That stuff sounds cool, but not worth going through the game to get to.
I'd love a seafaring game with the same mechanics at the ship stuff.
I'd love a seafaring game with the same mechanics at the ship stuff.
Super Mario 3D World is stupid amounts of fun, especially multiplayer. Also, the game is gorgeous.
Only levels I've had issues with, pre-Bowserland, were the Dino-riding waterslide levels (when trying to get the stars/stamps) and that one level in World 3 with the shifting fences. Generally it's more a control issue, though, than anything. I like the Captain Toad puzzle levels and other bonus rooms, and the Starworld levels are pretty challenging.
I feel bad. I have all these games I purchased, some for $5, some for $40, and I'm neglecting them to play a game I got for free.
But the NES Legend of Zelda is so great! I didn't think it would be. I thought it would be dated and I originally dismissed it as too hard. But I stuck with it and it's fantastic. I don't even mind dying so much. I can totally see how this would have spawned the franchise we know and love.
But the NES Legend of Zelda is so great! I didn't think it would be. I thought it would be dated and I originally dismissed it as too hard. But I stuck with it and it's fantastic. I don't even mind dying so much. I can totally see how this would have spawned the franchise we know and love.
Just finished A Link Between Worlds this morning.
If you haven't gotten it and played it yet, do so without hesitation. It's easily the best Zelda game since Link to the Past, and might even be better, but time will tell. Dungeons, items, bosses, upgrades, exploration, characters, plot (yes, even the plot is notable), gameplay, 3D, new mechanics, old mechanics, pacing, all excellent.
For those who have played the game...
If you haven't gotten it and played it yet, do so without hesitation. It's easily the best Zelda game since Link to the Past, and might even be better, but time will tell. Dungeons, items, bosses, upgrades, exploration, characters, plot (yes, even the plot is notable), gameplay, 3D, new mechanics, old mechanics, pacing, all excellent.
For those who have played the game...
- I kind of saw the plot twist coming at the end, but it was still great.
- I know you could do the dungeons in almost any order, but I still instinctively did the dungeons in the same order as LTTP, with the exception of the two overworld dungeons, since I couldn't figure out how to get into Zora's domain, since I stupidly forgot about the whole "walk in walls" business, and then literally smacked my head when I remembered.
- If I had a recommended Lorule dungeon order, it'd probably be Swamp palace (blue mail), Palace of Darkness (ore + dark sanctuary ore to upgrade Sword), Thieves hideout (Sand rod + ore), Skull Woods (4th ore), Desert Palace (Titan's mitt), Ice Palace (Stamina upgrade), Turtle Rock (Hylian Shield).
- I missed 6 pieces of heart, but found all the little octos.
- I loved that the Lorule bosses were mostly souped up versions of the Link to the Past dark world bosses, with the exception of the Skull Woods boss, who was a huge pain for me because I again forgot about the whole "hide in walls" mechanic.
- I know you could do the dungeons in almost any order, but I still instinctively did the dungeons in the same order as LTTP, with the exception of the two overworld dungeons, since I couldn't figure out how to get into Zora's domain, since I stupidly forgot about the whole "walk in walls" business, and then literally smacked my head when I remembered.
- If I had a recommended Lorule dungeon order, it'd probably be Swamp palace (blue mail), Palace of Darkness (ore + dark sanctuary ore to upgrade Sword), Thieves hideout (Sand rod + ore), Skull Woods (4th ore), Desert Palace (Titan's mitt), Ice Palace (Stamina upgrade), Turtle Rock (Hylian Shield).
- I missed 6 pieces of heart, but found all the little octos.
- I loved that the Lorule bosses were mostly souped up versions of the Link to the Past dark world bosses, with the exception of the Skull Woods boss, who was a huge pain for me because I again forgot about the whole "hide in walls" mechanic.
Still playing TONS of Hearthstone (getting better Arena %s even with sloppy drafts), what's funny is I watch Hearthstone streams the way most football fans watch games.
Finishing my Monk on WoW to level 90 (currently 87) and that will make all classes (some twice) to 90 with the exception of Warrior. Which I'm debating leveling or getting as a free level 90 in WoD.
Playing Torchlight (again) and really going to try to finish it this time around.
Finishing my Monk on WoW to level 90 (currently 87) and that will make all classes (some twice) to 90 with the exception of Warrior. Which I'm debating leveling or getting as a free level 90 in WoD.
Playing Torchlight (again) and really going to try to finish it this time around.
Effeminate villains in Japanese fiction are so common I'm pretty sure they're a trope.
But I'm not going to check, because I don't have the time to get lost there.
I did Sissy Villain. It's not just japanese. There are tons of examples in western media as well, partiularly in the Disney stable.
I don't know if "Sissy" would apply to the japanese variation, though. I think it more stems from the androgyny aspect that's common for a lot of japanese characters.
