Intellectual Property Freely

So Capcom have announced they may show an interest in IP that has been long since dormant.

Well a sequel to Okami would be nice. And maybe some more Darkstalkers. And how about dusting off Warriors of Fate?

You. Me. Outside. Now

Some gaming deathmatches I would like to see:

Kratos (God of War) vs Amaterasui (Okami)

Sephiroth (Final Fantasy 7) vs Kefka (Final Fantasy 6)

Samus Aran (Metroid) vs Femshep (Mass Effect)

Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) vs Nathan Drake (Uncharted)

Kratos (God of War) vs The Master (Actraiser)

Morrigan (Dragon Age Origins) vs Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalkers)

Shodan (System Shock 2) vs GlaDOS (Portal)

Wander (Shadow of the Colossus) vs. James Sutherland (Silent Hill 2)

Vaan (Final Fantasy XII) vs. Vyse (Skies of Arcadia)

Aerith (Final Fantasy 7) vs. Nei (Phantasy Star 2)

Tifa Lockhart (Final Fantasy 7) vs. Taki (Soul Calibur 3)

Duke Nukem vs. Sonic the Hedgehog

Arcade Fire

Inspired by this week's edition of Good Game, I thought I might take the time to talk about some of my favorite arcade games. I played a lot of arcades during my youth and have fond memories of them all - some of which I still play today. So without a further ado....

Mighty Bombjack
Growing up in the eighties I always viewed Arcade Machines with some degree of awestruck reverence. Whereas I was used to playing games on the Commodore 64, Arcade machines were something else: They were technologically superior, they attracted players of all ages and it was games being played in public! I recall seeing them in certain locations and seeing them always sent a rush of excitement through my young mind.
They say you always remember the very first arcade you play and in my case it was the Mighty Bombjack. Of course it wasn't anything special in it's day but, as the saying goes, ya gotta start somewhere...


Aero Fighters  (Sonic Wings)
It was during the early nineties that my interest in arcade machines racked up - most likely to me growing aware of something called consoles. Seeing how gaming was expanding into something beyond what I thought I knew, I made it a point to check out an arcade game the instant I saw it. Now whilst there were several genres available, the one that interested me the most was the horizontally scrolling shooters. For some reason there was appeal of controlling a war machine and going around blowing the shit out of anything dumb enough to stand in the way with spectacular spread shot and homing missiles.
For this reason I do recall Aero Fighters quite fondly. Sure it was a tough game to play but I recall being nine years old and playing this game a lot - not to mention just how exciting it was, playing an arcade game with my own money.
And admittedly, at the time I thought the intro was kinda cool too:



Street Fighter 2
Whilst I gave the shooters more attention than any other arcade genre, there was however the fighters - they were there and they couldn't be ignored. And no roundup of arcade games would be complete with mentioning Street Fighter 2. History has decreed that arcade games were in something of slump before Street Fighter2 came along and breathed new life into them. From the outset I'd heard of Street Fighter 2 and people spoke of it in awe-struck tones, as if they'd just discovered the Holy Grail. I myself only got to see it through my brother playing it and I was quite impressed with what I saw. He used Blanka a lot and I recall seeing how the electric attack inspired a unique skeleton - and through watching him play I picked up a lot. Of course, it would be years before I got to play it myself and it was a damn fun game. Indeed, SF2 was a big deal I remember a lot of excitement when Super/the New Challengers showed up. And I still play SF2 to this day and even now I'm impressed by how many people also played it when they were kids.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Well I loved the cartoon back in the day and seeing an arcade game based on it was sweet as. Of course, part of the appeal was the whole 4 player and that was pretty cool too. Of course I never saw four people playing it at once (although it may have been a bit hard to see the screen when four people are crowded the machine) this is definitely a high point in my arcade game history.

Vendetta
I'll always have a soft spot for this game. Beat-em-ups were definitely popular back in the early nineties and this was one of the stand outs. Yes it was Konami trying to replicate the four-player style that made TMNT a hit but Vendetta was special to me largely through showing a sense of humor rarely seen in a beat-em-up. Aside from the player characters resembling Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan, Jean Claude Van Damme and Mr.T, there is heaps of character interaction, weapons, and slapstick to make this one of the finest games of it's day. The fact that this hasn't appeared on XBLA is a travesty but you know what? I'll take this over XMen Arcade any day.

Raiden 2
I had a soft spot for shooters and I think this was the best of the lot. Somehow it did everything right with the power-ups, bomb varieties, inventive bosses and detail with graphics. I still enjoy this one my Playstation and I believe I'll still be enjoying it years later.

Darkstalkers
I never played Street Fighter 2 that much during my youth but I do recall playing Darkstalkers quite a bit. It was a fun beat-em-up and I really enjoyed the creativity gone into it with a fighting roster made up of b-grade movie monsters getting stuck into each other. But really I should go ahead and admit it: It was all because of Morrigan Aensland. But then again what guy wasn't sold over?

Alien vs Predator
Forget the lame movies: This game was the shit! Predators? In a beat-em-up? With the Aliens? And shooting sections? And Arnie's character from Predator 1 thrown in for good measure?! HELL YES! So there was a whole lot going for this game and I particularly enjoyed how the shooting sections were integrated into a beat-em-up (which was something unique at the time). The graphics were mind-blowing to behold and it was indeed intense to be continually swamped by hordes of the aliens. Not much else I can say except this was one of the finest arcades I've ever played & someone should get this on the XBLA and NOW.

Daytona USA
Well what can I say? Everyone played this in it's day and no doubt still play it now. It was, and still is, a great game to play against friends and goes to show that if an arcade game is designed well enough it can have incredible lasting power. And you haven't played a game of Daytona USA with seven other people you haven't lived.

