*Warning, Explicit*
Hi everyone, and welcome to Vagrant Gamers, Episode number 6. This week I am joined by Kyle Baron and Jeff Derrickson.
We talk a bit about what we’ve been up to, then go on the discuss our thoughts on the Elder Scrolls Online.
After that, we hit on the controversy surrounding the MLB 2k12 “Perfect Game” contest. It has been said that quite a few people in the top 10 have possibly found a way to set-up their roster, to make throwing the perfect game (which has a $1 million prize), statistically easier for them. I am apparently outnumbered on this one.
Special thanks to Jay Jay and Zusker for making that “MMO Facts” sound clip.
Contact us at Podcast@vagary.tv and on Twitter at @JerWG, @BaronKyle, and @JustSomeDude899. You can also follow @VagaryTV for instant updates of a new post or podcast at our site.
Also, Please leave us a review on iTunes. We will feature 5-Star reviews on upcoming shows.
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Welcome to Vagrant Gamers Episode #5!
This week I’m joined by my good friend Gavin Townsley and we discuss all things Guild Wars 2. The beta weekend just ended and I couldn’t wait to talk about it. What made it an especially productive weekend and show is that there is no NDA on the Beta Weekend Events, so we can talk about anything we experienced first hand.
We hit on all of the major aspects of the game:
- Races
- Professions
- Leveling and Questing
- Combat
- Structured/Instanced PvP
- WvW
-And plenty more!
Give it a listen and let us know what YOU think of Guild Wars 2.
You can e-mail the show at Podcast@vagary.tv.
You can follow us on Twitter at @JerWG (Jeremy), @VagaryTV (Vagary.TV Account), and our guest @GavinFYG (Gavin).
Also, please leave us a review on iTunes!
Note: This was our first live cast, so it’s possible the quality may be slightly lower than normal, I am working to correct this issue in the future.
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For those that don’t know, Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention is the re-release of Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice combined with all of its DLC. The original game was for PS3, and is largely considered to be one of the best RPGs available on the system. Even though I had never played a Disgaea game before this one, I was looking forward to taking a crack at it because of all of the hype from the others.
I have to say, that I don’t normally get into Strategy RPGs, mostly because I don’t like the Grid-based combat. Final Fantasy Tactics and all of its incarnates have been exception to the rule for me, as the story far outweighed my general distaste for the gameplay. After all of this time, though, I have finally found another series of this type that I cannot wait to devour fully.
The main story of Disgaea 3 is one that will blow your mind. You are a Demon (bad guy), who wants to become a Hero (good guy), so that you can kill and overthrow your father, and take his seat as the Overlord of the Underworld (head bad guy), all because he erased your 4 million hours of save data for your favorite game. While normally, this frame of thought in a serious story would not work well, in Disgaea’s parody based world it makes perfect sense. And hilarity ensues.
While the story is actually extremely enjoyable and what made me want to keep going through the game, the humor really took me by surprise. It wasn’t what I was expecting, and was an extremely refreshing change to the very dark and gritty games that seem to rule the gaming market now-a-days.
The game has a ton of replay value as well, since when you reach max level, you can actually start over at the beginning with higher stats. The only frustrating part to this start-over system, is that if you lose a battle at certain parts of the game, you are forced to start over from the beginning at that point. While you do keep your level, gear, and abilities, this really took me by surprise. I really wish that this was explained to me early on in the game, as I was a bit mad at first, thinking that I had lost all of my progress. Luckily, as I said, that was not the case and I learned to actually come to a love-hate relationship with this system. The good part is, it made me start playing smarter.
The story of the game is told through the viewpoint of Mao, who seems kind of like a spoiled brat at the beginning of the game, but turns into a character that you will love. The majority of the narrative is played out through anime-inspired vignettes that are fully voice acted and will keep you enthralled throughout. For the most part, which was also refreshing, the voice acting was actually well done, with some familiar voices that anime fans will definitely recognize.
