Swords, Boobs, and Other Dangerous Things

Let's cut right to the chase. This post is all about Soul Calibur III.

As of right now, I've played for about 30 minutes. That's long enough to beat the story mode with Maxi, including several continues. I'll play plenty more tonight, I'm sure. Basically, I have to keep up with my friends, who bought the game yesterday, too.

The backgrounds are beautifual, blah, blah, the moves have changed, blah, blah, the new characters are cool, blah, blah. If you've read any reviews about the game, you know all this. Let's get to my personal experiences from last night. (It's my blog, after all. Let the pros do the review work.)

Maxi's alternate costume looks like ass. His hair is white. His skin is orange. He's wearing a purple(ish) shirt/scarf thing. One arm is sleeveless, with what looks like a Henna tattoo on it. Blech. Every other costume I saw in the game outstrips this one by far. Even Astaroth's "Hammer Time" outfit, which consists of a hammer hat and huge nails sticking out of him.

Maxi's moves feel more useful this time around. He's pure short-range offense. Get in, beat ass, win. Repeat. Blocking is for pussies. He seems to have lost his "drumsticks" move, which my opponents will appreciate. His throws seem exactly the same as they were in SC II. Boo. He is, of course, combo-riffic. I will learn him. He will become an extension of my own soul. His unfortunate name will be no detriment to his "beating you in the head with sticks" style.

I found the difficulty level about medium, except for Astaroth. Astaroth beat the ever-loving funk outta me repeatedly. He's got all these instant knockdown moves that really counter Maxi's up-close style well. I eventually taught him respect, though... despite Maxi's store-bought tan.

I finished the boss in two or three tries. I actually won by Ring Out, which wasn't possible with SC II's boss and felt cheap and satisfying at the same time. He has some quick, annoying moves that surround him on all sides, but jumping in and out of range was effective. FINALLY, we get actual ending animations! They may be in-game graphics, as opposed to CG, but they're TONS better than the grayscale pictures and text we used to get.

There are several cutscenes throughout the mode I played. In these, a button might appear on the upper-right that you have to press to change the way the scene plays out. For example, hit Guard or get hit by a rolling clock gear and start the round with less health. The ending uses this too, presumable allowing for alternate endings. I especially like how the Museum mode in the game lets you view any of the cutscenes you've seen. There are blank slots for those I haven't seen, presumably because I didn't (or did) press the right button at the right time. There also appear to be 3 more CG movies I haven't found. Not sure how I unlock those, but I'm sure I'll get them eventually.

The opening movie is long but very nice. There's the requisite close view of Taki's Tatas, of course. Voldo makes an appearance - a change from last year. Several cool one-on-one fights. There's a big focus on Siegfreid and Ro... err... Nightmare. Newcomer Zasalamel (aka Gargamel) figures prominently as well.

One final note, regarding the strategy guide. It's well done, and seems comprehensive. I'd have liked a little more strategy discussion, but there seems plenty there to get me on the right track to playing each character well. Plus, Seong Mi-Na gets in on the underboob trend that is sweeping the nation. Can't say I disapprove.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.
-- Mark Twain

Miss & Hits

Wilma left a chill in the air as she passed, but that’s about it.  The moderate amount of rain she brought has almost dried up already.  The wind was stiff this morning, but it couldn’t muster up the strength to concern anybody but those driving over humps in raised highways.  The city seems to be a bit dazed by the buildup.  Some people (like me) are at work, just as if nothing special had happened.  Public schools, on the other hand, are closed and some businesses shut down or opened late.  Tomorrow, life goes on.

While I was picking up printer ink yesterday, I wandered over to the video game section, as I often do.  After pouting for a while because Misty wouldn’t let me buy Age of Empires III, I was looking though the older stuff.  I came upon a little gem that I had to get.  It was only $20, so it was easier to convince Misty that it was worth getting.  It was a compilation of three games: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Beyond Good & Evil, and Splinter Cell.  I’ve played Prince of Persia before, but only finished about a third of it.  Both of the other games are things I’ve been eyeing for a while.  There are 4 or 5 sequels to Splinter Cell out now, but the first one is still a classic, and high-quality on its own.  I was concerned over how these three games – all originally released for consoles – would play on my PC, but they were translated very well.  I installed and played each of them for a little while yesterday.  All were a lot of fun, but Splinter Cell is tough.  The sneaking-around gameplay is tough to get used to, and the PC controls take more getting used to than the other two games in the package.  Still, I’m intent on getting through it.  I read through the first chapter of a walkthrough, so I think I’ve got a better idea of how to play the game.

It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.
-- Abraham Lincoln

Prep Time

Woo!  IT at work is kicking into gear!  In response to Wilma, I’ve been directed to make a “disaster recovery” version of our main business application, one that connects to our emergency datacenter in another state.  I have to move at least one of my computers to a hardened data center in town.  Stuff flying across my desk all day.  I’m anxious to see Wilma pass the Yucatan Peninsula, so we can see what she’s really gonna do.

I’ll keep this blog updated as events transpire, and as long as I have power.

A timid person is frightened before a danger, a coward during the time, and a courageous person afterward.
-- Jean Paul Richter

Lady Flintstone

It looks like we might have a hurricane to worry about this year, after all.  Wilma is out there in the Carribean, seemingly just biding her time.  As of right now, she’s started moving a little.  The forcasts predict a pretty drastic turn to the northwest once it passes Cuba, which would drive it right toward Tampa.  The high-dollar bets are that it will hit south of Tampa, but we are still well within strike range.  Of course, it’s possible the thing doesn’t even rain on Florida.  I think I might stock up on batteries and water, anyway.

