Too Human Demo Impressions (in one word)

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hrmmmmm.......

Mario Kart Wii: The Verdict

(I'd like to preface this post by saying that this less of a review and more of a hands on impression after playing Mario Kart Wii with a few of my friends on sunday)

Prior to the release of Mario Kart Wii, I made a post about how I probably was not going to buy it because it wouldn't bring anything new to the table for me. Boy was I wrong. In fact, it brought LESS.

Before you dismiss this as another overly negative impression of Mario Kart, please put the torches and the Miyamoto masks down and let me finish.

The problem with Mario Kart Wii is that it doesn't take the gameplay further at all. Not even a little. It's a massive back step for the series. The way that most things function in the Mario Kart universe have been dumbed down to a downright stupid degree. For example: Power sliding and boosting.

As always, power sliding is done by holding down the jump button while turning. However, this time around the boost comes automatically during the slide, instead of after having to preform the standard left right left right movement on the analog stick. Thus taking away pretty much all skill from that maneuver. Also if you aren't even skilled enough to hold down a friggen button while you turn, you can set the game to make you automatically powerslide at the expense of your boost . Thats right, you can AUTOMATICALLY POWERSLIDE in a goddamn Mario Kart game. Because apparently powersliding is such an incredibly difficult thing to master. The severe dumbing down of many of the mechanics of Mario Kart comes as an surprise to me, since Nintendo's biggest strength is usually the ability to make games that are simple enough for kiddies and new people to play, but also deep enough for the vets to the series to enjoy (Smash Brothers and past Mario Kart games for example). It is extremely evident that this iteration of Mario Kart was designed for all of the brand new Wii owners who probably haven't played anything since the NES or SNES and no one else.

I wont go into any more detail about all of the other aspects of the game that have been robbed of skill (cause someone already beat me to that), or how the motion controls aren't quite ideal (though that is a highly personal argument. I hated the motion controls most of my friends loved it. Take that as you will), so I will simply sum up this piece by saying Mario Kart Wii is totally Mario Kart. If you are a rabid fanboy, you will love it. If you just got your Wii and you want something new to play, you will love it. BUT, if you are like me, and you are completely burned out on Mario Kart games (or if you really really enjoyed Mario Kart DS) you will find this game very lacking and, quite frankly, boring.


Mario Kart Wii is not Dauragon approved, but go play it for your self and make up your own mind about it. :)

Animal

Not many updates as of late. I apologize. I figured I would post a slight distraction just to remind this little slice of the interwebs that I still love it.

Here is the official music video for the song Animal by Mindless Self Indulgence. Directed by M Dot Strange (the director of one of my favorite movies of all time, We Are The Strange) with help from Edgar Nielson (of mediamuffin.com) Darkshadow8181 (who has some awesome artwork here) and Disk Read Error's very own Demonic Pascal.




- Dauragon

Mario Kart DS (or Why I Have No Need To Buy Mario Kart Wii)

A game I've been playing a lot lately is Mario Kart DS. So much so that I fear its sheer existence will keep me from buying the upcoming Mario Kart Wii. Quite honestly I am finding it very hard to discern any greater qualities in the upcoming Mario Kart game that aren't present in Mario Kart DS. Mario Kart DS already has everything that I could possibly want in a "kart" game. All of the great characters (R.O.B the friggen robot!!), tons of extra karts, online play, sugar sweet soundtrack, and courses from all of the previous Mario Kart games. From what I have seen of Mario Kart Wii (which has been quite a bit), The only bonus would be motion control (which I am only slightly optimistic about), shoddy text communication, and amagad, BIKES! None of which really excite me at all or compel me to cease getting pwned to shreds by Japanese school children on my DS.

But then again, I could be wrong and for all I know my next post about it may say "OMFG MARIO KART WII IS AMAZING!"

You never know about these things.

I apologize....

I just want to say Im sorry for my cohort Dauragons Smash impressions post. I know the many (thousands) of you were amazingly insulted as of the lack of any footage or images at all of the by far greatest character in Smash, Captain Falcon.