Having never played the PS3 version of the game before this, I couldn’t tell you exactly what specifically the DLC added to the base game, but from what I’ve been researching, it is a good deal of content that wasn’t in the original game, as well as a cameo by some characters from Disgaea 4 (which I can’t wait to start playing myself now).
I feel that if I talk too much more about it, I may give away spoilers, so I will end it at this: If you are an RPG Fan, Strategy-RPG Fan, or just love a good game, PICK THIS GAME UP! It is worth every penny, and then some.
Pros
Cons
Overall Score: 5/5
This review was performed on the Playstation Vita system, with review materials supplied by the publisher.
Welcome to Vagrant Gamers, Episode #4!
This week Kyle and Jeremy are joined by Greg Hutto, a Video Game Public Relations (PR) Representative.
Greg gives us the inside scoop on exactly what it is that a PR Rep does, and plays a bit of “MythBusters” with some of the rumors that float around about the PR side of the industry.
We then chat briefly about the lawsuit brought against Ubisoft and the Assassin’s Creed franchise, as well as *facepalm* at the immature behavior of some scorned gamers over the issue.
Oh, and *SURPRISE?!* There’s a new Call of Duty Game coming out.
There is a real surprise though! If you’re make it to a certain part of the podcast, Greg is nice enough to give away two free codes for Dungeon Defenders on Steam. Be the first two people to find one while listening, and the game is yours absolutely free! (Dungeon Defenders is a great game that mixes the elements of Tower Defense, MOBAs, and RPGs).
Contact us on Twitter (Jeremy), (Kyle), (Greg), (VagaryTV).
E-mail your questions, comments or suggestions to Podcast@vagary.tv –Also, I used a new compression method for this show, let me know what you think of the sound!
Please also leave us a Review on iTunes! (Greatly Appreciated!!!! We’ll feature reviews on upcoming shows.)
See you next week!
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For the true, hardcore Tabletop gamer, it’s hard to imagine a gaming session without some sort of set pieces to signify monsters or player characters. While Warhammer and Warhammer 40k may be the most prominent topic when talk of miniatures is brought up, there are plenty of figures for games like Dungeons and Dragons, World of Darkness, and even Shadowrun to go around. Even so, the miniature market is still small and under-tapped, with only a few companies producing the products that people want.
Immersive Realms, Inc. is a company looking to get into that market. Started in 2010 by Shawn Recinto of Chicago, Immersive Realms develops a miniatures set called “Box-o-Zombies”. While it might not leave much to the imagination as to what may be inside said box, the figures themselves are highly detailed, and ripe for the picking for the miniature enthusiast. As of right now, the Zombies come in a choice of either “Sickly Slime Green” or “Puke Purple” and retail at $14.99 for a set of 6.
The solid color choice and build of high quality PVC make these Zombies the perfect choice for collectors and players looking to detail their own living dead. At C2E2, they had a Samurai Zombie on display that had been detailed by a local artist and looked fantastic. On top of that, they also have a Steampunk Zombie line in the works. Clockwork + Zombies? Yes please!
All in all, if you’re a tabletop gamer, collector of miniatures, or just like Zombie figures, definitely check these guys out at www.boxozombies.com. And if you’re looking for a game to play where they can be used, check out my article from yesterday on Dystopia Rising. They pair perfectly!
For Tabletop Pen and Paper RPG fans, it’s always exciting to find a new world to delve into. When touching on the subject, fantasy games like Dungeons and Dragons are usually the first to come to mind. To anyone that’s played them, they can be an escape from the real world. Players are able to dive head first into a fantasy realm where Elves, Dwarves, Orcs, and Trolls rule, and lush forests or vast cave systems are to be explored (and imagined) to the hearts content.
Enter Dystopia Rising. Kiss all of your happy spappy memories of your Tabletop Gaming of the past goodbye. This game is dark and foreboding. Zombies can be waiting around any corner to take a bite out of your jugular (or really whatever they can get their mouths on).
