Charles

How could anyone trust this woman? [center][img]http://otakuboards.com/attachment.php?postid=328529[/img][/center] Supposedly, we'll see evidence in one weeks time. Until then, I'm going to point and laugh at this entirely credible organization. Why? Because I believe [I]everything[/I] I hear about on the internet and television. Especially when it concerns cloned super babies. :toothy: One thing is for sure, Clonaid should focus on cloning Brigitte Boisselier a better set of teeth, lol.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Ben Holiday [/i] [B]Sounds good, I started playing yesterday and was fairly impressed. I just have to get used to the layout. It definitely had differences from square rpg's but they just make it more interesting. The fixed camera threw me off at first but after a few hours you don't even notice it anymore. Plus attacking in pairs was cool and the graphics are nice. I like the anime sequences at the begining hopefully all the fmv is like that. On Persona I haven't finished it yet but I do plan on getting Wild Arms 3 once I finish this. [/B][/QUOTE] Yeah, the cinematic camera angles really threw me off at first too. I found my fingers on the shoulder buttons trying to adjust it a lot. After a while, it didn't bother me much, because Konami doesn't try to hide items in the background as much as Square does with the Final Fantasy series. Heh, I'd suggest renting Wild Arms 3 before buying it. Stepping down to that after Suikoden 3 will be like going from a bucket of caviar to a big steaming bucket of crap. I've never eaten caviar or crap, but I'd assume that the former is better than the latter. Wild Arms just screams "typical" and "mediocre." The artistic approach is cool...but that's it. I recently played through the first hour or two of the game and the scripting seems incredibly cheesy as well.

I would say that there is no definitive explanation. His failure to lift the bus was primarily for comedic purposes. Look at the irony in the situation--the strongest guy in the universe cannot lift a bus, lol.

Well, I'm not interested much in this game to be honest, lol. It seems shallow. But, to its merit, or the merit of Team Ninja, rather, it is shaping up to be deeper than I expected. The storyline is simple. Following the DOA3 tournament, Zack pawned his earrings to buy his own island. He deceives all the women buy luring them to a false Dead or Alive 4 tournament on the island in an attempt to get lucky, lol. Basically, your role is to earn money on the island. Volleyball is a means to do it. The system that Team Ninja has set up sounds pretty cool. Your pairings actually have to get along with one another for maximum efficiency. Plus, the characters must be comfortable with the court they're playing on and the accessories they're wearing. I've read that there's an Island Casino with a wealth of mini games also. The odds of winning games are supposedly modeled accurately. It should be interesting. Other locations on the island include a movie theater and a radio station (O.o;;). I can appreciate the work that Team Ninja is putting into the game. It's surpassing my expectations, but I'm still not budging on my opinion of the game. It just seems more like interactive eye candy than an actual game. I haven't actually had an opportunity to play the game anyway. It hasn't released yet here.

If you're looking for an action game, I suggest [b]Dead to Rights.[/B] It borrows from Max Payne's bullet-time feature a bit, and features a well penned, if not cliche, storyline. The actual gameplay is deeper than Max Payne's, featuring martial arts moves, the ability to sic your dog, Shadow, on enemies and nice mission layouts. The GameCube version features a smoother control interface, but the Xbox incarnation sports slightly superior graphics. The Xbox version is also the most difficult. Weigh them how you like, lol.

