Monday, September 28, 2009

Ballsy

Who would use such a crazy piano?

You know, pianos are my forte.

BlogoShock

Teh Final Loadout

Here is the set of plasmids and tonics I used in much of the endgame.

Get Equipped with ... pretty much fucking everything.
Telekinesis, Electro Bolt 3, Target Dummy, Insect Swarm 3, and Hypnotize Big Daddy 2 served as quite the versatile arsenal. I found Target Dummy to be especially useful late game to lure splicers into traps and to get around turrets. At a certain point leading to the final encounter, I kind of knew I wouldn't need Hypnotize, but it kinda became like a good luck charm.

Also to note, nothing fancy in my ultimate Combat Tonic selection. As I had maxed every type of Splicer or Daddy in regard to Photographic Research, stacked Research Damage 1 and 2 increased bonus damage 90%. Likewise Armored Shell 1 and 2 for overall defense.

As you can see I didn't go crazy on buying additional plasmid and tonic slots. I did buy every available Health and Eve upgrade, though, as far I could tell.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Roc Lego Familia

To: Killa; Rah Digga
From: Legoman
Sent: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 9:01 AM
Subject: Killing Time

Yeah its true, she did well with Bowser. She didn't play as Pikapussy once either. Obviously the computers had a little something to do with the outcome of the match but I don't want to discredit her achievment. I dont mind losing a match or two like that. I like to let the new comers share the spotlight with me. It allows me to reinvent myself. When you're like the Jay-Z of the Smash Bros. world you need the competition. You thrive off of it. I mean, "I'm the best Smasher alive". "I'm still countin kills from 88". So whenever you wanna come test the king......bring it!

Monday, September 21, 2009

Conchords Tracks on the Way to Rock Band?

Via Kotaku

Check the Emmy red carpet video where Bret spills teh beans.

Personally, I would hope for 'Rhymenocerous vs. HipHoppopotamus', 'Boom', and... 'If That's What You're Into'. How about you?

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Blogoshock

IV. Convention Defied

Not unlike its spiritual predecessors System Shock 1 & 2, Bioshock is quite the genre bender. It's pretty novel in a FPS to be presented with a task like "collect seven enzyme samples and seven bottles of distilled water". While on the hunt, one comes across a corpse and a recorded tape. The message cautions someone to stay the fuck away from someone else's bees if they aren't willing to pay. When searched, the corpse has an enzyme sample. Hmmm...

Similarly, another recorded message is entitled "Water into Wine". Now, I don't remember the exact details, but the plot device is simple. Go to the Farmer's Market, and then to the Apiary's hives for enzyme, and the Winery's cellar for distilled water. The method by which the player is motivated to explore the area feels organic, and the conclusion of the fetching task takes you to a previously visited, deadend location. The sequence ends with being trapped in the cul-de-sac laboratory and having to hold off a platoon of splicers until the process is completed. (Luckily I was holed up with a Big Daddy that was willing to help me pass the time.)

Varied gameplay and excellent level design are making the game a joy to play, and a pain to put down. I really haven't focused on it, but part of what really makes this a stand-out experience is the audio design. It makes for a completely immersive environment, and the ability to listen to backstory while going about hacking, searching, and strategizing precludes any dull moments.

Sander Cohen's freaky artistic antics have me snapping pics and taking names. Stay tuned.

Why do you keep saying Abra Cadabra?
(You know, I couldn't find the Houdini splicer icon anywhere... Sorry for the lo-res.)

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Happy TLaPD!!

"Go Under!!"
Arr-tful

Thursday, September 17, 2009

BlogoShock

Part Three: Variety is the Splice of Life

I've made it to and through Arcadia, the leisure park of Rapture. I reckon I should've wondered how they supplied oxygen to this underwater city... Trees, son!

New gameplay mechanics keep popping up, which is refreshing this far into a game. Odd junk items started turning up just before I found my first U-Invent machine, a nifty way of crafting (primarily) bad ass ammo. It's interesting the number of resources on which one has to rely: junk, health, EVE, money, ADAM, ammo, auto-hack tools, film... (If I had wanted to make a spreadsheet, I would've played Disgaea 3.)

Splicers have been keeping it fresh, with the newfangled ability to disappear and reappear while attacking. Startles the shit out of me on the reg. Makes a lot of previous tactics rather ineffective.

I did realize I haven't fought a Bouncer Big Daddy since the end of the Medical Pavillion. I've been getting pretty handy dispatching Rosies, and I think a rude awakening may be in store whenever I run into another up close and personal encounter. Oh well, back to the U-Invent for more armor-piercing auto rounds...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

"This Adidas, bitch"

I hate thoroughly enjoy saying I told you so. So, yeah, I totally called it, like, over a year ago. Check the evidence fo' yo' self.

[Not a Rickroll. This time.]

