Lunar Shards

Hot Shots Golf World Invitational
Platform: Playstation Vita
Started: February 15, 2012
Status: Ongoing

This game is addicting… I don’t know what it is. Every day so far I’ve taken part in the Daily Tournament that’s in the game. So far I’m ranked around 340-350s out of 5000+ players which is pretty cool considering I’m bouncing around around that rank but I’m slowly slipping as better players start to do do these tournaments. Every now and then a bad shot really rattles me and I just blow the round. Nothing heart breaking than finishing +10 because you got trapped in an area you can’t shoot out of. I did unlock another character for use but I can’t afford her plus she’s one of the expert class characters so that means a lot more difficult to use.

Wipeout 2048
Platform: Playstation Vita
Started: February 21, 2012
Status: Ongoing

I did finally get a chance to try this out. The game feels a lot more grittier in terms of technology in game than the HD Fury series as this is set in the infancy of the Wipeout program. So far the overall feel when playing feels right. Things move fast considering I’m at the beginning class, I can just imagine the top tier races. The load times are something to be desired. I’m a patient but this can wear on you after a while.

Dynasty Warriors Next
Platform: Playstation Vita
Started: February 23, 2012
Status: Ongoing

What can I say, I’m a sucker for these games. I love the Samurai Warriors series more than the Dynasty Warriors one however this one looked like a lot of fun and it is. The game looks visually great compared to previous handheld releases and is pretty responsive which is good. It plays closer to the Empire series than the normal games since it breaks up each huge battle into several smaller battles covering a region. The game automatically selects the character you play so your sort of shoe horned into characters you might not enjoy in terms of weapon types.

I actually like the mode Conquest, which lets you play vs the CPU and a sort of turn base risk style setup. I actually played more of this than anything else with a customized character. You can unlock more officers for user in this mode which is nice. The battles themselves may take only 10-15 minutes which is nice considering I remember spending a good hour in the console versions just clearing out regions. They also include several Vita specific battles which requires you to tilt and touch. For example you might get ambushed in which several targets jump into the air and your only option is to move the Vita around to see them all and touch the front screen on each target to knock them out of the air. The first time this happens it gets disorienting but you get use to it. There are several variants of this you’ll run into. The second type and one that gets some getting use to plays close to Infinity Blade for the iPhone and iPad… which considering is a pretty good touch screen combat mechanic. This game’s versions a bit more toned down so once you get the pattern down it gets relatively easy to do.

Overall the game is okay, not quite the insane console version but a lot of fun still.

Prinny – Can I really be the Hero?
Platform: Playstation Vita (PSP Emulation)
Started: Unknown
Status: Ongoing

Decided to pass an hour or so messing with another PSP title on the Vita. This time I threw on Prinny, which is probably one more the more sadistic platformer games since one hit (or 4 if your on easy) means starting from the check point. The game gives you 1000 lives which at first seems like overkill in lives but when you get into the harder levels, they almost don’t feel like enough. I got through the first three stages before I put the game away for the time being. The puns in this game get a bit much. I’m sorry, sisters by the name of Kim and Chi? REALLLY!?

Mass Effect
Platform: PC
Started: Unknown
Status: Discontinued

Decided to replay Mass Effect to see if I could a safe file ready for 3 when I eventually get it but I just gave up. The game had a very bad texture issue on the PC with some pretty low-fi textures for supposed maximum settings for characters but it looked like their heads were taken straight out of Mass Effect 2. I got partway through 1 before I gave up and jumped straight to ME2.

Mass Effect 2
Platform: PC
Started: February 23rd, 2012
Status: Ongoing

So I modified my way into Mass Effect 2 instead of playing through ME1. Now before you start complaining that I shouldn’t skip the good story of ME1, I have finished it on the Xbox 360 (along with ME2) already so this is more of a replay through with a new character. The modifications are to an already completed ME1 save file which gets me most of the way where I’m going with modifications to correct any play through ME1 issues I wouldn’t have done.

I decided to create a male character this time as I played Femshep through the 360 play through. So far I’m still in the first half because I’m strip mining every planet I come across. Enough that my friends are joking that everyone in the universe will have reason to be gunning after me soon. I’m also using a HD texture pack that some folks over in the Bioware forums have setup. It really does help the game look a lot better on the PC. I’m surprised this wasn’t a true option in the game. The in game textures look a bit um… messy. It’s pretty obvious when I equip the Terminus armor vs the N7 default armor with the texture pack installed. I’m hoping to finish this this week so it’s out of the way.