I hope that this can make up for my co-bloggers enormous lack of foresight in the contruction of his post. Don't worry, he will be punished in the only suitable way, with a falcon punch to the nads.

Know that the way of the Shinobi...is terribly harsh...

Xbox 360 - $349

Ninja Gaiden 2 reservation: $5

Knowing that you have some red stuff to look forward to besides RRoD:



Priceless.

The Grand Adventure to Smash Broatia

So as many of you (thousands of ) readers may know, last Sunday was the release of Super Smash Brothers Brawl. After all of the waiting, anticipation, more waiting, delays, more anticipation, and squeegeeing all the jizz off of your computer screens, Nintendo has finally granted the keys to the magical kingdom of Smash Broatia. I unfortunately cant afford a copy of Smash Bro's quite yet, but I was lucky enough to be surrounded by Smash-head friends who went to go pick up the game at launch. Here is my story of the Smash Brothers launch, in very hazy detail. (and with a few pictures thrown in every now and again)

The story starts midday when I met up with my buddies at Wheaton Mall, where we all entered the Brawl Tourney at Gamestop.

The Set up was pretty great. There were four TVs. Three for the Brawl tourney and one for the kids Melee tourney. A giant crowd of people of VAST age range hovered around the displays all waiting for the impending Brawlage. We chit-chatted for a while with a guy who was "probably one of the best smash brothers players in the country" while we waited for the games to begin. He seemed almost TOO knowledgeable of all things smash, so I didn't doubt his claims for a second. Of course me and my friends being not so good at the whole "doings things right" thing, totally spaced and forgot to sign up. So we had to run into the Gamestop for a hot second to quickly sign in. Once we got out, the manager finally stood up in a great big chair and said "THE TOURNAMENT WILL BEGIN IN A FEW MINUTES!", to which the crowd responded with a resounding:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!"

After several tedious moments of the manager and employees yelling out peoples names and handing out name tags with numbers on them. the tourney finally began.


Now if you have never played a game of smash brothers in front of a fucking huge crowd of people, let me tell you, it is quite the amazing experience. It's almost akin to being at a football game, or a pro wrestling match. Every little thing that you do prompts a "OOH" or a "AAAH!" or a "DAAAYUM SON!" from the onlookers.

Infact, many of the games mechanics seem to be almost designed around the whole spectating aspect. For example, the Final Smash ball. For those not in the know, the final smash ball is this erm, ball that shows up randomly and floats around the screen. Players have to smash the ball to gain their "Final Smash" which is a super powerful move that will change the tide of battle. At the tourney, whenever the smash ball appeared, the crowd when FUCKING INSANE! The whole area is enveloped with a deafening roar of hundreds of people screaming "GET THE SMASH!!!! GET THE SMASH!!! OOOH HE GOT THE SMASH!!! OOOOH!!!!"


(on a side note there was a particularly amazing match up that I didn't capture on camera unfortunately. It was a match between two Links, normal Link, and Dark Link. The match was pretty much even, until the final smash ball appeared. Both links went for it, and Regular Link got it. He activated his final smash just as the time was running out. EVERY SINGLE SLASH hit before the time ran out except for the very last one that rocketed Dark Link off of the stage! The crowd went into pandemonium as the match went into sudden death. Both links charged towards each other, and Dark Link sent Regular Link Straight into the stratosphere. The crowd completely lost it)

Back to my standing in the tourney. Long story short me and all of my friends were knocked the hell out in the first round, and went to go eat our feelings at the Mcdonalds, before heading off to pick up two more friends. We went back home watched some Princess Bride (screaming "AS YOU WISH!" and "INCONCEIVEABLE!" at all the right times) to kill some time before going back to pick up the game at midnight. We wrapped up the movie and headed back.



Of course when we came back to the mall there was quite the line in front.

