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Jan 30th, 2007 at 22:31:07 - The Legend of Zelda (NES) |
So I started today after just completing the first 2 dungeons. They were not very tough and aren't very far apart. However, after that I got lost for a while. I tried exploring the eastern areas but got lost in the forest maze for a while so I decided to venture to the north west where I came across several secret shops and old men with secrets to tell me, but still no dungeon. 30 minutes passed and I got tired of searching around and looked for a map online. I found out the third dungeon was right under my nose! This is probably my biggest complaint about Zelda: the total lack of direction. It's very easy, especially in the early going to want to explore an area and end up dying repeatedly after wandering in circles. I'm sure once you found the dungeon you won't easily forget where it is, but it still would have been helpful to have a map or sign posts to guide you down the right path.
I haven't finished the 3rd dungeon yet, but it seems the dungeons design is getting a little better and the enemies more unique. Finding rooms full of large dodongos is pretty challenging. I have around 200 rupees so once I finish the dungeon I'll have to look for the shop that sells the white sword, which should make some of the tougher enemies easier to take down.
Hopefully I can beat the game before I have to return it, but even at this point I can confidently say that Zelda is worth it's pedigree. While not with out its set backs, it delivers a tried and true gameplay formula, unforgettable music, fun levels and the simple story of a boy with a sword out to save the world. What more could you ask for from a classic video game?
Venture on Link, venture on.
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Jan 30th, 2007 at 01:41:39 - The Legend of Zelda (NES) |
I had a hell of a time getting the NES from the Science Library to work. It took me an hour and a half of cleaning and repeated pressing of the power button/ cartridge removal to get in playable shape. Regardless of this frustration, I still had fun with the game.
I have very faint memories of Zelda from when I was little. I remember watching my brother play it and hearing the classic Hyrule fields theme that would stick with me forever, so of course I was excited to finally have a chance to play Zelda in its original NES form. Firstly, I wanted to talk about gameplay. The game features a simple combat system of stabbing with your sword whenever a enemy is near and using your shield to block arrows, pretty standard fair. Fortunately, enemies become bigger badder and funner to fight as you progress. Also, combat becomes more varied as you gain items through conquering dungeons and visiting shops like the boomerang, bombs, bow and arrow + many more.
The graphics are classic NES, probably not as good as they could have been, seeing as the designers had to make such a large world, but that really doesn't matter, because at this point in time the nostalgia factor trumps all. As I previously mentioned, the music of Zelda series has stuck with me for as long as I can remember and most of my favorites originated from the original. From the eerie dungeon theme, to the tune heard when lifting a piece of the tri-force above your head the music is one of the most classic soundtracks in video game history.
While I hoped to be completely floored by Zelda, there are some noticeable cracks that did not stand the test of time. Unlike when I logged for Kirby, with Zelda many of its advancements did not impress me. Most noticeably was the save feature, which was a big deal back in the day, but is na unnoticed given in today's games. Another problem I have is that while the combat presents challenges, the Zelda claim to fame: dungeon puzzles, was not nearly as challenging as I expected, which also leads to another problem. Zelda does not take a very long time to beat if you now what to do.
Next time I'll probably focus more on my actual gameplay experience.
Until then.
-Will Tuttle
This entry has been edited 1 time. It was last edited on Jan 30th, 2007 at 01:42:49.
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Jan 18th, 2007 at 22:29:29 - Kirby's Adventure (NES) |
Okay, so I'm now in World 4, which is about a 1/3 of the way through the game and in this post I just wanted to focus more on today's gaming experience as opposed to last post's more general topics.
When making my way through World 3 I noticed several things that stuck out. For one the level design continues to impress. One stage featured a rotating castle tower that threw several baddies at you while you slowly rotated to it's end. Another room was pitch black and you could only see the silhouettes of enemies, but if you swallowed an enemy lantern you could illuminate the entire area making it much easier to traverse. Other stages featured underwater segments wear Kirby shows off his adept back stroke, while another stage was a series of doors that had to be entered repeatedly until you found a way to progress. The level design keeps getting better and offers more challenges as you progress, which is a big reason why this game becomes addicting.
And the crown jewel of Kirby's Adventure: absorbing enemy powers, is still keeping me thoroughly entertained especially since I have discovered my new favorite power. The back drop power (known as Suplex in Kirby Super Star) can only be obtained after defeating Bugzy, which can be a tough fight if your not prepared. Once you acquire it, the back drop power gives you the ridiculously fun ability to swallow enemies and then slam them wrestling style in any four directions. I had a blast blowing through a rotating castle stage just slamming and hurling everything in my path, very entertaining!
There aren't too many more criticisms to make that weren't previously called attention to; Mainly because I already know that many improvements that could be made (2-player, more min-games, adding more moves to each power) have been made in future games in the franchise.
I had a real great time playing Kirby's Adventure. It gave me a wonderful rush of nostalgia, but it was also just a well-designed, very fun game and I'm sure that anyone who gives it a chance would really enjoy this great old game too.
-Will
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Jan 18th, 2007 at 00:12:07 - Kirby's Adventure (NES) |
I am no stranger to the pink puff, back in the day me and my brother had a blast playing all the classics like Kirby's Dream Course and Kirby's Super Star and after finally coming full circle with "Adventure" I only have one thing to say: WOW.
I had no idea that the tried and true Kirby formula was this well developed in its origins. I was expecting a few Bronto Burts and some Waddle Doos and maybe a few power ups but no, this game has a plethora of enemies to absorb abilities from with Kirby's innate sucking abilities. The single funnest aspect of any Kirby game is sucking up an enemy, playing with it's cool power for a while and then spitting it out, and grabbing a new one. And Adventure has a ton to play with like Sword, Laser, Freeze, Fire, Parasol, and even Crash and Paint abilities! What also surprised me is the variety of gameplay. Theres more to Kirby than just floating around and absorbing enemies, it also has some creative mini-games . The crane game, battle arena and my favorite: egg swallowing are all enjoyable gameplay additions.
While playing through my first session, I couldn't help but be amazed by this game's colorful graphics and style which has a candy coated color pallete (try saying that 5 times fast). From the hills of Green Greens to the adorably round Waddle Doos, Kirby has a look and feel all its own and the animations are the best I've seen on an 8-bit platformer. If you didn't know this game was made in 1993, you'd find it hard to believe that this was an NES game, because it only looks a few steps down from a first gen SNES title.
While Kirby delights with its fun levels, colorful visuals and intense sucking (of enemies) it is not without some chinks in the armor. The most noticeable problem is that this game is VERY easy. Most enemies don't put up much of a fight and will die with one hit and the bosses aren't much tougher, save a few. What also adds to the games ease is the fact that Kirby can fly. So instead of facing all the usual platformer perils (falling into holes/spikes jumping into enemies, etc.) Kirby can simply float his way through to level's end. This is a bit of a shame because if Kirby obeyed the laws of gravity like he damn well should, then the game might also be a solid traditional platformer as well. Another important thing to mention is that Kirby is not for everyone. He is definitely aimed towards a younger audience, which may put off some game players.
All in all, I cant begin to tell you how impressed I am that Kirby's Adventure was (and is still) able to deliver the same brand of fun that it's later iterations did. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna enjoy myself while blowing people's ears out with the "Mike" power!
-Will
This entry has been edited 2 times. It was last edited on Jan 18th, 2007 at 02:57:17.
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ChronicGamer has been with GameLog for 17 years, 3 months, and 15 days |
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