Tribute to a Good Friend.

I just recently learned that a close friend of mine, Shane Clayton, died two years ago - he was my old arcade-going and MK-lovin' buddy that I grew up playing games with. Up until now, I've been wondering if he was doing well since we lost touch a while back. I lost contact with him 4 years ago and just this Sunday, his mom called to tell my family about what had happened. :(

My beginnings in guide writing are actually based upon a suggestion from him. "Dude, you should write your own guides for these games". That statement may seem simple and at that time there wasn't a lot of seriousness behind it but it did have some impact on how I first started when I began writing for video games.

On a lighter note, hopefully he is still laying down the rest of the competition in Punch-Out!! up above.


I always think of Little Mac when I think of him. Won't ever forget you, good buddy. RIP.

Going offline

Just a little head's up for anybody that tries to contact me for the week coming up. I'll be without a comp and internet service for probably most of next week, so you won't get a reply for a while.

For those that do email me, I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

See you then. :)

UPDATE: (3/22)

Got back online for today to check my email and this post.

I'll probably be off for most of next week too, then I'll get back to updating everything of mine - DMC4 guide + another guide I'm working on.

What's new with me...

Well, my Xbox 360 died and is on it's way for repair. That really didn't suprise me though. Something much more tragic than that happened though - see post above.

Silent Hill: Origins (PS2) review

Player(s): 1
Memory: 179KB

Do you have fond memories of playing your old Playstation 1 games on your Playstation 2? Remember how you would turn on the graphics filter and faster loading to make the polygons of some games would look smoother and the overall game load faster? Remember how some games would indeed look smoother and load faster, but they would have sound bugs or some other type of bug throughout them because of the extra stuff that you tried to force on them? Well, that is the sort of problem that we have here with Silent Hill Origins on the PS2.

I'm not going to go into detail about the story of the game, gameplay or any other features such as that. Please view my review of Silent Hill Origins on the PSP for that info. The PS2 version is the exact same from a gameplay perspective and the story remains the same with no added features.

If the PSP version has been played prior to starting up Silent Hill Origins for the PS2 then one can immediately notice the redone character models and slightly better backgrounds (and enemies). The game can be played in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio and has multiple languages that can be chosen as the game begins. All files now have pictures that can be viewed prior to reading the text which provides a slightly more immersive experience when picking up any of them.

So what's so bad about the game? Well, the game is not absolutely terrible by any means. For the most part it still plays just as well as the PSP version, but the PS2 version suffers from some sounds bugs among other bugs and an overall darker look. Music will cut off while in some rooms, door opening sounds will not play when interacting with a door, the radio sound effect while touching a mirror cuts on and off in a choppy manner when compared to its PSP counterpart and sometimes the sound effect of picking up an item will sound distorted and nearly scare you more than a random sound that was actually meant to scare the player. All of these sound bugs happen randomly but some of them happen quite often - especially the door opening bug.

That's not all of the bugs either. There is also a slight delay in button response sometimes. Again, this happens randomly, but it's annoying when I want to simply view my map or run and have to wait a bit for the game to recognize my command.

Then there's the dark look that the game now carries. Konami could have easily put a brightness option in place on the PS2 version to remedy this issue but there is not one to be found. Some rooms are extremely dark and without your flashlight, all you can see is some slight movement on a nearly black screen. Yes, Silent Hill uses the darkness for its atmosphere, but when a game encourages you to turn off your light for a certain unlockable or to hide from enemies in an area, you would think the player would be able to see somewhat without a light in every room.

The new character designs look rather impressive. The models are much smoother than the PSP models. The jagged edges on the character models were really the only noticeable flaw on the PSP when it came to graphics. I do have a few issues with the way some of the characters look in the PS2 version though, most notable Lisa. She looks so much older in the face unlike her younger look in the PSP version. That's just my personal opinion though.

The 16:9 aspect ratio actually makes the game look much better even when played on a standard television. Everything is zoomed in and can be seen more clearly. The darkness isn't as much of an issue when this is turned on, but if you're on a standard TV then some of the game screen gets cut off.

All arguments aside, the game is still a really great survival horror experience. If you haven't played the PSP version then you should pick up Silent Hill Origins for PS2 if that is your only option. Even if some of the aspects have gone downhill when compared to the PSP version, the game still remains the same from a gameplay perspective and overall story point of view. If you have to choose between both versions then I would easily recommend the PSP version however.

Graphics: 9.0
Controls: 8.5
Sound: 8.0
Gameplay: 8.5

The Good

+ Redone character models and slightly improved overall graphics.
+ New 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratios and multiple languages.
+ Files now have pictures of the file to view along with the text.