Hot Shots Golf World Invitational
Platform: Playstation Vita
Started: February 15, 2012
Status: Ongoing

Funny thing about the games I got for the Vita upon release. They’re essentially the same games I bought for my PSP during it’s release. So far I have Hot Shots Golf and Wipeout 2048 (which I haven’t played yet). Both of which I own for the PSP upon it’s release. Hot Shots Golf is one of those unusual sports games I will play over and over. I think I wore out the UMD of the PSP one since the top caved in. This version looks gorgeous on the Vita’ screen and I’ve been nonaddictive playing the online competition every day. One of the new features is a daily tournament where there are 3 courses with set rules to beat. Each day the scores are tallied and you are ranked. Right now it’s a pre-season so we don’t have much at the moment.

Monster Hunter Unite
Platform: Playstation Vita (PSP Emulation)
Started: I forgot…
Status: Ongoing

This game was the first test of the adhoc mode between a PSP and a Playstation Vita. I was more than surprised how well it worked. The advantage you get from the Vita here is the ability to reassign the right analog stick to the camera controls usually found on the D-Pad. Not that it helped much. I instinctively gripped my Vita in the unusual manner that allows me to control the camera with my index finger.

Valkyria Chronicles 2
Platform: Playstation Vita (PSP Emulation)
Started: 2010
Status: Completed

One of the user confirmed titles that hasn’t been mentioned in the official release. In order to install the game, it has to be downloaded to a PS3 than sent over to the Vita. You can transfer all your DLC too but since Valkyria 2 suffers from a poor DLC download setup, you have to download every single mission separately. Another thing to note, for some reason, the game will NOT transfer any code released content meaning you have to re-enter every code into the game again before restarting the save file you transfer. The same situation happened in Valkyria 3 when I moved it to a new PSP the previous week. I ended up playing a few missions with a friend which proved amusing since we steamrolled the enemies.

For many of my friends, they were surprised that this was the first time I ever attended Megacon. My first convention (outside of ones I help run) was Anime Weekend Atlanta. I go mostly to hang out with friends and to have a bit of fun. Usually involves a lot of photography too. I eventually stopped going since I started attending Dragon*Con which makes AWA look tiny in comparison. It makes the one I helped run minuscule as well. Normally my friends would also go to Megacon but most times I passed on it due to scheduling conflicts. This was the first time I went.

The venue for Megacon is pretty amazing. The convention center reminds me of a Airport terminal at the entrance side and is massive on the inside. I’m pretty sure it’s bigger than the others I had seen before. There were also other events including a cheer-leading competition which I’m pretty sure was near by and a TruValue market near the entrance we always used.

The first thing I noticed about Megacon is the way they handle badges. Instead of the typical con badge, it’s a colored wrist strap which identifies you for 3 days, the current day and what not. This is useful since it’s hard to lose them. The 3 day advance passes are waterproof wrist bands so that means also not taking them off at night. A little bit annoying but I can deal with it. The schedule though made me groan. Megacon is essentially 3 different conventions in one. There’s a Sci-fi and general fan convention schedule, an anime convention schedule and a gaming schedule, neither of which use the same formatting for the schedule setup nor in a way to see them all at once together if your jumping between the 3 different areas!

I was especially surprised to find out this hasn’t changed in the last several years :O

I eventually put everything into Google Calendar just to figure out what to attend but of course this went out the door within a few hours. Last minute room changes, cancellations are all part of the norm but sinage reminded me a lot of the one we run and the issues we are facing. They do have a mobile site but that needs a lot more work still. I’m probably going to write a few comments for them to consider for both their mobile app and their convention setup.

The dealers room is a spectacle by itself. The pace is huge! For comparison, the entry area is pretty empty except for Stan Lee’s area. Great for photography since people hang out there before entering the dealer’s room. That area alone is about the size of AWA’s dealer’s room in my memory. I want to say it’s bigger than one of the Dragon*Con’s dealer room. The actual dealers area is huge though :O It took me a good 4 hours to browse the whole area Friday just waiting for the panels later in the afternoon. Things were spaced out which is something that Dragon*con needs and easy to navigate on any day but Saturday. I can’t say the prices were reasonable. It is a convention for crying out loud. The thing that surprised me though is that the number of figures that were available. Normally I order from places like HLJ, AmiAmi, or Hobbysearch for figures from Japan I wanted. This is the first time I’ve ever gone to a convention that was at the start of the season for the companies. The number of figures that are normally gone by AWA and Dragon*con astounded me. I saw several rare figures including some priced well over 200 dollars. All very tempting and I had to restrain myself though.