Ok... sometimes.
I dunno, I wouldn't call clowns sissy/effeminate, they're fucking creepy.
Plus Kefka's speech pattern doesn't really come off as sissy. He's pretty straight up about wanting to murder the hell out of people.
Plus Kefka's speech pattern doesn't really come off as sissy. He's pretty straight up about wanting to murder the hell out of people.
Where ... what?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articl...d-gay-villains-through-hollywood-history.html
Because I don't feel like writing a whole essay on the subject.
Long story short, the laziest way to make a villain seem really evil is to make him effeminate. It's a long and storied tradition in Hollywood. It falls back on the gay=evil and immoral stereotype. It's lazy writing that exploits negative stereotypes of effeminate men.
Notable examples:
Him: Power Puff Girls
Scar: The Lion King
Xerxes: 300
Shear Kahn: The Jungle Book
I was more asking about the black thing, cause that's just weird.
But as for effeminate male villains, it's done because it's off-putting to some people. Blurring gender lines makes some people uncomfortable and that's what you want a villain to do. As effeminate males become more accepted, those characters lose their effectiveness. So yes, it's lazy.
That said, I think some examples are reaching. Norman Bates is listed in that article--he comes off as shy, insecure, weak, but I don't consider those to be effeminate traits. The SS officer in Casablanca, I don't think the writer even watched that movie. Maybe that passed for effeminate in the 40s, so that would make your point, but a lack of being "macho" is not inherently effeminate. I don't know if using aristocratic behaviors is a good monitor for this either. They aren't inherently effeminate; that's an issue of nobility vs non-nobility. Your typical aristocrat, at least in media, doesn't act like Robert Baratheon.
Bypassing the article and just using your examples, I've only played one of the games with one of those Zelda villains and Zant never came across as effeminate to me. I thought Yuga was a woman though, so I guess I was in for a surprise. Of the movie examples, I'll give you three out of four, but I think Shere Kahn goes to aristocratic behavior again. Someone could make a similar argument for Scar or Xerxes, but I think they stretch past that right into the territory you're talking about.
Though that article did have one part I agree with whole-heartedly:
But as for effeminate male villains, it's done because it's off-putting to some people. Blurring gender lines makes some people uncomfortable and that's what you want a villain to do. As effeminate males become more accepted, those characters lose their effectiveness. So yes, it's lazy.
That said, I think some examples are reaching. Norman Bates is listed in that article--he comes off as shy, insecure, weak, but I don't consider those to be effeminate traits. The SS officer in Casablanca, I don't think the writer even watched that movie. Maybe that passed for effeminate in the 40s, so that would make your point, but a lack of being "macho" is not inherently effeminate. I don't know if using aristocratic behaviors is a good monitor for this either. They aren't inherently effeminate; that's an issue of nobility vs non-nobility. Your typical aristocrat, at least in media, doesn't act like Robert Baratheon.
Bypassing the article and just using your examples, I've only played one of the games with one of those Zelda villains and Zant never came across as effeminate to me. I thought Yuga was a woman though, so I guess I was in for a surprise. Of the movie examples, I'll give you three out of four, but I think Shere Kahn goes to aristocratic behavior again. Someone could make a similar argument for Scar or Xerxes, but I think they stretch past that right into the territory you're talking about.
Though that article did have one part I agree with whole-heartedly:
tldr, I agree it's lazy, but I don't agree with the rate of prevalence, at least in western media. I will say I can recall zero effeminate male protagonists, though using the article's over-reaching perspective that I don't agree with, Bilbo Baggins would qualify.
While I agree with this, the tropes article does actually list one ironic consequence of this. Because evil is cool, the effeminate male villain can change from being effeminate and therefore bad, to cool and therefore so is effeminate. Loki is clearly much cooler than Thor.
Scar I also don't think is a good example, at least in trying to play on homophobia. He was effeminate because he was royalty and upper class. Same with Shear Kahn. There's also biblical examples with the 'evil is beautiful' trope.
As for Xerxes... ok, no argument there. WTF was that? Then again, Frank Miller... yeah.
But above all, yes, it is lazy. And that's probably the greatest sin.
Public perception of gender roles and what is or isn't considered effeminate are also changing. We no longer exist in a world where any action by a man that isn't grunting or killing something is considered unmanly, so a lot of older examples might be lost on modern audiences. To use an above example, I would have never used effeminate to describe Loki, I would have just described him as pompous and arrogant, and a pretty boy (though Thor is too.)
Man...Assassin's Creed and it's Forrest Gumping of historical events is some real lame shit. 4 is definitely no different in this regard. You're at every single important event during the "golden age" of piracy.
