The Video Game Blog Challenge: Questions 28 & 29

Almost to the finish line!

28. Favorite Game Developer

These are the top three companies that have given me the most enjoyment from games. Square Enix for Final Fantasy of course, but even non FF Square Enix games are usually amazing. Nintendo mainly for Zelda, but also Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. both of which have provided hours of fantastic entertainment for me and my friends. Ubisoft just puts out some really great games – the Assassin’s Creed series, Beyond Good and Evil, the Splinter Cell games, the original Prince of Persia. All great fun, and all games I’ve really liked.

29. A Game I Thought I Wouldn’t Like, But Ended Up Loving

Definitely the original Halo. I remember walking into my brother’s room one day and sitting down to watch him play on his behemoth of an X-Box thinking, This game is so DUMB! Who cares about just shooting aliens?! And then I played it, from the beginning, with my dad. And I fell in love with it. And not because you shoot aliens, but because it had a great story. I fell in love with Master Chief and Cortana’s relationship, with 343 Guilty Spark’s snide comments and wit. It gave life to what is essentially a game where you just shoot aliens. In fact, it’s still one of the only first person shooters I enjoy. Pretty much all the others I’ve tried I end of finding incredibly boring and repetitive. They exist just for people to shoot things (I’m looking at you, Call of Duty). And that just isn’t enough for me.

I’m using the questions from the Video Game Blog Challenge found here. All screenshots/photos you see are found via a basic Google image search. Copyrighted to their respective owners.

The Video Game Blog Challenge: Questions 10 & 11

Back with more gaming fun!

10. Best Gameplay

I find this to be a ridiculously hard question to answer as I really can’t see how you compare the gameplay of an FPS to an RPG. Apples and oranges here, people! So, with that in mind, I’ve broken it down into a few categories

First Person Shooter (FPS)

The Halo trilogy. Now, I haven’t played too many FPSes, but these games were yet another defining gamer moment for me. Playing the original Halo, couch co-op with my dad, was amazing. The experience, how in it you felt. But focusing on gameplay, I really didn’t find any flaws. Targeting was easy, you could change your button layout to what you were comfy with, they had the option for inverted y-axis (the ONLY way to play in my opinion) and it was smooth sailing.

Role Playing Game (RPG)

This game has already come up a lot (and will continue to) but I have to go with Final Fantasy VII. Seriously, the materia system in this game has yet to be topped in my opinion. It was perfect. How materia equipped to weapons, how it leveled, how you could equip any kind to any party member – it was just brilliant. I have never found a battle/magic system that measures up to it. As for other gameplay, it was on par with other FF games – great open world exploration, easy navigation, nothing that stands out as bad.

FPS/RPG Combo

The Borderlands games. Especially Borderlands 2. A brilliant combo of excellent FPS battle, open(ish) world exploration, and RPG elements with leveling your character. I loved picking and equipping skills, changing out guns and their stats – add in a customizable element and I’m happy. However, Borderlands 2 was definitely more shooter than RPG.

On the opposite end, Fallout 3 was amazing too. SO many customizable RPG elements, from leveling to dialogue. The shooter aspect of the game was definitely secondary, but well done nonetheless. The V.A.T.S. system provided quite the amount of fun.

And, with less explanation:

Tactics RPG – Fire Emblem series

Stealth/FPS – The Last of Us

Adventure – Beyond Good and Evil

 

11. Gaming System of Choice

At this point in my life, it would have to be my Nintendo 3DS XL. It perfectly suits my lifestyle. A small part of me wishes I could still be a semi-hardcore gamer, buying the latest systems and games, then binge playing them from start to finish. But that’s just not gonna happen! When my daughter was little, I still managed to fit in console game time. But ever since she was old enough to actually pay attention and comprehend what was happening on the TV, console gaming has taken a mostly permanent backseat. There are very few games I play that I would consider appropriate for her to be viewing. Then there’s the lack of time. True, I COULD spend every free second gaming, but at this point in my life, I don’t want to! I love other things too much. So my 3DS is perfect, as I can pop it out, play for a bit, and then just tuck it away in a jiffy.

Of course I have the Zelda 3DS!

As for consoles I want, I think I’d actually pick a WiiU over a PS4. It has way more games that will be appropriate for my daughter in the coming years, plus ZELDA!!! I would honestly buy any new Nintendo system just to play the new Legend of Zelda game that comes out. I may have a bit of an obsession. I’m okay with it.

