Shinmaru

I made a couple additions to Shin's weapon to make it a tad more potent and to give him a more realistic chance of keeping up in a battle (I thought the penny was good as it is but there are some situations that arose in my head, which gave me enough reason to make some weaponry changes, heh).

Uniracers is a game in which you control a unicycle and you race through various courses. Trust me, it's way cooler than I could ever make it sound, heh (mostly because I've never played it). From what I've heard, though, it has awesome track designs and great controls. I always wanted to play Lufia II but, as was the problem when I was younger, my dad never bought it, heh. I can't wait until I can actually afford to buy video games myself lol. That, unfortunately, is another problem with cartridges. Unless you keep them in a Howard Hughes-like environment, they will get dirty eventually (about half of my cartridges don't work anymore ~_~). This is why I thoroughly enjoy it when Nintendo re-releases games. Personally, I prefer the Mega Man games on NES (well, most of them, anyway) over the SNES games (except Mega Man X2 - I love that game). And, yes, games do take a chunk out of your soul. But it's mostly the crappy parts that nobody cares about.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Shroom [/i] [B]Ok. I'm honestly not going to follow the rest of this thread. But the economy is not Bush's fault. The economy is like anything else, it's not a constant. It goes up and down. Clinton happpened to come in on America while the economy was going up, thus he got praise. Bush happened get elected while the economy was going down, thus he got blamed. [/B][/QUOTE] Shroom is basically correct. The government can partly control the economy but they do not have total control over it. The economy goes up down in cycles most of the time; there are good periods along with bad, though some are more extreme than others. Really, it's the American people who have the most control over the American economy. EDIT: I will admit that cloricus does make a good point, as well. War can increase the economy by increasing the amount of jobs available for people to have and whatnot.

OOC: So I'm the child torturer of the group, eh? Mwa ha ha ha ha ha! [i]Gavynn and Lorn continue running through the alleyways, seeking the child whom stole their Solar Sail.[/i] Gavynn(thinking): How could I have been so damned stupid?! I should've suspected that kid after he bumped into me, but I didn't have time to check myself... [i]Gavynn and Lorn turn a sharp corner and run into a dead end. The kid is gone.[/i] Lorn: Damn! Where did that bastard child go?! Gavynn: We were tailing him pretty closely, so he couldn't have climbed over that wall... [i]Lorn and Gavynn look at each other.[/i] Lorn: Secret passageway? Gavynn(nods): It's the only logical explanation. [i]Gavynn and Lorn begin scouring the area looking for any hint of a secret passageway. Gavynn searching the walls and Lorn hunts along the ground. Gavynn spots a brick that is barely a shade lighter than the other bricks on the wall.[/i] Gavynn: Hmm...cliche, yet cleverly hidden. You can barely tell the difference between this brick and the others. Lorn: Too bad that this kid didn't know he was dealing with experts, eh? Gavynn: Heh, too bad for the kid. Lucky for us. [i]Gavynn pushes the brick. In a split-second reaction Gavynn and Lorn dive to the ground, barely avoiding gunshots that ring from the opposite wall.[/i] Gavynn(looking up): Damn...the kid's smarter than we gave him credit for. Lorn: Yeah, that was a close call... [i]A hatch in the ground pops open at that exact moment revealing a set of stairs leading underground.[/i] Gavynn: Let's get going, Lorn. Lorn: I'm right behind you, Captain. [i]Gavynn and Lorn descend the stairs to the underground passageway. They jump down into a sewer-like area. The repulsive smell of sewer sludge permeates the area as Gavynn and Lorn trudge through the filth and slime to find the kid whom stole their Solar Sail.[/i] Lorn: My God...this is disgusting! Gavynn: I know...who would possibly live in a filth hole like this? [i]Gavynn and Lorn see a shadowy figure walking ahead. The figure turns around, sees that he's being followed and runs away with a gasp.[/i] Gavynn: After him! [i]Gavynn and Lorn take off after the person.[/i] OOC: No torture right now :p