4's biggest sin for me is that in not one, but two occasions you are separated from your ship due to various treacheries and in both instances, instead of actually having you earn it back in game via some mission type shit, you're just given it back. I'm marooned on this island. Here's a 10 minute mission where I deal with some island shit, cutscene, GOT MY SHIP BACK! It's....incredibly lazy. Actually, the entire game's storytelling is the definition of incredibly lazy.
4's biggest sin for me is that in not one, but two occasions you are separated from your ship due to various treacheries and in both instances, instead of actually having you earn it back in game via some mission type shit, you're just given it back. I'm marooned on this island. Here's a 10 minute mission where I deal with some island shit, cutscene, GOT MY SHIP BACK! It's....incredibly lazy. Actually, the entire game's storytelling is the definition of incredibly lazy.
And I keep coming back for this stuff.
Though it's pretty lame it's another thing you're forced to find.
Also, I've always been a big fan of the multiplayer, I know, I know, shoehorned in MP is a bane, but I've never had more fun in any MP. I HATED it in three. It was such a step backward compared to the others, this one seems to correct a lot of the problems I had with 3's, namely map size and variety.
Though it's pretty lame it's another thing you're forced to find.
Also, I've always been a big fan of the multiplayer, I know, I know, shoehorned in MP is a bane, but I've never had more fun in any MP. I HATED it in three. It was such a step backward compared to the others, this one seems to correct a lot of the problems I had with 3's, namely map size and variety.
I ended up buying both of last week's Sega 3D Classics. I know Bowielee's gonna dance on my head, but ... I get it now. Because of an issue with one of my eyes, I have a harder time with three dimensions. Doing a lot of things like driving or trying to move tiny objects is a bitch because of lack of proper depth perception. This is why most of time 3D is bullshit to me, because all I notice is stuff popping out of the screen and it looks stupid. With most 3DS games, I play with the 3D off, because the motion combined with the pop-out makes it difficult (I'm looking at you, Kid Icarus Uprising, my love).
But M2 in porting this and other Sega games added a 3D option--fall in or pop out. Pop out is self-explanatory, but fall in instead goes for depth. And it looks great. I'm actually using the 3D--I never do that except occasionally with Fire Emblem Awakening, because that map is pretty stationery.
But what about the games?
3D Sonic the Hedgehog: I figured I didn't need to buy this again, but I'm glad I did. The backgrounds and environments look great, and the addition of Spin Dash does improve the game. I'm having fun that I forgot I used to have with Sonic and I hope they release the other classic good ones (2, 3, and Knuckles).
3D Altered Beast: I fully acknowledge I bought this largely for nostalgic value. It's not worth $6, but I bought it because I used to love it. It's still fun--not as fun as Sonic, but I enjoy it for what it is. The addition of random transformation makes the game more interesting. I have affection for it that can overcome its shortcomings, though I probably am not going to play it much when I don't have someone around to do local play with me.
But M2 in porting this and other Sega games added a 3D option--fall in or pop out. Pop out is self-explanatory, but fall in instead goes for depth. And it looks great. I'm actually using the 3D--I never do that except occasionally with Fire Emblem Awakening, because that map is pretty stationery.
But what about the games?
3D Sonic the Hedgehog: I figured I didn't need to buy this again, but I'm glad I did. The backgrounds and environments look great, and the addition of Spin Dash does improve the game. I'm having fun that I forgot I used to have with Sonic and I hope they release the other classic good ones (2, 3, and Knuckles).
3D Altered Beast: I fully acknowledge I bought this largely for nostalgic value. It's not worth $6, but I bought it because I used to love it. It's still fun--not as fun as Sonic, but I enjoy it for what it is. The addition of random transformation makes the game more interesting. I have affection for it that can overcome its shortcomings, though I probably am not going to play it much when I don't have someone around to do local play with me.
So, I binged Steamworld Dig today. It can be beaten in between 5-6 hours I think (took me a little over 5). Wonderful little game. I got completely addicted to digging and mining and exploring and lost hours to it today. It's like 8 bucks for the next week during it's release. If it's too rich for your blood now, definitely try it when it hits a sale. It's worth your quarter day.
Banjo Kazooie: I love 64 platformers, and this is one of the jewels.
Donkey Kong 64: While repetitive it does not cease to bring challenge to the player.
Okami: Technically rebeating it, but was never able to do a one hundred percent before.
Final Fantasy 7: DEAR LORD THIS GAME IS ENGROSSING!
Rocket Robot on Wheels: SuckerPunch's first title, and a damn good one too. Really beautiful levels I might add.
Paper Mario Sticker Star: Fun game, but getting stickers is almost TOO easy at times I hardly have to buy them.
Donkey Kong 64: While repetitive it does not cease to bring challenge to the player.
Okami: Technically rebeating it, but was never able to do a one hundred percent before.
Final Fantasy 7: DEAR LORD THIS GAME IS ENGROSSING!