Virtua Cop 2
I never thought much of the 'gun' games during my time in the arcades but this was an exception. Not sure why though: Maybe it was the graphics, maybe it was the presentation or maybe it simply damn fun to play.
But whatever the reason, this is another game I still play when I get the chance and shooting the crims never gets old. I've even tried playing it with both guns in each hand! So yeah Virtua Cop 2 is great fun and I liked it a lot.

Metal Slug
Yet another game I still enjoy playing to this day. Just when I thought that games were getting too serious and someone should make something humorous, along comes Metal Slug. Everything about this game is class: The stupidly big guns, the absurd voice announcements and the delightful graphics that are still fun to watch even now. A lot of care and attention to detail went into this game and it shows - it makes even a compelling game years later. And, in a rare case, the sequels took a winning formula and made it even better!

So there you go. Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Now whilst people may say the arcades may be something of an anachronism I however maintain that if an arcade game is fun, is well designed and can be enjoyed with more than one person then the game will have staying power - which is impressive seeing that video games tend to have a limited lifespan and are often outclassed by technological superior successors. And if I'm still willing to spare the change for the likes of Virtua Cop 2 and Daytona USA then something must've worked better than originally hoped for.
Until next time...

Chronicles of a Gamer (Michael Revisited)

Here's a little something I bashed out - inspired by the legendary Michael ad:

I’m the one who walked with Link on his journey
The one Princess Zelda calls when danger nears
To Ganondorf I’m his constant enemy

I told Snake how to destroy the Metal Gears
Through me he found a sense of meaning in life
And we still meet regularly to drink some beers

I showed John Marston how to kill with a knife
With me he became a Legend of the West
And I got him back with his son and wife

I went with Commander Shepard – he’ll attest
I was with him through the Omega Relay
As everyone ‘round us gave their very best

I walked with Yuna every step of the way!
Got Ico and Yorda out of the fortress!
I’m that which makes Cyberdemons run away!

I got Samus Arun through planet Zebes!
Kefka, Loughain, M Bison, I did fracture!
Even Morrigan Aensland I did impress!

I got the Little Sisters out of Rapture!
I’ve faced down lines of relentless invaders!
Made friends with a wolf god and a space hamster!

I’ve been with Avalanche and Raynor’s Raiders!
When all’s gone to hell I’m the one they rely!
And I’m a friend of many a gun trader!

I’ve fought sand demons, zombies and colossi!
For I am the gamer and I’ve done it all
And in the eyes of my comrades, I’m their guy

Weekend Edition

Last weekend I was at a friends place with some other friends - much of this time was spent around a PS3. Now whilst this isn't my first time using a PS3 (that story is something I may come back to in the future), this was an opportunity to have a quick bash at some of games that are only available on the Playstation.

So what got played? Well....

Marvel vs Capcom 3
Always good for a laugh. I will admit to being familiar with this series but I've never actually took the time to play it. But I did enjoy playing this game: Maybe it's one of those games that need the right atmosphere to get the most out of (ie played with a group of other people). I used a team of Wolverine, Morrigan (Darkstalkers) and Amaterasu (Okami) and did rather well. Sure it was odd to see Amaterasu present but there is indeed some amusement value in seeing her, a wolf god, trump the thunder god Thor....

Little Big Planet
One of the bigger hits to spawn from the PS3, Little Big Planet is something that left me with mixed feelings. I do like both the inventive graphics and the four-player malarkey (whilst being very reminiscent of New Super Mario Bros) but other times, the controls aren't really that welcoming - as I found out, it's hard to try and work out how to do things when the more experienced players are screaming ahead of you and taking the rest of the screen with them, leaving little time to work within! Still, Little Big Planet has some degree of charm and for that I give it props.

Dark Souls
What a reputation this game comes with - being perhaps the most fiendishly difficult RPG ever made. No pause button, a stacking of unbelievable odds and the sense the game is taunting the player with every step. And that reputation isn't kidding: I saw my com-padres each getting slaughtered by the same monster and it certainly made for a frustrating sight. Also notable is seeing announcements declared in large lettering and the many, many cheap deaths. Now normally I would hate a game for doing that but in the time I spent playing Dark Souls I can say it some elements going for it with the great skeleton animations and setting.

Ico / Shadow of the Colossus in HD
Well I've been singing the praises for these games many times before on this blog so there's not much to add. However, I'm astonished by the HD remake and how everything looks so much better - so much so it's near impossible to go back to the original PS2 incarnations. Also, there is indeed a sweet satisfaction to play games you thought only you knew about and seeing other people showing an interest.

Degeneration (no.6)

And this serial continues.
As stated at the end of the previous installment, my interest in video gaming was waning – but it was not out of spite or anything. No: It was a natural progression of life. Other things were demanding attention, not least of which the real world, and I wasn’t in a position to ignore any of them.
But that’s not to say that I was completely ignorant of developments in the gaming world. I knew about the Dreamcast being the last hurrah for Sega. I knew the PS2 got off to a rocky start and I knew about Microsoft bringing a console of their own, the Xbox, to the table. I even had an Atari Lynx during this stage: Hey, it was cheap and, as befit this blog, I wanted to see if the grass was indeed greener on the other side.
But ultimately, the period of 2000-2005 was one where I parted ways with gaming. But little did I know that gaming wasn’t prepared to let me go. The connection was there and there was some potential for us to continue. All it needed was a catalyst.

