Kingdom Hearts

Specifically, "Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep" for the PSP.

I was introduced to the game on PS2 and played through Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II.

I understand that sometimes companies like to make a prequel to current titles (ie. God of War for PSP). It makes playing the game and understand the story fun. However, I have a slight issue with Kingdom Hearts. While the story shouldn't be that confusing, it is the release of the games that annoys me.

So, according to the Kingdom Hearts wikipedia, this is the order of the games...

Birth by Sleep (PSP)
Kingdom Hearts (PS2)
Chain of Memories (GBA, re-released on PS2)
358/2 Days (NDS)
Kingdom Hearts II (PS2)
coded (mobile phone)
Dream Drop Distance (future title)
Kingdom Hearts III (future title)

Here's the issue... they released games on other platform that some fans may own. They did re-release some on PS2 but some titles were only available in Japan. I don't think I would spend money on a console for just ONE game.

I thought Birth by Sleep was pretty fun in game play. The fact that you need to play ALL three characters to understand the whole story makes the game that much more re-playable. Although, each character's game play is only about 8-10 hours depends on if you are the treasure loving person. And if you collect all of them, you there is a "Final Episode" that concludes all three storylines.

Which brings me to my issue... what the heck happened? Birth by Sleep (BbS) is suppose to be the prequel to Kingdom Hearts (KH) but after finishing BbS, I am having trouble connecting the stories. How does the 3 characters link to the KH main characters? What's gonna happen to the girl who sacrificed herself to save her friends?

Gameplay wise, it's just like the original KH but I find that sometimes the buttons would not respond to what I do and I get killed... one thing I did learn from this game is how the "block" is quite handy in beating bosses. You could literally stand there, smash the block key and counter attack and win.

I think I need to replay KH and KH2...

Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus

That's a mouthful title, isn't it?

So where do I begin? First... THIS because it's easier for you to click on IMDB's webpage and read about it.

Then watch this:


Earlier this year I lost 300GB of stuff on my hard drive. I still haven't been able to access it without paying way too much money for those data recovery service. In the past few days (or week), I have been redownloading everything that I had... or at least, that I can remember. I had photos, movies, musics, ebooks, comics and tv shows. This was not a part of the lost data. However, I'd figure it is better to have a digital copy then to go and dig out my VHS tape. Yes, you read that right... VHS tape!

This movie was released in 1997 (and I was still in high school) and I remember seeing the VHS being sold in my weekly flyer at a store called "Bi-Way." It is an early 90s version of an upscale dollar store, sorta speak. And this VHS was advertised for $14.99CAD and I think I cut the ad down and saved it in some box somewhere in my house.

Being a fan of Hercules and Xena TV Show, I really wanted this. It was direct to home video. I may eventually go and find the DVD copy (for the extras) but the downloaded version will have to do.

If you recall the year 1997, Power Rangers was in its 3rd spin-off as "Power Rangers Turbo." Fox Kids was literally at its height. You have cartoons like Spiderman, X-Men, and there were some Batman cartoon. So, it was some good times.

When I popped in the VHS into the VCR (google them if you have no clue what a VHS and VCR is), I was very confused! And almost 15 years later, I am still confused. Watch the trailer again...

What I found really strange was the quality of the animation. It was done in a very 1950s era cartoon like Bugs Bunny or even 1960s Spiderman. I am not sure if they wanted to keep the budget low or done in an artistic way. Some of the scene's background are a very nice looking painting...

Another thing about the animation is... all the character's were left handed. I can never figure out if this was because the animators (all Koreans as seen at the end credits) were drawing a mirror image of themselves or they were all left handed. Some scenes were showing them as right handed but it was only 10% and it is these minor things that bugs me.

Now that I rewatched again, boy did the script not live up to its live action show. There were no depth. It seems to be one of those "ok, height of the TV shows... let's milk it for what it's worth." There were some humours in the animation but it certainly missed the "Oomph" of the TV show.

The highlight, of course, is hearing Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Lucy Lawless (Xena), Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle), and the late Kevin Smith (Ares) reprise the role for the animation. Also as a treat, fans of the show get to hear Lucy Lawless sing! (It's about half way through the movie)

As a fan of the show, I still love it even with the cheese factor to the max. Although, I am really not sure where the VHS is...

