cthacher's GameLogBlogging the experience of gameplayhttps://www.gamelog.cl/gamers/GamerPage.php?idgamer=210Super Smash Brothers (N64) - Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:36:58https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1359Cody Thacher Entry #2 The second time playing this game was a four hour smash brothers extravaganza. This game is great to play for large periods of time because every battle is different, and with different combinations of teams and power ups, this game does not get old. The characters are all established through previous video games and so they already have a strong familiarity with the players. The game has classic characters such as Donkey Kong, Link, and Mario. As well as some more recent characters such as Ness. However, every character is unique and has different advantages and disadvantages. This game is a classic for a reason. It is a clear demonstration of how a game can lack complexity, yet still be addicting and fun. Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:36:58 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1359&iddiary=2908Super Smash Brothers (N64) - Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:34:36https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1359Cody Thacher Entry #1 This game is really great for multi player game play. It allows for up to four players to play simultaneously on one screen without the annoyance of split screens. Although, the single player mode of this game is not very good because the game is made for multi player it seems. There is not very much to do in the game other than fight, and this makes the game rather simple. But, it is this simplicity that makes the game so great. It is fun to play and easy to play over and over. The game does have variations of game exhaustion such as health and number of lives. But, it also has the option to get power ups during the game, allowing for more attack options. This game is great for hanging out with friends and makes playing video games into a social event.Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:34:36 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1359&iddiary=2891Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) - Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:56:34https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1186Cody Thacher Entry #2 The second time around playing this game was just as amazing as the first. This game goes into very good detail in the game play. The sniper battle with The End, an elderly sniping master, was intense and realistic. The first time playing this battle (before learning tricks to beat him) involved a few hours of sitting and waiting for someone to get hungry and have to hunt for more food. This was far better than any sniper situation I have ever encountered because it was not run, run and bang, bang, it was a more realistic battle involving patients and skill. This game is segmented by challenges as well as narative segmentations. This creates a gameplay that is both difficult and addicting because the player becomes interested in not only the game play but the story itself. With an interesting variation of game exhaustions (health, stamina, medical equipment, and in some cases time) this game is unrivaled by any in its genre...At least in my opinion. It is a game that one can play over and over.Fri, 09 Feb 2007 01:56:34 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1186&iddiary=2554Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) - Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:30:15https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1186Cody Thacher Entry #1 This game is so cool. It is one of the most realistic, nitty-gritty, action game I have ever played. This game is not like the fantasy world of health packs and power ups. If Snake gets injured he has to give him self medical treatment in the field. You have to hunt to eat, and if you don't then snake gets tired. The hand to hand combat is intense and the camoflouge can not be found in any other game. This game puts the player in the fighting, involving them in every aspect. There are a series of tricks that one can play on the enemy, and along with taking hostages, avoiding traps, sniping enemies and setting mine traps, this game is the best MSG since the original. The characters are established throughout gameplay by the usual MSG intercom, but the cut scenes are more realistic and the story line in captivating. This game is really somthing else, and I am excited to play it again.Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:30:15 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=1186&iddiary=2532Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:58:22https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=968Entry#2 The second time playing this game was, as I thought, better than the first. This game is so epic. However, there are some problems with gameplay, or at least in my opinion. I find it disappointing that you can not level up or get new weapons, or any customizing options for that matter. The game is very simple and straight foward, kill big monsters, and that is all well and good, but in the end I feel that it lacks substance. The game is challenge segmented by bosses, and this is really fun because you just play one boss after another boss. Also, the game exhaustion does not really effect the game in a negative way. Health and grip stamina can be exhausted, but the game does not have severe penalties for exhaustion, you simply come back to life and take another shot at slaying which ever beast you happen to be fighting. All in all this game is very fun and captivating. It is very easy to spend a few hours playing this game and not even notice it. This game is a classic because of its unique gameplaying experience.Tue, 30 Jan 2007 22:58:22 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=968&iddiary=2121Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:33:46https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=968Cody Thacher Entry#1 This game is amazing! The plot is somewhat weakly established and loosely followed. However, the epic nature of gameplay and graphics more than compensates for the lack of story. The game has very few characters, and centers around a man asking a god to bring his girlfriend back to life. The god then tells the hero to run around and kill several Colossi. However, in this game I feel like the story line is secondary to the desire to hunt and kill giant monsters. The map of this game is very extensive and looks beautiful. Similarily, the horse riding and body movement of colossi is very life like. However, the rules of this game create limitations around the players freedom of movement. For example, the horse does not jump, and getting on the horse is difficult because the jump button is the same button used for mounting the horse. Many times I try to get on the horse and only end up jumping up and down next to it. This game does not have a multiplayer option, and I always tend to find that to be disappointing in video games. But, the first time I climbed the fur of a giant beast to stab at it's head I knew I have never played a game as amazing as this.Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:33:46 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=968&iddiary=2112Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:35:44https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=765Cody Thacher Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas Part II After playing this game for another thirty or so minutes, I have realized that the game does not run as smooth as others. The animation is choppy at some point and its not overly realistic. However, I don't think these were the aims of the game desingers and the large map and options make up for these small problems. The one thing about the game that I do not like very much is that the game is not multiplayer. There is a few small parts where there can be a second player, but it is rather limited and easy to lose interest in. The game would be much more fun to play with friends if there was a multiplayer kind of battle mode perhaps. The story line of the game is a pretty entertaining story but also a little bit ridiculous at the same time. It is fun and addicting with cliff hangers and twists, but the feel of it is kind of silly. The guest characters though are very funny and cool, and I also really enjoy the fighter jet and helicopter. This game does things that no games have come close to doing. The amount of actions that one can do in this game, including gamebling and target practice, can not be found in any other game. This game is indeed a classic.Fri, 19 Jan 2007 02:35:44 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=765&iddiary=1704Shadow of the Colossus (PS2) - Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:59:55https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=765Cody Thacher Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas (PS2) I have played this game before and have beaten it so for the first hour of gamelplay for this log I have been roaming free through the city. This is when the game is at its best because everything is unlocked and I know a lot of the secret vehicles and areas. The gameplay is unlike any other game I have ever played, in that it is so addicting and fun to just rampage around a city. The map is huge and takes a good while to go from one end to the other so I never really feel like I am limited in my options of where to start a new riot. The game keeps the player interested by allowing for several options like different types of weapons and vehicles. You can even customize the clothes, body type, hair and even tattoos of your character. The game is realistic because you have to go to the gym to get muscle, and eat right to stay healty and buy new clothes and property to begin you're take over of the city. The game is also fun for those watching the game play because of its bloody and outrages gameplay. There is never a dull moment in this game. One of the best things about this game is that it is not difficult of complex to learn. It is an easy game with little to remember other than some basic controls, no complex spells or magic.Fri, 19 Jan 2007 01:59:55 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=765&iddiary=1693Guitar Hero II (PS2) - Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:18:05https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=424Cody Thacher Guitar Hero2 Part 2 After playing the game for a second time I feel like it has become much easier and more enjoyable. This time I played for about another hour and felt like it was starting to make more sense. One thing I have realized about the game is how little one seems to notice the lack of story line to the game. However, the point of the game is not a story, and it does not need cut scenes. The game is designed in a way to be fun and addicting without cliff hangers or plot twists. This is all because of the way a player can truly interact and play the guitar. This game is really cool, and a very brilliant idea. I feel it is a large step towards the future of video gaming.Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:18:05 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=424&iddiary=1308Guitar Hero II (PS2) - Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:14:49https://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=424Cody Thacher Guitar Hero2 This is the first time I have played this game. It is very difficult to pick up on at first. As a guitar player I felt like it was learning to play guitar all over again. It was hard at first to remember what color went with which finger, but I was quickly able to make the neccessary adjustments and start rocking. The game progresses in a way that allows you to build upon your skills, baby steps if you will. The characters are based on sterotypical images of rockers, punk rockers, and hard rockers, and the guitars are perfect for rocking. There is very little story line to the game and it, in my opinion, is much more fun to play with friends than it is to play a career. The competitive element of the game makes playing each song that much more interesting. This also makes the game exciting for people who are watching the game. The game has a poor reward structure and is not all that reinforcing, the main form of reinforcment is the song sounding good. It seems as if the game is limited by its lack of options and story. I also felt that the only thing that kept the player interested in the game is the physical part of playing the game. The game itself is pretty fun, but what makes it a game that is addicting is the fact that you have a little guitar to use instead of a regular controller. Fri, 12 Jan 2007 02:14:49 CSThttps://www.gamelog.cl/logs/LogPage.php?Log_Id=424&iddiary=1305