This Gamestop actually had quite the nice set up for getting the game. There were two lines. You got in one line, bought the game and grabbed a receipt, then you got into the next line and waited until midnight to pick up the game. While we waited in line we saw the same guy we were talking to earlier, and of course while we were drowning our sorrow in double cheeseburgers he went and won the tourney. Things went pretty smoothly all night long. We got our copy, and headed straight home for some brawlin.



There isn't much to say about this game that already hasn't been said a million billion times over, the game is just DAMNED FUN. If you enjoy having fun, and having friends, you WILL like this game. It's that simple.


-Dauragon

Super Smash Brothers launch update

coming soon

HAI GUYS

Well, supaR_strange here, who else?
I just wanted to say that I should be posting an SH review, for the first, third and fourth games and fifth one coming up. (SADLY I have yet to even see the second one, it's really hard to find.)
I hope that my information is at least half way accurate. I'll scoop together my knowledge just for all of you! And please keep in mind, I don't really write reviews, soooooo if it's horrible, excuse me. xDDDDDD

Just some information for (survival horror) gamers:
The best thing to munch on when playing hardcore for more than two or three hours, CHEDDAR BUNNIES. Not only are the healthy, but they taste like goldfish, it's a tad more morbid if you think about it. Cheddar flavoured baby rabbits....mmmm. I'm not to sure if you can get them where you're at, here on mars they are in the organic section of the food store, if not there, in the snack aisle.
One thing to do when you know something horribley scarey is about to happen, or something is going to pop up, don't bite down on your tongue, and don't wait more than an hour to piss.
The best thing to drink if you wish to stay up past your bed time, REDBULL, it certainly gives you wings. It may taste like melted gummy worms and warm beer, but hell, it makes you wide eyed and grinny, ready to smash heads in or shoot down zombies.

WELL I GOTTA GO RAWK NOW, WELL I AM BUT NOW I WANNA DANCE A JIG
'CUSE ME, GOOD NIGHT.

Saw IV

IT'S A TRAP!

NEW CHARACTER

M’not to go0d at intr0s
But I’ll try
So yea, my name is Sarah, Sarah Strange, or supaR_strange on here.
I’m a “gamer girl” I game pretty hard and use most of my free time doing just that.
I usually stick to the gaming genre known as survival horror, though I am a very hard rocker at Guitar Hero and I do play RPGs and fantasy…crap.
I’ve been playing videogames ever since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time came out, that’s when I received my N64, and thus creating the freak you’re reading about now.
Most of my postings will be about the latest survival horror games and reviews about ones I’ve played, I hope to provide you with the much needed details of the games that will probably make you piss/scared out of your knickers.

I gotta pee.

Round One....FIGHT

Its coming...



And Im gonna kick ALL your asses when it does

The Sony Xbox...

...I wonder why...

Actual Listing

Magical Xbox Repair Land: Part 1

OK so I received my "coffin" for my 360 earlier this morning. It was exactly the same as it was the first time. A white box with a bag for my 360 and extra padding to place on the sides for protection. I woefully removed my 360's hard drive and moved it off of my entertainment center.


Now my 360 is nice and boxed up and ready to be shipped off to it's eternal resting place.


-Dauragon

FAAAALCON...DUUUUUMP!!!!

So, I was in the bathroom in my dorm (or water closet as the germans call it) doin my...ahem...buisness...and I can hear people playing Smash Melee. Well, as I'm...ahem...disposing of waste products, a certain bird named race car driver / bounty hunter's famous battlecry syncs up with my...ahem...movement. Internal laughter ensued, as well as a vocal snicker that was probably heard by the now very scared person in the stall next to me.

A few minutes , I finish, get up, and start to leave. On my way out, I had to say it, I couldn't stop myself...

MRISON COMPWETE!!!!!

What. The. Fuck. Nintendo.

So I was doing my normal browsing across the interweb tubes when I came across this.

Read that for a second. Let it sink in for a moment.

OK. Time to reiterate what you have just read.

Mario Kart Wii will not only NOT have voice chat, IT WON'T EVEN HAVE PROPER TEXT CHAT EITHER! You will have to pick from rudimentary sentences such as "Hello" and "Wanna Race" and most likely "Wanna go play Brawl?"

