Good Bye, My Big, Beautiful, Black, Behemoth.

Yesterday I had a death in the family. One I held dearly, my beloved PlayStation 3. She provided me with somewhere around 800-1000hours worth of enjoyment, plus even more for video files, bluray, PlayTV and PSOne games. A good estimate would be at least 2000 hours for everything, as I used it every day. I bought her early December 2007.

While I was hard on it around mid 08 and bought a 360 due to the lack of games, she roared back and became my main, without a shadow of doubt. But times were tough before late 08, the Wii was cheap and very much in the middle of 'Wiimania', before I realized it really was not for me, being a glorified toy and my general apathy to Nintendo's properties. There wasn't much on the PS3 at the time that appealed to me. Not till 2009ish.

But I had some fantastic times with the PlayStation 3, Sengoku Basara Samurai Heroes, Dynasty Warriors 7, Red Dead Redemption, inFAMOUS and inFAMOUS 2, Enchanted Arms, Dynasty Warriors: Gundam and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2, God of War III, Ratchet and Clank Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty and A Crack in Time, Devil May Cry 4, The Simpsons Game, Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing, Disgaea 3 Absence of Justice, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Sonic Unleashed and Generations.

My friend had his PS3 Yellow Light of Death a few weeks ago, ironic, really. Same circumstances too, no online connection suitable for the console, so he looses all saves and trophies. What is more ironic and painful is I the same day it happened my copy of Dynasty Warriors 7 Xtreme Legends landed in Australia and in March, I am getting the Cable Internet, which has been pushed up to February.

I ordered a new PlayStation 3 this morning. I always envisioned getting a slim, but different circumstances. I saw creating a PSN account, Data Transfer and the ol' girl being used as a BluRay player/Media Center for my mum. So much for that.

I don't see myself buying many games this year, Warriors Orochi 3, Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition and Saints Row 3 are the only ones that come to mind now, so if worst comes to worst and *knocks wood*, Hair Dryer trick doesn't work, at least I have time to play these all again. Was meaning to for a few, but not looking forward too it for the longer ones, 'Warriors' titles and Sengoku Basara specifically. Nor do I really like the idea of going back to *shudder* Final Fantasy XIII.

PlayStation 3, most used console since PlayStation 2, I shall miss you. You were what got me through the day. At least the PS2 is still strong, same PS2 I've had since 2002 I believe.

-Some Gamer Dude, in mourning.

Demand Better Quality - Demand Reclassification

Games are Toys. I'm sorry, but they are officially, childrens play things. This is the biggest problem of video games today.

Is it because of video game bannings in certain countries? Oh no, nothing that simple. It's something far worse. It's because video game consoles suffer because of being classified a toy, and by extension, the users.

A few months ago, when my PS3 became hot and refused to turn on, I was worried and did some research into YLOD and RROD, as I also have a 360. I eventually got it working again, it was more temperature and dust than anything, but it got me worried.

You see, because of the toy classification, both the PS3 and 360's soldering is lead free, which is inferior to the lead based soldering. The root cause of all the heating problems is that the lead free soldering becomes loose when heated repeatedly, where lead based does not. Lead can not be in toys.

There is a simple solution, and an easy one, just stop the classification of them as toys and make them a media player. Sony and Microsoft, with their, ahem, 'hardcore game line up', already want you to know, this is a player of a medium of media, not a toy. No one is going to open an lick the insides. It's not going to leak out the sides. Computers are perfectly safe and have always used lead soldering.

Today my PS3 finally subsided to YLOD, on a dreary day no less, which got me to this. While the slim versions of both the HD consoles do not have the problems nearly as bad as their original versions, the next generation will surely have these problems again. I don't want this to happen again. It's not a natural death, it's a death because of circumstances.

Video Games and Consoles were originally 'Toys' to get them back on to the market, a crafty move by Nintendo if I ever did see one, but that was 1983, despite what Nintendo may think, in 2012, consoles are not toys. They haven't been since the PS1 exploded into the mainstream in 1994. This hurt Microsoft, make no doubt about it. It hurts the consumer. Change needs to happen, and happen now.