Video games.  I reserved Shadow of the Collosus yesterday, and I’ll pick it up tomorrow.  They gave me a demo disc which made me very happy I made the decision to get it (and that Misty agreed).  Earlier in the week, I picked up a copy of the Official Playstation Magazine that contained a demo of Soul Calibur III, which a few of my friends and I have been eagerly anticipating.  The demo seems to point out that the game will be just what we expected.  The fighting itself is a lot like II, albeit with more flash and video tricks.  What really sells me is the supposedly massive number of new modes, including a greatly improved single-player game and a massively flexible character creator.  The new characters are cool, too.  It also seems like the jiggle-physics may be enhanced.

I’m going to a friend’s house tonight to install a new optical drive.  She’s smart, and she could probably do it herself with little trouble, but I’m glad I can help.  Lots of people just don’t like cracking that case.

Isn't it interesting that the same people who laugh at science fiction listen to weather forecasts and economists?
-- Kelvin Throop III

"We Make Holes in Teeth!"

I really dig Nickleback’s latest album.  Hard rockin’, screamin’ rock.  Woo!

I’m on regular trips to the dentist now.  I got a root canal a few weeks ago, and I’m in the process of getting a crown over that tooth.  Right after that, I’m gonna get my wisdom teeth removed.  I’m pretty nervous about that, because I’ve never been under the knife before.  They say I’ll be out the whole time, but I’m still nervous about it.  It gives me the jibblies every time I think about it.  No point turning back now, though.

I need to schedule some work for our car soon, too.  The windshield needs replacing, and their’s some question about whether my insurance will cover it.  The brakes need replacing and the car needs a general checkup, too.  On top of all that, Misty really needs her own car for next year.  I’ve been crunching numbers for a while to see what we can afford, but I think it’ll all turn out well.  Misty seems pretty pleased with the idea of getting her own car.  It will be convenient… I just wish we didn’t have to shell out the dough.  Ah, well.

I’ve been listening to Emerald Rose a lot lately, keeping my spiritual thoughts going.  I haven’t had much of a chance to get back to the Paganism book, but I will soon.  I’ve been wondering if I would be a worshipful – or, at least, practicing – Pagan.  I think I would.  With a deeper understanding of the spiritual, I think I might find it worthwhile.

Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.
-- Arthur Rubinstein

October Gave a Party

The weather this morning felt like the first day of Autumn.  A cool dampness was carried on mild breezes and the sun didn’t have its bite.  In Louisiana, we got very few days like that, but I expect a lot of this weather in the coming weeks.  Perhaps Misty and I will visit a park or two.

While reading my Paganism book yesterday, I encountered something that gave me pause.  The authors challenged the reader, saying that if the reader wasn’t prepared to seriously work to explore and describe their beliefs, then Paganism may not be for them.  Essentially, they were saying that the complacent need not apply.  This was the first thing I read in that book that made me stop and think.  Am I serious?  Do I really want to have an understanding of the universe and my place in it, or do I simply want something I can feel comfortable in?  At this point, I honestly can’t say.  I know – well, I feel that I should want the former, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m after the latter.  It’s something I’m going to have to reflect on.

On less serious notes, I’ve reinstalled Warcraft III.  Playing World of Warcraft so much these days has instilled within me the desire to play through it again.  I never did finish The Frozen Throne, anyway, so this is a good excuse.  I can play Warcraft III when Misty is too busy to join me online.  I spent a couple of hours going through the first few missions again, and that old magic came back.  I really do love that game.

I’m listening to Ookla the Mok right now.  I think you might like them.  What I’m going to do is make a list, right here, of things you also might like.  If you find you like all or most of these, you should check out Ookla the Mok and buy their CDs.

• Barenaked Ladies


• Comics


• They Might Be Giants


• Star Trek


• Filk


• Monkeys


• Christopher Columbus

Interested?  I thought you might be.  Check ‘em out.

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
-- George Cooper, "October's Party"

So, yeah. Serenity.

Through a complicated series of circumstances, it turns out that two groups of my friends decided to see Serenity at the same time, at the same theater.  So, I found myself introducing all of my Star Trek fan friends to all of my game geek friends.  It turns out that a couple of them knew each other previously, which I half expected.  So, with about (… counting …) 10 of my friends, I saw Serenity without having seen a single episode of Firefly.

Any review I could give would be redundant at this point.  I’ve read 3 types of reviews: scifi fan who has seen Firefly, scifi fan who has not seen Firefly, and non-scifi fan.  Generally, group A loved it, group B ranges from thinking it was pretty good to hailing it as the next Star Wars, and group C thought it was alright.  I fit firmly in the second camp, with the opinion that it was very good.  I won’t burden you with my own review, though.  Go find a group B review on the Internet.  Say, here.

I practiced my social multitasking that evening, too.  I’m getting pretty good at it.  After the movie, while we were all standing around in front of the theater (being eyeballed by the local constabulary), I flitted from discussion group to discussion group.  I managed to get some of my Trek friends talking with some gaming friends.  On top of all that, I managed to cement my plans for Dungeons and Dragons, coming away with a full party of 5 PCs.  Having been a social pariah in school, it’s refreshing to suddenly have everyone wanting to talk to you.

As you cannot have a sweet and wholesome abode unless you admit the air and sunshine freely into your rooms, so a strong body and a bright, happy, or serene countenance can only result from the free admittance into the mind of thoughts of joy and goodwill and serenity.
-- James Allen