The panels themselves were a lot of fun. Especially the voice actor ones for the anime side and the Star Trek one which featured Tim Russ and Robert Picardo who are from my favorite Star Trek series Voyager. They’re also the biggest pranksters on the set as well from my understanding.

The hotel we stayed at is okay. I’m sure there are better locations though but the prices were getting a little out of hand the closer you get to the convention area. I know we pay a lot for Dragon*con but considering the length of time and the need to be near the convention area is kinda of unavoidable. I’m hoping that hotel room we were in was just the issue since it look like it was modified for Handicap use. I’ve ever been in a shower that small before.

Food was a bit of an issue. Stupid me forgot to pack the food I bought in my bag the entire convention so I ended up eating late meals outside the convention area due to the price gouging that happens with food at conventions. When a small pizza from Papa Johns costs as much as a medium at their normal store, there’s a problem. I think I ate out most times though a few cases I did eat in the room. Dragon*Con I ate mostly in the room with food I brought but I couldn’t deal with that the final day or two.

Overall the convention was pretty decent. I might go again next year ready for what happens.

So just one more day before the Vita is finally released in the US officially. Of course there’s been debates over the pros and cons of what Sony is doing with this release. First and foremost in the arguments has been the memory cards used for the Vita. Unlike the PSP or the DSi/3DS, the Vita uses a proprietary memory card. The cost of these memory cards range from $20 for a 4GB memory card to $99 for a 32GB memory card. I ended up getting a 16GB one since I couldn’t find a 32GB to save my life around here. The memory card is REQUIRED for the Vita to actually save the profile and downloaded games and DLC that doesn’t fit on the game card.

The point of argument is the price and why they didn’t use a known format such as SD or even their own memory stick format. Their argument was an attempt to stop piracy as most of the hacks to open up the PSP were via it’s memory card and an altered save file causing a bug to allow unregistered code to run. The memory card isn’t accessible via normal means so that means you can get into the directory level access even if you plug into a computer. You can back up the files to the computer using the manager software but you can’t copy things the Vita won’t accept. Supposedly some Japanese homebrew groups were able to get some homebrew code to run via the PSP emulator but the question is if Sony has patched that hole yet.

A proprietary memory card does provide some benefits over an open format such as SD cards is that they can control the general quality control over the memory card. As a amateur photographer, I had a crash course in various sub-classes of just ONE format. One SD card from one company is different from another. For example the sped of a Kingston memory card is different from a PNY memory card. Heaven forbid you need to get a class 10 card. Of course if your running a game of a memory card you might need a class 10 SD card for it’s read and write speed. Some are cheap, some are not and not all class 10 cards are created equal. Some are faster and some are slower, as long as they pass a certain threshold. The cheap ones though are like trying to play Russian roulette, you never know when the card will suddenly give out. I’ve already thrown out 2 cheap memory cards because it can’t be written to after filling it up twice then cleaning them off. I was lucky not to lose the content. Can you imagine suddenly losing your 40 hour save file in a game such as Valkyria Chronicles 2 because the cheap 20 dollars 32GB card fails? Of course the cost of the really well made ones may still be cheaper then the Sony Vita cards but not by much.

Of course we’ll see some knock off cards soon enough. Unauthorized reproductions of the memory cards but after getting burned BADLY on the PS One, I lost my Final Fantasy VII safe file late into the game because of a 3rd party unauthorized card, is I don’t trust them. The quality of one brand to another varies and sometimes one brand might have a strong line but their value line is shit.

The second offender in Vita’s anti-piracy isn’t really anti-piracy per say but an attempt to get the user to be someone legit. Of course they may also be a dual purpose it also effects used sales. In most Vita physical games, a piece of paper with a code in it will grant you access to the online pass. Yup, every game so far I’ve seen has an online pass which you have to activate in the PSN store. From my understanding, any game that connects online will have these for the Vita. Of course this prevents pirated games form getting online without buying the online pass from the PSN store which is around $10. The same goes for used copies of the game.

Now i’m not taking a stance on this issue as I see online passes like CD keys or registration codes for games. It’s a proof of purchase of a new game. Something that’s been around the PC industry for some time for physical media releases. I may be use to it but many console gamers aren’t. To them they see it as an affront and a risk that players may not use the online portion since it requires them to register the game in the PSN or Xbox live store. Sure it’s an digital lock on the game which limits access to the online portion but you have the key to unlock it if you bought the game new. It’s when you buy it used where this stings. A game you thought was cheap has a $10 component that didn’t come with the used game. This was always a risk with used PC games when the CD keys came around but unlike the PC games, you can get a new key to be used. With PC games you were shit out of luck sometimes.