Let me preface my next statement by saying that I am a big fan of my Nintendo Wii. I play it all the time, and it allows me to have lots of quality time around my television with my sister. I stood outside a Gamestop on the black Friday after launch to get one. There were 8 Wii's and I was 7th in line. I am not one to resort to knee-jerk reactions. That being said, this is quite possibly the most absolutely fucking STUPID thing I have ever heard in my life.

It's not the fact that Nintendo seems to lag behind the other consoles in terms of online, I expected that. It's not that Nintendo is obviously picking the safe route in terms of keeping the online experience clean for the kiddies, I expected that also. The thing that really bugs me about this, is that right now I can go into target, buy a headset for my NINTENDO DS, and voice chat with that!!!



How bass ackward do you have to be, to have your HANDHELD system provide a better online experience than the full fledged two hundred and forty-nine dollar CONSOLE!?

If there is one thing Nintendo has proven they are good at, it's taking one large step forward and taking 9 huge cartwheels back.

-Dauragon

Disk Read Error Podcast Thing......sort of

Me and Demonic Pascal had a pretty interesting conversation about an upcoming DS title called "Imagination is the only escape" by luc Benard. The talk was inspired by this post on Kotaku.

Have a listen. :D

RROD: PART DEUX

Last December my first xbox 360 suffered the dreaded Red Ring of Death. I sent it over to magical xbox repair land where it was promptly taken out back and shot. I received a replacement 360 a few weeks later, and all seemed to be well. This 360 ran a hell of a lot cooler and made less noise. I figured it probably would last me a good while. However, a few hours ago whilst sitting in a Halo 3 lobby, my replacement 360 Red Ringed.

I can't say that I'm angry, since Microsoft will replace this one just like it replaced the other. However, I can say that I may end up putting my new replacement up for sale on ebay or craig's list because I'm not entirely sure I want to own a 360 until this whole red ring of death thing is completely resolved.

-Dauragon

Jaster!!! Can I use this health potion??

I have been playing a lot of Rogue Galaxy lately. If you haven't picked this game up you really should. It's a pretty entertaining action RPG from Level 5, the developers of the Dark Cloud series. In the game you play as Jaster Rogue, a Luke Skywalker-esque young man from a Desert Planet who, in a classic case of mistaken identity, gets swept up into a great big ole adventure with space Pirates and eventually gets tangled into a massive interplanetary conflict.


The tone of the game is quite happy go lucky, very Saturday morning cartoon like(despite the occasional usage of DAMN and HELL and BITCH through out the game). The characters are all colorful and designed in fantastic archetypal anime fashion. Jaster is a typical young hero with bright blue eyes and a blonde mop on top. Zegram is your typical gravely dark haired, eye patch-ed, goatee-ed bad ass motherfucker in a trench coat, Simon and Steve are the resident R2D2 and C-3PO, Kisala is your totally cute love interest in a miniskirt, and Lilika is the battle worn amazonian warrior goddess who is seemingly allergic to proper battle attire. The world is filled with tons of this wacky character design. Talking cats, giant piles of sludge, morbidly obese pirates, elf creatures, and my personal favorite, a 7 foot tall half-bulldog-half-man-creature-dude-guy with a huge battle axe and a gun arm are all roaming around the solar system of this game. The characters for the most part are all charming, to go along with the very charming (yet practically non existent) story that drives the adventure.

If you are looking for a big ole bucket of super serious events and hyper melodrama found in other popular RPG's like Final Fantasy, you ain't getting it here. The events that unfold don't particularly serve any real emotional purpose and for the most part just occur so that you will know why your airship is suddenly taking on more and more rag tag warriors. If anything this game plays out like the best Saturday morning cartoon that never existed. The good guys are really good, the bad guys are really bad, and its up to the good guys to stick pointy objects into the bad guys so they wont be so bad anymore.