-Some Gamer Dude

Ammendments to Return to the Different Dimension

I've been playing around a lot with this in Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 5, I've hit problems.

Monsters: 18
2x Caius The Shadow Monarch
2x Golden Homunculus
3x D.D. Scout
2x D.D. Assailant
2x D.D. Warrior Lady
3x D.D. Survivor
2x Gren Maju De Eiza
1x Helios the Primordial Sun
1x Marshmelon

The Monarchs, Thestalos/Mobius, are not at all that useful. They hinder the hand more than one would think. Synchros are not that great, so I am thinking of removing Rose. Gren Maju De Eiza is a bit better than I remembered, so I'll add 2. What they need 6 cards RFG to be 2200, that's not bad. Sure the Golden Homunculus is 3300 at that time, but he is a tribute and can't be just plopped down late game. I also had problems with Armageddon Knight, not because he is bad, but because he kinda doesn't work well. I need to have Macro/Dimensional out, and that's not always going to be the case. Helios is far more useful, simply because he pulls himself out, than one would think. Oh yeah, he's not strong, but it slims the deck. This brings me down to 18 monsters.

Spells: 11
3x Dimensional Fissure
2x Mystical Space Typhoon
1x Dark Hole
1x Reinforcements of the Army
1x D.D. Reincarnation
2x Shrink
1x Soul Release

Traps: 11
3x Macros Cosmos
2x Bottomless Trap Hole
1x Return from the Different Dimension
1x Torrential Tribute
2x D.D. Dynamite
2x Karma Cut

Extra is gone because it's not that useful. Torrential Tribute is in, as it is useful. I think I need Shrink, as monster battles can be a problem, so 2. Soul Release can stuff up certain decks, plus power mine in a jam, so I'm adding that at 1. Swords of Revealing Light isn't that great, so it's going. This will bring it to 22.

Hopefully this works better.

EDIT:

Of course, if I can get Allure of Darkness, Helios is gone.

Return to the Different Dimension

I am not a member of any Yu-Gi-Oh! boards now, so I thought I'd use my blog instead. Why Return? Because that's what I am doing.

Monsters: 21
2x Caius The Shadow Monarch
2x Golden Homunculus
2x Thestalos The Firestorm Monarch
2x Rose Warrior of Revenge
3x D.D. Scout
2x D.D. Assailant
2x D.D. Warrior Lady
3x D.D. Survivor
2x Armageddon Knight
1x Marshmelon

Spells: 9
3x Dimensional Fissure
2x Mystical Space Typhoon
1x Dark Hole
1x Swords of Revealing Light
1x Reinforcements of the Army
1x D.D. Reincarnation

Traps: 10
3x Macros Cosmos
2x Bottomless Trap Hole
1x Return from the Different Dimension
2x Karma Cut
2x D.D. Dynamite

Extra: 5
1x Stardust Dragon
2x Red Archfiend Dragon
2x Gaia Knight, Force of the Earth

So, yeah, my Meta is mainly Dragunity. Marcos is the best way to beat it I can see. I know the extra deck really isn't that great, I really want Flamvell Uruquizas for it, he's a fun card. I also need to get Allure of Darkness.

I am at a loss to whether DD Survivor is a good idea. He's hard to use, he has to be face up on the field to work, but with the Marshmellon I shouldn't have too much problem. I did want to use Needle Worm, but I bumped DD Dynamite down to 2 and only have 1 Gravekeeper's Retribution, so burning like that is not a main priority, just a backup. Anyway, I'm bound to get around 10, let's say 8, of theirs Banished as it's now called, that's 2400 with one, 4800 with two. Plus I have Marshmelon at 1 and Caius at 2, a potential 3000 more, 7800. So yeah. I also have the Thestalos to burn a bit.

I prefer Golden Homunculus to Gren Maju these days, he's powered up quicker. Gren Maju gets an average of 1200, 4 mons removed from game. Homunculus is powered by every card of mine banished, easy 2700~3300.