There are other Hercules and Xena related media out there. However, I have actually been disappointed with most of them.

Hercules: The Legendary Journey comics released by Topps
Xena: Warrior Princess comics released by three different companies: Topps, Dark Horse and Dynamite
A Hercules: The Legendary Journey Game Boy Color game...
A very poor Xena: Warrior Princess Game Boy Color game
A Hercules: The Legendary Journey N64 game
A Xena: Warrior Princess: The Talisman of Fate N64 game that is a fighting game
A pretty decent Xena: Warrior Princess Playstation (PS1) game
A horrifically TERRIBLE Xena: Warrior Princess Playstation 2 game that's only available in UK PAL (and I downloaded this... it's VERY boring. I'm not even sure if it's worth buying for collection)

Some fans are still waiting for this Xena movie... I think most fans would be happy if they made a game with the show's writer and gave the game a God of War like treatment. I will post my idea in another post...

JP Arencibia Autograph Rookie Card

So, last week on twitter, Toronto Blue Jays' rookie catcher JP Arencibia tweeted a contest that Topps, the trading card company, was giving away an autograph rookie card signed by JP himself.

I saw that on my blackberry and though "hey, why not?" and followed Topps... 2 days later, I received a mention from Topps that said I won...

My first thought was, "seriously? I won? Really? Of the 7000+ followers that Topps have, I won?" then I just laughed and replied "Omg... I just won a @jparencibia9 autograph card!! Thank you @toppscards how do I get it now?? Lol"

Well, no joke. I send them my address and today... I saw a package on my door step.


Yes, it was a bit dirty. But that's ok, it's what inside that counts...


Package within a package? UPS? How dare they just leave it at the door step... what if someone just took it?? Topps didn't use the signature required option which would cost an extra $5? But I got it, that's all that matters...


Woah! Talk about a package within a package within a package! Now THAT'S security!


We're finally here!! One autographed JP Arencibia rookie card!

What's really nice about this is that the picture on the card was his first game and his curtain call!

This was his line for the game:

4-5 (2HR, 2B, 1B, 3RBI)

Now, I have a piece of JP... at least, his autograph.

Why can't today's video game be like what it used to be?

Last week, I finished playing Red Dead Redemption (RDR). It was $20 from Wal-Mart... watched some gameplay video on youtube and thought it might be a fun game to play. It was... but (and you know there's always a but!) why is there no "ending?"

I went and played online a bit. It was ok. However, I think I really missed the good 'ol multiplayer online days (I used to play Quake II) but that is besides the point.

I am almost done playing Ratchet and Clank: Crack in Time. I love the series: great humour, awesome weapons and a lovable Lombax.

I think I'm going off topic...

So, remember the good old days of console gaming? I mean, even I would consider the Playstation 2 a "good old days."

My problems with current games and consoles...

1) The games "never ends." Great examples? Assassin's Creed series and Red Dead Redemption (because I own and played them). You finished the story but you can still continue to play the game without REALLY finishing the game. The only point to continue is to collect things which doesn't do much for the storyline. Sure, it's great to unlock the "unicorn" or the "golden gun" but ask yourself this, "does it help with gameplay?" NO! Now that you've got the most powerful item in the game... there is no one to terrorize! And once you're done collecting, now what? Yes, you can play the side stories but isn't it more entertaining to play them WHILE playing the story and not after the fact? There is no more big bad boss to fight... no ridiculous impossible side mission (maybe there is but I usually finish most side missions within the game)... and don't go picking on NPC (Non-Playing Character), they just run like headless chicken!

2) Developers make a decent game but with a half-ass job. You KNOW what I'm talking about? If you don't, let me use Assassin's Creed II (AC2) as an example. Yes? Understand now? No? I shall explain it in details.

Assassin's Creed II... such a nice conspiracy story and you just finished "Sequence 11" and it just jumps to "Sequence 14." What the fuck?! How can there be 2 sequence missing? The game character says, they "can't access corrupted memory." And THEN you realized that it's not "missing," they just want you to pay to complete the story! But if you bought the PC version, all the memories are there. THAT is such a rip-off. Not only did you just pay $40 for a game, you now have you shell out another $10-$15 so you can complete the whole friggin' story!