And one such came: In late 2005, I stumbled across a list made by IGN on the Best 100 Games Ever Made. Through reading it, I saw a mixture of the recognised and the unfamiliar. I saw some titles I played and some that escaped my notice previously. And most of all, I was impressed that someone had sat down and fashioned such an official-looking list, providing substantial reasoning of each games’ selection and saluting the efforts of various pioneers.

Needless to say I was blown away – so much so, I actually made it my goal to track down every last one of them and play them. And thus, dreams were dusted off and raised from their slumber, opportunities that had passed me by the first time were now possible, and a world of brand new discoveries waiting to be found beckoned. A trigger had been set off and I plunged headlong into the sixth generation.
True it may have been at the tail end, when the seventh generation dawned but who the hell cares? I had returned to gaming and was prepared to savor every last moment. And what better why to kick it off was to return my gaze to a voice that called once before….

Playstation 2
As mentioned before, I knew the PS2 got off to a rocky start and wasn’t really that big of a hit. Funny how this baby is now recognised as the highest selling console ever.
As mentioned above, I finally made a goal in mind. This now presented the new problem of deciding which console, out of Playstation, Xbox and Gamecube, to get. With it’s extensive library, certain exclusives and it’s access to the PS1 catalogue, the winner was the PS2.
I recall the first game I placed into the system: Final Fantasy X. This was pretty much a return to console gaming after nearly a decade of absence. To be honest I had been away for so long I really had no idea what to expect – I had no idea what the graphics would be like (seriously!) or what advances had been made since the days of the fifth generation. Needless to say, what I saw was more akin to waking up from a coma. I was astonished that graphics had grown so spectacular. I was surprised that 3D gaming was actually playable and fun. Okay so maybe Final Fantasy X isn’t quite the best in the series but in any case, it was what got me back to gaming and, eventually encouraged me to seek out other entrants in the series (one has to start somewhere I guess).



I may have been a latecomer to the Playstation but I have many fond memories of playing my PS2: Appreciating the creativity that went into Resident Evil 4, being impressed with the inventiveness and brutality that went into God of War, the satisfaction of coming back to a boss in Final Fantasy X having levelled up extensively and knocking him flat, and, of course, completing Ico for the first time and, much to my surprise, having an emotional response.
I even hunted down some old PS1 games, granting me the chance to dust off some old favourites (Loaded, Darkstalkers, Raiden Project, Return Fire) and the opportunity to hunt some games that escaped me the first time around (Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy 7).
Interestingly enough, I also discovered how the PS2 could work as a social device. True going round to a friends place to play games is nothing new but when you’re the one who owns the console, you really see how it the social aspect works. Indeed, I remember when I went to a small LAN with my PS2: It was with a small group of people who had far better computers than my POS computer so I brought along the PS2 so I could be part of the fun. And indeed it worked a treat to have the other people queue up to fight each other on Soul Calibur 3. And was indeed gratifying to hear someone else see my playing through the inverted library in Castlevania Symphony of the Night and thinking the music was pretty cool. And finally, there has indeed great fun to have a bunch of friends around for an evening to have a bash at Singstar.

In a way, PS2 represented the destination of a journey: After leeching off other people, I finally had a console to call my own. I had discovered new wonders in a field I’d been away from for so long. And I discovered the power of the social element that can lie with owning a console. After years of having an interest in video gaming, a breakthrough had come like no other. Perhaps it was fitting that I should get my first console when I was well and truly into my adult years – and that console should be a Playstation.
So yes, the sixth generation was more or less the second coming with my gaming career. And as one journey ended another began….

Dreamcast
Remember in the introduction how I made mention of having an Atari Lynx? Maybe it’s the Australian in me, but I’ve always had a fascination for the underdog. You know, the guy who has a go. That, coupled with my previously-established love for Sega, may have counted for me owning a Sega Dreamcast.



I’m still not entirely sure why I got a Dreamcast. Maybe it was indeed favouring the underdog. Or maybe it was a last gesture for years of loyalty to Sega. Maybe it was case of going out and exploring in the hope of finding some hidden treasure. Or maybe it was, at that point in time, case of having far too much money and not enough common sense.

Say what you like about the Sega Dreamcast but there’s no denying that there was a time when Soul Calibur looked mind-blowing (even now) and Sega looked likely to recover from the disasters from the past. But, as we all know, it was not to be and Sega’s reign as a console developer had come to an end.

In retrospect, we can all whinge about the faults of the system (no third party games, too many arcade conversions, no DVD capabilities, online features being overlooked, poor marketing and the impending arrival of PS2) but in the end, there was no denying the Dreamcast was a potent game machine and the potential to be great. Sure that potential wasn't truly realised but at least Sega were trying new things. Sure there was no third party support but at least Sega were trying to build up new IP and doing things that messed with the formula. Sure the Dreamcast wasn’t the hit it should’ve been but nowadays people treat it a reverence not seen for other failed consoles (maybe having no one to blame for the console’s shortcomings helps considerably). True the Dreamcast may have been the death-knell for the once glorious console giant but I still have mine and it still gets used.

But let’s drop the pretences: At the end of the day was buying a Dreamcast worth it just to play Skies of Arcadia?
Damn right it was.

Xbox
As with the other entrants in the sixth generation, I came to the Xbox at a rather late point in the console’s life. For a long time I got a lot of mileage out of my PS2 (and Dreamcast) but I didn’t care much for the seventh generation as it happened around me.
Then, in 2009 I moved into a flat with my girlfriend, Kathleen, and she brought along her Xbox. Curious, I decided to buy some games to use on it.



Of course at the time, I was still giving my PS2 a lot of attention so time on the Xbox was limited. But that’s not to say it was enjoyable: I have many fond memories playing Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic and Sid Meier’s Pirates. It was also fun to have someone watch me play my games – sure gaming has long been a solitary experience so to have a second person paying undivided attention to my progression through a game is indeed a welcome change (of course I had no idea how Kathleen really felt about my constant swearing through Burnout 3 but still….)