OOC: A buddy film would be like one smart guy and a bumbling having misadventures or something like that. A very simplified explanation but oh well. [i]Commercial:[/i] [i]Insert commercial here.[/i] [i]End commercial.[/i] [i]The scene fades back in with Gavynn and Mike still walking down the highway. They are both sweating profusely and are both almost completely dehydrated.[/i] Mike: Water...what I wouldn't give for some water... Gavynn: We're sweating water...we could just drink that... Mike: ...you disgust me, Gavynn... Audience: lol Mike: ...where does that noise even come from...? Gavynn: From millions of happy viewers all over the world? [i]Gavynn and Mike turn their heads to the side and stare straight at the "screen."[/i] Both(shaking their heads): Nah. Gavynn: Couldn't be. [i]Gavynn and Mike continue their walk down the highway.[/i] [i][b]An hour later...[/i][/b] [i]Gavynn and Mike are crawling on their hands and knees along the ground.[/i] Mike: God...just take me away... Gavynn: Food...I need...food...@_@ [i]Gavynn looks up. He sees what appears to be a giant hamburger.[/i] Gavynn: Food! [i]Gavynn springs up and runs towards the hamburger. He takes a giant bite out of it and chews happily. Mike looks up at Gavynn with a grimace on his face.[/i] Mike: Sweet Jesus, Gavynn, you're eating a vulture! Gavynn: I am? [i]Gavynn looks down to see that he is, indeed, eating a vulture.[/i] Gavynn: Well, I guess I am... Audience: LOL Gavynn: There's that noise again! I'm gonna go crazy if I don't find out where it's coming from! [i]Gavynn runs around in circles.[/i] Mike: Gavynn...we don't have time for this... Gavynn: WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO EAT A BIRD AND I ATE ONE ANYWAY! Audience: o_o Mike: O_O Gavynn: o.O Everyone: ... Mike: Let's just keep walking. Gavynn: Okay. [i]Gavynn and Mike get up and start walking yet again.[/i] Mike: We'll never get to Boston at this rate... [i]Mike hears a droning noise approach him and Gavynn from the rear.[/i] Mike: What's that noise? Gavynn: I think it's a bunch of motorcycles... Mike: Oh no... [i]A bunch of motorcycles approach both Gavynn and Mike. They motor around every which way and surround the two co-workers.[/i] Mike: We are so screwed... Gavynn: Maybe they'll be nice like those guys from the restaurant. [i]One of the motorcyclists hops off of the motorcycle to beat up a jackrabbit.[/i] Mike: Somehow, I don't buy that...

1) [b]Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.[/b] The movie is just so damned enjoyable...it has so many different elements (drama, romance, action, adventure, mystery, etc.) fit into one movie, it's amazing. Plus, you gotta love the shocker at the end (though, I doubt it shocks anyone anymore lol). 2) [b]Pulp Fiction.[/b] I was quite shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie. Lots of people like to harp on about the cinematography, directing, etc. but I'm not really into that. What I did like was the great acting and the cool story, heh. I was into this movie from beginning to end. 3) [b]Star Wars: A New Hope.[/b] Ah, the movie that started my obsession with the Sci-Fi genre. How could I [i]not[/i] list it? Everything about it is just classic stuff...plus, I still find myself oddly impressed by the Death Star exploding at the end lol. 4) [b]Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark.[/b] The first and the best. Watching Indy beat the tar out of the Nazis has never been more enjoyable, especially watching the DVD version (which is crystal clear, I might add). This movie actually made me dream of being a kickass archaeologist when I was younger lol. 5. [b]Silence of the Lambs.[/b] Just a gruesome, weird movie. Psychos like Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill make it worth watching, heh. Thrilling ending, too. 6. [b]Psycho.[/b] This crazy movie threw me for a loop, heh. Simple beginnings at the motel with a crazy psychopathic murderer [spoiler]with a crazy mother that only exists within the confines of Norman Bates' twisted mind.[/spoiler] I love this stuff. 7. [b]The Lion King.[/b] Still my favorite Disney movie to date. A couple annoying songs (I was ready to kill Simba at the end of 'Just Can't Wait to be King') but the movie is well worth watching, especially for Scar. Scar owns you and your mother. 8. [b]Dogma.[/b] My personal favorite of Kevin Smith's movies (though, I still haven't seen them all). Loki and Bartelby own you and your mother, as well. And any movie with Jay and Silent Bob in it is cool. 9. [b]A Detective Story.[/b] My favorite animated short on The Animatrix. Old school film noir mixed with crystal clear animation? Gotta love it. 10. [b]Super Mario Bros.[/b] I should've put this at #1. Everything is top-notch. The acting, the screenplay, the cinematography, the characters, the visuals, the complete and accurate representation of Nintendo's franchise...this movie rules. I recommend it to everyone. [size=1]Note: No, I don't like Super Mario Bros. I put it in as a joke. If you see it, I will not be held responsible for you wanting to gouge your eyes out. Thank you.[/size] EDIT: I might as well put in a real #10 lol. 10. [b]Monty Python and the Holy Grail.[/b] I've barely seen this great movie for the first time a few weeks ago...utterly hilarious. The movie is an insane, random, hilarious movie and I'd recommend it to anyone who even remotely loves comedies. If this doesn't make you laugh at least 50 times you are a cold heartless bastard.