I’m using the questions from the Video Game Blog Challenge found here. All screenshots/photos you see are found via a basic Google image search. Copyrighted to their respective owners.

February Birchbox AND Nerdblock Reveal

Here’s the deal: because of my total failure at planning, I realized I have four or five posts I want up before the end of February, and only three days left in the month. Facepalm galore. So I’ve combined my Birchbox and Nerdblock reveals into one gigantically long post. I received my Birchbox first, so it takes first spot on the post! Let’s go!

Second Birchbox has arrived!

Fun box this month!

New dry conditioner?! YES! Since I’m back to dying my hair red on a regular basis, I tend to spread out my hair washings as long as I can to preserve the color, which fades quite quickly. That means dry shampooing and conditioning pretty often. This conditioner is great. Leaves my hair soft and shiny, with plenty of body and smells fabulous. Loving it!

Tea too?! Apparently this box was just catered to my exact loves! I must confess, I am planning on passing the Mint Lemon Verbena one to a friend. I can’t stand mint (with the exception of toothpaste) so I know this one won’t be for me. However, I can’t wait to brew up a cup of the Organic Bangkok, which sounds heavenly.

I think perfume is one of the best things in these boxes since although I do like it, I never buy it. I’ve had the same one for about two years now, and it’s not even half empty. I just don’t wear it that often! This little sampler smells great, and is just the right size for me.

Another new mascara (I got one in February’s Beauty Box 5 as well) which I was more than happy to test out. I really like this mascara. It provides both volume and length, and goes on really cleanly, without clumping at all. The only downside that I’ve found is it doesn’t have much staying power. Even after only half a days wear, I’m starting to sport raccoon eyes. But it’s an all natural product that isn’t packed with chemicals, so that’s definitely a plus, and worth the touch-ups I feel.

More lotion? I am seriously lucking out on these boxes. This is a good lotion. I’m not wild about the scent, but it’s mild and doesn’t overwhelm you. I’ve been using it on my arms and elbows mostly, and it’s a good moisturizer.

And the ever helpful product card.

I was definitely impressed with February’s Birchbox! So far they’ve been full of useful items, so I certainly feel good about the monthly purchase.

Moving on to Nerdblock! Something about getting loads of geekiness in the mail just makes my heart smile.

First thing I pulled out was this. Another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle squishie, albeit a different type from last box. Apparently this is a thing; I was unaware. But as a nostalgic TMNT fan, I’m okay with having them up on the nerd shelves!

Next I pulled out this box, which makes me pretty nostalgic for my high school days. Halo was the first FPS that I fell totally in love with. Please note I am talking about campaign play only – none of the travesty that I consider ‘multiplayer’ to be. We already have an RC Watrhog with Spartans on the nerd shelves, so these guys get added next to that!

This E.T. guy wasn’t too big of a deal to me, but my hubs thought he was adorable. He’s a bit older than I, so E.T. had a bigger impact for him!

This was the only thing in the box that I didn’t care one bit about. I’ve never seen the Smurfs, new or old, but luckily I have a three year old who loves new little toys to play pretend with. So it’s not a total loss for this toy!

These guys I’ve never heard of – they assemble just like Legos only larger, and I think they’re quite nifty! I really love the battle walrus. He is enjoying his new spot on the nerd shelves next to my Tifa action figure. My little miss has adopted the guy – she loves to make him drive her mini cars! As for all his teeny tiny accessories. . .yeah those got tucked away pretty quick. Otherwise they’d find a new home in my vacuum.

This sticker set is pretty fun. . .then again I have a soft spot for stickers. Definitely going to be adding some of them to my art journal, and my planner once I get around to decorating it.

And lastly, the shirt. I was never too in to Metroid. I enjoyed the ones I played for the Gamecube, but was never a diehard fan. However, my dad loves these games so on to him it goes! Another successful shirt! I’d say for random nerd shirts, 3 for 3 is pretty darn good!

Although Nerdblock remains my favorite subscription box I get, this was my ‘least favorite’ of the three I’ve received, if I had to pick. Nothing fit my particular nerd niches, but I’m still happy with what we got!

Phew! Many virtual cookies are gifted unto you if you stuck with me through all that. That’s what I get for realizing I have so many posts to get out before the end of February, whoops!

Until next time,

-Kayly