And I think that what I got the most out of the Xbox: After years of playing games in my room by myself, I finally felt that gaming had finally become a social event. Previously, I’d played games against other people on consoles but the game, so to speak, had now changed. The PS2 may have made me aware of the fun involved with playing games in the presence of other people but the Xbox expanded upon it. Indeed, it is fun to see someone else show an interest in the game you're playing and suddenly you don't feel like you're the only person in the universe who's enjoying it.

When I jumped on the PS2 bandwagon, it was after years of absence – and coming back from that time away I’d grown astonished by what games were accomplishing from the days of the 2nd and 3rd Generations. Games were now being marketed as experiences, offering social commentary, challenges of the relationship between the game & the gamer and triggering emotional effects one never would’ve thought possible.
And I got all that and surprised that gaming could do that. But that was all by my own in my bedroom – so to have someone else along for the ride playing just as much attention as you (the gamer) is particularly sweet.
And to have gaming be a contributing factor to a romance is also kinda cool too.

So that’s my thoughts on the sixth generation. In the terms of my gaming career it was more or less a Second Coming – the return after years of wandering in the desert. And when I came back, I’d seen how gaming had evolved beyond entertainment value. I had seen how gaming had now grown as a social event and more importantly, I see gaming from the perspective of an adult: Indeed, it’s great spending your own money on consoles and games without having to badger/explain to one’s parents. It is fascinating how something you liked as a kid can evolve to a point where you can enjoy it as an adult and not look silly (and having a partner who thinks the same is also pretty cool too). And I’m always amazed just how many people have played the same games I have – even when I thought I was the only on Earth who’d heard of the game in question. I even loved striking up conversations over games and sharing both opinions and solutions.

If anything, sixth generation got me wrapped up in the gaming culture like never before. Gaming had finally become the norm and was now taken seriously.
So where do we go from here?
Towards the next generation one would think….

10 Best Intros of the 4th Generation

It would seem that concocting an introduction to a video game is no easy task: You have to grab the viewer's attention immediately or else they won't give you the time of day. Indeed, with the lack of restriction that modern consoles offer in processing power, many games have bowled people over with a ferocious rush of an intro - and suck enough people in only to realise that less effort went into the game design itself.

Not for me though: The best intros for me came from the 16-bit era: 1990-1995. You know, a time when games knew they were games as opposed to movies. A time when developers embraced their limitations and acted smart in order to get their point across. You may bitch about me being old but for me, intros of the 16-bit era offered more atmosphere, more grabbing of the attention and more establishment of drama than many of their more recent contemporaries.

So for today, I present my list of the 10 best intros of the 16-bit era. These may be old games but they are memorable for a reason: They all worked in some way that they managed to grab my attention and urged me to take up the game controller in hand.

So here we go:

10 - Shining Force 2 (Megadrive)

And the list commences with a burglary that goes horribly wrong.
The key purpose of an introductory sequence in any game is to set up a setting and introduce both important characters and key elements. And Shining Force 2 pulls this off with flair: some key characters are established (not least of which Slade), drama and a sense of quest are both set up and a general mood of spookiness is maintained throughout - in the form of the lightening flashes, the weird music and the eventual appearance of the demonic figure. Indeed, the strongest element at work here is the suspense and the gradual sense of approaching calamity.
In this list, this introduction is the longest - and could very well be the longest introduction ever of the 16-bit era. It may seem nothing special to someone from the current area where ultra-long introductory sequences are commonplace but less has been said in eight minutes. In Shining Force 2, we see something so simple that eventually triggers a massive adventure. Every quest has to start somewhere.....


9 - Darkstalkers (Arcade)

Erm..... Morrigan.....
Seriously though, Attract Modes are integral to Arcade games: You need a decent intro to make yourself stand out from the other arcades alongside and make sure it is the gamer's money going into you - not the others. So what does Darkstalkers do? Offer up a topless chick. Well, as they say, sex does indeed sell: One can only how many people would've been sold over seeing Morrigan's curves.
Other than that, there are some nuggets of interest that maintain attention throughout the intro: I like the title appearing over the thunder effects, the panning shot of the genuine freak-show of fighters, the title's eventual appearance with the descending text, the movements of Morrigan's gaze and, of course, the silhouetted Dimitri.
So in the end, this intro won me over with some rather subtle use of imagery. And Morrigan.


8 - Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (TurboGraphix)

The Castlevania games have a reputation for building a degree of spookiness onto the player - you are, after all, traversing through a haunted castle so anything less simply would not have done at all. And the intro to Rondo of Blood establishes this spookiness right from the word go: We see a bunch of knights sacrificing a maiden which subsequently resurrects Dracula. I downloaded Rondo of Blood for the Virtual Console and I was surprised to see such a macabre intro - I never knew one such existed in the 16-bit era.
Indeed, a sense of unease is established with the toiling bell and the narration making it clear that people are rejecting peace and prosperity in favor of chaos - even to a point of going to an effort to end the peaceful age.
Of course, as made clear in the translated video above, the translation is peculiar and the German narration sounds ridiculous in it's sternness. But in the terms of spookiness, unease, drama and general macabre, you can't go past this.