The game, set in a future somewhere between two and four generations AFTER the Zombie Apocalypse, is not the RPG of your childhood. From talking to some of the creators of the game at C2E2, they want to bring Pen and Paper RPGs to a whole new level. Their game includes faced paced combat, and encourages strong teamwork in order to survive. If someone decides to be the vigilante and make their own way in the world, they’re only digging their own grave.
While I’ve been reassured that there is plenty of humor to lighten the mood –like the fact that the citizens find it hard to believe that families before the zombies came had an alter in their house where God would tell them the weather and current events– the world is still very gritty and unforgiving. It seems to me like the folks over at Eschaton Media Productions have really done an excellent job of shaping the world and the back-story of Dystopia Rising into something that will continue to be built upon for years to come.
From their side alone, with two source books already available and plans for a whole lot more in the near future, this game has definitely got legs. On top of that, with future fan-made and official campaigns, and live LARPing events scheduled, it would seem that the infection that is Dystopia Rising is spreading at an incredible pace. I truly look forward to giving the game a try myself in the near future, and you can bet you’ll be hearing all about it here at Vagary.
Hi everyone, and welcome to Episode 3 of the Vagrant Gamer’s Podcast. This is our relaunch, and I talk a bit about what that means during the show. Kyle’s friend Marik joins us for some fun discussion. Some of the topics at hand include:
- What We’ve Been Up To
- Marik Pimps His CCG: Furoticon!
- The Relaunch and What it Means
- Our Take on Bioware’s Response to the ME3 Ending Hubub
- A word from our “Sponsors” (Special Thanks to Jay Jay and Zusker)
- Day 1 DLC vs. On the Disc “DLC”
- New On Vagary
Also, big shout out to Boons and Conditions, a Guild Wars 2 Podcast and Fansite for providing some great content for fans of the upcoming game.
As always, you can listen below, or find the show on iTunes. Please let us know what you think here, or feel free to send us an e-mail at Podcast@vagary.tv
Follow us on Twitter!
Jeremy – @JerWG
Kyle – @BaronKyle
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This past Saturday, I had the privilege to spend the entire day at McCormick Place in Chicago, attending C2E2: The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. It was an extremely productive day for me, and I had the honor to meet some great people within the “Geek Culture” world. While I did get to spend some time at the big boy tables, like Marvel and DC, I made it a point to get to know the “Up and Comers.” Some of the things I found were nothing short of awe-inspiring.
I plan on sharing my findings with the readers here in C2E2-centric posts over the next few days, as well as follow up articles, interviews, and podcast specials. Here are just a few of the nifty gems that I came across and will be writing more about:
1. A Tabletop RPG set in a Post Apocalyptic future, in the aftermath of a Zombie invasion.
2. A company focusing on making miniatures for games, including Zombies (aptly titled Box-o-Zombies) which pair perfectly with #1.
3. A brand new fantasy setting that will span the course of many comics and graphic novels, as well as book series.
4. Fun mobile apps to make finding comics, and soon more types of media much, much easier.
Keep your eye on Vagary this coming week and beyond for write ups of some of the cool stuff I saw or experienced at the show, as well as interviews and guest spotlights on the website and future episodes of Vagrant Gamers.
For the past week or so, I’ve had to almost ignore the internet. Since about the day after Mass Effect 3 was released, all I kept hearing was the controversy over how “Bad” the ending was. Not having beat the game myself, I didn’t want anything ruined for me. Mass Effect is a series that has grown close to my heart, and seeing the ending for myself –spoiler free– was something I couldn’t wait to accomplish.
Saturday, after 45 hours of gameplay (Single Player and Multiplayer). completing every single quest and side quest in the game and achieving 100% Galactic Readyness, I finished the story. For me (and to quote my twitter comment), the ending was a bittersweet ending to an epic storyline, which as far as gaming goes ranks in my top 5 easily. Bioware has successfully crafted one of the most spectacular stories in recent history, and should be praised for their accomplishment.