Hmm, I highly doubt that you'll get much of a reply about this game. When we've discussed it in the past, not many people seemed to have played it. The Suikoden series typically revolves around the theme of war and how it affects both the participants and the innocent. Suikoden III continues the tradition, telling a story of the ongoing hostilities between Grasslanders and the Harmonians. Caught in the middle, are the Zexen Knights, who have hostilities with both peoples, but they inevitably side with the Grasslanders. Also, the series always has a comprehensive cast--108 playable characters to be exact. They are referred to as the 108 Stars of Destiny. In Suikoden III, these characters are developed slightly better than they were in past games. Their back stories aren't nearly as flat and a good number of them have a moment in the spotlight at some point in the game. Also, following on the traditional Suikoden model, your forces acquire their own base. As you recruit more and more of the "Stars of Destiny," your castle will grow and improve. The castle isn't as large or intricate as past Suikoden's, but it's still fairly vast, featuring a small chunk of adjoining land. For the first time in the series, there is not a fixed central character; there are three heroes. Each comes from a different faction in the war and you must play as all three, seeing the quest from their eyes for three or four chapters. The system allows you to achieve a unique perspective from the story. It's very effective. Additional characters will become available at some point, but they're essentially bonus material. Eventually, you are able to choose which of the primary three characters you would like to have as the main character. This feature is sure to give the replay value a shot in the arm. The game also features two different battle systems. The first is your typical role-playing game battle system (with a unique pairing twist) and the second is a throwback to strategy-based RPGs, where you control large numbers of characters at once. I hope that's enough information. ^_^

As far as I know, ban warnings are usually sent out via private message. But, in the instance of a full inbox, a staff member (usually a super moderator) will e-mail you. When I first joined, I experimented with suscribing to threads, but when I unsuscribed, the e-mails stopped coming. Have you checked thoroughly to be sure that you're no longer suscribed to any threads?

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Transtic Nerve [/i] [B]God (or some being of supreme power) exists, do I NEED a religion? [/B][/QUOTE] That sums up my views right there, heh. I'm not disregarding the possibility of a supreme power, but religion is just an instrument to further ideological beliefs. I respect religious texts as literary masterpieces, but they were written by men, and as such, they are flawed. It's obvious that they're not founded on timeless truths. If they were, we would be encouraged to stone children, and all Christians would abstain from sex for the purpose of pleasure. No, all religious texts are subject to historicity, they are flexible historical views that change with time. When the New Testament was written for instance, people were consumed with feelings of deep pessimism. They believed that the apocalypse was near, so rude children were readily executed and sex was frowned upon. So, yeah, it's obvious why I can't claim to believe in one specific religion and I haven't even gotten into a rant about how the Church is just a business, lol. All religions are just stories and values that reflect their time period--nothing more. That's what I believe, anyway. I don't mean any disrespect to anyone else. I'm not exactly the authoritative voice on the subject.

Well, when the split occurred Nintendo claimed that Rare accounted for only 9.5 percent of total Nintendo software revenue worldwide. Heh, they even followed up by claiming that the number declined to 1.5 percent during the year of 2002. According to an article I once read, Peter Mcdougal once said something along the lines of "Nintendo had the opportunity to continue its exclusive relationship with Rare but declined to do so because the company's value for the future of Nintendo was limited." I'm paraphrasing, but it's fairly close to what he said. Furthermore, they're already attempting to fill the void by pursuing another second party developer to continue cranking out quality exclusives. I wonder if that has anything to do with the "Megaton" rumors that ran rampant, heh. I won't terribly miss Rare. Many of their games were contrived in the fashion of Nintendo's titles. I mean, Rare's platformers were obviously modeled after Nintendo's own formulas. Even their Kart racing titles were fashioned similarly to Mario Kart. Star Fox Adventures borrows many concepts from Zelda. The list goes on... The only title I'll miss is Perfect Dark. But, there are other quality first person shooters on the GameCube, like Medal of Honor: Frontline and TimeSplitters 2, for instance. It's obvious that Nintendo isn't hurting in the area of exclusives either, even regarding close franchises. The Star Fox series will continue, returning to its aerial roots under Namco, while a new F-Zero will release under Sega's Amusement Vision development house. So yeah, I feel that Rare is a quality second party developer, but they aren't essential to Nintendo's success or anything.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B] but yeah. I [b] lived[/b] in Collingswood. Any where close to you? [/B][/QUOTE] Yep. I live in Pennsauken, so that was only about twenty minutes away methinks.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B]I Lived in South jersey for about3 years. Thats damn close. Camden county to be exact. [/B][/QUOTE] Great balls of fire, you live [I]exactly[/I] where I live. I never thought that any other member of otakuboards lived [I]that[/I] close to me with the exception of Vampire Ed. The thought that I've probably crossed paths with people from these forums and don't even know is strange indeed. :drunk:

The small slip of paper glared up at Axle. It smelled faintly of sake and perfume--perhaps cologne. The writing was scrawled eloquently, golden curves and loops punctuated by insanity laden threats. The stench of foreboding disaster permeated the air. Axle released the glittering paper, and allowed it to flutter to the rain-slicked asphalt below. Jaudiar's dark hair fell in front of her eyes, her black lips remained locked in a frown. Axle slammed his fist through the vehicle's window and rested his head on the rooftop while thick, syrupy plasma swelled around his knuckles and trickled down his fingertips. Jaudiar wrapped her arm around Axle's shoulders and tried to comfort him, tried to heal his hand. He only muttered, "We've grown fat and complacent with our power. I'm sick of living as prey. You're the goddess of chaos and I'm the 'baddest' man alive. It's time that we left our mark. It needs to be over when she's born." Thin, razor blade drops of rain pierced the sky and mist rose from the streets. A small swirl of red spun in the drainage before disappearing. Jaudiar released a sinister chuckle. "You're the 'baddest' man alive, and you're wasting your time punching cars?" "Let's just find out who sent this letter and make them really dead, really fast" he replied.

I never bother to make New Year's Resolutions because I don't have any obvious vices like addictions to smoking or drinking to overcome. I guess the best resolution I can make, that I'll realistically stick to, is improving just a tad with writing. I'm taking a fiction writing workshop, so pending I don't drop it, I might make good on that goal. As far as Otakuboards goes, (since I always try to tie this kind of thing in with something you guys can relate to) [I]perhaps[/I] I could try to use a normal-looking banner and/or avatar for my resolution. I'll be a kinder, gentler, more sane white boy. :drunk:

The beast's hushed breath made the forest shiver. Its belly growled beneath its own muted murmur. The wolf bore its fangs, its upper lip twitched and curled at the corners. Through a veil of darkness, two emerald orbs, its glowing eyes, shone with the Devil's guidance. The stalker's hunger simmered, bitter and fresh, a deep stab in its agonized belly as it slinked in and out of nightfall's most protective shadows, shadows as deep and endless as its growing hunger. A powerful monster, living down in the darkness, it growled in pain, impatient in blood's lust. It had grown tired of the pair of girls' songful laughter and giggling. Samantha noticed how the ground glittered at night, sparkled like the stars hanging above. June floated through the air, doing a lazy backstroke, while the girl chased after her and frolicked playfully. Everything was bathed in a luminescent coat of blue. The moon smiled down upon the two adventurers. Trees swayed back and forth enjoying a cool breeze. Small droplets of mist rolled off their leaves, filling the air with spray. The fairy's aura infused them with angelic light. Samantha stared in wonderment as the small glowing orbs drifted about her, floating perpetually. She caught one in her palms and raised it above her head laughing. Samantha was living her dreams, there was almost no need to go to sleep. All she wanted, she could be, there was no need to be afraid. For the first time, she knew who she was, and no one could break her. The beast's paws sank into the earth, its claws ripped at the fresh ground below as it sauntered out of the concealing darkness. The following events played out in slow motion reality. Sam's eyes grew with fear, her body numbed--she was paralyzed.

I thought that the game was okay. It still runs on the same engine that we've seen for years now, so I was especially surprised by some of the enhancements. The gameplay and graphics, in particular, featured enough tweaks and improvements to earn the game the title of "Best Wrestling Game since [b]No Mercy[/b]." But, that's not saying much considering the poor quality of wrestling titles recently, and that No Mercy is a couple years old and running on weaker hardware. Although season mode is still decidedly repetitive and poor, the wrestlers' mannerisms and the ability to remove padding from the turnbuckles really help to capture the essence of WWE. Now all we need is the ability to put our feet on the ropes for leverage. And really, coming off of last year's horrendous [b]SmackDown: Just Bring It[/b], and the surprisingly inferior [b]Wrestlemania X8[/b], [b]SD: Shut Your Mouth[/b], [I]had[/I] to deliver. I'm still unlocking new features for CAW's by the way, so I won't be able to share anything just yet.