7 - Chaos Engine (Amiga)

Sometimes, simplicity works best. Through text and minimal imagery, this intro introduces the characters who make up the game: Thus we meet a monster and learn just how big a threat it poses. We also meet six gun-totting mercenaries, all geared up to take on the titular baddie. And...that's pretty much it.
The reason why this intro works is that it establishes the six selectable with a portrait and passage of text. And within the confines of these two elements, the mercenaries certainly show plenty of character - we may not be presented with much more in the way of information about these dudes but what there is, is indeed enough. Perhaps maybe modern game developers should take note? Indeed, I for one would like to see how these six mercenaries would last in a current-generation game where fully-realised scripts and voice acting are the norm....
So yes, I like this intro for the way it introduces it's cast - the accompanying music, provided by the late great Richard Joseph, is a treat too.


6 - Jungle Strike (Megadrive)

Intros need to establish a sense of drama in order to grab the player's attention and to provide them with a sense of purpose for the action ahead. And this is shining example of that principle.
Two dudes blow up an island in the Pacific and immediately afterwards state their intent for revenge on the US: one for his father's death and the other for interference on their drug trading. Thus we meet the bad guys and learn their motivations - who are, of course, pissed off enough to use nuclear weapons upon Uncle Sam. Further drama is established through then cutting to a news broadcast and finally settling on the player character swinging into action. Thus, we see a chain of events which explains everything - all held together with some great music which furthers the sense of urgency. I however like the imagery which are made to resemble that of a comic book. I also like the laid-back attitude of the player character responding to things as they unfold before him.
See? This is how it's done: In a few short minutes we meet the bad guys, we see what they are capable of, we see what has inspired them to do what they are doing, we see the effects and then we meet the player character and see just what type of character he is. No in medias res, no unnecessary padding, no complexity and nothing coming all out at once. See? Simplicity works for a reason!


5 - Alien vs Predator (Arcade)

Again, an arcade game providing an attract sequence that demands attention - and again, provided by Capcom no less. Immediately, the first thing that grabs attention is the music: A theme that suggests the mood of the game without a single image: Impending doom, invasion from an unstoppable foe and unexpected help from what could be the lesser of two evils. Indeed, I remember being a kid and hanging around the cabinet just for the music itself.
The images also work great: I like the changes of perspective going from lunar orbit, to a computer screen before ending to a battlefield. I also like seeing the hordes of Aliens, the sense that the two marines are the only opposition left standing and the sudden arrival of the Predators.
Indeed, what makes this intro work is the drama of encountering an unstoppable foe who outnumbers you a hundred times over and, generally, being part of a battlefield where the main combatants are two intruders to your planet leaving you, the human cyborgs, caught in the middle. In fact the use of the sentence 'A Living Hell' on it's own, says a lot.
And the fact that I was willing to use so much coinage on this game in my teen years suggests the mission of the attract mode, a well and truly successful one.


4 - Super Metroid (SNES)

Whilst the pre-game set up of Super Metroid with Samus' narration is an impressive sequence by itself, the part I will forever remember is the title screen. In such a short space of time, we see three corpses - one clearly being a child - and the Metroid linked up to a machine, being the only light source in an otherwise darkened room. As a result, a sense of drama is established in the most subtle of ways: we the audience are left wondering who are (or were) these people? What happened to them? What is the Metroid doing there? Throw in some extremely creepy music and we have a degree of interest triggered within the player and just what awaits them ahead. Its a triumph of subtlety - and the best bit of all is the pay off: In the first location, Samus encounters the machine but this time, the Metroid is missing.
Super Metroid may be best remembered as a game of subtle moments and a sense of unease - but the most memorable moment of all is when all of these are established masterfully at the very beginning. No wonder many modern game developers keep looking to Super Metroid for inspiration.


3 - Final Fantasy 6 (SNES)

The first five Final Fantasy games (hurrah for alliteration!) had a deceptive undercurrent: It all looked bright and cheerful ate first glance but underneath there lurked some sinister elements: Somber musical pieces, as many sad endings as happy endings and permanent deaths of party characters. Thus, the sixth Final Fantasy immediately announces it's intentions from the start: Through a dramatic organ and a drab colour palette, it becomes clear that the seriousness has come to the front and the colourful back-drops of the past have been placed aside. It is interesting how such a change in mood can be pulled off so well - indeed, one can only wonder the sense of surprise on one who'd been weened on FF4. Indeed, seeing as FF is a game series that provides variations on a theme, when they do something completely different it is worth sitting up and taking notice.
And that's not the only FF convention turned on it's head: In the expository text that follows, we see magic, one of the FF hallmarks, has been discarded and technology has taken it's place. Further drama is established with certain people wanting recover the forgotten art of magic and the potential threat of repeating a previous calamity. No doubt about it, FF6 certainly adds a lot of conflict right off the bat.
However, the most memorable aspect is the credits sequence, where we see a trio of mechs advancing through the snow, accompanied by a haunting rendition of Terra's theme. This is indeed, one of most memorable images of the 16-bit era and, I for one, certainly had it burned into my mind the first time I saw it. I guess it must be one of those videos where everything clicks together to produce a solid whole - I can't really describe why it's so memorable: I guess it's one of those perfect moments that everyone has to see it for themselves.
All in all, the march sequence is truly a shining example of how music and imagery can join forces to produce something that could only be described as unforgettable.


2 - Terranigma (SNES)

Whilst the US got Chrono Trigger, the UK, Europe and Australia had to settle for Terranigma. A forgotten gem yes but what an introductory sequence! In terms of presentation, this one leaps ahead of the rest. It utilizes some stunning graphics and a great choice of music, ranging from the heartbeat at the beginning to the restrained music throughout. Everything is handled in a subtle manner (an alien concept to many JRPGs) and the effort gone into it shows. The text is also compelling describing a planet from birth and the trials and tribulations of the people on it, accompanied by the brilliant use of time passing on a pocket watch. Also of particular interest is the use of Biblical motifs - which of course leads to my favourite moment: The watch ticks to twelve o'clock, the hands fall off and a numbers shift to make way for a Thirteenth hour.
Some say JRPG's are all bombast and lack subtlety but then they decide to do things differently, it succeeds with flying colours.
Terranigma may be disregarded as some to be a poor cousin to Chrono Trigger - but it sure has a lot going for it with it's use of history, it's glorious music and it's ideas. All of these are brought together to bring the finest introduction ever on the SNES.


