Namco neGcon for the Playstation

Silent Hill Origins

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Author: Roniel P. Flores

Date Created:

Notes: UPDATED:

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Game Title: Silent Hill Origins

Game Developer: Konami

Game Released: 2008

Game Website:

Game Type: Survival Horror

Game Platform: Playstation 2 (PS2 version)

Game Rating

a. Gameplay - 4/5

A third person survival horror game with different camera perspectives. Silent Hill Origins is one of the last games for the Playstation 2. The game basically is quite the same with its previous series. It has foggy streets, hospital, apartment, and a freaking nowhere. It offers a new punching mechanism for offense, a stamina bar for dashing and still can carry unlimited items. A distorted display and a sound of heartbeat when health degrades for status monitoring. Travis's head will turn if there's a near item or door around so it wouldn't be that bother. Unlike before, melee weapons in this game will break for time being used. Aggressive enemies lurks out everywhere and each chapter also ends up with a nasty bad ass boss. The game also covers two different worlds which is the ordinary and the dark. To access both worlds will have to pass through a mirror. It's another horrific adventure awaits and it's one of a kind Silent Hill game you'll never miss.

b. Graphics - 4/5

If you can't describe what Silent Hill: Origins looks like, well the foggy streets, cursed residents, and buildings to explore defines itself. Strange character faces and really expressed well in the cinematic. Yeah, everything in this game really looks strange as well as the enemies and places. Flames, bloods, darkness, and all kinds of negative elements in this game really disturbs. New enemy and boss designs are freaking out. The butcher really stinks and is thirst for blood with his huge knife. Horrified buildings like the hospital, theater or the dark world makes you play with thrill and excitement.

c. Sound - 2/5

Creepy sound as ever, Silent Hill: Origins really follows its classic taste. Voice acting mixed with twisted horrified emotions makes the game sound like crazy. Sound effects are disturbing specially when enemies are near. Screams and slaughters are so rude and nasty. Door knobs, the elevators, stairs, really makes a drop and shocking noise. There isn't much of a background music because usually all you hear is a distorted sound, a piano, and all you can hear that could summon witches across the outskirts of nowhere... that's it.

d. Story

The nightmare starts in a misty road where Travis tries to follow a little girl that leads him in to the firehouse. As he rescues a girl that was burned out, Travis collapsed outside the burned house and when he woke up, he is now in the main streets of Silent Hill. Then the main game begins at the Alchemilla Hospital and links to different places that could lead to Dahlia and Alessa in the end. Silent Hill: Origins also tackles some flashback scenarios while in the game of how a specific event happened. Then emotions like anger, hatred, revenge, deception and things that made this game goes insane.

e. User Interface

Turning sideways was removed which disappoints me in directional control. Sometimes button command gets delay like when you press inventory menu while running, it gets crazy. Inventory menu is so damn complicated like when you pressed blah and blah blah blah. (still working on this part). The health status lacks of (WIP)... Saving time is a bit slow and so as the loading screen part which really get my nerves the hell out. Anyway, patience is all you need in this game to enjoy... and get horrified.

f. Replayability

If things goes in a hurry, well you might end up with a bad ending. Anyway, after you finished the game once. You'll unlock some of the rewards like the extra options and the moon guantlets. Any rewards that can be unlock are based on the result of the game when finished. So which means usually you'll end up playing the game over and over again just to unlock some special items or costumes. There isn't that much after beating the game. It's all about special items and costumes.

Gameplay Screenshots:

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Gameplay Video Links:

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Gameplay Tips:

Horrified or not, Silent Hill: Origins has plenty of tips to reveal. Basically, health is all that matters. Avoid getting hit or running would be better to save health items and ammunitions for big fights like for the bosses. Running enemy fights also leads to a fast game accomplishment that could unlock some special item and costume. See faqs and walkthroughs for further information about enemy weaknesses, item and speed game. There are lots in the internet and let Google your friend handle for help.

i was playing SH Origins this morning and... i was really piss! D:<

1. button delay command > so damn slow.. when you run or want to go to a menu.. it makes you press many times instead of just one. what the f???