Other than that, I think everything is self explanatory. Wish I could fit in more S/T removal. Might mess around with Mobius instead of Thestalos.

The TransFormers Season 2 Part 3

The last ten episodes of Season 2 and the last preMovie episodes. You know what else they have of note? THEY ARE THE BEST EPISODES OF THE DAMN SERIES. By series, I mean Pre-Movie, Super Robot Life Fight! TransFormers as Japan calls it.

Why? They have interesting plots, for the most part, work on the lore and expand on the universe.

Starting with the Key to Vector Sigma, we introduce the Stunticons, the Aerialbots, and how Transformers gain intelligence, Vector Sigma. Now, I don't have issues with this, as the Dinobots don't really have 'intelligence', more they can function and think, but are dense.

Next we have Aerial Assault, which should have been one of the last episodes, prematurely showing the Combaticons and the Aerialbots have no humility yet, but it's a good episode dealing with the Aerialbots learning to like humans.

In War Dawn, we see the start of the war, how Prime became Prime and the Aerilbots learning to true nature of the Decepticons.

Next is Trans Europe Express, a nice little Tracks, Bumblebee and Silverstreak episode, racing against the Stunticons. Doesn't expand on anything, but it's a fun little episode.

Then Cosmic Rust, an episode about a virus that effects metallic organisms. The Wiki says the writer meant it to be like Aids, but it's more like Leprosy. Parts fall off. Not really important, but it's not bad at all.

Then comes the defacto two parter, Starscream's Brigade and The Revenge of Bruticus, some of the best Starscream episodes in the series. It's an enjoyable plot and Starscream at his best Pre-Death. The second episode also introduces the Protectabots, the Autobot Rescue Team.

The second last episode is Masquerade, where the Autobots capture and cosplay as the Stunticons. It's a fun episode that works the whole Decepticon Cars thing well.

The last episode is an abomination that we shall not talk about. Not even name. It's horrible and the worst of the series, sad that the series ends on this garbage. Well hated for a reason.

Anyway, aside from the last episode, this is a fantastic run. The Stunticons, Aerialbots and Combaticons all work well as new characters, Starscream gets his time to shine, the plots are good and yeah, it's the best the show gets. It actually tops 1985.

Megatron actually works well too, as does Shockwave. Megatron is best when perpetually annoyed by Starscream, this relationship is best displayed in the Bruticus on episodes.

Pitty there wasn't more of this and less of the crap.

So, on to the movie next time.

-Some Gamer Dude

The TransFormers Season 2 Part 2

So Season 2, part 2. Before I start, I need to make two amendments to what I've said. Skyfire does appear in early Season 2, until Omega Supreme appears. Season 2 Part 2, the 1985 Case Episodes, is 26 episodes in length, not 16.

This part of season 2 is where the series as a whole picks up, characters that have character, are introduced, characters are focused on, far far less Humans and the plots of the day can be genuinely good.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean it's all gold. That would be absurd.

The highlights of the section are three episodes, two dealing with Tracks and one with Powerglide. I, of course, mean Make Tracks, Auto Bop and The Girl Who Loved Powerglide.

Why do these work? The plots are interesting, the robots chosen are some of the more likable of the 85 cast and they are fun. Nothing really more than that is needed, I'm not asking much from the series, just be good for what it is, and these three are.

Actually, AutoBop is rather interesting for another reason,it's very similar to the GI Joe Episode Cold Slither, in which the generic rock music for both series originates. Both deal with audial hypnosis.

Child's Play is also much like the GI Joe episode The Gamesmaster.

Other good episodes are The Master Builder, Auto Beserk, Microbots, Megatron's Master Plan, Quest for Survival, The God Gambit, The Secret of Omega Supreme, Triple Takeover, Prime Target & The Search for Alpha Trion.

I did want to say Dinobot Island and Desertion of the Dinobots, but to be honest, I grew tired of the Dinobots.