It's obvious that three games are above the rest: [b]Metroid Fusion, Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance, and[/b] [b]Golden Sun.[/b] These three titles are instant classics, original to the system (as opposed to mere Super Nintendo ports). [b]Metroid Fusion[/b] and [b]Castlevania: HOD[/b] are vast side scrolling adventures that feature more depth and content than most next generation title. Furthermore, their storylines are rich (especially Metroid's) and their graphics are bright and colorful on the screen, making them easy on your eyes. [b]Golden Sun[/b], as Desbreko stated, is one of the best RPGs on the system. It's even been compared to PSX and PS2 titles in the genre in terms of quality. The Djin (sp) summoning system was entertaining and cleverly conceived from what I can remember. It was deeper than simple summoning. Plus, the dungeon crawling was similar to that of Wild Arms or Zelda, featuring puzzles that depend on utilizing your magic spells. You can't go wrong with any of these games. My overall top pick stands as [b]Metroid Fusion[/B] though.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Sara [/i] [B][size=1] Anyway, asked for examples. In the first case, I'll cite the 'Fate or Destiny' thread in the Lounge, closed because it was no longer on topic. Granted, theology can be a touchy subject, and always a little sketchy when it comes to point-by-point discussion, but I thought it was being discussed intelligently for the most part. -Sara[/SIZE] [/B][/QUOTE] From what I saw, that thread went way off track. I expected the subject of God to be interspersed throughout the topic, but beginning on the second page, the thread strayed completely away from fate and destiny and into the realm of religion. I mean, first people were debating whether or not God pulls the strings of fate (which isn't necessarily off topic), but then we have discussion concerning the credibility of God and faith, the sacrifice of Jesus, the opposing forces of good and evil, [I]a lot[/I] of people questioning one another's religious beliefs, bible stories, and...it was just all over the place. Plus, it wasn't really being discussed [I]too[/I] intelligently. There was quite a bit of flaming and half-assed assumptions. It's not like that thread was just closed without warning either. Earlier in the discussion there was a warning about the thread getting off track. O.o;; I mean, I didn't close the thread of course, since it wasn't in Sony (lol), but it was pretty obvious that that topic wasn't going to get back on track; it was too heated. Now, anyway, I'm not disagreeing with this entire topic--just that one point. I can only speak for myself when I say that I'm pretty fair. No one has been openly angry at me for some time due to my moderation. I can say though, that most closed threads I've seen lately have attached reasoning. So, it shouldn't be too difficult to pull direct examples from closed topics and debate the reasoning behind the decisions.

Heh, this will be the third time I've answered a topic like this. O.o;; This name was originally just my screen name. When I first joined Otakuboards toward the end of version one, I had an entirely different moniker for the forums. After the upgrade to version 3, my old name would no longer fit, it had too many characters. Initially, I couldn't decide what name to go under. Then it dawned on me to just use my screen name. The answer was right under my nose the entire time. If anything, the name describes me pretty well, and looks good while doing it. As opposed to my previous title, "Crazy White Boy" is sleek, streamlined, sexy and stylish. Heh, even so, I was a pioneer of original names back when nearly everyone was an anime or video game character.

