuper Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remixrules! The definitive version of the game as far as I’m concerned.
And you? Do you also play games? What sorts of games?