And my favourite intro of the 16-bit era is....

1 - Moonstone (Amiga)

So what makes a memorable intro? Awesome visuals? Unforgettable music? The establishment of what must be done in the game itself? The setting being built up? Or the creation of unease towards the viewer? How about a combination of all of them?
Ladies and gentlemen we have a winner: May I introduce Moonstone. A game from the Commodore Amiga that never went any further. Maybe it was the blood and gore that predated the sensation caused by Mortal Kombat. Maybe it was made in a place that wasn't the US or Japan. Or maybe the game wasn't that remarkable. Whatever: The intro itself was enough to make the game. Indeed, I remember being twelve years old and thinking this was actually quite a freaky intro - In fact at the time, I never thought it possible that someone was actually doing this type of thing. Moonstone is a game that has a sense of dread lurking throughout and this intro encapsulates it perfectly. Throw in a perfect mix of graphics, unsettling music (again provided by Richard Joseph)and impending doom and you've got a winner.
So many memorable moments, I don't know where to start: the music that comes creeping in, the pan down from the moon to the forest floor, the sudden clash of multiple drums, the druid's chanting, the knight's hand moving with nervousness and the concluding piece of text where the target in spelled in a single, capitalized word. It's amazing to think the developers accomplished so much with such, by today's standards, limited hardware. I don't know how many times I've seen this intro but it still works everytime.
I recall the first time I played Moonstone: I was blown away by the intro but never got any further due to my A1200 frowning upon A500 technology. It was only many years later that I managed to play the game but, with high expectations brought by the intro, I came away disappointed. Still, at least there's always the above video.....

So that's my list of best 16-bit intros - artifacts from an era where people know what they wanted to get across and did it using the tools at their disposal.
So what I do think of modern game intros? Not much I'm afraid: If the serial Unskippable is anything to go by, they just keep growing increasingly ridiculous: It's all about the spectacle, where generating gamer interest is through flashy graphics and creating confusion - interest that ultimately leads to mockery.
Some people got it right the first time - now it's a matter of time before we suddenly remember how it's done properly.

Favourite Gaming Heroines

Heroines in gaming are a strange thing aren’t they? Through my own experience I have seen two types: a) a damsel in distress who can’t seem to do much apart form getting abducted by the game’s antagonist and b) some tough chick sexed up to the fact that they will shoot the balls off any bloke who as so much says hello.

But I don’t buy to any of that rubbish. I prefer to see things not in black and white but in shades of grey. So today, I present a list of gaming heroines who for some reason or another left an impression on me. All of these heroines I like but for different reasons: Some look gorgeous and some have strength of character whilst others, in my eyes, set benchmarks for other heroines to follow.
Furthermore, I want to set a personal challenge: Make a list of gaming heroines without mentioning the star of the Tomb Raider games (Geez, you think she was the only gaming heroine in town).

So let’s get going: This is my favourite gaming heroines.

11. Jill Valentine (Resident Evil series)

When you’re running from a zombie horde you’d most certainly want someone watching your back. Someone who’s hardened from experience and knows exactly what to do. And looking good whilst doing it doesn’t hurt either.
I have enjoyed Jill’s progression throughout the Resident Evil series, seeing her go from a rookie police officer and becoming more battle hardened with each encounter. She displays some noble virtues (as befit her profession) as well as confidence, intelligence, the usage of handguns and concern for the welfare of the people around her.
But I can’t pretend: As Resident Evil 3 pointed out, Jill has the looks to kill. Sure some people may hold up Tomb Raider as being an inspiration for this but Jill has a degree of drop-dead gorgeousness all her own. How she manages to survive such a nasty situation whilst in a tube top, mini skirt and knee high boots is beyond me. Maybe the clothes give her zombie resistant powers? I don't know.
But taste in clothes aside, if you ever wanted someone to watch your back in a zombie apocalypse, I will take Jill any day. And if many female gamers can find inspiration in this character then something must have worked.


10. Morrigan Aensland (Darkstalkers series)
I have a soft spot for Morrigan: If anything, she was the first crush I had on a fictional character. In a stunning example of sex selling, I played the arcade game and selected her character through that her presence in the attract sequence that lingers longer than what one would consider to be healthy (keep in mind I was thirteen at the time).
And how could one refuse? Morrigan is a triumph in character design, boasting a figure to die for, anime eyes and hair, and sexiness oozing from every pore. A succubus by nature, her intentions are made clear right from the start that you’d have to wonder why you’d want to resist.
However, once you reach adulthood, you realise that once upon a time you were young and dumb: You see, I realised that once you get past Morrigan’s figure there’s really not much to her. Her character is quite unremarkable coming across more as a bratty teenager, eschewing responsibility in favour of going out and having fun (I thought about inserting a Paris Hilton joke here but felt it too obvious). For this reason, Morrigan has been regulated to the bottom end of this list.
But there’s no denying it: In terms of sexy characters, Morrigan comes out on top – I mean why settle for natural beauty when unnatural/demonic beauty has so much to offer?