We've already had an extensive Kingdom Hearts thread. Click [URL=http://otakuboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=14676]HERE[/URL] to find it. [center][img]http://cwb.250free.com/Others/thatsfinal.jpg[/img][/center]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Syk3 [/i] [B] XBox, on the other hand, doesn't mean anything to me. Although it may be the most powerfull system on the market, Microsoft has little idea what they are doing, since this is their first gaming console. What they need to understand is that a gaming system is more than just hardware -- it's software as well. I believe that if they don't get their act together soon and come out with some amazing titles (other than Halo and Jet Grind Radio Future, folks) they will loose the race to the other two systems. [/B][/QUOTE] Blech, just this section alone demonstrates that there is more to discuss Greg, lol. It is completely incorrect to assume that Microsoft has little idea as to where they're going or what they are doing with the Xbox. I remember us discussing before, how Microsoft's plans are strictly long-term. The Xbox is a launch pad that will serve to establish the Xbox Live network in terms of technology and user base, and pave the way for the Homestation. With its centralized network, the Xbox is [I]the[/I] online system at this time. Your comments about a lack of quality software reinforce my suspicions that you have not read James' earlier post. Either that, or your eyes just skipped over the section addressing Microsoft's strategies. Instead of completely reiterating what was said, I'll put the quote up. [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i] [B][color=#507AAC]Firstly, Microsoft knows what it's doing in terms of online technology and marketing. The company easily has the most sophisticated and user friendly system for players to go online. In a nutshell, if you want to play online games primarily, Xbox is your only option. The machine's breadth of features combined with its ease of use (and centralized network structure) make it the absolute ideal choice for gamers. Quality is also becoming less of a concern. A year ago, you would have been forgiven for thinking that Xbox was devoid of any quality software at all (games such as DoA3 are generally considered to have been blown out of proportion upon release, though this is understandable). But during the last year, Microsoft has pulled a Nitnendo-esque move; it has recognized the importance of longterm franchises and software quality. Unlike Nintendo, Microsoft has chosen a more indirect approach to quality. Rather than developing and engineering its own core franchises, Microsoft has had a tendancy to purchase development firms which it believes are providing the kind of content that Xbox players are going to want. So far this strategy has worked; Bungee has been invaluable to Xbox and Rare is sure to be the jewel in the Xbox's crown (in terms of both diversity and range of software, as well as general above average quality). Microsoft understands the importance of brands and implied quality and its actions over recent months have proven this point. And as mentioned, the single largest part of the Xbox strategy is the online question. Even though there is currently no profitable business model for online console games (nor is there a very high demand -- less than 50% of gamers actually want to go online and even less want to pay for online gaming via their console), nor a lack of suitable infrastructure/availability of services worldwide, Microsoft is still clearly the front runner in this area. And clearly, Microsoft's plan is a longterm one (think 10 years rather than 5). Though Microsoft will lose billions on Xbox (around $5 Billion, estimated by Microsoft itself), the company has a clear opportunity to build a longterm franchise in both Xbox and its exclusive software. Microsoft may not make any profit from its gaming ventures until well after 2006, but at that time the company will have the required user base installed (hopefully, at least) and will have the suitable technology and experience in place.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE]

I'm not certain whether or not I'll do anything special during the break. I could probably visit my mom, my younger brother and my sister, but I'm not sure if it'll be worth the trip. Meaning, I may be on university break until the end of January, but I still have job-related obligations to uphold. [I]So,[/I] the trip would be really short. If I don't take a trip anywhere, I would like to start a big writing project. Writing a book or a short story would be neat, but it would be very challenging. I'll probably spend the actual Christmas holiday with my immediate family. Maybe I'll stop by Rob's shack as well, lol. Most of all, I'll try to relax. School and work really take the life out of me because they demand many hours. I've been counting down the weeks for vacation since early November. ^^ Last, but not least, I'll be torturing the folks of OtakuBoards with my sexy masculine wiles. Heh, I'll be everyone's winter party host.

Well, as most of you probably know, Capcom is decidedly dedicated to producing exclusives for Nintendo. They've even created the Production Studio 4 development team just for the purpose of creating quality software. Killer 7 and Viewtiful Joe have particularly caught my attention. Hmm, I haven't had much time to read up on these developments, but I would be incredibly surprised if Nintendo purchased Capcom. They've been such an incredible third party developer for so long, that I can't even fathom them remaining completely exclusive to one console. I wonder if projects such as Resident Evil Online would be affected. I know that Devil May Cry 2 would be released before the deal could go into effect. On one hand, they have a close relationship with Nintendo. On the other, they have made their mark in third party development. Perhaps I should look into this news before my head explodes, lol.