There is a difference between adding more content to enhance a game (like expansion Undead Nightmare for RDR or map packs for Call of Duty, etc - and you know what? People used to do this for free as a mod) and making section of games missing.

This image best illustrate the problem/issue:


Why can't they just make a game that has an ending and when you're done, you're done? Ratchet and Clank and God of War has done it right... finish the game, try your luck on harder level or with cheats! Or do what inFamous has done, 2 different endings (which I've only finished the Good side...).

3) Collecting things... Yes, it's cool to collect things that unlock things to enhance gameplay... but do you have to make some achievement ridiculously difficult? Or maybe I just suck sometimes. I don't have time or the patients to try to achieve some ridonculous "skills."

4) While we're on the topic of collecting things... trophies, trophies, trophies. Playstaion 3, I am looking at YOU! All the games have a notorious "platinum" trophy which I like to dub "Have no life except to try to collect everything" trophy. I really have nothing against collecting trophies. I actually think it is a cool thing when you hear "ding!" and you see you've unlocked a trophy. But seriously, to collect all the trophies to get the grand fromage trophy is excessive, don't you think?

I don't play much multiplayer with my console (for games like Call of Duty, I will always be a keyboard and mouse gal!) and some games (Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (ACB), RDR, Little Big Planet) contain trophies that can only be achieved through multiplayer. What's more, if you buy a game that was released a few years ago and a sequel was then released, the chance of you getting that "community" trophy is almost impossible if everyone have moved onto playing the new version.

5) I should get a 5th point in... it doesn't bug me as much but it's still an important point. $60 for games newly released... They eventually drop in prices to $30. I know they have to pay their programmers, testers, graphic designers and voice over people. But why would I spend $60 on a game that will eventually drop in price? Assassin's Creed games drops almost 50% within 6 months... I got ACB for $20 (Wal-mart had priced it for $20 and Futureshop still had it for $60... price matched and $18 for the game). True that some games may be sold out and probably worth the $50-$60 price tag (Remember Dance Dance Revolution? It was a revolution alright... impossible to find. I luckily got a copy of Dance Dance Revolution Disney mix for $25 off ebay, I think it still sells for $70-$100 off ebay - just search "dance revolution disney mix, NTSC-US version $70!)

No, I'm not done with money... Another thing that annoys me is now they release "Collector's Edition" which I don't know how "collectible" they are. I suppose if you buy and keep it sealed yes. But who will actually go and spend $200 to buy TWO copies (they cost $100 each)? And what you get is trinkets... AS2 has its Ezio statue, inFamous2 has its usable pouch/bag (which I saw someone use at Fan Expo in Toronto), God of War III has its plastic box.

I do have some of these collectibles because I grew up playing them on TurboGrafx-16... the Ys games for PSP that was release in North America by Xseed... the "Premium Edition" has a music CD while another one had this cloth map, and it only cost $40.

When Street Fighter 2: 15th Anniversary came out for PS2, I did buy it and it came with an Akuma plastic bust... It was free. Hey, I'm not going to complain!



If I really like the series and if the collectible is cool, I think I will buy it... but not at the price of $100.

And just to end off this blog, I post a picture from RDR:

I do find this funny because it's a Chinese laundromat in the "mid-west" where racism is probably a common thing. The Chinese writing? "Welcome."

Go Jays Go

Hey, I am not a bandwagonner... I do cheer and watch the Blue Jays. I think the only reason why the Blue Jays can draw no more then 23,000 average is the economy of baseball.

How do you expect to be competitive when you are in the same division as 2 teams that who just buy what they need? But the Jays are moving in the right direction. Oh man... Bautista and Lawrie are the biggest names RIGHT now!

But that's not what this post is about... There have been talks about ways to expand the Blue Jays' fandom. When there was the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos, it was Montreal is Quebec's team and Toronto is English Canada's team. Remember 1992 to 1994? I would have LOVED to have seen both the Jays and Expos in the playoff. I wonder if 92 or 93 Jays vs 94 Expos, who really would have won? I really sucked to see the Expos leave...

So, according to the Ottawa Citizen, there is a possibility of a AA team in the nation's capital by 2013 or 2014. And you know this has probably been talked for a while but very likely that Mr. Brett Lawrie is the catalyst of bring the issues to the light.

