Captiosus's blog

Stealing a line from "Mike and Mike in the Morning" over on ESPN Radio, I'm back and better than ever.

It's been about 3 years since I was last here, and a lot has changed since then. I've moved, have gotten within one semester of finishing my degree, and all sorts of other assorted personal things. Still tooling about playing video games, however, and finally got my original 2004 gamertag back - Captiosus minus the "77".

Glad to see 2o2p hasn't radically changed much over the years.

...or is it?

 

...or is it?

 

It's the end of a very short lived era.

Back in October of last year, my wife wanted a Nintendo DS for Christmas. Overjoyed that she looked to at least expand into more modern gaming, even if it was in the handheld realm, I readily agreed and ordered her the desired Coral Pink DS and the games she initially wanted with it: Brain Age 2, Flash Focus, Mind Quiz, Nintendogs and Tetris DS.

It's the end of a very short lived era.

Back in October of last year, my wife wanted a Nintendo DS for Christmas. Overjoyed that she looked to at least expand into more modern gaming, even if it was in the handheld realm, I readily agreed and ordered her the desired Coral Pink DS and the games she initially wanted with it: Brain Age 2, Flash Focus, Mind Quiz, Nintendogs and Tetris DS.

I admit, I love the concept of Achievements (Trophies, Badges, whatever your games may call them) because, if done right, they reward skill and time invested in a game.

However, what I absolutely loathe are achievements that are tied to randomness, meaning skill doesn't play a factor at all, rather you have to be lucky to earn them.

An example would be Geometry Wars Evolved 2, where there are three achievements tied to completely random events: Wax Off, Rebound and Treaty.

I admit, I love the concept of Achievements (Trophies, Badges, whatever your games may call them) because, if done right, they reward skill and time invested in a game.

However, what I absolutely loathe are achievements that are tied to randomness, meaning skill doesn't play a factor at all, rather you have to be lucky to earn them.

An example would be Geometry Wars Evolved 2, where there are three achievements tied to completely random events: Wax Off, Rebound and Treaty.

What do you get when you try to incorporate:
A. Elements of a free roaming sandbox game;
B. An arcade racer;
C. No real plot?

You get a steaming pile of poo called Burnout Paradise.

What do you get when you try to incorporate:
A. Elements of a free roaming sandbox game;
B. An arcade racer;
C. No real plot?

You get a steaming pile of poo called Burnout Paradise.

Let me start by saying I don't trust any of the 3 major players seeking the office of President.

Despite that I still like following politics because every 4 years when we go through this Presidential election cycle, we really get to see spin masters working their charm.