2. breakable melee items > iron weapons break on human flesh? what the f??

3. directional control sucks > how can i move backwards and sidewards when its always moving in front?? sigh...

4. menu is damn complicated > select for menu.. O for cancel.. press L1 R1... why not display all items in a single menu like SH 3, or RE like menus. stupid..

5. the stamina of running sucks > its not realistic... it makes gamers piss.

6. saving time is very way too long. i mean what the f???

7. and its boring. too many loading screens when entering room.. i am playing the playstation 2 version. huhuhu so horrible.

8. camera doesn't sync with directional controls.. i mean.. like your moving forward then you press L1 then suddenly your moving backwards.. sigh.. bad camera feature. >_<

9. shotgun???? i mean what the f?? you fire at three enemies and the bullets won't spread?? its on single target?? T__T...

padaun pa ni???!!! T__T...

Nintendo Gamecube

Nintendo Gamecube (Review)

It's the Nintendo's contender along with the Playstation 2 and XBOX in the sixth generation video game consoles . It's the first of Nintendo's that utilizes mini optical disc. From N64 there were changes like new controller design, new hardware architecture, new level of games, new excitement and fun.

First lets get start of its cubic form that measures 5.9 × 6.3 × 4.3 inches. Similar with the N64 design in the front, it has a four controller slots, and the new two slots for the memory card. At the top is the Disc Loader, and function buttons for power, reset and open.

It looks neat, solid built, and has a handle at the back portion for carrying purpose. Air holes from both sides and at the back for heat exhausture. I have the DOL-101 model and at back are the AV OUT port and power port. It still uses the same analog AV cable from the Super Famicom and N64. Overheat is not much of an issue because of its 12V power consumption and a cooling fan inside the console.

There's a big change in controller design, that something we didn't seen before. It's one of the unique controllers, I've ever played. I kind of like using its analog rather than it's D-Pad. I'm not feeling much comfort of it. It's further from the left thumb and a bit smaller in size. It's more like of a Gameboy Advance D-Pad. I like how they placed the A button in the center. It's usually what gamers do, pressing that big A button most of the games. The left and right triggers are like of the dreamcasts, that it travels a bit space when pressed.

(Games)

Don't mess with the Gamecube because it has again exclusive games from Nintendo and some from the third parties. The game library is good, but some have poor library genre like Fighting games and Role Playing games. It uses a standard miniDVD media, that stores up to 1.5GB. That is why mostly great games like Resident Evil (Remake), Resident Evil 4, and Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes, utilizes two mini discs.

That's all for now for my Nintendo Gamecube review. See you guys next time and have a great day.

What to do list....

titles and things to be reviewed.

- Playstation 1 Fat

- Playstation 2 Slim

- Silent Hill Origins (PS2)

- Onimusha 2 (PS2)

- Crash of the titans (DS)

- Sonic Adventure Rush (DS)

- Resident Evil Zero (GC)

- Devil May Cry (PS2)

- Starfox 64 (N64)

- Rockman 3 (FC)

- Ganbare Goemon 2 (FC)

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (Review)

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Author: Roniel P. Flores

Date Created: May 10, 2011

Notes: UPDATED: MAY 23, 2011

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Game Title: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Game Developer: Konami

Game Released: October 21,2008 (US)

Game Website: http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ds3/

Game Type: Action Adventure

Game Platform: Nintendo DS

Game Rating

a. Gameplay - 5/5

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia is a 2D side scrolling action game similar of the two previous Castlevania games of Nintendo DS. Introducing the new Glpyph system which allows you to use weapons, magics, skills, and status changes in just one function. The game is slightly fast and you can do lots of things like glyph combo's and strategies. Enemy AI is good and better including the bosses which you will have a good time with. For the stages, it's not only one big dracula's castle, but for the first part you are able to explore places like a monastery, forest, village, channel, island, lighthouse, mountains, and caves. The last part will be the castle until the game ends and of course the game do have NPC's and side quests for more adventures and fun.

b. Graphics - 5/5

Brilliant architecture design and uses a lot of 3D rendering backgrounds. The effects are awesome like the glyphs, mists, water waves, bloods, flames and lights. Stages are well mixed up with the effects like in the Kalidus channel were there are water waves, dark clouds, and the shaky cargo ship in the background. The Dracula's Castle is awesome like the library area where there are lots of books scattered over the place. Other castle portions as well like the Underground Labyrinth and Barracks have awesome designs. Character and enemy motions and designs are improved as well.

c. Sound - 4/5

The sounds are well arranged. There are lots of sound effects for Shanoa like when you do attacking, casting a spell, or being hit by an enemy. Voice acting are also included in the characters like Shanoa, Albus, the villagers, and some enemies. Bosses also growls everytime when they are slayed or sometimes when the battle has started. The sound effects of the stages are well recorded like the wind and water are examples. Background music are impressive as well of its orchestra sound mixed with modern beat.

d. Story 4/5

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia takes the story of Shanoa, a chosen member of the Ecclesia with her magical glyphs to fight evil, and to stop the return of Count Dracula. The story is unique to any Castlevania games because there are no Belmonts involved to fight. The first part of the game is to retrieve the stolen Dominus glyphs, and the second part of the game is to explore Dracula's castle. Mixed with action, adventure and drama, the game focuses on different people that links in the event.

e. User Interface 4/5

For a great game like Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, I would prefer buttons and controls like the standard controller size. But since its on the Nintendo DS, it's still forgiving if you'll get used to it. The controls is still similar with the previous castlevania games and to other non-castlevania games as well. The Nintendo DS takes advantage again for some menu's to be displayed on the other screen to cut off menu selection by pressing start button. I would prefer DSi XL to experience its best.

f. Replayability 5/5

Beat the game to obtain secret modes like Albus Mode, Boss Rush Mode, Hard Mode, and be able to play music at Sound Mode. There is this item called Magical Ticket were anywhere in the game once used, it will teleports you back to the village. This is one advantage for not taking all the way back and killing again the enemies. For the stages before Dracula's castle, there are 2 to 4 entrance or exit way to choose. So if you still have incomplete glyphs you can go back anywhere in the game as easy as that.

Gameplay Screenshots:

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Gameplay Video Links:

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Gameplay Tips:

A tip to this game is to complete the quests of the villagers because they offer unique items like healing items, armours, and accessories. Also to acquire high level glyphs to add damage points.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Review)

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Author: Roniel P. Flores

Date Created: May 9, 2011

Notes: Game Review

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Game Title: Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow

Game Developer: Konami

Game Released: August 2005 (JPN)

Game Website: http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/dracula_ds/

Game Type: Action-Adventure

Game Platform: Nintendo DS

Game Prequel: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Gameboy Advance)

a. Gameplay - 5/5

A 2D side scrolling action game that involves slaying zombies, monsters, vampires, and other forces of demons. Similar to Aria of Sorrow, the main character can do physical attack, use a sub-weapon, special skill, backslide, and draw souls from the enemies by chance. Using souls and execute weapon combination are the essence of the game or called the Tactical Soul System. Added features like critical attack, two sets of soul equip, perform magic seals through stylus, separate map screen, NPC (Yoko) for weapon upgrade, and NPC (Hammer) for consumable item merchant are examples. Nothing gets any better with Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow for its hard to beat monsters and tough gigantic bosses to slay.

b. Graphics - 5/5

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow is so good for the handheld's first Castlevania entry. Well designed stages and has sensation animation effects. Attacks and skill effects improved as well compared to Aria of Sorrow in GBA like the flames, bloods, lights are examples. Boss designs are really looks creepy and nasty. Textures are very good as well. The artwork of the characters if you noticed also has changed into like anime style compared to its prequel.