[i]Lorn runs back to the ship to retrieve the taser.[/i] Lorn: Ha ha...good 'ole Cap'n Gavynn...if anyone can barter out the Solar Sail, he can... [i]Lorn streaks across the ground as fast as he can, the sun shining in his face. He fights the glare as he runs inside of the massive Sky Lass.[/i] [i][b]Back at the store...[/i][/b] [i]Gavynn, Jake and Pete stroll inside the store and start looking around, as if they wanted to buy something other than the Solar Sail. The store owner noted this suspicious behavior, as well as their clothing. After all, regular people didn't wear clothes with pirate insignias on them, right?[/i] Shopkeeper: Er...is there something in particular that you boys were looking fer? Gavynn: Now that you mention it... [i]Gavynn motions over to the Solar Sail.[/i] Gavynn: ...that Solar Sail is looking very nice. Shopkeeper: Hmm...I dunno...that'll cost you a pretty penny... Jake: And how much would that be? Shopkeeper: I'm afraid I can't let it go fer any less than 6,000 pieces of eight. All Three: What?! Gavynn: You must be out of your mind! Pete: Nobody would pay 6,000 pieces of eight for a simple sail! Shopkeeper: Yes, but this is a very rare sail. This sail has the power to use light to power a ship. 6,000 pieces of eight is a bargain, my friends! Gavynn(thinking): Drat...so, he knows the capabilities of the sail, eh? We'll have to stall until Lorn gets back... [i]Jake steps up.[/i] Jake: How about 2,000? Shopkeeper: Ha! Do you take me for some kind of fool? 5,500! [i]Gavynn grimaces.[/i] Gavynn: 3,000. Shopkeeper: 4,500 plus some supplies. Jake: You're practically asking the same price! Shopkeeper: I have no choice. I'd be a fool to let such a rare and valuable item go for such a low price. [i]Lorn runs into the room carrying a short black stick.[/i] Lorn: Any progress, guys? [i]Gavynn spits on the ground.[/i] Gavynn: Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Lorn: Shall I? [i]Gavynn nods at Lorn. Lorn grins and hops over the front desk. He holds the shopkeeper in a choke hold and places the stick at his ribs.[/i] Shopkeeper: What are you doing?! Gavynn: If you won't give us the Solar Sail at a reasonable price, then we'll have to take it by force. Shopkeeper: And if I refuse? Yeouch! [i]Lorn presses a button on the stick, which sends a small shockwave coursing through the shopkeeper's body.[/i] Gavynn: That's just a small taste of what's to come. Are you willing to negotiate now? [i]The shopkeeper nods meekly.[/i] Gavynn(tapping fingers together): Excellent...

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Half_Shaded [/i] [B]Speaking of having to act your age, I get to my older brother. He is far less annoying but he still bugs me in a different way. He acts like an egotistical jerk half the time, and even though he says 'I'm just kidding you know that, right?' he still does it. Over and over and over and over and over...sometimes I just want to smack him for taking things he says out too far. But eh...without my older brother I'd go insane. I need someone logical to talk to, and it sure isn't going to by my younger brother >> (Shin...don't kill me.) [/B][/QUOTE] Haha, I wouldn't kill you just for saying that. I find your insults quite amusing, as a matter of fact (not like "Haha, you live only to amuse me" but like "Hey, that's pretty funny"). But, yeah, half the stuff I say to her is really egotistical...but I don't believe any of that crap I say lol (luckily, neither does she o_O). I just do it to bring some amusement into the house. My sister has been buried with homework lately (as have I) and I try to be at least decently funny, so it's not so bad. It's hit and miss, though. Poor me :( And, yes, she has smacked me once or twice because I've said some really dorky egotistical statement lol. But she can't hurt me, anyway, because I'm too damn strong :p

OOC: Man, this show has a lot of commerical breaks :p [i]Commercial:[/i] [i]Several people are running down the streets of New York City in a marathon. Two people break from the path and streak towards the finish line.[/i] Hot Girl: Come on, Gary! Win the race! [i]The man named Gary inches ahead of his competitor. The race is neck and neck until Gary finally gets a lead and rips through the ribbon signifying the finish.[/i] Gary: I won--gah! [i]Gary is tackled by the other competitor who bites a big chunk out of Gary's arm.[/i] Gary: Oh my God! He's eating me! [i]People gather and scream as Gary is eaten by the other man. When the other man is finished, he makes a thumbs up sign at the camera and the Nike sign appears in the background.[/i] [center][b]Nike Cannibal. Just eat it.[/b][/center] [i]End commerical.[/i] [i]Mike and Gavynn are waiting at the bus stop for the bus for Boston to come.[/i] Mike: What time does the bus come, Gavynn? Gavynn: Gavynn does not know. Mike: I thought I told you to stop referring to yourself in the third-person? Gavynn: Gavynn are sorry. Audience: lol Mike: Nevermind...(goes to check the bus schedule) [i]While Mike is checking the bus schedule, the bus stops in front of the bus stop. Gavynn watches as people shuffle into the bus. The bus door closes and it starts to drive away. Mike hears the noise of the bus and turns around.[/i] Mike: Oh crap, the bus is leaving without us! [i]Mike and Gavynn start a mad dash towards the bus.[/i] Audience: (explodes with laughter) Mike: Faster, Gavynn! Gavynn: I'm ahead of you! Mike: ...oh yeah. [i]Gavynn and Mike run faster and faster until they finally catch up with the bus. Mike pounds on the window.[/i] Mike: Let us in the bus! Bus Driver: No way! (takes out a shotgun) Mike: (girly scream) [i]Mike ducks out of the way as the bus driver takes a shot at him. He runs toward the back, where Gavynn is already standing on the bumper.[/i] Gavynn: Grab my hand, Mike! [i]Mike grabs Gavynn's hand. Gavynn pulls Mike onto the bus, where they force open the back door and take their seats. The bus driver turns toward them.[/i] Bus Driver: Well, if you wanted on the bus, why didn't you just say so? Audience: lmao Gavynn: There's that word again... Mike: ... [i]Mike buries his head in his hands.[/i] Gavynn(pats Mike on the back): Don't worry, Mike... Mike: No...don't say it... Gavynn: ...it can't possibly get any worse than this. Audience: Ohhhh... Mike: You said it! We're gonna die! [i]Right on cue, the bus gets a flat tire and flips over about fifty times before exploding. Luckily, Mike and Gavynn were thrown from the bus before it exploded.[/i] Mike: Great...our only transportation...gone... Gavynn: We could always [i]walk[/i] to Boston. Mike: Walk?! Do you know how far it is to Boston?! Gavynn: Do you have a better idea? Mike(shakes head): I knew I shouldn't have hired you... [i]The audience cheers as the scene fades out.[/i] OOC: This is becoming more like a buddy movie lol.