Instead, all that I’ve been reading online are whiners, naysayers, and trolls who didn’t get the ending that they wanted, and now think they have the right to DEMAND a new ending. One player even went so far as to file an FTC complaint. Hopefully, Bioware is smart enough to see past the “unsilent minority” and keep the integrity of Mass Effect intact. Afterall, it is BIOWARE’S story to tell. They wrote, and made possible, all three entries into the Mass Effect series. That gives the the right to make any creative choices that they choose. Let me reiterate that: Bioware is the CREATOR of Mass Effect; they can end it however they see fit. It is their right to do so as the creative artists behind the franchise. Don’t get me wrong, the ending was sad, and even unexpected in ways, but it was not “bad” or in need of a rewrite. Far from it.
Demanding that Bioware create a new ending (with all of the writing, coding, voice over work, and production that goes with it), is nothing short of childish.
If your favorite author decided on an ending to their newest book that you did not like, would you demand that the book be rewritten to suit your needs? NO.
If a movie you had been waiting to see for a long time ended in a way that you didn’t feel fit the film correctly, would you demand that the ending be refilmed? NO!
So what gives jilted gamers the idea that since they don’t like the fact that Mass Effect didn’t end the way they envisioned, they can demand a new ending to the trilogy?
It really speaks a lot of where our society is heading when people feel so entitled that they can just demand whatever they want and get it. I really hope that Bioware keeps their integrity on this issue and doesn’t change a thing.
And to those that still feel the need to huff and puff, read past the break:
Shepard dies to save everyone. That’s it. You need to stop raging and come to terms with how the writers over at Bioware decided to tell their story. As happens a multitude of times over the years in different works of art, the protagonist that we’ve grown to love sacrifices himself (or herself) for the livelihood of everyone that he (or she) has sworn to protect. The ending was extremely heart-wrenching. We’ve lost a character we’ve grown to love, and I still feel a bit of sadness over that.
To me, that just makes the story that much more grandiose. My Shepard did exactly what was necessary to save the galaxy, just as Shepard would have. There are no surprises there for me. I know that I would have loved to see Shepard and Liara’s babies running around after the final battle, with them living happily ever after on a beach somewhere.
But in real life that doesn’t happen. War is gruesome, and doesn’t always end on a high note for everyone. It’s that realism that I feel that Bioware was really able to portray in the ending sequences of ME3. And honestly, looking back at the trilogy as a whole, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m not saying it’s ok to dislike the way it ends, because everyone is entitled to their opinion, but to say that the ending is “bad and needs to be rewritten” is nothing short of poor taste and lack of maturity.
My hat’s off to Bioware and friends for putting together one of the best series of the past decade, and yes, ending it in an amazingly epic and graceful way.
This was brought to my attention after I wrote this and thought I would share: does anyone remember the ending to Final Fantasy VII?!?! Talk about gaping holes…
A long time ag….ah, screw it. The iconic Star Wars opening text is too overdone.
It’s been about three years since the rumors of Bioware developing an MMO based on the Knights of the Old Republic franchise first found their way onto the Internet. Those rumors made me ecstatic from day one. The original Knights of the Old Republic was one of my favorite games of all time, and Star Wars is definitely my favorite IP. To add nerd cred to my profile on that, I actually read the books, graphic novels, and comics. So, for anyone that knows me, it shouldn’t be a surprise that I was eating up any juicy tidbits that developer Bioware and publisher EA threw my way over the past three years about the game.
Lucky for me (and an estimated two million others who picked up the game on launch day), Dec. 20, 2011 marked the end of our wait. And worth it it was.
Now, you won’t be in for any big surprises with how the game controls. Bioware did a very good job mimicking the overall feel of most modern day MMOs. Everquest, World of Warcraft, Everquest 2, Vanguard, and countless others all use the standard “WASD” movement with “1 through =” for your hot keys. This makes it extremely easy for any MMO veteran to dive right into the game. The movements are very fluid and combat flows very well because of it. While the user interface may seem a bit clunky at first, it’s very easy to get used to. The main aspect that bothered me was the top-of-the-screen placement of the chat box, but it’s easily moved to the bottom where it feels more comfortable.