Rocket Robot on Wheels: SuckerPunch's first title, and a damn good one too. Really beautiful levels I might add.
Paper Mario Sticker Star: Fun game, but getting stickers is almost TOO easy at times I hardly have to buy them.
Playing AC 4 Black Flag.
This is probably the best AC since Brotherhood. LOVE LOVEEEE the open world pirate shit.
A bit too many ships out there doing nothing for my tastes but hey, it's an AC game. I don't expect logic.
Most of the other AC stuff is pretty solid so far, except the EXTENDED EAVESDROP moments where something glitches 5 minutes and guess WHAT? RESTART NOW. Lame.
The got the right amount of everything so far. I'm about 12 hours in and I like it a lot.
This is probably the best AC since Brotherhood. LOVE LOVEEEE the open world pirate shit.
A bit too many ships out there doing nothing for my tastes but hey, it's an AC game. I don't expect logic.
Most of the other AC stuff is pretty solid so far, except the EXTENDED EAVESDROP moments where something glitches 5 minutes and guess WHAT? RESTART NOW. Lame.
The got the right amount of everything so far. I'm about 12 hours in and I like it a lot.
So, playing through Skyrim, I've reached the point where I can become a werewolf, or a vampire. And I'm not sure if I want either of them.
For becoming a vampire, it seems like the pros and cons are pretty obvious. Weakness to sunlight, and hostile NPCs, but getting bonuses to various attributes, and some extra spells. I probably won't go for it this playthrough.
Werewolf, though, seems less obvious. I can turn into a beast once a day, during which I unequip my gear, but kick ass with claws and fangs. Are there any other advantages/disadvantages to becoming a werewolf?
For becoming a vampire, it seems like the pros and cons are pretty obvious. Weakness to sunlight, and hostile NPCs, but getting bonuses to various attributes, and some extra spells. I probably won't go for it this playthrough.
Werewolf, though, seems less obvious. I can turn into a beast once a day, during which I unequip my gear, but kick ass with claws and fangs. Are there any other advantages/disadvantages to becoming a werewolf?
GasBandit
Staff member
NPCs will often comment that you smell like a wet dog, and at least in my case, you might accidentally end up killing someone you didn't mean to, because everything kinda turns meat-flavored when you hulk out, if you know what I mean. But I guess that won't be a problem so long as you confine yourself to only letting the beast in you loose in dungeons and the like, where there are only hostiles.
If you have the dawnguard expansion, then becoming a vampire lord will -not- make npcs hostile towards you, even if you are in stage-4 of hunger (aka blood-starved vampire, which grants additional powers). You can feed on sleeping npcs (make sure to sneak, as getting caught feeding is a crime) to control your level of blood hunger. The more hungry you are, the more powerful your vampire powers, but also the stronger your weaknesses are.
Becoming a vampire lord also gives you a bonus to sneak, a bonus to illusion magic, turn invisible once a day spell (if you're at stage 3) and a calm human once a day spell (if you're at stage 4.) It also gives you a 20-30-40-50% resistance to cold and a 20-30-40-50% weakness to fire. In vampire lord form, you can drain the life from victims to gain vampire lord perks, which is kinda like free skillperks that only work in that form. They allow you to detect life, turn your claws poisonous, summon attacking bats that heal you, summon gargoyles, and so on. You also gain a 100% immunity to poisons. Life, magicka and stamina have their regeneration reduced 100% in sunlight, but this can be overcome with enchantments that boost regen, as well as using the Lady stone which grants you increased life and stamina regeneration. Maximum life, magicka and stamina are also reduced in sunlight.
Werewolf is a little more straight forward. Once a day you can turn into an awesome killing machine. Only do this in bandit camps, dungeons, etc, because anything that sees you transform will FREAK THE FUCK OUT. You have a limited time as a werewolf, but you can consume the hearts of those you kill (just stand over them and press E to feed) to extend the time of your transformation. Feeding from the dead also heals you, as well as builds progress to werewolf specific perks, most of which have to do with life regaining and more claw damage. Outside of beast form, you gain a 100% immunity to disease (which also makes you immune to vampirism) and cannot gain the "well-rested" benefit from sleeping (your beast blood keeps you from a restful sleep).
If you go to Falkreath, there is a man in the prison there that is accused of being a monster. If you talk to him, you get the Ill Met By Moonlight quest which can grant you a ring that gives you unlimited werewolf transformations. If you want a hint for how to obtain that reward, then just remember to not turn on your fellow werewolves.[DOUBLEPOST=1386783858,1386783628][/DOUBLEPOST]Oh, one thing I wanted to add about werewolves. Power attacking will do an awesome swipe that ragdolls most enemies. It's so much fun to charge at some bandit trying to kill you and send him flying across the room. They can also roar which casts fear on everything in range, and later on can gain special totems to summon spectral wolves and other stuff.