[i]Commercial:[/i] [i]A guy is driving down the street in a fancy car. He drives around curves and through a mountain. He presses a button and the car shifts gears. The guy starts driving through a muddy forest with ease. He gets back on the road and a rock is throwing at his car. The man spins out of control and crashes into the mountain. Another man is shown in the foreground eating something. He turns and smiles at the camera.[/i] [center][b]Mentos. The freshmaker.[/b][/center] [i]End commerical.[/i] [i]Screen fades in with Gavynn and Mike in the darkened closet.[/i] Mike: Could you tell me again why we're in a closet? Gavynn: I told you, this is where my underground sources are! Mike: I thought that was a test... Gavynn: It was a test. [i]While Mike stares at Gavynn in bewhilderment, Gavynn presses the wall a bunch of times and a hidden panel slides open.[/i] Mike: What the?! Gavynn: It helps to know your way around the place. Audience: (laughs) [i]Mike follows Gavynn through the hall into a room. The room has a desk in it and several chimpanzees are seated around the desk.[/i] Mike: Gavynn...what are chimps doing in here? Audience: (laughs) Gavynn: The chimps are my central intelligence system! [i]Mike stares at Gavynn.[/i] Mike: You're not serious, are you? Gavynn: Of course I'm serious! [i]Gavynn walks up to the chimp at the head of the desk and grabs his face.[/i] Gavynn: Yes...I see...ah...aha! Mike: Gavynn...you're talking to a chimp... [i]The audience laughs and Gavynn gives the chimp a banana. Gavynn walks over to Mike.[/i] Gavynn: The chimp says that Bob is at the Burlington Pillow Factory. Mike: Burlington Pillow Factory? Didn't that use to be a coat shop...? Gavynn: SHUT UP, MIKE! THEY MAKE PILLOWS NOW! [i]Mike puts up his hands in defense.[/i] Mike: Okay, okay...they make pillows now...sheesh... [i]Gavynn nods. Mike and Gavynn leave the room and close the passageway.[/i] Mike: How did you understand that chimp, anyway? Gavynn: Oh, I didn't. I just know that Burlington Pillow Factory is the only pillow store in town. [i]The audience goes wild as Mike's jaw drops to the floor.[/i] Mike: Then why did we waste time with the chimps?! Gavynn: Comic relief, of course. Mike: ... [i]The audience laughs as Gavynn and Mike leave the closet.[/i] Voice: There you are! Mike: Eh? [i]A young man runs up to Gavynn and Mike.[/i] Young Man: Hey, it's Billy! Mike: Hi, I'm-- Gavynn(points at Billy): Get him, chimps! Billy: (girly scream) [i]Billy wets his pants as the chimps chase him out of the building.[/i] Mike: Why did you do that?! Gavynn(looks directly into the camera): I don't like the name Billy. Mike: ...okay, then. [i]Mike and Gavynn walk out of the building.[/i] Mike: So...where is the pillow factory? Gavynn(points): Uh...this way! Mike: Gavynn...that's a fire hydrant. Audience: (laughs) Gavynn: My mistake! Then, let's go this way! [i]Mike and Gavynn walk start walking down the street.[/i] Mike: If I still have a job after this, it'll be a miracle... [i]The scene fades out as the audience cheers yet again.[/i]

Yeah, that's what a lot of people misunderstand about graphics. Too many expect games to be amazing graphical achievements that redefine gaming and only a few games actually accomplish something like that. What matters more to me is whether or not the graphics do their job. Take Super Monkey Ball, for example; the graphics are by no means mind-blowing. However, they do the job that they're meant to do. The graphics are bright, colorful and the frame rate moves at a good speed. The graphics are meant to make them game inviting and playable and that's what they do. If the graphics are beefed up to look better and end up hindering the gameplay, then they haven't done their job. I much prefer simpler graphics that make it easy to play a game over graphics that make playing a game needlessly complicated. Of course, good graphics with good gameplay doesn't hurt, either.