The game play is where the game really shines. Level 5 has got the whole action RPG thing down to a T. Battles (though random..a minor peeve of mine) play out fast and furiously in real time. There is no attack selection outside of potions and special abilities. The X button is your primary attack, and the square button is your secondary attack. You have a limited amount of attacks you can do before you have to recharge your attack meter, which forces you to put a little bit of thought into your attacks to make sure that each blow counts. You also only have direct control of one character at a time out of your party of three. In a real time environment this could be a potential disaster since your party members could be off getting killed while you focus on a completely different enemy. This is remedied by two things, a command preset that basically tells your party what to do in a battle (for example "Attack The Same Target")and a quick decision type of system where a character yells out the party leaders name and two actions pop up on the screen. Usually It's a choice between a special attack and a potion or something similar. This system works pretty fantastically, in that you are constantly on your toes and aware of what your party members are doing at all times. However at times It could turn very annoying when your half dead Kisala kindly asks your permission before using a health potion.

I could continue on for pages and pages about the really simple yet complex crafting systems and the bug battling mini game side quest things and such but you would probably be much better off just looking at an official review or a FAQ for all that kind of stuff. Long story short, Rogue Galaxy is a solid action RPG for those who are looking for a light hearted 40 or so hour romp through the galaxy.

This game is Dauragon approved.

-Dauragon

INSERT COIN (2)

Yo people. demonic_pascal here. Again, welcome to Disk Read Error, the gaming blog with the oddly spelled name. We talk about games, you love us enough so that when we start selling T-shirts, we can quit our jobs. I would just like totake a second to point out that, contrary to what my “cohort” Dauragon said, we are NOT naked....cuz thats just offensive...

So what did Dauragon do in his second paragraph...oh yea...I have been interested in gaming forever, but the parents denied me any gaming goodness of my own until the age of 8. While everyone else wa messing with their PlayStations and their Nintendo 64's, I was already rocking it old school with my Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive to to you crazy Europeans). Sadly, this trend of lagging behind current hardware has continued since then, and the only current gen system I currently have is my DS. So, at least for now, my contributions review-wise will most likely be limited to DS games, or possibly some new PS2 releases.

Until June. As soon as Ninja Gaiden II is released, Xbox 360 will be MINE...

Ahem, yes, my favorite genres of games would be over the top action games like Devil May Cry, God of War, and, of course, Ninja Gaiden. Other genres of interest include 2D fighting games like Street Fighter and Guilty Gear (you know, the REAL fighting games, none of that 3D CRAP. Anyone into those is an idiot...). JRPGs like Dragon Quest, and old school sidescrollers in the vein of Castlevania, Ninja Gaiden, and Contra. Point and click adventure games (thanks a lot Phoenix Wright) are also enjoyable.

I'll also be drawing the weekly webcomic for this site, since comics and animations are just as big a part of my life as gaming is. My limited console setup won't stop me from ranting about pretty much anything in the gaming and tech world that strikes my fancy though (lol @ HD DVD), so you'll be hearing a lot from me.

That pretty much sums it up for now. Welcome to the awesomeness that is Disk Read Error (wow, never thought I'd say that...)

- d to the p

New Game

Hello, and welcome to Disk Read Error. A very young, small, naked, and vulnerable weblog about video games, life and life with video games. This first post will serve as an introduction to me personally(my cohort demonic_pascal will be providing a introductory post as well as our first weekly webcomic on a later date), and as a brief overview of what this blog will be about. OK so first thing's first:

I am Dauragon, gamer since the age of two. Writer since the age of 13. I am a big fan of fighting games(mostly 3D, yes I know, I blaspheme), First Person shooters, point and click adventures, Racing games, Action RPG's and I am a sucker for a good Platformer. I will be providing daily insights of what goes on in my own personal gaming world and the general gaming world as well. I will do reviews whenever I can (or feel like it)and post my opinions of odd demos and previews of upcoming games. But most of all I will be giving you, the reader, something fairly interesting to read and think about on a (hopefully) daily basis.

Welcome to Disk Read Error! :D

-Dauragon