8-Bit Memoirs Blog is the companion site to Charles and Dave's Youtube Channel 8BitMemoirs. Here you will find updates as well as information pertaining to our projects as well as snippets from other "stuff"...
After spending a bit of time playing some classic Mortal Kombat over the holiday weekend (Happy Belated Easter BTW), I decided it was time to rant on a few of the things that drive me nuts about the MK franchise. Feel free to visit 8-Bit Memoirs 2.0 in order to read the blog and comment. As for more classic reviews on this site, I expect to begin reviewing more NES and SNES games next week. Some of the upcoming games are Bubble Bobble, Doom and Zombies ate My Neighbors (I am waiting for a few classics to arrive via snail-mail next week as well).
In other news, I recently completed Luigi's Mansion and have to say that it was a lot better than I had thought. I expect to put together a quick review tomorrow or the next day for that one. In the meantime, thanks for visiting and keeping the scene alive!
I wanted to take a quick post to mention that 8-Bit Memoirs 2.0 is undergoing a bit of a "re-working". The new blog will be focusing primarily on gaming experiences as well as other gaming related media that captures my eye. As always, that blog will not contain any advertisements of any kind unlike this blog which still holds a couple of contracts.
With that said, I'll be adding 2.0 to a few databases and blog exchanges to help build SEO as well as word of mouth. If you haven't made your way over to the new site, I'd definitely recommend checking it out and even following it (wink wink). Anyway, thanks again for stopping in over the last six months!
Having spent some time trying to find a way to review Final Fantasy 7 without the "fanboys" and other assorted nuts critiquing me, I've decided that I will post it today after my sponsored review and update for 8-Bit Memoirs 2.0.
Final Fantasy 7 was the quintessential game for the PlayStation. Not only did this game deliver all that gamers came to love from the original games, but also delivered incredible characters, great story as well as hugely detailed environments. Personally, this was my favorite final fantasy game of all time ( I am yet to play the X series, I know I know...). Having said that, I'll delve a bit deeper.
From the intro this game captures your attention and immerses you deep within the struggle to save Midgar and the planet from the hazards of raping the planet of Mako energy. Taking control of Cloud, the player is immediately thrust into an assault on a Mako producing rector. Maneuvering your way through a tutorial of sorts, you learn the controls, options as well as the basic gameplay mechanics. Personally, I really enjoy beginning a game with some action as well as a tutorial that really introduces you to what you'll be dealing with during the course of the adventure. On a side not, I have to say that I found Cloud to be a good "hero", but found Squall from part 8 to be a bit of an emo douche bag (I guess I was just tired of the anti-hero type at that point. Maybe that is why Zidane from 9 was refreshing...).
Anyway, the game play for Final Fantasy 7 is really smooth and refreshing. I enjoyed the option to have the arrows and pointer over your party. I have to say that I really needed that feature turned on due to the large detailed environments. Yeah, I know it is lame, but I needed it okay? Having said that, the difficulty of this game was a bit disappointing. I felt as though it was way too easy. Granted, the first time I fumbled through without doing anything divergent from the main story (I didn't find advanced materia, didn't do the Chocobo racing/raising and I didn't fight the weapons). With that said, I romped my way through the game and completed it at about level 50 or so. I didn't really have difficulty until I reached the North Crater.
In regards to control, this game worked like your typical turn-based RPG with a couple of exceptions. In a few points during the game you have to press different buttons at certain times to interact with characters and environments. Usually I don't enjoy these parts, but they weren't too bad in this one. I liked the squatting contest, the parade and the warming oneself up while climbing the mountain. Another aspect of the game that I enjoyed were all the mini-games. I really enjoyed the submarine game as well as the Chocobo racing. I guess that doesn't necessarily fall under the category of "control", but hey what the hell.
As for loyalty to the franchise, I would have to say that between the reuse of music, sound effects, items, monsters and magic this game was spot on. When I played this game I really felt like I was playing a Final Fantasy game. I felt like part 8 strayed from the formula a bit, but was enjoyable nonetheless. Having said all that and burnt up most of your afternoon I'm going to stop sort here and say that Final Fantasy 7 is my favorite of the franchise and I still play it from time to time nowadays. I believe you can score a copy for about 50$ nowadays, so if you don't have one you really ought to get one.
Having spent a great deal of time writing reviews for our good friends and sponsors over at Blue Nile, I wanted to take a moment today to share some information regarding their customer focused value proposition. Imagine you are in the marketplace looking to make a fine jewelry purchase. You have been looking at diamond engagement rings all morning and feel as though you may never find exactly what you are looking for at a price you are willing to pay. Well, that is where Blue Nile comes in. Offering prices that run approximately 20-40% less than regular retail prices, Blue Nile not only offers great prices but also a wide array of fine jewelry that you desire.
In addition to the aforementioned price benefits, Blue Nile also offers professional guidance and education in regards to your diamond purchase. If those features don't pique your interest then the fact that Blue Nile is the largest online certified diamond retailer ought to. Being prominently reviewed by Forbes and the NY Times as well as listed on NASDAQ, Blue Nile is not only an industry leader but a retailer you can trust. In fact, Blue Nile is so sure you will enjoy your purchase and experience that they offer a no-hassle 30 day return policy on everything you buy.
Having made a purchase through Blue Nile a couple of weeks ago, I have to say that I was impressed by the prices (which do run about 25% lower than retailers in the Austin area) and was also pleased by the return policy. I enjoy having a hassle free return policy. In fact, I think all retailers should offer hassle-free return to their customers, but I'm not going to climb onto my soapbox right now. Anyway, if you've been thinking about purchasing some jewelry online and are looking for quality at a fair price, check out Blue Nile.
Having been waiting for a few games to arrive via Amazon and Half, I thought it might be fun to post an article featuring some of my favorite YouTube videos related to music in and from old school gaming. Feel free to visit my YouTube page to see more of my favorites and drop a message or two. Eventually when some of the aforementioned games arrive I'll be posting some video. Anyway, enjoy and thanks for stopping into 8-Bit Memoirs today!
Having recently played Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube, I wanted to give it a quick review. We all know that the Resident Evil series has been a staple for gamers since the late 90's. In fact, the original Resident Evil was the first game I ever bought for my PlayStation (Descent was #2). Having said that, I was excited to see all the original games rereleased for the GameCube and also equally excited to see that the new installments in the series could also be found in the same place. Alright, onto my quick review of Resident Evil 4.
In regards to gameplay and control, RE4 is up to par with all the other games in the series. Deeper still, if you are familiar with any one of the other games you will be able to flow quite seemlessly into this one. One of my favorite aspects of this game (believe it or not) is the ability to turn around quickly. I mean, wasn't it torture trying to turn around when zombies, dogs and s@#t were all around you in the first and second games? Well, not in this one. I have to say that I really loved that technique in RE4 and am damn glad it is there because you will need it! Anyway, the control is quite smooth ad the graphics are great. There are only a few flaws I saw, but nothing that I can really remember (just the usual enemies arms sticking through doors, you know).
In regards to difficulty, this is one tough game. I had to resort to using the Action Replay near the middle of this game because I was getting caned frequently. In fact, I don't know how anyone could dominate this game without one. Then again, I used to say that about Mortal Kombat until I played my cousin who is like Miyagi when it comes to MK. Anyway, RE4 is a really solid game and comes highly recommended to anyone interested in this franchise. There is however one thing in this game I utterly despise and that is the interactive "press buttons or die" aspect of this game that happens way too frequently. I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate those types of games. There is nothing worse than watching the same lame ass cutscene over and over again because you have bad reflexes. Seriously, there is a knife fight I had to repeat about 25 times before I fumbled through it. I spent half a god-damn afternoon watching the same cutscene...
Anyway, RE$ is a fun game (with that exception) and stays pretty loyal to the franchise. I especially liked the quantity and abilities of the zombies. I did like the original mindless ones from parts 1 and 2 the best though. Personally, the less human he zombies the better, but hey whatever. Either way, give this one a try if you get a chance, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
This day and age we are all looking to save money and not have to give up on quality in the process. Whether you are combing through video games in a discount bin or at an online retailers website, you are always going to look for the best bargain available, so why not do the same with other products? Having spoken briefly in the past about Blue Nile (an online diamond retailer), I wanted to take a moment or two to plug a couple of their products and services.
Having finally made a purchase via their site, I have to say that I was quite impressed with their selection of diamond jewelry. Granted, I didn't spend a ton of cash (couldn't afford it at this moment), but I did manage to find a nice pair of diamond studs for my wife's birthday this month that were both affordable and quite nice. Wide selection aside, I did enjoy the freedom of jewelry shopping without the pressuring salespeople and attempted "add-on" sales. I mean seriously, do I really need a tub of jewelry cleaner with diamond earrings; no! All rants aside, I understand that those salespeople have a job to do, but it does get annoying sometimes.