Haha, this is, what, the millionth RPG I've signed up for in the past few weeks? lol Name: Michael "Shinmaru" Zavala Age: 21...for purposes of this story, of course

Ah yes, you have improved greatly since the last time you wrote this, Greg ^_^ The story is tons more fluid and easy to follow now. The choppiness that came up occasionally in the last part is just about gone now. I noticed a couple grammatical errors (mostly relating to tense - you alternated between past and present tense a couple of times) but overall the story was well written. I enjoy the description that went into the setting, too. I always love great descriptions of settings; I like to feel like I'm actually inside the story watching everything go down, heh. Can't wait for the next part ^_^

OOC: Cool start, Gavynn. Very bizarre sitcom lol. I shall enjoy making posts in this... Commercial: Some Guy: Tired of RPGs that are just plain boring? Random Guy: Yeah! Some Guy: Then make a good one, stupid! Random Guy: ... [i]End Commercial[/i] [i]Scene fades in. Mike is pacing back and forth nervously while Gavynn is busy typing something on the computer. Gavynn's types at near lightspeed while Mike waits for Mr. Squeakers to wake up. Finally, Mike snaps.[/i] Mike: What are you typing?! Gavynn: Gavynn are typing an RPG post. Mike: Wha? [i]Mike goes around to the other side and takes a peek at the computer screen. On it is a long intro to yet another of Gavynn's many RPGs.[/i] Mike: Can't you at least do some work?! Gavynn: But making RPGs is work... Audience: (laughs) Mike: Gah, nevermind... [i]Mike walks over to the couch and stares at Mr. Squeaker's limp body.[/i] Mike: He's nowhere close to waking up...what am I gonna do...? [i]Gavynn gets up and walks over to the couch where Mr. Squeaker is laying down. He examines the body thoroughly before turning to face Mike.[/i] Mike: So...what's wrong with him? Gavynn: Gavynn says that he's knocked out. [i]The audience laughs as Mike slaps his hand to his forehead.[/i] Mike: Nevermind...I have to think of some way to wake him up! Gavynn(leaps onto desk): Never fear...Gavynn are here! Audience: (laughs) Mike: Gavynn are...nevermind. What exactly are you gonna do? Gavynn: Don't worry. Gavynn will find some way to wake up Mr. Squeakers! You just make dresses or something. Audience: lol Mike: I'm a fashion designer...I make more than dresses. Gavynn: Suuuuuuure. (overdramtically winks) Mike(frowns): Just get on with it. (goes into his office, leaving Gavynn alone with Mr. Squeakers) Gavynn: How will Gavynn wake up Mr. Squeakers...? [i]Gavynn sees a fan on his desk. He picks it up and starts waving air into Mr. Squeakers' face. However, nothing happens.[/i] Gavynn: :< Gavynn ish sad. Mr. Squeakers ish not awake! Audience: lol Gavynn: Hmm...maybe this will work better if Mr. Squeakers is standing up... [i]Gavynn somehow manages to force Mr. Squeakers to his feat and drags him over by the wall to keep him propped up. Gavynn opens the window slightly to get Mr. Squeakers some air.[/i] Gavynn: Some water will do nicely :) [i]Gavynn gets a cup and goes to fill it up with water. While Gavynn is filling up the cup, Mr. Squeakers tips over slightly. Gavynn continues to fill up the cup with water and Mr. Squeakers tips over even more. Finally, Gavynn fills up the cup.[/i] Gavynn(raises cup into air): Finished! Do do do dooooo!!! [i]As soon as Gavynn finishes his celebration, Mr. Squeakers tips over and falls out the window.[/i] Audience: Ohhhhhh... Gavynn: Eh? [i]Gavynn turns around and sees that Mr. Squeakers is now gone.[/i] Gavynn: (girly scream) Mike(from other room): Gavynn, is something wrong? Gavynn: Er...no! Nothing wrong with Gavynn! Keep making dresses! Mike: I don't just make dresses, Gavynn! Jeez! [i]Gavynn runs over to the window and looks outside. He sees that Mr. Squeakers is hanging on a statue by his coat.[/i] Gavynn: Eek! Mike(from other room): Are you sure nothing's wrong, Gavynn? I could help you if you want. Gavynn: Er...no thank you! Gavynn ish not in need of help! Mike: Okay. (goes back to working) [i]Gavynn paces back and forth wringing his hands together.[/i] Gavynn: Oh no! What is Gavynn to do?! [i]Gavynn peers outside again.[/i] Gavynn(raises finger into air): There is only one thing for Gavynn to do! [i]Gavynn starts to climb out of the window and onto the ledge. He steps outside and a gust of wind closes the window.[/i] Gavynn: Uh-oh... Audience: lol Mike: Gavynn, are you sure you don't need...help... [i]Mike comes into the room to see that both Gavynn and Mr. Squeakers are missing.[/i] Mike: Oh boy... [i]The audience cheers as the screen fades out in preperation for another commericial break.[/i]

