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Feb 10th, 2008 at 02:15:30 - Mario Party (N64) |
The second half of my gaming experience was a little more tedious. Continual gameplay took a toll on our good group atmosphere. Where it was previously jovial, it started to get a little stale. The game does do a commendable job in lubricating social situations because it is easy to learn and it is highly unpredictable. Many times throughout the gaming experience, our group of players was laughing hysterically at the outcomes of various circumstances.
The game lacks a final "goal," as do most socially stimulating games. Perhaps this is why, after 45 minutes the game was getting tiresome. If I were the game designer, I would have designed it in such a way that players could make progress through gaining levels, skills, etc., and still obtain the atmosphere that the game provides.
The characters are fairly limited in number, also adding to the repetition that comes with the game. Luckily, no one or two characters are clearly superior, which allows for more unanticipated results.
Mario Party lacks any concrete plot, which in some games can be intriguing; however, it doesn't feel exactly necessary in this set-up.
Overall, it's a great game. It truly creates a "party."
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Feb 10th, 2008 at 02:05:49 - Mario Party (N64) |
Mario Party is a must for any follower of the Nintendo classics. Any game lover has at one point in his/her career as a player played this wonderful multiplayer game. In Mario Party, you pick a character and essentially play with three others in a virtual board game. Up to four people can play this game divided amonst several "mini-games" that occur after each turn.
GAMEPLAY
Playing this game is fun, simple, easy to understand, and entertaining. It requires little previous skill in video games and can yield completely unexpected results, livening up the gameplay atmosphere. My first round at this game was highly joyful. Three friends and I rented the game from the library and began playing at around 3 p.m. By the end of the first round I wanted more. However there are a few problems in the game.
First and foremost, the game moves really slowly. By the end of the game you have probably spent one-fifth of your time actually playing. In addition to waiting for three other players to make their rounds about the map, players may indulge in single-player games, "chance time," and other time-consuming diversionary activities.
The game's graphics are adequate and allow for a pretty clear 3-D world. Overall, the first 45 minutes were well-spent.
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Jan 27th, 2008 at 18:33:54 - Super Smash Brothers (N64) |
Super Smash Brothers is a game like none other and truly deserves its "classic" label. It is a single or multiplayer game where characters from other Nintendo classics battle in various Nintendo sceneries. If you haven't played Super Smash Brothers you most likely haven't played a Nintendo 64.
Gameplay: The game plays fairly well. Each character comes with his own set of attacks and defenses. Each level has it's own signature characteristics. One includes a reoccurring wind, another with a rising level of lava. When playing the game, the player has numerous options in attacking his opponent so repetition is hard to come across. With the inclusion of items, players can spice things up, bringing in an array of various attacks including pokemon and hammers.
After almost an hour of playing, the game begins to get slightly repetitive. Even playing with numerous different characters and levels, the game begins to get a little boring. After 45 minutes, we were beginning to try to switch things up. For example, we added more items to our fights, but to our dismay made the game merely more chaotic. After 90 minutes we felt done with the game.
Design: The game design is unique and entertaining. Its cartoonish, classic Nintendo theme is fun and separates it from other combat games like Mortal Combat and Tekken. Its non-violent approach to fighting is fun and lighthearted. In a way it is exactly what Nintendo needed. The levels of the game are entertaining and well crafted. However, after playing through each one 3 or so times, they begin to come pretty bland. Certain levels, for example Kirby's, offer little to no variation that other ones, aside from art. What the game does well in its level design is to keep them small. This leads players to be in continual combat and maintain interest in the game.
One great part of the game is that it creates a great atmosphere in the room where it is being played. The randomness of the game provides for tons of laughs and jokes amongst players. You are constantly being lightheartedly competitive throughout your gameplay. In combination with the fun tone of the game world and silly violence creates for a great game.
The game's single player provides for a whole new series of fun levels too. Fighting metal mario, 30 yoshi's and others allows you to open up new characters including Ness and Luigi. It is a bit short however, as the game can be completed in 25 minutes or less.
Overall great game, a bit boring after a long period of time, but highly entertaining.
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Jan 18th, 2008 at 14:13:17 - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) |
Summary: In The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, you play as "Link," a young man in search of his princess who has been cruelly captured by evil men. Locked in the basement of Hyrule Castle, the princess asks you to travel around Hyrule, collecting various pendants and swards in preparation for your fight against the evil Ganon. The game is a one player RPG with overhead perspective.
Gameplay: Overall playing this rather simple, plot driven RPG is highly entertaining and easily withstands the test of time. The plot seems gripping for some reason, despite its relatively primitive presentation. You find yourself intrigued in the feat that lies ahead of you and keeps you playing. Unlike some role playing games, the various and at certain times random tasks you must complete do not seem tedious or drawn out. Upon collecting the various prizes at the end of each level you are excited as you open massive treasure chests for new weapons. The bosses are interesting and frightening in some cases. The characters are interesting and although they are often not very complex what they have to say is often fairly sophisticated. Perhaps partially as a result of my nostalgia for playing this game at a younger age, I still fully enjoyed playing this game and to this day think it is the best of the Zelda continuations.
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JFlannes has been with GameLog for 16 years, 3 months, and 3 days |
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