c. Sound - 4/5

The sounds really suits well on Nintendo DS stereo speakers. Dubbings are good and short. Sound effects are perfect. Background musics are well composed and arranged. I would also like to recommend Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow to play on a headphones to experience much feel of the slaughters, stabs, slash, screams, and all the violence you could imagine in this game.

d. Story 3/5

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow continues the adventure of Soma Cruz to fight an evil cult that wants to resurrect the dark lord or once called Dracula. The story happened in a modern time where the cult's base is a facsimile of Dracula's castle. Together with his friends Mina, Julius, Genya, Yoko, and Hammer, they succeeded the battle and defeated the cult. It's basically a sequel and similar to Aria of Sorrow with new enemies. Like its prequel the game also offers a bad and a good ending.

e. User Interface 4/5

The controls are very similar to any other games like Megaman X that square (y) button for attack, x (b) button for jump and start for menu are examples. If not comfortable, there is a button configuration option provided. I feel less comfort of the handheld because there isn't much grip for control. Sometimes when the battle gets busy I accidentally pressed any upper triggers that could lead to mistakes. The dual screen of the Nintendo DS helps you a lot because the map screen and some status information are now separate.

f. Replayability 5/5

If you haven't collect some items or souls, there are portals around the castle which helps to travel back. Also once you beat the game, there are secret modes that will be unlocked, these are the Julius Belmont Mode, Boss Rush Mode, and Sound Test Mode. In Julius Belmont mode you will have to play the game from the start using Julius Belmont and so as Alucard. Yes its Alucard, and you will be reminiscing Castlevania: Symphony of the Night using Alucard. In Boss Rush Mode you will have to fight bosses from the start to the end.

Gameplay Screenshots: ( can't post pics here? :D )

Gameplay Video Links: (coming soon)

Gameplay Tips:

By gaining enough money you can buy lots of healing items. There is a room in the game where there are treasure chests that contains lots of coin. It is guarded by a Final Guard enemy and you could just skip the battle and go for the treasure chests and once done you can go outside and reenter the room for another. For the weapon side I would suggest the Masamune sword because of its fast attacking delay and has good damage points. One last thing is that I recommend the Mandragora soul to be easy and safe for the final boss battle.

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still have to edit at home. bwahahaha!! :D

Why not the N64?

During the fifth generation of video game consoles, there were majors like the Playstation, Saturn, and the Nintendo 64 that dominates the gaming market. Graphics were one of the biggest issue of consumers that time and even today. Highly edged technology, many games were made fully in 3D unlike the previous generation.

Aside from its graphics, these machines were also powered with highly researched central processing unit. The Nintendo 64 was officially called as the first 64-bit video game console (not to mention atari jaguar). It was highly expected from many since it was the last one to be release among the Saturn and Playstation. It was promising that huge game developers were planning to lunch big titles, but sadly most of them failed.

Many factors why the Nintendo 64 really didn't hit the audiences well. There are issues of disadvantages of the hardware itself. There are complains of the machine that, game developers were experiencing programming difficulties. The console itself is still utilizing a cartridge media unlike its competitors were moved to Compact Disc.

Based on a cartridge itself, there are disadvantages like limited storage of game data and poor audio quality. Game developers were not really convinced to push their titles to a cartridge format and because of that some promising games were missed on the N64 platform. On the bright side, there are also hardware advantages and few games boomed like the Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Pokemon Stadium 2, Super Mario 64, Resident Evil 2 are examples. My favorite game for the N64 is Starfox 64. I was addicted to it so badly, really.

From what I see, most N64 games are 3D based. Many of these titles were first came from 2D, then later moves to the next 3D level like Bomberman 64, Castlevania, Donkey Kong 64, Super Mario 64, and more. But that doesn't mean 3D is everything, still there are many great 2D games that the N64 doesn't have. These were the absence of most fighting games, shooters, and beat-em ups. It doesn't mean Nintendo didn't prioritize 2D games, it's because they are utilizing the advantages of the cartridge media like cut-offs of loading scene and the hardware itself. The N64 isn't that bad to imagine, because it made few great games and had a huge role of video game evolution.