Well, I'd definitely suggest Smash Bros. Melee, especially if he loves multiplayer games. I've had Smash Bros. for almost two years now and it's still as fun as when I first bought it, heh. You definitely get your money's worth with Smash Bros. If you want a good "cutesy" game, I'd look into Super Monkey Ball 2. It's easy enough to get into but very hard to master. The puzzles get really addicting to solve and SMB2 is another fun multiplayer game. For RPG's, you can't go wrong with Skies of Arcadia Legends. Some tedious leveling up on occasion but the game has a good story that's well worth going through the game for. Plus, you play as pirates. Who doesn't love pirates? Eternal Darkness is another game well worth getting if he's into great storylines. ED has a very good story that kept me playing the game. Plus, the insanity system is well worth experiencing. Definitely the best survival-horror game I've ever played (though, it's probably more of an adventure game than a survival-horror). For FPS's, Metroid Prime is the game to go to. The sci-fi experience is top-notch and the game does so much more than the average FPS. Plus, it's absolutely beautiful. I'd go on longer but I'm sleepy lol. EDIT: PoisonTongue, you flatter me. I always appreciate compliments :p

[i]Two men walk into a living room.[/i] Greg: ...it's just that...I'm not good in social situations. I get real nervous. Nick: You think? You only spilled coffee all over your pants. [i]The camera pans down to show Greg's pants, which are wet with coffee. A laugh track sounds off in the background.[/i] Greg: I thought we agreed that were were gonna forget about that. (Greg gets a towel and starts wiping the coffee off. Nick recoils in horror.) Nick: God, don't do that here! (Nick shields his eyes.) Greg: What's wrong with me wiping myself? [i]The room goes silent, as the laugh track is the only sound within hearing range.[/i] Greg: Please do not tell me that was as bad as it sounded. Nick: It was. Believe me. [i]Greg sighs.[/i] Greg: I'm gonna go change. Just hold down the fort while I'm gone, okay? Nick: You got it. [i]Greg leaves the room.[/i] Nick: What to do...what to do...(Nick sits down on the couch and turns on the television. The news is the first thing that he sees.) Anchor: In local news, a large fire is still raging in the local coffee shop... Nick: Eh? (Nick turns the volume up.) Anchor: ...the fire was reportedly caused by an electrical spark. The only clue to this mystery was a cup of coffee found by the electrical cords...more at ten. [i]Nick does a double take and the audience goes "ohhhhhhhh".[/i] Nick: Holy crap, Greg caused a fire! [i]The doorbell rings.[/i] Nick: Gah, it's the cops! Voice: Open the door! Nick: Eek! [i]Nick runs around the room.[/i] Nick: What am I gonna do?! [i]The person starts pounding on the door.[/i] Voice: Open the door! Greg(yelling): Nick, get the door! Nick: Er...just a minute! Oh man...the police are gonna arrest Greg... [i]Nick walks slowly over to the door and opens it. Their friend Michael walks into the room.[/i] Nick: Oh thank God, it's just you, Mike. Michael: Er... [i]A police officer steps into the room behind Michael.[/i] Policeman: Are you Nick? Nick: Yes, sir. Policeman: You're under arrest. Nick: Okay, I'll get him...WHAT?! Policeman: You're under arrest for arson. Nick: I didn't do it! I was framed! Michael: My pants are wet... [i]The audience laughs as Nick and Michael are led out of the room. Greg walks into the room wearing a fresh pair of pants.[/i] Greg: Hey, where did everybody go? [i]The audience cheers as the camera pulls away and the screen fades out.[/i] Eh, I wrote this on short notice, heh. I hope I get in, though; this is certainly an interesting concept you've thought of, Gavynn.

I've only checked out the reviews from EGM and they gave the game decent scores (6.5, 7.0 and 8.0, I believe). Anyway, this is one of those games that I'd put on my "rent list." I enjoy the Kirby franchise and I enjoy arcadey racers so I'm inclined to at least rent the game and give it a decent chance. Will I buy it? Probably not but I'll definitely play it.

Yes, I remember your site...I checked it out when you posted it in that web design thread you made. I'm outraged that they took the name and didn't think to put 1-Up Mushrooms on the site like you did. I had fun with Mario Party 4, even though it wasn't really much more than the original Mario Party games with GameCube graphics. And, based on that, I think that it's more than worth my time to at least rent the game and check it out, especially since I haven't seen an EGM review yet. EGM is pretty much the only source I completely trust for reviews.

