Archive for July, 2009
Panic not, for I shall not abandon my flock.
Since the glorious resurection and resulting rebrand of this, the most pointless website in the world, I’ve managed to surprise all my doubters by keeping it updated very regularly – so regularly in fact, that I’ve been averaging around 2 new blogs per week.
This all changed two weeks ago, however, as I’ve actually been too busy to update the site…..Of course, everyone started panicing, wondering why I wasn’t approving their comments. After a search party was formed, I was eventually found sleeping under a railway arch, waiting for the office to open again so I could return to work.
Only two days remain before I spread my wings and move into my own house. Between now and then I may be a little sketchy when it comes to updating, but as soon as I charge my phone, I’ll be sure to get back to a Twitterin’.
Just don’t panic though, folks. As soon as stuff settles down, I’ll be sure to resume frequent service, or FQ as the Gumptee calls it.
Blogsoon<3
Why 8 is better than 16…
not called Genesis…)Not so. At least, not entirely. Yes, I have fond memories of the Mega Drive games, and consider them video game masterpieces in an era when nothing like it existed. Ultimately, however, it isn’t where it all started for me, nor is it the source of my very fondest Hedgehog memories.
I couldn’t disagree more. I find them to have their own unique flavour that only 8bit gaming can bring. Let’s take a look at Sonic 1 for the Master System – rather than just being a carbon copy port with half the fun taken out, Sonic Team spent a whole 8 months coming up with a new game, from scratch, for their loyal Master System audience.
The first level, Green Hill Zone, is similar in theme and style, and Labyrinth and Scrap Brain also appear later on. Despite this, three new zones appear, with some clever gameplay mechanics that the Mega Drive games did not 
approach. Bridge Zone introduces an auto-scrolling camera for extra difficulty, Jungle Zone is the only level to date that goes from bottom to top instead of left to right, and Sky Base Zone is a work of genious, introducing a flying Robotnik base that seems to have been a decade ahead of it’s time. It looks like it came right out of Sonic Adventure.
The music is also fantastic. Labyrinth Zone has far more fitting, darker music, compared to it’s Mega Drive cousin. Combined with the darker water pallet and black background, the level feels much more deamonic, and much more claustrophobic.
Scrap Brain has it’s own music too, which arguably is not as epic as the Mega Drive version. It is however a fantastic peice, and also sets a unique pace to the level, which by the way, has it’s own unique layout with interesting gameplay mechanics, as do all levels in the game.
Sky Base, as I mentioned, is scored with possibly the greatest music I have heard in a Sonic The Hedgehog game. It’s sweeping style and sense of impending doom is wonderous and amazing. The level itself has a unique sense of danger to it, as you run across the top of a sky ship, in the dark cold rain, avoiding thunder, cannons, and other such badniks.
It isn’t just Sonic 1, however. Sonic Chaos was a unique production for the Master System, that introduced Tails as a playable character. It was actually the first game in which you could make Tails fly, and it also features a whole slew of unique levels, and brilliantly written music to go with it.
Aqua Lake Zone, for example, is fantastic. It’s unique blend of fantasy lakeside metropolis and grime-filled sewers between the three acts provide a contrast not seen in the Mega Drive games, and serve to provide a unique flavour for each level. Several unique gameplay mechanics also exist, such as rocket power-ups, allowing the character to zip across the sky, and wearable spring-pods, let you bounce to reach new areas.
If you ever get the chance, I suggest you play through them with an open mind. They’re fine works and, frankly, I consider them superior in some elements to the Mega Drive games.
You can grab Gens+ from here, and all the Sonic roms in the world over at Sonic Stuff.
I'm seeing Red…
That is discrimination against vertically challenged ginger haired people, you might say. Well, yes, but that’s another post for another day.
Just to be clear, I don’t actually have a problem with the TV show, because I do actually love that, and I do actually love Back To Earth, which is actually a pretty good show. Not their finest, but not bad. I do, however, have a problem with the annoying prick that is running the Red Dwarf website these days.
Specifically, this news post is probably the most fine example of retardation that I have ever seen from any offical source, ever. While the author raises many valid points, in that comments left on Amazon and HMV where indeed misinformed and unfair, I question the logic of having to parade this on the official website, for what is, at the end of the day, human error.
The part I have major problems with though is the propaganda. I’m not entirely sure what shade of rose this guy tint’s his glasses with, but he must be as blind a fucking bat. Honestly.
Firstly, parading out the excuse that ”reviewers didn’t really like us much anyway” – then stating that a rating on HMV / Play.com etc. of three stars is “interestingly balanced”, is nothing short of rediculous, not least because those are user influenced scores.
I’ve also never seen such a strong case put forward to say that decline in viewership was a good thing. I almost believe that shedding 1/3rd of your audience in the space of 48 hours is actually something to celebrate. Hell, I might just pop the champaigne cork now.
They really need to put a leash on this guy.
I’m seeing Red…
That is discrimination against vertically challenged ginger haired people, you might say. Well, yes, but that’s another post for another day.
Just to be clear, I don’t actually have a problem with the TV show, because I do actually love that, and I do actually love Back To Earth, which is actually a pretty good show. Not their finest, but not bad. I do, however, have a problem with the annoying prick that is running the Red Dwarf website these days.
Specifically, this news post is probably the most fine example of retardation that I have ever seen from any offical source, ever. While the author raises many valid points, in that comments left on Amazon and HMV where indeed misinformed and unfair, I question the logic of having to parade this on the official website, for what is, at the end of the day, human error.
The part I have major problems with though is the propaganda. I’m not entirely sure what shade of rose this guy tint’s his glasses with, but he must be as blind a fucking bat. Honestly.
Firstly, parading out the excuse that ”reviewers didn’t really like us much anyway” – then stating that a rating on HMV / Play.com etc. of three stars is “interestingly balanced”, is nothing short of rediculous, not least because those are user influenced scores.
I’ve also never seen such a strong case put forward to say that decline in viewership was a good thing. I almost believe that shedding 1/3rd of your audience in the space of 48 hours is actually something to celebrate. Hell, I might just pop the champaigne cork now.
They really need to put a leash on this guy.