9. Mrs Pacman (Mrs Pacman)

This may seem an unusual choice in this list. Sure Mrs Pacman may not have much going on in the looks department but she more than makes up for it in the strength of her character – a flipside to Morrigan if you will. Indeed, there is a lot to admire in Mrs Pacman’s character with her being a devoted wife, a loving mother and being courageous enough to head into areas more dangerous than the one’s her husband visited. Such noble qualities certainly don’t appear often in female characters in more recent games – but maybe they don’t need to because Mrs. Pacman got it right the first time around. She was the first icon the female gamers could cheer for and a true inspiration – even to the point of using her status to promote breast cancer awareness.


8. Samus Aran (Metroid series)
The courageous bounty hunter herself. She may not be as sexualised as a lot of her contemporaries but in my eyes that makes her all the better for it.
Strong and independent with a sense of adventure and a degree of compassion strong enough to compel her to rescue yellow rodents that shoot out electrical bolts (if Super Smash Brothers Brawl is to be believed). Much like Jill, Samus is definitely someone who you’d want watching your back. But, unlike Jill, Samus has a more practical dress sense. And a gun for an arm - How can you see no to that?!
But the reason I like Samus is that she provides a connection: Playing Super Metroid, the sense of atmosphere provides a sense that you, the player, are all alone on a planet that is trying to stop this intruder called Samus. You really feel that you want to survive this hostile environment. You really feel you want to find the next upgrade that will open new places to explore. You really want Samus to find the Metroid and stop Ridley, and get off this freaky planet!
And all of this accomplished without showing an inch of bare skin! See? It can be done!


7. Ada Wong (Resident Evil series)
Much like Morrigan, Ada certainly has the sexiness down pat. And like Jill, she maintains the RE tradition of having a female character who can look great and kick some serious arse whilst doing so.
Aside from the whole temptress thing she has going, what endeared me to Ada was her rather compelling characterization: When introduced in RE2, she teams up with Leon Kennedy - only to be revealed to be a spy trying to claim the G4 virus. She gets shot but manages to survive to make a return in RE4. Therein she again crosses paths with Leon whilst pursuing her own agenda, and subsequently alternates between being an ally and a potential adversary. Indeed, it is unfortunate that RE4 ended the way it did becuase I for one would like see what happens to her in the future and whether or not she will cross paths with Leon again....
Ultimately, I really Ada becuase she is courageous, independent and not afraid to back down from danger - yet such strengths are balanced out with a questionable honesty, a sense of loyalty that tends to change like the weather and instances where she needs to be rescued by Leon. Yep, a well-realized character who has the looks to match. Good for her!
Plus, how she is able to run from the zombies in those high heels is an achievement in itself.


6. Commander Shepard (Mass Effect)
Okay so I’m cheating a bit seeing as Commander Shepard can be a male character as well but ultimately I prefer Femshep. So why does she get the nod? Three reasons:
1. The beauty of Commander Shepard is seeing the evolution of a character: Throughout the course of the game(s) Commander Shepard is faced with various choices: Some may alter the course of the narrative whilst others reveal Shepard’s preferred way of solving problems. Such choices help define the character and it’s indeed pleasing to see the pay-off later in the game – whether through altering the universe permanently or seeing how the other characters react to Shepard’s reputation.
2. Unlike her male counterpart, there is something refreshing about seeing a woman don the power armour and having a go at saving the universe. Seeing as space marines in gaming are usually defined by scowling meataxes, usually with more balls than brains, it is a welcome change to see a woman step into the field. And strangely enough, where as the males would their actions written off as macho, the woman, who is doing the same things, suddenly comes across as more heroic and courageous. For this reason Femshep is special.
3. And a sterling performance from voice actor Jennifer Hale doesn’t hurt either.


5. Freya Crescent (Final Fantasy 9)
And here we have the very first Final Fantasy heroine to this list (but not the last I can assure you). Yep, when it comes to finding out compelling female heroines, you can't go past the Final Fantasy series. Sure some of the heroines throughout the series may come across as being helpless and unable to do things until the protagonist shows his mug but when Final Fantasy decides to present a heroine who does things differently, you can't help but sit up and take notice.
Which brings me to Freya. She may be an unusual choice to this list - she is after all a six foot rat - but appearances aside, she has to be, perhaps, the most well-realised heroine in the entire series. When other FF heroines/love interests seemed to following the same template, Freya represented a watershed: She is independent in spirit but noble in heart. She is efficient in combat but holds an aura of tragedy. She never needs rescuing but is seeking her lost lover. She is in love but never shows such interest in Zidane. She eventually finds her man but things don't look that good for the future. So I tip my hat off to Square for putting such a lot of thought into the character - it is such attention to detail that places Freya as my favorite knight in the entire series.
And if that isn't enough when I played FF9, I used Freya a lot due to her annoying habit of saving the day in the battles - seriously, I lost count how many times she dealt the killing blow when things were at their bleakest! In any case, you can't do better than that.


4. Jahiera (Baldur's Gate series)
So far in this list I have mentioned some faces that may come across as familiar to lists like these. So the inclusion of Jahiera from Baldur’s Gate may come across as something of a surprise. So why Jahiera? Well, much like Freya, it is little do with appearances but instead the way her character was realised through the progression of the game.
I will admit that when I was first introduced to Jahiera in Baldur’s Gate 1, I was unimpressed. To me she came across as a crabby, anti-authority crank who was just fighting for the sake of it. Additionally, she had an unusual choice of husband with Khalid who seemed far too timid to be hanging around Jahiera, let alone married to! (Maybe it was her acid-tongue that made him so jumpy?)
All of that changes however with the sequel: She is one of the first companions you come across but even then, the change is immediately evident: Through her voice, Jahiera, whilst still retaining the sexy Russian accent, now comes across as being a lot more mellow. But it isn’t long afterward that it is revealed that Khalid is dead – and thus begins a long journey where Jahiera has to overcome the death of her husband and gradually move on. It is through the romantic sub-plot that we see an emotional vulnerability hiding behind the brash exterior – and seeing as Jahiera’s romantic sub-plot is the longest and most complex of the three potential sub-plots, it thus becomes the most satisfying of them all. Indeed, it is compelling to see a grouch, slowly but surely, open up to reveal an emotional side one never thought possible.
That and anyone who can heal my warrior and transform into a bear in combat is fine by me.