Source: [url]http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1379973,00.asp[/url] [quote]Coming on the heels of the super-fast wacky microgame collection Atsumare! Made in Wario, Mario Party 5 is much less forgivable than past Mario Party games. Nintendo hasn't had much competition in the video board game genre, so it has been able to put together the same types of board games for years, where you move around and stumble onto various options, challenges, and mini-games to see who ends up with the highest score. The competition from games such as Sonic Shuffle and Crash Bash is now mostly nonexistent, and with the possibility of a US release for Made in Wario unknown, Mario Party will likely keep the market to itself for awhile. But what Made in Wario makes drastically evident is just how repetitive Mario Party 5 is. Let's look at the single-player Party Mode first, since that seems like it should be an easy mode to keep things varied. You are the only one playing, after all. But instead of keeping you engaged and always playing, the game slugs along. There are lots of repeated animations you will see from the characters, you will stumble onto the same player interactions time and time again, and the game will talk (well, use subtitles to communicate) to each of your opponents as if they are sitting right next to you, forcing you to need a lot of patience to really enjoy it. You do have options to speed things up a bit by making the text go by faster and skipping certain events, but the game remains repetitive regardless. In Story Mode, the game has a new feature that allows your computer opponents to all take their turns at the same time, which does help things and makes the Party Mode almost completely worthless for solitary players. Even with the faster pace, though, you will still sit through a lot of the same events. But realistically, this is not a game created for the single-player modes. The multiplayer options work better because the aforementioned problems go away to a large extent if the game has only human competitors. Things still move along slowly, but like a real board game, it's more of a social activity than something everyone needs to constantly be playing. None of this is new to the Mario Party series, however. Like previous installments, the graphics are nothing special (think a slightly more detailed version of Animal Crossing -- short characters laid over plain, clean-looking backgrounds with a fantasy toy store style), and the pace is quite repetitive. These aspects have improved since Mario Party 4, but are still not so great. What has saved the previous installments is that the quality of mini-games you come across has generally been pretty good. Not spectacular -- nothing mind blowing, mind you -- but you know going into these games that no single mini-game will be a complete waste; they will always be at least worth playing. That line of thinking fits with Mario Party 5 as well, so fans of the series can be confident there are more good mini-games this time around -- more than 60 of them, in fact. So if the mini-games are the good part and the board game setup is too slow, why not just go straight to the mini-game option and skip the board game stuff altogether? Well, besides the point that you have to unlock the mini-games by playing the board games, there's simply not enough content to make the mini-games worth it on their own. Nintendo's solution in Japan for Made in Wario -- which had the same problem of not having enough mini-games to create a full package -- was to make it a budget release. For Mario Party 5, the company used lots of game modes and repeated events and animations to make it a long and complete package. We can't neglect to mention that some of the board game elements are pretty well integrated, though. The new capsule system that lets you pick events from a toy machine (like where you would insert a quarter at the supermarket next to the gumball machines to get a "capsule" of fun -- also known as a toy) does a good job of varying what happens where on the playfield, and the events that occur as you play keep the game from being boring since there's usually a chance of a come from behind victory. So if you can stomach the long periods of waiting, or if you are in it for the characters and Nintendo references that are thrown around, you'll probably enjoy the game. But if you want gameplay that is more than "good if you like hanging out with friends while playing a video game," stay away.[/quote] This is the review from 1-Up Gaming. Doesn't really sound too promising, heh. However, I'm still willing to at least rent Mario Party 5 and give it a shot so that I can see whether or not the complaints are founded.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by terra [/i] [B]Bwee, I'm the first to post! (... Did I just say "bwee"?)[/B][/QUOTE] Bleh, I would've been first to post had the stupid library not closed. You've won this round, terra! *shakes fist* Anyway, another great chapter, Solo. I'm a bit disappointed that you didn't go into further detail with the gaming section but it's not such a big deal considering how good the story is so far. I just think you're doing everything so cleverly, Solo. I love all the little touches that you've put into this story. It's definitely getting very good. I can't wait for the next chapter ^_^ EDIT: Now that I'm at home, I can go into more detail >_> The description of each section was really cool (man, I would so love to go into the Poetry, Fan Fiction and Literature section...so many good books @_@). Also, any story with OtakuBot is cool (he's a Famicom cartridge for God's sakes - he's automatically cool). From what I know of everyone, your description of their mannerisms and their speech is spot on (I think everyone loves Charles' line that Lady K. pointed out lol). And I'm also scared of giving certain mods so much power...who knows what they'll do with it...

