E3 Interlude - Pre-show Wacky Game Announcement

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Sacrifice was announced earlier today for the Nintendo DS. I have a rather strange obsession for the show - even though I didn't get into it until after the series had concluded. I watched the whole thing on DVD - so this somewhat off-the-wall news caught my eye immediately. Kinda makes me want to start going through my collection of nearly twenty "Buffy" related novels (most of them unread, sadly. Many of them given to me as a single gift from my mom for Christmas) to get back into that universe. Vampire slaying is fun! Especially if a ridiculously cute blonde chick is doing it.

In other not-related-to-E3 news, my mom picked up the Day Watch DVD for me today, which I've yet to see, so I think tomorrow night may be dedicated to watching Night Watch, then Day Watch. We shall see.

Fine Fantasies

Note that the title of this entry is not "Finest Fantasies", as I want to keep that available in case I decide to make a blog/column saying, "Final Fantasy VI is the best, yo! And the rest are ordered as thus!"

Anyway, the dorms here tend to be blissfully quiet on weekends (I suppose the other residents are out having lives), and I've spent the better part of my waking hours thus far playing the two newest handheld Final Fantasy titles (released mere weeks apart): Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates on the DS, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII on the PSP.





Crisis Core is the (very) long awaited sequel to Final Fantasy VII. I'm sure it'll be a better sellar than Ring of Rates, and - strictly speaking - is a better game. I confess, I was actually somewhat suprised at the quality level on this title. After all, another "Final Fantasy VII Compilation" addition, Dirge of Cerberus, wasn't exactly stellar, and there was a lot to live up to. But Crisis Core is easily one of my favorite PSP games to date, and one of the first to make me really "love" the little handheld system. From it's Final Fantasy VII-ish battle system (though I guess it's more like a 3D battle system from the "Tales" games) to the high quality cut-scenes with great voice acting to the great story, there's a lot to love here so far.



Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates was a game that the Easter Bunny decided to bless my basket with before heading back to school, and it, too can be very addictive. While the storyline is really nothing at all compared to the brilliance of Crisis Core, it's still got a lot of charm, as well as some voice acting here and there that - while not stellar - adds something to the experience. Apparently the game is even more fun with a friend or three, but as I don't know anyone else with the game I haven't been able to try the multiplayer out. Oh well, it's a lot of fun solo too.



Anyway, it's time to take a break from goofing off and get some work done. I've gotta write the rest of "The Awakening" (which I think is going well), write a myth (the myth of Tirvain and the Talebearers, if you're a lucky reader of my novel), write a short paper, read some of a book, and find a place to live for next semester.



I think I might read some of "The Dark is Rising" first, though... And maybe tune into the Nick Choice Awards tonight, just for kicks.

I Have Odds, You Bring the Ends

- Earlier today I came up with a new short story idea that I kinda got excited about in a short amount of time. It may or may not be my first attempt at the "Horror" genre, depending on whether or not "The Witch of Sheridan Peak" counts or not. Regardless, I'll probably try to write that up in the near future (I need to write a short story for a class anyway. Perhaps that will suffice) and send it out to publishers. I've been on a real "get stories bought!" kick lately...

- ...which is why I picked up the 2007 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market at the library last week. I'm gonna find a home for Time Shop, dang it! Idealy, I'd like to have at least three short stories picked up this year. The book ("Tobias") may be a long shot, but I hope for that too.

- My DT review for this week is Professor Layton and the Curious Village. That will likely appear Friday, but if you want an early impression:











- I'm really sick of school, at which I learn little... I also need a new laptop really badly, and still kinda hate poetry, though I do have an odd sensation of fondness for the four poems I was forced to write this semester.

Those are my complaints for today.

- Yes, I bought the guitar pictured below. No, I don't know how to play. I'll start learning later this week when I have the time. I will devote my time to learning Johnny Cash songs for three reasons: 1) Johnny Cash is awesome. 2) The guitar is black, so... You know. 3) It will annoy my buddy Tim. For this reason (as well as reason #1, without the Johnny Cash part) Billy Ray Cyrus songs will also be learned.

- How much would you pay to download Bionic Commando Rearmed? The developers want to know! I personally told them $10, even though they may deserve $15, because this remake will likely be pretty radd (get it?!? Radd! Ha!), even if it doesn't have the exploding head of Adolf Hitler.

Advance Wars Days of Ruin - La Vida

Advance Wars Days of Ruin - La Vida

My review for Advance Wars: Days of Ruin on the DS. It's in the La Vida section (where things like movie reviews go) since, you know... It's not an Opinions column.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin - First Impressions

I'll probably end up writing a review/hands-on for Advance Wars: Days of Ruin on the DS for the Daily Toreador next friday, but that's a ways off. To borrow from Jeff Gerstmann's early reviews, here's a short review of the game: