Release Date: July, 1987
Platform: NES
Developer: Nintendo

Kid Icarus has an odd place in the history of the NES.  It seems to be one of those rare games that has a massive following but remains underrated. Part of the problem is that it was developed by the same people who made Metroid and was released not too long after.  The game have similarities and it's hard not to compare them.  However, when this guy compares them, Kid Icarus comes out on top.

You control Pit, a little dude with useless wings and a bow and arrow.  Traversing both vertical and horizontal scrolling areas, Pit must upgrade his skills and collect the three treasures stolen by Medusa and her minions.  Since I already brought up Metroid (and since many who would consider playing Kid Icarus have already played it), let's compare the two games.

Controls
While Pit has some difficult jumps to make, the control is absolutely fluid.  He responds quickly to every command, so getting past difficult parts is left completely to the player's hand-eye coordination.  In Metroid, Samus responds fine to player input but RAM issues cause some serious slowdown issues in delicate areas.  Also, when Samus gets hit she bounces back a good half-mile, often into a lava pit.  Pit just stays where he is.

Level Design
Metroid essentially has one level with different sections that you can move in and out of.  In other words, it is mostly a non-linear game.  Kid Icarus is linear and has defined levels, so it's hard to directly compare them.  Each have their faults, however.  Some of the areas of Metroid begin to look samey, and the insane amounts of backtracking one has to do can get irritating.  However, when one learns the game, planning can be done to avoid this.  While this problem is avoided with Kid Icarus, it's ridiculous in that on vertical levels, you cannot fall below the bottom of the screen even a centimeter, otherwise you die.  Otherwise, I found both games to be quite creative.

Enemies
Both games have many sets of enemies that act similarly to one another.  Metroid has basically a few categories.  Enemies that crawl along walls, ones that come out of pits, and ones that fly down from the ceiling.  Kid Icarus has enemies that crawl, fall out of the sky, or come at you with a zig-zag pattern.  However, where Kid Icarus shines are the three dungeons.  The highlight is the eggplant wizards, who throw eggplants at you that turn you into a whale, making you backtrack through several rooms to find a nurse.

Bosses
Kid Icarus has the cerberus, the dragon, the floating bubble, and Medusa.  Metroid has Kraid, Ridley, and Mother Brain.  While there is a bit more variety in the Kid Icarus bosses, all of them are insanely easy to beat.  Medusa is insultingly easy, possibly the easiest final boss in all of video game history.  Kraid and Ridley are a bit similar for my tastes, but at least they are hard.  And Mother Brain is appropriately difficult as well.

Graphics
Metroid is dark, dark, and more dark.  Kid Icarus is more colorful, but has some truly awful backgrounds.

Sound
Metroid has beautiful, haunting music appropriate to the game's setting.  Kid Icarus has an annoying, looping tune that is just a bit too chirpy.  And the sound effects when Pit hits an enemy with an arrow are shrill to put it mildly.  The dungeon music is good.

Weapons/Items
Pit mostly uses his bow and arrow, which he upgrades by getting more points.  He also can win many a helpful item by winning games of chance, enduring skills trainings, or buying them in stores (or the black market).  Perhaps my favorite part is that in the dungeons, he can use hammers to break free centurions (turned to stone) who can then help them in boss battles. Metroid also has many awesome upgrades, my favorite being the screw attack.  All things said, I just like the variety with Kid Icarus a bit more.

Story
While this only a minor concern for both games, it is always nice for the player to be rewarded at the end of the game for a job well done.  With Metroid, you find out you're a girl.  Pit rescues some princess, and the more points he has, the beefier his muscles get (and presumably, the greater the chance of him scoring further).  There are several endings, at least.

Challenge
Kid Icarus is quite difficult, for about four stages.  However, as Pit upgrades, the enemies don't get harder.  Thus, the game gets progressively easy until the final stage, which is the easiest yet.  Meanwhile, Metroid has above average difficulty that is consistent throughout, becoming even harder in the final room.   Unfortunately, part of Metroid's challenge is with the control.  At least both games provide great fun with unnecessarily long passwords you can copy, take ten minutes to input, and then pray you get your game back.

Summary
While Metroid is technically more proficient in a lot of areas, the game requires immense patience as the player must slowly learn a map that is difficult to traverse while at the same time struggling with some pretty mediocre controls.  Many of the problems with this game were fixed in Super Metroid and further releases.  Kid Icarus still holds up well over time and it's disappointing that it wasn't popular enough to spawn numerous sequels, settling for one mere Gameboy release twenty years ago.  It certainly had the makings of a storied franchise right from the beginning.

Whatcha playing?

Release Date:  June 5, 1995
Platform: Super Nintendo
Developer:  APE; HAL Laboratory

Considered a cult classic, I have never known anyone personally to dislike this RPG.  In fact, I am not sure I know anyone who doesn't love it like crazy.  But when the market for RPGs was still trying to gain steam in America, Earthbound had no place and the sales figures were awful.  Released in a huge box with a huge strategy guide, Earthbound was obviously quirky from the start.  While on the surface the game seems little more than a goofy parody of American culture and other RPGs, herein lies a high-quality adventure with a gripping story and superb game mechanics.

Controlling a kid named Ness, you unwittingly go on to save humanity after a meteorite crashes in your hometown.  Along the way you pick up some of your friends and hobnob with aliens, dinosaurs, talking moles, and ruthless businessmen.  With weapons like baseball bats and healing techniques like prayer and eating hamburgers, it is obvious the game is not concerned about the typical fantasy world RPGers play in.  You call your parents to save your game.  You access ATM booths for cash.   And for the most part, the kids you control talk and act like kids.  It's charming as hell.

Unfortunately, I think the unconventional theme along with simple (but colorful) graphics and music turned a lot of people away.  But there's more to like beyond its originality.  It was the first RPG I played that had a rolling hit point meter, meaning if your allies could heal you before your HP got down to zero, you'd be okay.  The learning curve is gradual, but the game is certainly not easy (like say Mystic Quest).  Battles have to be planned, and there's a few spots, especially late in the game, where's there an ass-kicking (yours) or two in store.  There's also some high-quality, dynamic puzzle solving involved, thus the game doesn't mindlessly send you from point A to point B from beginning to end.  And quite unlike most RPGs, the last half of the game isn't nauseating side-questing-until-you-completely-forget-to-go-beat-the-final-boss nonsense.

There really is little more you could ask out of Earthbound.  If you love RPGs and you haven't played this, it's a damn shame.  You'll spend a lot of time grinning from ear to ear when you do.

Two months in a row now I've recommended a classic but unheralded RPG, so now I'd like to hear from ya'll.  What is your favorite RPG?  What gem have I perhaps missed that I should really get around to playing?

Release Date:  November, 1991
System:  Game Boy
Developer:  Square

It's hard to say a game with a Final Fantasy name is unheralded, but in 1991, there had only been two games released in North America with the name.   Those two were the original game for the NES, and the dreadfully dull, long, and difficult first game in the Legend series.  Square had yet to release Final Fantasy II in America (also, not much of a loss).  So the name in 1991 wasn't an automatic gold mine.   It wasn't until IV and VI came out that RPGs became a huge thing in America, and then of course with VII things really exploded.

Known as Sa·Ga Japan, Square slapped on the name Final Fantasy in hopes of boosting sales.  It worked in my case, as I asked for the game despite hating the prequel.  And I'm very glad I did.  The thing is, I really can't recommend this RPG from a battle perspective.  For starters, you can only use your weapons a limited number of times before you have to go back to the store to buy it again (or upgrade).  While this is realistic for some weapons (a club, say), I shouldn't need to have my DIAMOND sword replaced after fifty battles.  Also, abilities are improved based on what you do inside a battle (just like Final Fantasty II).  Win by casting magic?  Your magic power will improve.  Win by fighting?  Your strength will improve.  While in some respects this may seem realistic, it winds up feeling like busy work and one's characters lose variety unless you work at it.  Finally, you'll spend a bit of time leveling up.

Now for the good parts.  Like in nearly all old-school RPGs, you choose what types of characters you bring along (and their names).   While it doesn't allow for any story development outside the main character, it can make the battles more fun.  You choose between humans, mutants, robots, and monsters.  Robots can win upgraded parts in battles, while monsters naturally improve by eating the meats of other monsters.  The variety isn't perhaps quite as good as in the original Final Fantasy, but it's solid.

But the reason why you should play this game if you love RPGs is the story.  It was the best story any RPG had until Final Fantasy IV, and it still holds up well today.  Not only are the locations a blast (you actually go inside someone's body and explore their intestines at one point), but the story develops well throughout the game and it's a tearjerker unless you kill kittens for a living.  On top of all this, the soundtrack is insanely good, even for the old Gameboy.

The game was upgraded and released for the DS in 2009, but so far it hasn't been ported to America yet, which is likely due to the underwhelming sales it had in the 90's.  But I will get it pronto if it does sail the Pacific.

What ya'll playing?

Release Date:  1987
System:  PC, Macintosh, Apple II, Amiga, Commodore 64, Atari ST
Developer:  Infocom

Have you ever wanted to get a nice juicy steak, but all you had was a stake?  Have you ever wanted to literally kill two birds with one stone?  Or have you come across a pretty girl and it made you long for a gritty pearl?  Then you should definitely help out Nord and Bert, because they truly can't make hails or teds of it.  Wait, um...

Still my favorite language based game ever, this game has you playing with homonyms, spoonerisms, idioms, and other plays on our language and culture in order to help save the town of Punster from total chaos.  There's no real story.  No illusion of purpose behind any of the puzzles.  Just dig in and get your lexicon dirty.

You can play this, or any Infocom here at this site for free.  Unfortunately, while you can save the game while the browser is open, it's gone when you close.  Otherwise, you can look for it on abandonware sites or purchase the game at on-line stores from private sellers.  It doesn't look like Activision (who I believe still holds the rights) is selling them anymore.

By the way, CDX from last month still isn't working.  Sorry for that, fellas.  I'll keep checking periodically and let you all know if it comes back.

Next month I'll get back to a console game.  In the meantime, whatch ya'll playin?

Release Date:  March, 1993
System:  NES
Developer:  Tecmo

Known in Japan as Solomon Key's 2, Fire 'N Ice is so good that if you liked Solomon's Key, you'll probably hate it after playing its sequel.  You play as Dana, the same hero from the first game.  You also still have the ability to create and destroy blocks.  Eliminated from this game is all the magic, secrets, moving enemies, and treasures.  Most importantly, eliminated are the arbitrary clock and play control issues.

Back to the blocks.  As Dana, you create blocks of ice.  You destroy blocks of ice.  You slide blocks of ice.  That's it.  Your job is to destroy the stationary flames on each level.  Despite its simplicity, the immense strategy involved is enough to make the game consistently challenging and interesting over approximately 100 levels.

If you like The Adventures of Lolo games or Bubble Bobble, it'd be difficult to imagine you wouldn't like this one as well.  The cartridge is rare, as it was produced late in the NES's life and wasn't very popular.  But it's the kind of game that is just as enjoyable during emulation.

I've played Angry Birds for a couple days now and I'm already kind of bored with it.  I come back to Fire 'N Ice every couple years and play through it again.

Whatcha playin?

Release Date:  May 7, 2009
Platforms:  Windows

While I conceded the fall of sprawling adventure games to first-person shooters and the more economically sound casual game market, one concept I've had difficulty wrapping my head around is the hidden-object game.   The whole concept (here's some objects, click on them) is on par with word-finds for intellectual and emotional stimulation.   My first experience with such games was Escape the Museum.  It was so nauseatingly boring that I quit after ten minutes and went outside to watch boxelder bugs procreate.   Then I discovered there are hundreds upon hundreds of games much like this, with no challenge, a threadbare plot, and selling like hotcakes.

In 2009, I came across a good one, all by accident.  Chris Jones and Aaron Conners are relatively big names in the industry, for they were responsible for the immensely popular Tex Murphy series.  Jones starred as Tex Murphy in one of the few positive uses of full-motion video, blending film noir and adult themes with solid adventuring.   So when I found out they had started their own company, Big Finish Games, I knew I would buy whatever game they produced.  It wasn't until after I ordered their first game, 3 Cards to Midnight, that I realized it was a hidden-object game.  [redacted!]

But I was pleasantly surprised.  Rather than simply finding lists of objects on screen, the games requires you to think.  For example, the game might give you a word like "Shark."  Instead of looking for Jaws, you may need to look for the ace of clubs.  Ergo, card shark.   Or click on a tiger.  Tiger shark.  Or an aquarium.  Shark tank.

Not only does the game require thinking, there is actually a fleshed out plot, cut scenes, and voice acting.  It's nothing to write home about, but at least it tries.  There is also a sequel, 3 Cards to Dead Time, that is even stronger in the puzzle department if weaker in the story and acting.

I still prefer just about any other genre to hidden object.  But Stefanie loves such games, and if we're going to play them together, I need to find some that don't immediately make me catatonic.  If anyone has recommendations, I'd love to hear them.

Whatcha playin?

So, this may become a 4th Tuesday thing if you alls is up for it.

I own a Wii and a DS (both gifts), but unfortunately cannot afford a Playstation yet, which I desperately want. Thankfully, some great games are also made for the PC as well.  This is one of them.

Release Date:  Nov. 11, 2003
Platforms:  Windows, Xbox, Playstation 2, GameCube

One of the most engaging, charming games I have ever played, Beyond Good & Evil certainly earns a spot in my hall of fame.

The labour of love from Michael Ancel, BGE takes you to a world where citizens are in a war with aliens and must rely on the powerful military to help defend them from brutal attacks.  As a young woman named Jade, you are compelled to help in the war effort when your orphanage is attacked by the aliens.  Naturally, however, you go it alone with the help of your “uncle” Pey’j (a pig mechanic, no less).  While the plot itself is fairly straightforward (with only some minor twists), the story never slows down.  And the characters, backed by some excellent voice acting, carry you the whole way through.  It is tough not to care about the people you meet here, which goes a long way in providing an entertaining game.