Some argue that this will greatly effect the game sales but that’s only in the used side of the market. Those who don’t have a legal copy, well this is their way of controlling them as well. Albeit if they can get a key from the store, they can somehow slip by the detection, they still earn some profit from them.

Used copies of games are how some gamers get their games. The money they pay go directly to the store which is why Gamestop makes a huge deal about used games. It’s more profit for them selling games a little bit below retail of the new games. Instead of getting 5-10 dollars for a brand new 59.99 game, they’re getting around $30-40 for a used one. Of course this means the publisher, and then in turn the developer doesn’t actually count that to a sale of the game nor see any profit from it. Now I don’t know of a studio has closed due to used game sales however it does slow some games sales pace a bit which could translate to slower sales of a particular game which in turn tells a publisher that the game isn’t doing well and which magnifies by the time it gets to the developer.

On the non-legal side, well the PSP had such a large gap in it’s protection that games that should have done well have done poorly and as a result we’re not seeing sequels being released in the US. Not that online passes would have helped these games as many PSP games didn’t support online infrastructures, a requirement of PS Vita games now.

Of course the Vita’s second barrier will be it’s digital release versions. The digital releases for PS Vita games will be 10% cheaper then their retail releases. That is at full price, not sale prices. This also prevents used sales of the game since digital releases can’t be traded-in. One of the golden apples that many companies are looking at going forward. The reason the Vita isn’t a full digital release is after the fiasco that was the PSP Go. This was their attempt to see if a full digital only release would be viable for a game system however publisher backing was lacking as they were still focused on entertaining brick and mortar stores.

I’m sure there are more technologies present in the Vita to stop piracy but these are the most obvious ones there now. This is just my thoughts on the whole thing.

I got in the last of the accessories for the Playstation Vita in from my usual sources. Included in the package was the Travel Pouch (Finally!) and the two games I ordered for the Vita. Fat lot of good those are until the system releases. Anyway the biggest concern was the Travel Pouch. In the original video and promotional images, the pouch looked bigger but after testing it with some cables and stand in for the components I’ve run into a few problems. First and foremost, the Travel Pouch can not house the Carrying Case which wraps around the Vita. I was concerned about this initially and looks like this confirms it. Second, the limitations of what you can stick into the travel pouch.

Since I don’t have a Vita, yet, I used the insert in the Carrying Case to represent the Vita’s general shape and size. I then stuffed it using the PSP Adapter and cable, and a PSP Go Cable to represent the items I would have with the Vita. Needless to say, that’s a very VERY tight fit. The Pouch bulges a lot on the back side and top which concerns me. I couldn’t fit the Car Adapter in if I wanted to. The Instruction says you can put in 4 PSP games into the padded slots and 2 accessories. By the looks of it, just the charging equipment based on the overall stand-ins I used. The manual says it’s a perfect for the Vita which I don’t doubt at the moment but it’s not forgiving either. It’s probably an EXACT fit.

Since I ordered this online, sending it back isn’t worth the cost or effort. I’ll probably end up re-purposing it as an accessories pouch by itself which is kinda sad. I’ll hang onto the Carrying Case for now though the HORI PS Vita Face Cover (http://www.amazon.com/HORI-PS-Vita-Face-Cover-Sony/dp/B006WJ6YGW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1329148088&sr=8-3) looks tempting. The advantage of the Carrying Case is both sides of the system are protected where as the rear touch pad of the Face C Cover is exposed. I’ll see when the actually unit arrives Wednesday.

Decided to add a day to my list since this week is going to be hectic with a trip at the end.

Valkyria Chronicles 3
Platform: Playstation Portable (JP)
Started: Jan 31st, 2011
Status: Completed

So I finally cranked down on the final two story chapters. OMG does it get difficult Doesn’t help that I lost most of my ace drop weapons via the DLC content thanks to me transferring my game to another PSP. My PSP-2000 started to go on the fritz to the point where I couldn’t use the analog pad. Since the Vita comes out soon, I transferred the US account off the PSP-1000 which has been my US system for some time. For some reason something didn’t transfer right and all my DLC had to be re-downloaded and progress in them was all screwed up. Anyway the final boss was outright mean since you can’t actually kill him. I eventually figured it out though. I only have Imca’s ending which I like but probably need to redo the ending to see Reila’s. I’m still playing the game so I can unlock more characters. As if my team wasn’t jammed pack already.

Final Fantasy XIII-2
Platform: Playstation 3
Started: Jan 31st, 2012
Status: Ongoing

Drove further into the game. Since I played the chapters a little out of order, it seems interesting that things have turned out a certain way. I also did a bit of trophy hunting and cleared some of the more annoying ones including the 100 preemptive strikes. Still don’t think I’m high enough to take on Lightning yet so I’m going to probably grid a bit more once I find a good place. Also need to find a place to level my Chocobo companion.

Ordered this portable power supply to charge my Vita as well as tablet while on the go. The device outputs up to 1A out of it’s USB port which is needed for some devices to actually charge. I was originally looking at a 4000 mAh unit which Sony makes however reports stated it only charges while the Vita is off due to some sort of connection issue where the Vita thinks the device is some sort of computer and won’t charge. Amazon sells the CP-ELS USB Portable Power Supply for around 24 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-CP-ELS-Portable-Charger-Battery/dp/B005XJWS30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328804785&sr=8-1

I do own three small e-reader batteries which I keep charged and on hand however these will not charge anything that requires more then 0.5A which can only charge my Nook and my cellphone. The charge requirements for my other devices are too much for them.

Famitsu originally reported that this device works with the Vita while it’s powered unlike some of the other ones. The official Vita unit which carries 5000mAh compared to this device which only has 2000mAh, won’t be available unit April.

Sometimes last week I got to put my hands on an actual Playstation Vita and actually play it while checking out Best Buy to pick up my copy of Final Fantasy XIII-2. The system itself is a bit bigger then the current versions of Playstation Portable (PSP). The feel of the unit in your hand is much more natural than the PSP, and it I don’t get that same cramping feeling after a few minutes. The back has a recessed area where your fingers will naturally slip into rather then cover the touch pad on the back.

The interface itself is responsive. The touch screen on the front allows you to navigate the menu quickly. The menu forgoes the XMB used in the PS3 and PSP since the system features a front touch screen. The games do load relatively fast. The one game they had demoing was Little Deviants. The staff and other people demoing had been playing it before so I got to try a later stage. This wasn’t some demo card, this was the full game! The particular level only used the rear touch pad to control and reminded me of those floor portions of Marble Madness. The game was addicting and I wanted to complete the whole area that I was in but handed it over aver the 3rd level of that area. Overall the unit looks very slick and the controls feel nice. Since the game I played doesn’t use the Analog sticks, I haven’t been able to see how they would feel in game. Same with the D-Pad and the face buttons.

Over the last few days I have snagged a few items I need for the Vita. I have the Carrying Case which attaches to the unit and protects the front and back of the unit and can even be folded into a stand for the Vita when watching movies on it. I also got a hold of one of the memory cards and the car charger. The Memory card is tiny! We’re talking close to the M2 Memory Sticks Sony already makes. I’ll probably need to purchase a carrying case later since these things are tiny. I’ll get pictures of the unit when it comes in next week. Just in time for Megacon!

Valkyria Chronicles 3
Platform: Playstation Portable (JP)
Started: Jan 31st, 2011
Status: Ongoing

I just had to look at the DLC list… So apparently they had a bunch of characters hidden in DLC that I hadn’t gotten yet. Among them was members of Squad 7. Actually I think all the major figures of Squad 7 are now in my team including Edy’s Detachment. On top of that I have Selvaria and Maximilian, from Selvaria’s DLC which actually has you playing the sequence leading to the confrontation between her and Alicia. The most surprising DLC character was Jaegar. I wasn’t expecting to have him as a playable character but i like him. The crazy part is any character that exhibited Valkyrian powers in the series actually has that ability open to them to use. Nothing more threatening then having every single Valkyrian in the series charging down the center. Been tempted to assign them different classes to cover all the bases just for kicks. The game is surprisingly long just in the story section as I’ve long since gone past the number of missions I played in Valkyria 2 just to finish that game.

Final Fantasy XIII-2
Platform: Playstation 3
Started: Jan 31st, 2012
Status: Ongoing

All I can say is wow… the music threw me for a loop but the game itself does another number on me. When they tried Cinematic for the XIII, I thought it was impressive. This just takes the cake and then some. The game has both a Final Fantasy feel to it as well as a Chrono Trigger feel. I wasn’t expecting that. There are moments where Lightning is channeling a bit of a Valkyrie from Valkyrie Profiles as well. The game design feels like Square Enix is trying to scratch multiple itches at once. The gameplay isn’t as restrictive as the FFXIII as it allows you to take on chapters out of order as I have seen. You can return to any chapter and supposedly even replay it in case you messed something up. The combat feels faster now since the Paradigm shift is quicker and is key to surviving certain combat. I still haven’t gotten use to the monster system yet. I’ll figure it out though.