8bitfix Review - PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (Vita)

So after all my time playing PlayStation All-Stars I finally wrote a review on it. The Vita version, that is. This game is pretty awesome, right up the alley for PS fans but I think anyone who digs the competitive Smash scene will like this game better. Let's face it, if you are trying to play Smash competitively that's basically like bragging about how awesome of a driver you are when all you do is race go karts at Putt-Putt (do they still have Putt-Putts?)

It's a little alarming how I somehow reviewed two fighting games in a row considering I don't consider myself a fighting game kinda guy. This one was easier for me to talk about though considering it isn't an overtly technical fighting game. There is technical-ness to it, but it's all behind the scenes which I like. So I was able to talk more about how this differs from Smash and the overwhelming visual aspect of the game. All in all I feel I did fairly well, though I think everyone who wants this game has it by now. Hopefully it reaches Superbot and they notice some of the constructive negative feedback and use that to create and even better PASBR 2.

Anyways here's a link and a bit from the review: 8bitfix Review: PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale (PlayStation Vita)

"Since so many characters from different games are thrown together in this all out brawl, it is easy to lose your bearings sometimes. You'll do plenty of double takes seeing Fat Princess next to Big Daddy. Initially it does look awkward but you do get used to it in no time. I'm sure there are others out there who don't share the sentiment but I feel this amalgamation of Sony's diverse video game lineup is part of this game's charm. In fact if I were more of a Sony diehard fan I would probably say something like "the contrast is evident of Sony's diverse software lineup". It's a good thing I'm not a Sony diehard fan eh?" -me

Who does your dentistry?

8bitfix Review - Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes (Vita)

Lego Batman 2. Lego Batman.... two. I really loved the first Lego Batman actually, I played the hell out of it on Xbox 360. Now that I'm that more into playing on handhelds I decided to get Lego Batman 2 on the Vita. While I was at it I might as well review it right? Right! Well coming directly from Lego Batman I didn't notice at first that this largely has less to offer than the console versions. Indeed it does, and even ignoring that fact it is hardly a perfect game on its own merit. The CGI cutscenes and music is poorly handled and the game is simply too easy to appeal to more than the hardcore fan. Thankfully I am that hardcore fan so I don't much regret my purchase at all, but that makes this version of the game a hard sell. With few really appealing games on the Vita for consumers anyway I really wish TT Fusion would have upped their game for this title. After all, the Vita needs all the help it can get.

The review was easy enough and I spent the majority of time trying to cover the basic highs and lows of this game. In the end it became somewhat of a rollercoaster ride settling at an average score. I toyed with the notion of rating it lower, but felt the majority of my disappointment with this game rested on what it lacks compared to the console version. While it's certainly my intention to inform readers of the differences my desire to review objectively won out and I decided not to punish the Vita version for not being the full console version of the game.

Anyways you can read for yourself here: 8bitfix Review: Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes (PlayStation Vita)

The lack of difficulty isn't necessarily a terrible thing however, due to both the game's obvious target audience and the fact that the game is fun. It is a silly, whimsical fun that Lego games are known for. Seeing enemies explode into a flurry of bricks is hilarious every time and the game's story itself plays up the Lego humor without becoming annoying. It's this that keeps those who play Lego games coming back. - me

This is why we can't have nice things.

8bitfix Review: Persona 4 Arena

Well, so as it turns out it would be a good idea for 8bitfix to simplify its review format so it could be a bit more flowy. After several days of getting opinions like teeth out of the reviewers we finally Ok'd it and voila! So Persona 4 Arena for PS3 marks the first review I've done in the approved format. I had even started a review for Lego Batman 2, but to be honest it was proving a challenge. This seemed like a natural transition since it is a game that really lends itself to this free form sort of format. It was as much of an exercise for me as it was a review. So with that said I hope you guys enjoy!

When reviewing this game, being a person who is not generally of a fighting game background I decided to stay away from the analytic approach. Afterall, I wouldn't really know much about what I'd be talking about with weird stuff like hit boxes move priority, character tiers and other things I simply don't understand in fighting games. So keeping it simple, I decided to focus on what I know it does bring to the table. Accessibility and style. At least knowing what's up with games like Guilty Gear and BlazBlue helped give a point of reference to gamers who were looking for more technical info. All around I really like this game, and it is a steal at it's reduced price of $20. If you are a Persona fan or a fan of fighting games in general this belongs in your game library no questions asked.

Anyways here is the link with a little blurb as usual: 8bitfix Review: Persona 4 Arena (PS3)

When it comes to the actual fighting this game doesn't disappoint. The lesson mode teaches you there is an easy combo for players to rely on until they learn the ropes, but they are soon outgrown when greater combos are learned. Being able to combine attacks from your character and their Persona both can create some satisfying and unique combos I had tons of fun with it. The diversity of characters is pleasing as well. 13 characters from both Persona 3 and Persona 4 don’t sound like a lot but many of them have a diverse move set that covers all the bases. - WildCardCorsair

Want to piss someone off? Diaharan!

Boogie on down! 8bitfix Review: Orgarhythm

Troll box art is successful!

Another one bite's the dust! This time it's XSEED's groovy RTS/Rhythm hybrid, Orgarhythm for PlayStation Vita. Not really one for rhythm games myself (though Theatrhythm may have changed that a little) I was pretty intrigued what this would play like. Would it be more RTS than rhythm, or vice versa? In the end, just like a two piece harmony, there was a perfect blending of the two. The only thing holding this title back from being that new refreshing Vita entry is the fact that most people won't stop to give a strange title like this a try. It's a shame, but I'm under no illusions about the mentality of the majority demographic of gamers today. Well it is what it is, but anyone daring enough to risk a try at this $30 PSN only Vita title just might be rewarded with something truly special :)

Anyways here's the link: 8bitfix review: Orgarhythm

Oh, and a snippet, as always!

"Orgarhythm is actually very simple to describe, but difficult to convey the true experience. Here I go anyways. The game is equal parts rhythm and equal parts strategy. In order to properly dispatch troops you need to tap the screen to the beat. One tap on the God of Light, another to select which elemental trooper to use, and a third to select which type of attack they will perform. Then all you have to do is tap the screen, or tap and drag to send a certain number to a specified location on the map. As you continue to successfully tap, the "voltage level" will rise, powering up your troops, and allowing you to have more of them. See not hard to describe at all, but the game sounds plain. I assure you it isn't. There is a sort of excitement to the game you can't really appreciate until you try it. Something about how the music amplifies your drive to attack, and attacking continues to build your combo and voltage level; it's a cyclical excitement that builds with the better you are doing. Not to mention there are no technical difficulties whatsoever with tapping. The game runs smooth, almost surprisingly so when you have 48 of your own troopers heading out amidst a sea of enemies equal in number! It is absolutely essential rhythm games always run smoothly, and for one that incorporates RTS elements this is doubly so."

Say it with me... "Colors, Colors!"

That nineth lion must have some serious heartburn!

Another day, another review. This time the lucky game is none other than the eclectic Zero Escape Volume 2: Virtue's Last Reward. Yes, this is a visual novel which is a sort of sequel to 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors for the DS. This one, is a total improvement all around which I love. It's totally engrossing just like the first, but with way more user friendly additions. It also looks spectacular on the Vita. Plus the 24 different endings are... mind boggling. Each playthrough is almost like this is an entirely different game, it's rather crazy. The Vita is finally starting to build up its library in earnest and I could not be happier that this title is part of that. It's pretty much a must for any fan of visual novels, but even if you aren't you should still give this a try. Anyone who loves a crazy story, murder mystery, or just the site of a constantly topless wannabe Egyptian queen is sure to hit it big here.

Anyways here it is. 8bitfix Review: Zero Escape Volume 2: Virtue's Last Reward

Oh and if you wanted a taste... well here, have a taste:

"As you can imagine, logical thinking and problem solving are huge components of this game, but nothing is ever thrown at you unexpectedly. Compared to other visual novel/puzzle games this game is all inclusive. Whereas frustration had set in during my experiences with Layton games and their constant need for me to be a scholarly mathematician, this game does a great job of explaining anything you might need to know. This is definitely appreciated and oddly overlooked by other games in similar genres."

The Real World is really starting to cast funny nowadays.

Vana'days

So it's been... like a year since I posted last? I think that's about right.

first off I stopped because I also stopped playing XI. seemed odd to keep a blog called Absolutezero's Mog House going when I no longer had a mog house.

also almost a year ago I began writing for 8bitfix.com, if you guys like video games you need to check it out. in the year I actually worked my way up to review editor/coordinator. pretty fancy eh? but they're all great people and we post video game news and reviews because we love to. the site isn't even monetized.

so why the title? I'm considering going back into the world of vana'diel for a short time. I just want to get my last hurrah in before my first child is born!

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]