The Bad

- Many sound bugs that were not present in the PSP version.
- Slight button delay at times.
- Very dark appearance with no in-game brightness option.

8.5/10

What once was near perfect has now been broken, yet upgraded a bit in the process. The nightmare that plagues Silent Hill still continues regardless!

Devi May Cry 4 - Angelo Credo Move List

BUSTER MOMENTS

This is a list of the appropriate times that a Buster can be performed to Credo. Buster = Nero's Devil Bringer grab (O [PS3] or B [X360]).

Boss Attack	Description
Normal Grab	Grab Credo with a Buster after dodging one of his series of attacks.
Beatdown	Grab Credo with a Buster after stunning him from continuous hits that break his shield. He will stagger.
Javelin Counter	While Credo tosses javelins at Nero, grab a javelin with a Buster by pressing the O button while it flies at Nero (not the instant before it hits, but a bit before that time) then aim at Credo before Nero tosses it back to impale Credo.

ATTACKS FROM START OF BATTLE

Boss Attack	Description	Avoidance
Javelin Toss	Credo dashes backwards then takes out a glowing javelin and tosses it with his right hand. He tosses two more javelins with his left hand followed by his right hand again. He will stop if any of them hit your character.	Jump or roll the right before they reach your character. You can also run to the side from a far distance. Use a Buster as it flies toward your character to counter this and throw it back.
Sword Combo 1	While walking toward Nero, Credo readies his sword then performs a normal slash, upward slash, downward slash, then ends the combination with an overhead slash.	Dodge the first two slashes with a roll then roll from the overhead slash. You can also jump away from him or use a DB snatch to vault over him before he starts slashing. This move can also be interrupted with a well-timed slash to counter his first slash.
Sword Combo 2	EWhile walking toward Nero, Credo leans back then performs two quick flashes followed by an overhead slash.	DB snatch him to vault over him or jump away from him. This move can be interrupted with a well-timed slash to counter his first slash.
Counter 1	After blocking an attack, Credo unleashes a rising slash into the air then performs a falling overhead slash.	Roll to the side to avoid each slash - one roll for the rising slash then another for the falling overhead slash.
Counter 2	After blocking an attack, Credo hovers slightly above the floor then slashes, sending an energy wave to the ground in front of him.	Roll right as Credo slashes or jump before he slashes.

ATTACKS NEAR DEATH

Boss Attack	Description	Avoidance
Sword Spiral	Swords appear all around your character. The swords turn inward and fly toward your character in groups of two at a time.	Slash them all by turning different ways while performing a combo or jump, Air Hike, then roll when your character hits the ground.
Light Swords	While hovering, Credo forms a vertical row of swords and shoots them toward your character then he forms a horizontal row of the swords and then shoots those.	Run and jump to the side.
Custom Combo 1	Credo flies forward while in the air and slashes as an energy wave hits the ground. He speeds toward your characters and performs an uppercut slash followed by a downward slash.	Jump then roll from the uppercut slash and the downward slash.
Custom Combo 2	Credo dashes forward and performs three slashes, an uppercut slash that sends him into the air, an energy wave in the air, then flies downward and points his sword and dashes at your character with a thrust.	Roll from the first slash and keep moving to the side you roll from, jump to avoid the energy wave, then roll or jump to avoid the thrust.
Energy Wave Combo	Credo flies toward your character and slashes to make an energy wave. He quickly flies into the air and performs another energy wave slash then flies back to the ground to perform one more energy wave slash.	It is possible to roll from all three slashes with good timing but it is easier to jump to avoid them individually.

Poll #8 - How far have you made it in the Bloody Palace survival mode in DMC4?

So up to last night I had only made it up to about Stage 27 in Bloody Palace. I never really had experimented that much with Nero's level 3 charge blast outside of shooting Mephistos, Fausts, and Blitzs, but I decided to change the button layout a bit just to see how well the level 3 charge blast worked on other enemies in Bloody Palace. When I reached Stage 40 I was more than conviced that it was helpful - I had to turn it off and leave then though.

Later last night, I decided to play Bloody Palace again with Nero just to experiment with some stuff and before I knew it, I was up in the 60 range of stages. I decided to continue just to see how far I could make it. Credo almost stopped me on Stage 80 - literally one more hit and I would have been defeated as I defeated him. Fighting two Blitz wasn't really that bad with Nero and the armada of Angelos on Stage 99 was fairly easy. Dante on Stage 101 was pretty scary, especially since I had almost lost sanity by then, but I managed to beat him to complete Bloody Palace.

With Nero's charge blast on constant charge, I didn't even really need Exceed moves. Level 3 Ex Streaks helped out some, but the level 3 charge blast was the main savior for me. That move is way too useful.

So, how far have the rest of you made it?

Poll #7 - Results

Yeah, yeah, I know, I forgot Cerberus. :p

What are your favorite Devil Arms in the Devil May Cry series?

Agni & Rudra
33 (22%)

Alastor
26 (17%)

Beowulf
32 (22%)

Force Edge
11 (7%)

Gilgamesh
26 (17%)

Ifrit
14 (9%)

Lucifer
18 (12%)

Nevan
11 (7%)

Rebellion
52 (35%)

Red Queen
40 (27%)

Yamato
64 (44%)


Total Votes: 145

Yamato wins with the runner up of Rebellion. Both Vergil and Dante's trusted weapons are your main favorites!

Devil May Cry 4 - Echidna Move List

BUSTER MOMENTS

This is a list of the appropriate times that a Buster can be performed to Echidna.

Buster = Nero's Devil Bringer grab (O [PS3] or B [X360]).

Boss Attack	Description
Impale	Grab Echidna with a Buster after stunning her with enough attacks. She will lean over and stagger.
Egg-Sac Pummel	Grab Echidna's egg sac with a Buster after she opens up her snake body to reveal the egg sac. Jump and grab.
Riding Impale	While Echidna dashes in from the background while glowing, perform a Buster a few moments before she dashes at Nero to make Nero plunge the Red Queen into her and ride her while damaging her.

WHILE PROPPED UP ON HER TAIL

Boss Attack	Description	Avoidance
Tail Slap	Echidna quickly slaps her tail across the area in front of her starting from her right. Watch for her tail to move in the back of her as she whips her tail around to her front.	Roll toward her tail (to the left) or jump.
Hair Slap	Echidna starts from her left then slaps her hair tentacles to the right then to the left while looking down.	Roll toward each appendage slap (right then left), Air Hike above her and fire Blue Rose or Air Hike backwards then fire Blue Rose.

FROM BURROW STANCE

Boss Attack	Description	Avoidance
Burrow	Echidna stands straight up on her tail and burrows into the ground then opens her snake mouth to reveal her body. The petal-like side of the viper mouth can hit your character when she falls into the ground from above.	Back up and stay away from her snake body.
Ground Tentacles	While burrowed, Echidna sends tentacles through the ground and makes them surface and smash whatever is front of them.	Roll or run.
Tentacle Stab	Echidna waves her arms and tentacles shoot out of the ground below your character. Watch for the holes to appear below your character.	Roll or run.
Force Blast	Echidna holds up both arms and sends out a small force blast all around her. This doesn't damage but it will stun your character if it hits.	Jump.
Hair Slap	Echidna leans her head back then slaps to her right then to her left with her hair appendages.	Roll toward each appendage slap (right then left) or jump and fire Blue Rose.
Burrow Escape	Echidna's petal-like appendages (viper head) begin to shake as she quickly unearths her entire body. The petal pieces will hit if your character is anywhere near them.	Target her when her petal-like appendages shake then jump directly backwards.

OTHER ATTACKS FROM FLYING STATE

Boss Attack	Description	Avoidance
Egg Laying Stance	Echidna opens her snake body up around the area to stand on her appendages. She begins to lay Chimera Eggs from her egg sac below the bottom section of her body. The eggs will hatch into Chimera Seeds.	Roll to avoid the appendages or move in between them.
Biting Lunge	Echidna quickly lunges toward your character and tries to bite him with her viper head.	Perform a well-timed roll to either side as the viper head approaches. A level 3 charge blast will canel this move.
Ram	While retreating from her propped up position, her snake body coils to the side and the viper head closes and remains still for a brief second then suddenly darts straight ahead. While she is glowing, she locks on to your character's current location.	Move away from her viper head or roll as she begins to move. While she is glowing, your character will have to roll.
Seed Shots	While her body glows, seeds form on her snake body throughout the rest of the battle. Echidna shoots these seeds in waves whenever she attacks or moves by your character. Watch for her body to glow then watch for the seeds on her snake body then prepare to dodge as the seeds shoot toward your character.	Move, roll, or jump away from the seed shots.
Punching Lunge	While her body is glowing, Echidna lunges at your character with both her arms outstretched. She will not use the viper head anymore while flying around and glowing. She actually targets your character more often while glowing instead of moving by him.	Perform a well-timed roll to either side as she approaches. Perform a Buster to her mouth before she hits Nero. A level 3 charge blast will also cancel this move.