While there are some adventure elements, this is more or less a strategic action game.  Enemies are rarely shot at and are mostly avoided by stealth, timing, and distraction.  You’ll be doing a lot of crawling, side-stepping, and wall-hugging to avoid detection (and since you are often far outnumbered, it is essential to survival).  What makes this game unique is that most currency (to buy upgrades, health restoration, etc.) is acquired by taking photographs of different species (benign and otherwise) on the planet for archival.  You sometimes have to photograph your enemies before you attack them!

For those who are comfortable with action games but don’t consider themselves to be experts, there is a reasonable learning curve.  Moreover, if you die while on a mission, you will be restored to a predetermined checkpoint (often only one or two minutes back), so even if you are unable to save the game for a while, you don’t lose all of your hard work.  My only complaint, and a fairly significant one, is that the PC version does not support game controllers, which is idiotic and unfortunate for those who are not keyboard inclined.  I was able to become fairly adept at the controls, but it would have been significantly more comfortable to play with a game pad.

The game is short, about ten to twelve hours for the average gamer to complete.  And while there are secrets to be found, the only significant replay value comes in simply wanting to see the story again.   For those who like the focus of their actions games to be more on story (without endless cut scenes), Beyond Good and Evil will not disappoint.

A sequel is in the works, though no release date has been confirmed.

Okay, what have you all been playing?  Should I beg someone to buy me Portal 2?

We have a book day, a movie day, and music every day.  I was thinking, "How come we don't have a video game day?"   And so it begins.

My goal is not to discuss games that most of you geeks have played or know a lot about.  So you won't see me reviewing the likes of Tecmo Super Bowl, Zelda: A Link to the Past, or MLB: The Show, despite my love for all of them.   My hope is that I may reveal a gem or two that you haven't played.

In return, hopefully you can do the same for me.   While my taste tends to lean towards adventure games, I dabble in all genres.  I don't know how often I'll run this.  Once a month, at least.  Perhaps more often if the market warrants it.

The first game you may not have played is a brilliant text adventure by Infocom titled Bureaucracy.  Released in 1987, it was Douglas Adams' second game with the company (the first being the more famous Hitchhiker game) and arguably the better of the two.

Normally, descriptions written by the company on their boxes are horribly exaggerated and sometimes not accurate. In this case, Infocom does a better job than I ever could of describing the game. Here's the plot, in a nutshell.

Once upon a time, a man moved from one apartment in London to another. He dutifully notified everyone of his new address, including his bank; he went to the bank and filled out a change of address form himself. The man was very happy in his new apartment.

Then, one day, the man tried to use his credit card but couldn't. He discovered that his bank had invalidated his credit card. Apparently, the bank had sent a new card to his old address.

For weeks, this man tried to get the bank to acknowledge his change of address form. He talked to many bank officials, and filled out new forms, and tried to get a new credit card issued, but nothing worked. The man had no credit, and the bank behaved like, well, a bank.

It's a sad story, one that gets replayed every day for millions of people worldwide. Of course, sometimes it's not a bank at fault: sometimes it's the postal service, or an insurance company, or the telephone company, or an airline, or the Government. But all of us, at one time or another, feel persecuted by a bureaucracy.

You begin in your new house. As per the letter in your package, you will fly to Paris just as soon as you get some money to take you to the airport. That money should be in today's mail, so you should be off soon... unless, of course, there's been some problem with the mail.

Oh by the way: The man in our story about the bank was Douglas Adams, the principal author of this game. The bank did finally send him a letter, apologizing for the inconvenience - but they sent it to his old address.

What ensues is comic madness, and unless you are a very good puzzle-solver, it will lean towards madness. As your blood pressure rises while playing the game, so does the character's. Yes, there's a blood pressure gauge at the top of the screen that goes up for every mistake you make. And yes, you can have a heart attack if it gets too high.

I did need a few hints to win this one, but even I was amazed at my persistence with some of the puzzles. The game's tightly developed plot and brazen humour kept me away from the hint book several times. While there are a couple of instances where the game seems unfair, with a possible "walking dead" situation, you will be duly rewarded with the genius that was Douglas Adams.

I do not believe the game is freeware, so I will not link to any downloadable versions. But you can still find copies of the game or the entire Infocom collection from various Activision compilations.  The original packaging came with some of the best "feelies" of all time, including a carbonless application for a credit card that was not the same on every page.  For example, on the white sheet was a line labeled "Annual Income."  On the yellow sheet it was "Spouse's Weight."  And on the pink sheet it was labeled "pancakes eaten today."  The entire game is filled with similar bureaucratic jokes.

So, now talk about this, whatever you're playing, or about your secret obsession for your Commodore 64.