The lack of a full customization of the overall UI, though, really does hurt the game a bit. By the time you hit level 50 you have almost too many abilities, potions, and stims to fit on the maximum number of four hot bars. According to Bioware, there is a big UI customization update coming in the near future, so I do hold out hope that this will be fixed very soon.
Another guaranteed aspect of any MMORPG these days has to be the PvP, and SWTOR performs admirably. From level 10 on, players can compete in three different Warzones, similar to World of Warcraft’s Battlegrounds. These include Alderaan, which is a capture point system similar to Arathi Basin or League of Legends’ Dominion map; Voidstar, which is a Plant the Bomb and move to different objectives map; and a very unique mode called Huttball, which is basically an updated version of Mutant League Football.
The Warzones aside, there are also two areas in the game that are strictly for open world PvP: Ilum, a planet dedicated to the insanity of PvP, and Smuggler’s Den, a Free-for-All area on Tatooine where anything goes at any time of the day. Both of these areas help fuel a fairly health Open PvP environment that hardcore players are looking for.
A very neat addition to the MMORPG genre that is found in SWTOR is the implementation of Companion Characters. These NPCs are your brothers and sisters-in-arms that join your crew as you progress through your personal story arc. They can definitely hold their own on the battlefield and they bring a whole new perspective to solo leveling and even grouping without a full party.
Crafting is also dependent on your Companions. Instead of the normal MMO crafting system where you gather materials and spend time standing in front of a forge or loom to make your gear, SWTOR has you send your companions out to gather materials and making things for you. At the end-game, you can actually have five of your six companions all out working while you go out and quest or PvP. This takes a major stressor for some people and reduces it down to a couple of button clicks instead of a giant time sinck. As a person who absolutely loathes crafting in most other MMOs, I truly enjoy the system in SWTOR.
While all of the previous systems and gameplay mechanics makeup the basics of SWTOR, the real backbone that Bioware built the entire game around is its phenomenal story system. In most MMOs, you get a quest from an NPC and go out and kill things and return for your reward – never really reading what the quest giver had to say. In SWTOR, every single dialogue sequence is fully acted out for you in a cut scene (and yes, you can skip if you choose to). This really helps to make you feel like you have an impact on the world around you, and that your story matters.
Every class in the game has their own personal story. I have played completely through the Sith Warrior and Bounty Hunter stories, and am well on my way through the Sith Inquisitor story at this point and can say that each one has blown me away. They flow so well that I want to keep playing just to see what happens next. I cannot say that about any other MMORPG that I’ve experienced. On top of that, the actual voice acting is top notch. Bioware really spared no expense.
End-game is another spot that I feel the developers really nailed. Right out of the gates they had two Raid Zones (Operations as they’re called here) in place. The first is Eternity Vault, and the second is Karagga’s Palace. Both of these offer three modes of difficulty: normal, hard, and nightmare modes. As of right now, our guild is full clearing hard mode on both, and working our way through nightmare, so I have seen most of what these have to offer. We are having a total blast clearing these out, and the difficulty scales well, allowing for new raiders and veterans alike to experience the content at their own skill levels.
Many might argue that Star Wars: The Old Republic isn’t a breakthrough for the MMORPG genre. While I agree that the basic gameplay takes aspects from the other MMOs on the market, to say that it doesn’t change the way that gamers will look at MMOs from now on would be a lie. The superb story arcs, the changes to the generic crafting system, the updated PvP system, companion characters, and voice acted questing all add new aspects to an aging subcategory in the gaming world.
SWTOR is one of my favorite games released in the past few years by far, and is definitely my favorite MMORPG since I first picked up Everquest back in 1999. There are some bugs in the game that need to be worked out (and actually lead me to lower the score of the game a bit), but the overall feel of SWTOR is that it is an MMO that is here to stay, and sets a new bar for what other companies need to aim for.
Pros
Cons
Overall Score: 4/5
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