Mick Foley has had four aliases (if you count his time as just Mick Foley, that is). They are: Cactus Jack, Mankind, Dude Love and Mick Foley. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm correct, so here's my queston (an easy one): What was the final fall count of the recent Iron Man match between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar on Smackdown and how was each fall won?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]I think you are wrong here. I think this is what is RIGHT about American thinking on government. For the last 10 years the Canadian Reform party preached about a thing called "Democratic Deficiency." To understand this you have to define democracy. Democracy is a government-type at which people elect leaders to represent their opinions. STOP! Here's where it comes in, are these leaders really representing the opinions of the people, or what they think is best for the nation? The United States in particular was hit bad after Bush went to war even after and hundreds of war protests in America and so few war support rallies (the only war support rally wasn't in support of the war but in support of the troops who were sent by Bush's dumb decision). So theoretically, since you voted for Bush he is supposed to be representing your opinion... but is he? Probably not. I'll bet few of the Senators or Congressman are either.[/quote][/b] I agree with you for the most part. However, it's wishful thinking to want one person to represent the opinions of every person. It can't be done and that's because each person has their own opinion. With the massive amount of diverging opinions in the United States, would it really be plausible to want a leader who will conform to each of these opinions? Of course not because it can't be done. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]This "Democratic deficiency" begs to question what is the point in voting? You are voting for someone that you think will represent you best. Now what if you think there is no candidate alive that will represent you well? What is the real point in voting where it is a bi-party system. In Canada we have multiple parties which have potential (Liberal, PC, Reform, and Bloq). All have their own independent causes. What America needs to develop is a realistic third option.[/quote][/b] I agree with you here. As I stated earlier, I'm pretty much stuck in the middle when it comes to my political opinion. Neither the Democratic nor the Republican party truly represents my opinion. Would I prefer a viable third-party that more accurately represented my political opinions? Of course I would. Who wouldn't? The problem is that many of the American people are only prepared to accept one of the two major parties. I wish I had a way to solve this but I don't. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]In Canada we're going through a unique situation in terms of political parties. A union is forming between two very opposite parties (PC and Reform) to make one party. They're not really going to have common lines of ideas but will work on having as many open votes (all members get a vote in the decisions) as possible. This will cause more people's opinions to come into consideration. If the US was serious about maintaining their democratic model they should restructure themselves to something similar.[/quote][/b] I don't think I'm wrong in saying that this wouldn't make much difference in the U.S. [i]right now[/i] unless one of the two major parties were involved in a union. Would it be possible in the future? Maybe so, but I really don't know. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]That's a job for the politicians, isn't it? But you still admit that one vote really doesn't matter. If you voice your own opinion, it doesn't matter. Even if you form your own faction, what is the purpose? The logical thing to do, since you have your own political beliefs would be to form your own party, or go indy.[/quote][/b] Not neccessarily. There are people who go out everyday and actively particpate in politics, yet wouldn't be considered politicians. Even on a small scale (such as helping make a law for your city or something), people can participate in government. It's not always about forming political parties and thinking about the big picture. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]One of our freedoms is to make that decision for ourselves though. It is a person's right to vote or not vote. Sure it leads to that "Democratic Deficiency", but if politicians really worried about voters, they would give them feasable options.[/quote][/b] It is a person's right not to vote, but it's not a very smart decision, now is it? If a person abstains from voting, how does that really help them? Even with limited options, there has to be someone that you at least agree partway with. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IQ2 [/i] [B]Anyway, I'm a registered Canadian voter. I elected the current Liberal Prime Minister, the recent PC party in Newfoundland, and the recent PC party in Nova Scotia. These parties looked back and said "we gotta give them options" while the Liberals had their "serve the old" policy. The PC party now dominates the East, and the Reform party dominates the West. In the next election if these two parties can muster enough East and West votes they can destroy the Liberal's forts in Quebec and Ontario and have the first government where the ruling opinions are outside the province. [/B][/QUOTE] Then I applaud you for actively participating in your government and making choices that matter.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Semjaza Azazel [/i] [B]I hope Shinmaru was being sarcastic with his Game Informer comment lol[/B][/QUOTE] Well, you know that I can't avoid the sarcasm sometimes, but that was Charles who said that, not me lol. Silly Tony :p Anyway, as everyone has said, IGN's opinion of the game is a bit ridiculous at best. I mean, the addition of more than one person who can ride a kart is a more than noteworthy addition to the gameplay. It makes you wonder how much IGN really experimented with this facet of the game. I'm guessing very little. And IGN's complaints about the lack of shortcuts is a bit unfounded, as well. I only use shortcuts in Time Trial mode and that's it. To get the full enjoyment out of Mario Kart, it's best to stay with the pack and let the fun fly; it's always been that way. Also, considering that 1-Up found quite a bit more shortcuts than IGN did, that makes me further believe that IGN did not spend enough time with the game. But I rarely go online when for reviews, anyway, to be honest. EGM has always been my number one source for reviews because they're honest and I usually end up agreeing with them. So that's that, heh.

I always wanted to play Uniracers but every time I wanted to rent the damn thing, it was never there. Uniracers would always be sitting in it's little corner of the SNES section when I rented games like Super Metroid, Link to the Past (after my copy got busted) and Out to Lunch (I actually rented this game more than once

Well, I've been saying forever that The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is my favorite game of all time...and I don't like sounding like a broken record, so I'll do what Shroom did and list my favorite game for each system I've owned ^_^ NES - Super Mario Bros. 3. My favorite platformer of all time. It's just so quirky and original that I love it. Great bosses, awesome levels and my favorite power-ups of all time. If only there was really such a thing as Kuribo's Shoe... Game Boy/Color/Pocket - The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages. Both Oracle games are very, very good but I prefer Ages because it is more puzzle-oriented. I like fighting in Zelda but the puzzles are what keep drawing me back to Zelda games. SNES - The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. My favorite game of all time because it does everything well. Good graphics, great music, cool weapons, amazing boss battles, thrilling dungeons, logical puzzles...I could go on for days. I love this game so much. PlayStation - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Castlevania with RPG elements and Super Metroid structure. How could anyone not love this? Great graphics, haunting music and great boss battles just round out the package. N64 - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. I was just awestruck at how great and easily Zelda made the transition to 3D. The game didn't quite live up to the 2D Zeldas but that doesn't mean that this isn't a fantastic game all on its own. The dungeons, in particular, are very cool. Game Boy Advance - The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past/Four Swords. Just take a look over my favorite for SNES lol. GameCube - Super Smash Bros. Melee - Even I'm surprised at how much I've enjoyed this game. I've beaten game after game after game and I still keep coming back to this one. Melee is just that much fun. The best multiplayer game on the GameCube, bar none.