Yikes! the A to Z Challenge Starts in Two Days

I've been spending way more time playing video games than actually writing about them lately. (last time I blamed Skyrim, now I'm blaming Mass Effect) Not that's it's a bad thing. But all through March, I've been thinking about the A to Z challenge and how unprepared I feel.

But I know I'll finish it. I did last year. I think my biggest hurdle is going to be not repeating words from last year. Let's face it, the letter X screams "Xbox" and I will surely use every letter I can to babble happily about the Legend of Zelda.  But, I also have some cool ideas. Luckily, the world of gaming is rapidly changing and many awesome (and not so awesome) things have happened in the last year.

I look forward to reading many posts during the month. It's going to be fun!

Why 2012 Will Be The Year of the 3DS

When the 3DS first came out, I wanted one really, really badly. But its lack of must have games and its super high price tag forced me to wait. Sure, there's the 3D Ocarina of Time in June, but since I have OoT on my Wii, I figured I would be okay waiting. And I was.

Until I received an awesome special edition Legend of Zelda 3DS for Christmas that came with OoT. It was only then that I realized how absolutely cool this handheld is. Ocarina looks fantastic with or without 3D. Plus, it comes with the Master Quest. So now I have one and I'm so excited for what the future holds for the 3DS.

This year, we should see a windfall of games for it. I'm not just talking abut Resident Evil or Kid Icarus. RE is all ready out and Kid Icarus will be here. I mean games like a 3D Paper Mario, Animal Crossing, and Luigi's Mansion. Games that have been talked about even before the 3DS' debut. A solid line-up of great titles will help put the 3DS on the map. And that's not even mentioning the price drop and all the great game available at the eshop.

Easter Eggs in Skyward Sword

The Legend of Zelda games have had plenty of Easter Eggs from the Goron Mask in Wind Waker to the nod to Mario in a Link to the Past. Skyward Sword, though, really takes references from the series' past to the next level. As it is the 25th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda, Skyward Sword celebrates this with tons of Easter eggs. Of course, there are plenty of other surprises that are just weird and silly like the field of kitties and what happens in the final battle with Demise.

Here are my favorite Easter eggs in Skyward Sword.

Btw, I'm now on my second play through of the game. I'm doing Hero Mode and I'm still hopelessly addicted to it. I love when it's a "Zelda year"!

First Thoughts on Skyward Sword

It's no secret I'm obsessed with the Legend of Zelda.  I'm not even sure how to organize my thoughts exactly. I've been playing like a manic and I'm not done yet. So here's some things I know I'm going to be writing about once I can pry myself from the Wii without my brain screaming "go play Zelda."

The motion controls: I don't know what the problem is there. They work perfectly for me and they make the game more interesting and challenging.

The strange reviews: Oh boy have there been some special reviews written.

How it stacks up against other Zelda games: So far, in my opinion, there are three perfect Zelda games, the original, Ocarina, and a Link to the Past. I have a feeling Skyward Sword will make that list, but I can't say yet.

There are some things about Skyward Sword that I'm hoping are expanded later in the game. I still feel like I'm at the "beginning"  even though I've put many hours in. I'm not complaining and I like taking my time to explore. I also know there are great things to come, just by how things are being set-up.


A Zelda release is a major event for me and I know I'll be busy for awhile. Now, I must go back to Skyloft...

So Much Gears of War

So I'm on my second play through of the Gears of War 3 campaign. And last night, I got to "that part." Which is one of the most upsetting and saddest things I've ever witnessed in a video game. I won't spoil it here, but I talk about it in Best Moments in the Gears of War Series. 

So the Gears games have been criticized for using tough guy male stereotypes and not having much story. While I can agree to a certain extent, I have never felt a lack of  emotion for what the COGS have gone through. Gears 3 takes those moments, rips your heart out and then chainsaws it with a Lancer. 

But there are flaws with the story, don't get me wrong. In fact, I discuss some of them in this article about unanswered Gears questions. Seriously, why does the Locust queen look human? Is she half human? Does she just feel bad for them? Or as Baird so delicately put it, "did she join the Locust Country Club for shits and giggles?"

And then there's that one revelation at the end of Gears 3 that almost gets answered but then doesn't. I'm hoping Epic will give us some prequels. I know the RAAM's Shadow DLC is coming next month, so maybe that will give some answers.  I want gaming prequels, not just books, btw.


This is what I'm been doing in my spare time, playing the all three Gears until I can see the Crimson Omen when I close my eyes.

There are so many amazing games coming out, not that it's a bad thing, but there's no way I can play them all when I just want to be on Sera right now.  Well, until Skyward Sword comes out and then I'm off to Skyloft.