But there is a golden stinker here, A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court. I don't have to explain why it's bad. The name says it.

Everything else I didn't say falls under the Season 1 and 1984 Season 2 problems, boring and don't care.

I will single out Hoist goes to Hollywood though, it's not boring or bad or anything, just silly. It's fun, but I wouldn't try to rewatch it if it was on TV.

I don't have much to say about these episodes, for the most part, as I said, 85 was a good year. Prime becomes interesting and actually can hold up an episode with Prime Target.

Tracks is probably my favorite character though, he's just likable with a great design. He's likable on every level to me.

But I will say the Cone Heads, the 3 new seekers, are bores, personality voided bores. There's nothing to like, they are certainly not Skywarp, Starscream and Thundercracker.

I was happy to see Prowl get more to do. Powerglide is another fun character, even if he is a bit of an ass.

I did want to see more of Inferno and Red Alert though, those two were good for what we saw. AstroTrain too.

Omega Supreme is a weird one, he's not a character, really, or what I'd call likable, but he has something that makes him appealing.

While far, far too long, I enjoyed this set of episodes, best so far. But it does have the problem of a lot of the older characters are still faces and alt modes, not characters, but there was more uses of Jazz, Bumblebee, Ironhide and Ratchet, the worthwhile Season 1 characters that got screen time. Again, Prowl and the Twins needed more focus.

But G1 only gets better.

-Some Gamer Dude

The TransFormers Season 2 Part 1

So, Season 2, the crapfest. Season Two can be broken down, loosely, into three sections, 13 1984 Episodes, 16 1985 Episodes and 10 1986 Combiner Episodes, here I talk about the 13 1984 Episodes. Autobot Spike through to The Insecticon Syndrome.

The major problem with Season Two is that most of the first 13 episodes are garbage. 'Autobot Spike', 'Atlantis, Arise!' and 'A Prime Problem' come to mind or are just unimpressive, like Season 1's not-Dinobot/Jetfire/Insecticon/Constructicon episodes. But again, I have said I care little for 1984's cast, or to be more exact, how they are used.

A few eps I did enjoy, Day of The Machines was pretty good. Nothing really wrong with it and it played up the Espionage aspect of the Transformers, which I like. The Megatron getting a human computer to do his doing thing was also pretty interesting.

Enter The Nightbird is a fan favorite, rightly so too, it's also, pretty good. Nothing in particular, it just works well in general.

I didn't mind The Core, AKOM's ugly animation aside. Yeah, it's pretty bad and it's easily noticeable. First Space Bridge related ep I liked.

Changing Gears wasn't totally bad, but I just don't care about Gears. Actually, quite a few episodes are like that here, I don't care about the characters, so even if the episode works well enough, The Traitor and The Autobot Run come to mind, they don't do much for me.

Attack of the Autobots is pretty notable as it keeps getting remade through this(Hate Plague), Beast Wars(Gorilla Warfare, Dark Designs), Beast Machines(Hate Plague again). It's probably in other series too.

I really enjoyed The Insecticon Syndrome, mostly because the Insecticons are of the few that get actual characters. I just like the Insecticons, the episodes they have featured in have made them an enjoyable group.

But I really want to talk about one thing here, and it's the problem with the first 29 episodes, a third of the series, it's unfocused.

Because they had a glut of toys to advertise, they didn't seem to be able to pick and choose until the 85 cast got the main lime light. No one really gets character, everyone is everywhere for the sake of it and nothing really works.

This changes and the show becomes more like how GI Joe works with Dinobot Island Part 1, smaller groups are focused on, specifics seem to be enjoyed by the writers, characters get more character and the show just becomes much stronger for the most part. It's everything one could want from the series. It works.

Yeah, there are a few episodes from the first 29 I do like, but much more when 85 hits.

It's a lot like Beast Wars in this regard, the first year is full of dull or just plain crappy episodes, there are some good ones, but even the plot ones can be a bore.

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy 1985 now

-Some Gamer Dude