3. Yuna (Final Fantasy X)
The face of Final Fantasy X also happens to be one of my favorite heroines. First impressions reveal a character who shows a lot of thoughtfulness going into her design: Her clothes are simple (when compared to the other people of Spira) but the white and blue kimono thing she has going is nice – I particularly love the subtle details like the floral design on the dress, the bead structure/earring and the chain beads that hang from her waist – coloured in a way that mirror the crystals from Final Fantasy 1. Also, I liked her different coloured eyes and I thought her short hair made her stand out from other gaming heroines.
Whilst Yuna looks great, her real strength comes from, once again, a well-realised complexity to her character. Indeed, when I was playing through FFX, it was indeed interesting to see Yuna, the driving force of nearly all of the game, through the eyes of someone else (that someone else being Tidus). As such, it made for a great perspective to see the character of Yuna evolve in the manner akin to a character study and more is gradually revealed of her as the game continues to moves forward. Who is Yuna? Why is she going on this pilgrimage? Indeed, it is that sense of mystique and the need to find out more that urges the player onward.
As the game progresses Yuna grows through a lot of personal growth, displaying a wide range of emotions – all of which is conveyed whilst hiding a dark side of her eventual fate and the acceptance of its inevitability. Indeed, it is credit to the game designers to have a character go through so much over such a long period of time and subsequently build up a substantial connection with the player.
So yes, Yuna may have won me over with the looks, but it was her personal growth that endeared me to her. And let us not forget, she does have a really good singing voice.
Also, having a powerful magic stat and the ability to summon aeons doesn’t hurt either.


2. Princess Zelda (Legend of Zelda series)

Perhaps the most enigmatic candidate in this list: She was introduced in the first Legend of Zelda game as a MacGuffin: It was her name appearing in the title and she only appeared at the very end of the game, but everything else happening in the game resting on Link’s stalwart shoulders. So what is the appeal of Princess Zelda when it’s Link’s fate that’s being guided by the player?
Easy: It’s what we don’t know.
Right from the beginning, Princess Zelda is established as being important to the game: It is her name in the title and she is a princess who has been captured by the persistent baddie Ganon/Ganondorf. Strangely enough, that is all the player needs to know: Zelda is important and there’s good enough reason to go rescue her. Aside from that, not much else is established about the princess but there’s no need. Indeed, it is the aura of mystery that the Princess herself holds that certainly makes the challenge of rescuing her one worth rising up to. One could say they want to rescue just because they want to know more about her! And as the series has progressed, that sense of mystery has manifested in interesting ways with Zelda being the embodiment of Triforce of Wisdom and the introduction of her alter ego Shiek. Indeed, the mystique is such a strong idea that a Zelda game without Zelda just …well……wouldn’t be Zelda.
In addition, there is indeed a lot to like about Princess Zelda: She looks gorgeous (particularly in her Wii incarnations), she is of royalty, she is powerful in magic as well as capable in using the sword and bow, and she’s intelligent, courageous & shown to be a wise ruler who is deeply concerned for the welfare of her subjects.
So in the end, is this a face worth travelling across an ocean of time for? HELL YES!


And my number one favorite video game heroine is.....

1. Aerith Gainsborough (Final Fantasy 7)

Cue the necrophilia jokes.
But seriously, I rank Aerith Gainsborough as my favourite gaming heroine. I have mentioned above characters that have won me over through looks, personality or a sense of mystique – but with Aerith, all of these elements come together to produce a compelling whole.
I think the most compelling aspect of the flower girl is that she is built on the idea of gentleness. A gentleness that is evident with her personality and her character design. Sure it may make her eventual fate all the more emotionally despairing but I honestly find the idea of gentleness a welcome one. In video gaming, we see female characters who are either sexed up, packing big guns, militaristic feminist or just being unable to do anything until the player character shows up. So in my mind, having a female character of a gentle nature is in a way refreshing.
The gentleness is pretty much in her design and Aerith looks nothing short of beautiful. She may not look like much in the original FF7 PS1 graphics but what she has gets enhanced tremendously in Advent Children and she looks wonderful. The hair looks great, the pink dress looks great and special mention must go to the most memorable aspect of Aerith: Her eyes. As indicated in the image above, she has the finest eyes CGI has ever produced.
Her multi-faceted personality is also a delight: Aerith accomplishes a lot in her time, through being a lonely soul, a positive influence, a source of cheerfulness, a courageous fighter, a damsel in distress, before being the only one who can make Cloud smile. She exhibits various emotions from angry, happy, witty, flirty, encouraging and brave. It is also interesting to see how a flower girl in the slums eventually becomes the key to saving the world. The healing-based limit breaks were also helpful too!
Okay so yes she may have a big hole in her chest (and may also be a bit wet) but Aerith certainly has a lot going for her – enough to secure her the number position in my list of favourite video game heroines.
It’s just a shame that she’s dead.
As well as being a fictional character. XD

Anyho, I hope you enjoyed this list of gaming heroines I like and how they made an impression on me. We all have our tastes - you just now know mine.
And no, you can't have the time spent reading this post back *maniacal laughter*