In addition to the aforementioned selection of diamond earrings and assorted jewelry, I was quite impressed with their wide selection of wedding rings. I mean, on top of all the traditional and classic styles they also offer a nice variety of eternity bands (those are the rings with diamonds set all around the band). I haven't really gone and price compared their eternity bands with other retailers, but I'm going to assume that they are cheaper at Blue Nile simply based on the fact that they are an online retailer which cuts down on additional business costs.
In regards to my Blue Nile shopping experience, I would have to say that I didn't have any issues. The ordering process was quite simple and my delivery arrived via Fed/Ex a couple of days later. If you are on the fence regarding ordering jewelry online (as I was), I think you should check out Blue Nile as they may change your mind. After all, they are a reputable company with a nice inventory at competitive prices.
One of the first games I had ever played on a "next generation" console was Descent for the PlayStation. I remember the first time I popped that disc in and the PS started reading, I knew this was the beginning of something great. In fact, I was thoroughly disappointed by this game, but I didn't let that ruin my PS experience (I bought Resident Evil that day as well). I digress, lets do a quick review of Descent for the PS.
If you have ever played descent you likely have the same opinion of the game as I do with perhaps a couple of exceptions. Anyway, the game takes place in space at different mining colonies where you pilot a ship in the mine/maze where you have to destroy these possessed robots and then a core while rescuing some blue power ranger guys (hostages). After you destroy the core you have to navigate your way back to a door that is now unlocked where you can escape back into space through. That was a mouthful. I feel like this entry is full of run-on sentences... it probably is... f#$k it buy a diamond ring.
Anyway, this game really feels like a PC game which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but a boring thing instead. I mean, the levels feel identical and the assortment of baddies is tiring. Lets face it, you get tired of blowing up different colored mining robots after a while. Honestly, this is like the flying equivalent of Doom without the gratuitous violence and kick ass weapons. I'm not going to say I'd rather have a pap smear than play this game, but I'm not going to say I wouldn't. Just talking about this game is kind of making me cringe, so I'm going to cut this thing short and say buy Crash Bandicoot instead. Here is some footage to help you make up your own mind, oh yeah and the music is sh#$y!
Having spent a great deal of time with the N64 in my childhood, I experienced Goldeneye at a very young age and fell in love instantly. Whether it was the P.O.V. aspect of the game or the multi-player mode, I was hooked instantly. Honestly, one of my favorite features in the game was the fact that whenever you wanted to go into the options menu Bond would look at his watch. I've played a lot of games, but never before have I seen a "pause or option" similar to that. I remember being a kid and trying to get a better look at his watch. Personally, I always thought it looked like one of those Timex Ironman watches.
On a quick side-note, I collect movie and game props and have been looking to purchase a replica of some sort but have been unable to find one. I've checked all the major online hubs like Amazon, Zappos and EBay but have been unable to locate anything from the game or movie. If anyone knows where I can locate his timepiece, I would be grateful.
In regards to the actual game, I always found that the game play in Goldeneye was quite smooth. I mean, a lot of games of that era were sometimes subject to choppy graphics and gradual "slowing" at times, but even in four-player mode Goldeneye was smooth and glitch free. I mean, sometimes you might see an enemy soldiers polygonal face peering through a door at you, but that is what we dealt with back then. In addition to the smooth game play there were a lot of great modes and weapons as well as an incredible story arc and great music that was faithful to the movie.
As I had mentioned earlier, this was clearly one of the "shining points of light" of the N64 and offered gamers a great first person shooter that would become a dorm room staple for many. I would go a step further to say that Goldeneye was to console gamers in the late 90's what Doom was to PC gamers of the previous generation. I suspect the same could be said of Halo?
Anyway, if you have never played this game, I would suggest you emerge from underneath your rock and try it out. In addition, if you have any information about Bond's wristwatch I would greatly appreciate a comment with the link or info. In the meantime, check out this video of our friends at VGgameplay (Raiko) taking a narrated spin through Goldeneye!
After spending a bit of time playing some classic Mortal Kombat over the holiday weekend (Happy Belated Easter BTW), I decided it was time to rant on a few of the things that drive me nuts about the MK franchise. Feel free to visit 8-Bit Memoirs 2.0 in order to read the blog and comment. As for more classic reviews on this site, I expect to begin reviewing more NES and SNES games next week. Some of the upcoming games are Bubble Bobble, Doom and Zombies ate My Neighbors (I am waiting for a few classics to arrive via snail-mail next week as well). 
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