I've despised every school counselor I've ever had. They all frightened me, lol. I've always had males, who try to talk in a really soft, coaxing voice. It almost sounds like they've been trained to talk suicidal jumpers down from a rooftop. I remember Mr. Yetman, my elementary school counselor. He would flirt with the school nurse directly in front of me during our sessions, which he sometimes held in the nurse's office for no apparent reason. I remember he said something like, "We all make stupid mistakes, I even made one last night," and the two of them shared a giggle. I was thinking, "I'm twelve, not clueless," lol. My middle school one wasn't much better. I remember my brother got into a fight on the bus stop and he accused me of abusing him. O.o;; Lastly, my high school counselor aggressively recruited me into college. I suppose that's a good thing though. He even helped to iron out a few issues with the admission process, although his frustration was apparent, lol. For that reason, I do consider them a part of the school system--at least on the high school level. Their job is to enhance the school's reputation by increasing the number of graduates who go on to higher education. I've never been able to confide in my counselors, however. Our relationships seemed to be founded more on obligatory business more than anything. There's no doubt in my mind that they would discuss our private conversations with parents and teachers. That's just my poor experience with them though. I'm sure that there are some great counselors out there who are heroes in their own right that are very important to the school and students they represent...

Blinx is way overrated, lol. I'm pleased that Artoon or Microsoft chose a cat as the mascot. Bubsy basically ruined the reputation of felines in his PSX outing, so it's refreshing to see a somewhat decent game promoting the animal. The actual game isn't supposed to be lengthy and the game play pattern of killing a bunch of enemies while executing time warps becomes repetitive. Plus, I'm not too keen on the idea of completing a level in ten minutes. In these type of games, I'm fond of exploration...

Two travelers slinking down a winding road unfettered by the restrictive boundaries of man, wondered if they would slip off the edge of the earth. The forest twisted and turned, crooked like an elbow. Raw foliage wrapped itself around their feet, clung to their ankles. Ancient trees reached for them desperately with slender, bony fingers. The Lost Forest was much like an old city, a crumbled empire. It was overcrowded, an outdated relic no longer valued by the world. Plants elbowed and pushed one another, struggling for breathing room. Bunched together, they produced a pungent odor. The sky was no longer visible. Nature barricaded itself [I]against[/I] itself, shut the rest of the world out. Samantha stalked about, tip-toeing, a predator, an intruder. Every step brought about a crackle. Twigs snapped beneath her feet like spines. Her teeth chattered incessantly, reminding her just how cold the forest was becoming. It was cold--[I]so cold[/I]. Sam's skin began to turn sickly shades of pink and blue. Nightfall must be near. She panted wafts of steamy oxygen. Frogs in bogs stopped chirping and crickets no longer sang. They had retreated to the sanctity of nearby nooks and crannies, wrinkles in the land. The crunching of twigs was replaced by the "glop, glop" of soggy mud, brown slush. "[font=Kristen ITC][color=green]This place sure looks familiar[/font][/color]," Sam whispered to June, who was now perched on her shoulder like a watchful parrot. June, rubbing her own shoulders feverishly, replied flatly "[color=blue][size=1]That's because we're going around in circles."[/color][/size] "[font=kristen ITC][color=green]Oh,[/font][/color]" Sam replied distantly. She paused for a moment, her nose wrinkled with confusion. "[font=kristen ITC][color=green]This place sure is strange. I wonder why they don't have signs or something.[/font][/color]" June's face grew flushed with anger. [color=blue][size=1]If there were signs[/color][/size]," she muttered, "[color=red][size=4][I]It wouldn't be called the [b]Lost Forest![/b][/color][/size][/I]" Sam chuckled inwardly as June pumped her fists in the air furiously, exploding like a small volcano. It had been a long day for them both. "[font=kristen ITC][color=green]Well, I think this whole 'lost forest' thing is [I]way[/I] overrated[/font][/color]," the young Kokirian pouted, "[font=kristen ITC][color=green]because we found it. Didn't we? It can't be so lost.[/font][/color] June folded her arms and grumbled ([size=1][color=blue]-_-[/size][/color]), while Sam beamed with pride ([font=kristen ITC][color=green]^_^)[/font][/color] Meanwhile, a native of the forest watched intently. A pair of yellow eyes pierced the darkness, a glowing flame. Little did the two adventurers know, that they had wandered into wolf territory....