The Blue Jays have already placed a single-A affiliate in Vancouver and it only make sense to have minor league affiliate in other major Canadian cities.

Previous Blue Jays minor league affiliate in Canada were: Medicine Hat Blue Jays, and St. Catharine's Stompers or Blue Jays.

There had also been Canadian cities that had minor league teams not affiliated with the Blue Jays: Calgary Cannons, Edmonton Trappers, and Ottawa Lynx are the ones I can name off the top of my head. A list of defunct teams here.

So, as mentioned, an AA team in Ottawa I think it's a great idea and why not revive the Lynx? Though I've never seen an Ottawa Lynx game... but why stop there? I think if it's possible, the Blue Jays should find an owner who would purchase Las Vegas 51s and move them to Montreal. But I wouldn't call them the Montreal Expos, unless they're a major league team. So, why not Montreal Royals? I think Bell Media should consider making a purchase and move the team if not Montreal then Quebec City.

Some people might ask "why would Bell work with a rival company like Rogers?" Simple. Just look at the Olympic Consortium. It worked, didn't it? And how did the broadcast of 2010 Vancouver Olympic go? Near perfection. So, why not? And if Bell Media doesn't want in on the action, I'm sure a Quebec company like Videotron might (Although, I'm sure they want the Nordiques back first... I agree).

I don't see a down side. You will have a sound financial backing and have the opportunity to showcase future major league stars. Imagine an AA in Ottawa and an AAA in Montreal/Quebec and baseball fans in Canada would have had the opportunity to see future stars like Kyle Drebek, Brett Lawrie, and Adeiny Hechavarria.

And while we're on the topic of an affiliate in Quebec, the owners would be wise enough to at least teach the players a little bit of français.

I think this would be neat:
AL Toronto Blue Jays
AAA Montreal Royals/Quebec Metros (AA 1971-77)
AA Ottawa Lynx
A Vancouver Canadians

If you can have another team or two in Alberta in the Rookie A ball, then the organization will truly be coast-to-coast.

The Blue Jays have already been coast-to-coast this winter to promote the Jays. I think it's time for the next step to return minor league pro team back to some cities.

I got kicked out of a department store...

But it is not what you think...

It was Sunday, August 21 2011, my friend had BBM me 9 in the morning and asked if I wanted to go for dim sum. Sure, why not?

So, I get to her house and she was not ready. Fine, I'll take the time to search for a restaurant that's IN the area. Nothing. The closet one was near the airport at Doubletree by Hilton or out in Mississauga. We decided on the Doubletree...

Dim sum was good. The restaurant was good but perhaps a bit expensive but considering what we ordered... I was satisfied except for the parking. However, it is airport area and paying for parking is a norm...

After our lunch, she wanted to get sandals. I thought we were heading to Vaughan Mills but instead we went to a small mall close to where she lives, Yorkgate Mall (in the Jane/Finch area). As we were driving on the highway, I did notice the dark cloud but ignored the fact.

We get to the mall and she didn't find what she was looking for at a store called Payless (what I like to call "cheaply made shoes pretending to be nice" store), so I suggested we try Zellers (not that much better since they'll be turning into Targets).

While at Zellers, I heard the thunder and rain and was glad I had my umbrella. I went to the electronics department hoping to find some cheap stuff.

PA: "Attention all customers, please proceed to the front of the store... ... ... ..."

That's all I heard and I ignored it.

Friend: "What did it say?"
Me: "Something about going to the front..."

As I was browsing,
Store Clerk: "Yea, it happens all the time."
Elderly gentleman in a suit with his family said, "Can I help carry the TV out?"

I still had no clue what's going on, just looking for a deal...

A different store clerk: "I'm sorry but we need you to be at the front of the store because the store is flooding..."

Me: "Ok..."

Friend: "What? Did he say flooding?" Laughs.

We walked to the front cashier and to the left there was a pillar with water at the bottom. You can also hear a water vaccum turned on. A few step close to the cashier, I looked left and in the clothing department, more water on the floor.

Quickly on twitter and facebook...

"Getting kicked out of Zellers not because we stole something... but because the store is flooding..."

Proposed new rules for 2011-2012 NHL season

So each year, the rules are tested to make the game more exciting...