Monday, September 14, 2009

Nom³

TriNOMialvia HC13

Sunday, September 13, 2009

BlogoShock

Chapter II: Kitchen Sink Approach

I have to say, after a slow start, Neptune's Bounty has gone swimmingly. Almost immediately upon entering the level, the first Daddy/Sister pair were shlumping their way 'cross my path. This time around the three Daddies lurking are Rosies, the long-range counterpart to the melee Bouncer. Even with a pretty nice supply of health and EVE, I ran into some issues.

I stocked up on Armor-piercing pistol ammo, but couldn't bring him down. I tried hacking some gun turrets before engaging it. Died. I tried waiting until a group of splicers barraged him, to no avail. I tried the Medical Pavillion technique but just couldn't put him down. Wouldn't you know it? It was merely a matter of addition. Decided to throw everything at this mofo except the Kitchen Sink (which I couldn't find, but otherwise would have thrown). Hack the turrets, let the splicers distract him, blast him with explosive cannisters, Electric Bolt him at every turn, and then unload on him. Voila. Tough cookie, that one.

Luckily, this made my third rescued Little Sister, and for this I got a very nice care package including the Hypnotize Big Daddy plasmid. (You know how much I love Hypnotize.) Between the Daddy-on-Daddy action and getting my grubby paws on the Grenade Launcher, the Bounty's Sisters were soon all accounted for.

But, fuck, these goddamn Spider Splicers. When enemies came at me with pipes, I took it in stride. I didn't even whine much when they started firing at me and tossing grenades. But when they start crawling along the ceiling and hurling hooks at me, I take it personally. Not enough that I had a specifically tough one to kill, but as I meandered around I was required to take research photos of them. Pretty neat actually, the way the photography mechanic works, rewarding good shots of enemies with tips, damage bonuses, and combat tonics.

I think I'm on the brink of some wild shit, fo' real tho'. Scraped my way through a splicer encounter sans weapons and am now on my way to the submarine dock. I've purposely avoided spoilers for the last, like, two years, though I have heard I've got some twists and turns in store. Don't worry; I'll keep you posted.

♫♫Friendly Neighborhood Spider Splicer♫♫

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Leakage [TVC Roster]

Shoryuken did some digging and done dug up da dirt. The complete roster of the North American version of Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom was deciphered from some sloppy html. Most notable, as far as Killa Blog is concerned, is Mega Man Zero. He did pop up in SVC Chaos, though I've never really been an SNK guy, and didn't have much interest in that installment.

I have to say I'm pretty un-fucking-familiar with most Tatsunoko IPs. I know Casshern through exposure via Big Sis Prinny, though the film didn't really do it for me. However, on the Capcom side, I am pretty familiar with Ryu, Chun Li, Alex, Batsu, Morrigan, Viewtiful Joe, Mega Man Volnutt, and Roll.

I may have to consider picking this one up, though I have till January to debate it. It's hard to compare any Wii fighter to Smash Brawl, but, then again, Capcom crossover games only come around so often...

Watch out, Palin!  He's gunning for Mavericks.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

BlogoShock

Episode 1: Gone Daddy Gone

Whew. Managed to knock out the first Big Daddy. Really ran into some trouble to be perfectly honest with you. I came into this fight with the plasmids Telekinesis and Incinerate, having temporarily given up Electric Bolt. I also came to the end of the section with a very sparse supply (i.e. 1 shell) of electric shotgun ammo. Without a reliable way to shock and stall the Big Daddy's charges, this was going to be an uphill battle, which I lost very quickly a great number of times.

I eventually did check the intarwebbz for advice. I spent some time backtracking to Dr. Steinman's Aesthetic Ideals to collect the flammable gas canisters that I hadn't detonated in that encounter. Luckily, this amounted to three. Telekinetically flinging these explosives at the Mr. Bubbles off the break left me with a mere quarter or so of his health to scrape through. Some fancy footwork and a lot of armor-piercing pistol rounds later, I'm off to Neptune's Bounty.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I Like It When You Call Me Big Daddy

Primarily videogame miscellania this time 'round. Sorry, but you've been getting some pretty diverse blogging, so, you know. Be happy with what you get.

I'm up over 9300 GP in SFIV Championship Network mode now. Spending a significant amount of time losing with Abel. Been trying to rotate Abel, Gief, and Rufus pretty steadily. Championship mode is double blind character select, so I can only base the choice on prior experience with whomever I am matched up. I'm trying to mold Abel into my go-to counter pick versus Ryu. Fucking <3 Ultra through Hadoken.

In the "'bout fucking time" category, I should mention I bought BioShock on Steam, a bargain at twenty bones. As far as I'm concerned, this game is creepier than any Resident Evil I've ever played. I should really stop playing this game whilst situated. Think I'm about done the Medical Pavillion; fighting my first Big Daddy now. Not going so well, but I am playing on Hard mode for my first playthrough.

Wish me luck.

OH YEEAAAHH!!