Here's what I think:

OVERTIME

Seven minutes of overtime instead of five with both 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 scenarios tested. Three minutes of 3-on-3 play to follow four minutes of scoreless 4-on-4 action. More offence is expected to be generated.

Uber lame... 4-on-4 is ok... but to go 3-on-3 is like watching road hockey or something. Why?

SHOOTOUTS

Five players from each team will shoot and if the score remains tied, the same players can take another crack in a sudden-death format. Same rule applies for proposed three-player shootouts.

This was lame to begin with. It was introduced for the American audience that don't even care about hockey. Scrap the shootout... game ending in a tie is not the end of the world!

GAME PLAY

• No touch icing. Whistle blows as soon as puck crosses line so potential dangerous situations are eliminated.

It's a good idea... since when I play, we have no touch anyway. Hopefully that means less broken legs... Although, I've seen those dirty players that just put the blade of their stick at the other skater's foot causing them to fall.

• Hybrid icing. If an official determines the attacking player would get to puck first, no whistle is blown but if he thinks defender will be first, whistle is immediately blown as soon as puck crosses line. Dangerous collisions should be avoided.

This is good but it all will come down to the ref's judgement that some teams may not like when it's against them... maybe on icing, a race to the blue line. If a defensive player reach own defensive blueline before the offensive player, it's icing. When offensive player reach offensive blueline (the same one was the defensive) then it's no icing.

• No icing permitted while shorthanded.

Doesn't make sense to me...

• Line changes only permitted on the fly except after goals and on power plays.

This is kinda dumb... I know it helps speed up the game. I played in a tournament where they used this rule in OT. After a 4-on-4 overtime, a 3-on-3 change on the fly only was played before shootout.

• Allow hand passes in all zones instead of just defensive zone.

This is not basketball! That's why hockey is played with a stick!

• No line changes for offending team committing an offside until next play stoppage. Tired players will remain on ice, coaches won’t get key matchups and more offence will result.

Don't like this either. Accidents happen.

BEAR HUG

Players will be permitted to wrap their opponent up when taking him into the boards without being called for a holding penalty. This could limit dangerous hits along the boards while allowing body contact and the ability to play the man.

Brian Burke's idea... if it helps reduce concussions. I think it will.

FACEOFFS

• Officials will drop the puck in the offending team’s zone following an offside, potentially leading to more goal scoring.

Not really...

• All faceoffs in circles.

Only the neutral zone faceoff doesn't have circles... what's the point?

• A designated linesman will drop puck for all faceoffs in an effort to bring consistency to the faceoff.

How does that help "consistancy"? Maybe he had too much coffee before the game or he has a cold...

LINE CHANGES

Limiting line changes at stoppages in play should speed up the action.

How about team gets 15sec to change? If not lined up then the players that were on the ice must come back.

GOALIES

• Removing the trapezoid that restricts goaltenders’ puck-handling, allowing goaltender to play puck anywhere.

This was one of the reason why some defencemen were getting hurt.

• Strict enforcement of goaltenders covering puck outside crease. Goalies not permitted to cover puck unless they have skate contact with the crease.

This could be interesting...

PENALTIES

• For delayed penalties, the offending team must exit the zone in possession of puck to stop play. It should give the non-offending team more time with an extra attacker and potentially generate more offence.

It's fine the way it is now!

• All penalties to be served in their entirety. Increased goal scoring should result.

You already do that with a major penalty... it's a minor penalty. Leave it!

NETS

• A yellow verification line parallel to the goal line, set back slightly more than 3 inches (size of the puck) from the goal line. It should help off-ice officials determine if a disputed goal has been scored. In the event there is something (water bottle, glove, pad, etc.) blocking the view of the goal line, this line could be used to “verify” that the puck has completely crossed the goal line.

How many goals needed this verification? It could be useful.

• Looking at a 40-inch deep “shallow net” instead of existing 44-inch deep net frame. Supposed to provide more ice behind the net, improve passing angles and makes it easier for wrap-around attempts.

Will it make a difference?

CAMERA

• New camera angles include in-net cams and mounted cams focused on the goal line to help verify goals.

Don't they do in-net cams already? What they REALLY need is a camera that's UNDERNEATH the ice

• Overhead cameras to assist Hockey Operations reviews of various game situations

What situations will require an overhead camera?