Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

I had the opportunity to try out Grand Theft Auto San Andreas on the PlayStation 2. I've actually played it for a couple hours now, just driving and flying around Los Santos, Las Venturas, and San Fierro. I've been blown up many times, but I've finally gotten the hang of the control scheme on the PlayStation 2.

I haven't done any of the missions as I've been amused just by driving along the interstates in a variety of different vehicles, like an RV or a nice, fast motorcycle. The game really has shown how far the engine and series has come from its early days and the the jump to 3D in GTA 3. The world is massive, if you've ever played GTA 3 or Vice City, this game easily dwarfs them both put together, and the best part is that the load times are almost unnoticeable... and I'm the type of person who notices those types of things, even if they're just for a second or two. You can also go in burger stands and get a bite to eat. Eating fatty foods enough will make you overweight, and then you can go to the gym and burn the pounds. As you play the game more your skills go up too. You start off as a lowly hoodie, but as you learn how to use your weapons and spend time driving on all the different types of vehicles, you can do more experienced things with them. For instance, if you use your assault rifle enough, you can go from only targetting and firing when you're standing still, to targetting and firing it while you're running... useful during a gang war.

I've been playing this and all I can say is that I can't wait until it's released for the computer. The controls will be much better, and of course the graphics will be of a higher resolution also. Some of the music in it isn't my type, and it definitely earns the Mature Audience rating for all of the killing and vulgar language... I certainly don't remember that much vulgar language in Vice City or GTA 3... It's definitely unnecessary to enjoy the game.

Even if you aren't the violent type, you could still have plenty of fun in San Andreas as a Vigilante cop, a fireman, a taxicab driver, an ambulance driver, or just a regular pedestrian taking in the sights. That's what I've been doing the most of, taking in the sights, carjacking a new ride (I took a lawn mower once) and generally being a nuisance to the city. This game is definitely one of the best to depict an online world. When it comes out for the computer, I'm definitely going to buy it!

Moving Articles to New Site

I decided to move all the articles to the site I'm working on with my friend. They'll all be up there soon. After that's all done I'll start writing more again. You'll be able to read them here or over at XGATech.com.

I'll have plenty to write about, like playing old games on my new laptop, enjoying games on the Super Nintendo and N64, and more!

Old Skool on the N64

My brother was recently playing Legend of the Mystical Ninja on the Nintendo 64, and I was just taking an in-depth look at the graphics used in that game.

They're primitive boxy shapes with textures painted on the side. There aren't any sophisticated enhancements to make it look realistic, but yet the game still has its wacky charms. I believe it's possible for a game to stand on its own without killer graphics. In this case, Mystical Ninja has its unique fighting with massive robots, and the four different characters with their unique skills in order to keep the game interesting.

It's funny that my brother still enjoys this game so much. He was playing it yesterday on the Nintendo 64, even with its incredibly dated graphics. It's important to remember that while graphics can make a good game great, they won't make a bad game good. Prettier graphics with Mystical Ninja would definitely spice the game up a little, but it would still be the good quality fun that it has been for years.

Galaxy 5000

Oh boy... I've started playing this game again. Basically, it's a racing game in space with weapons and you try to blow up your enemies while racing around the track. It's relatively simple, but quite enjoyable.

I'm having a little trouble with it too. I know there is a warp point that allows you to warp back from either Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn to Earth... giving you time to build up funds to purchase the almighty Stiletto spaceship. Sure, I'm enjoying the game otherwise, but I always love going back to Earth with the powerful Scorpion to crush the opposing forces on the track.

I've gone through the first five races about three times today looking for that stupid warp hole and I'm just not finding it! Where is that thing????

A Gamer's Opinion on the PS

(16:55:11) PrezKennedy: the PS's 3D sucks so bad you may as well just play 2D
(16:55:41) PrezKennedy: its only one step up from StarFox... the original
(16:55:53) Conrad: not true!!!!!
(16:56:01) Conrad: you just hate Sony
(16:56:24) PrezKennedy: yeah because 99% of the games on that system looked like crap
(16:56:38) PrezKennedy: they literally deluge the market with crap
(16:56:46) Conrad: i won't deny that
(16:56:57) Conrad: but i don't buy crap anymore
(16:57:05) PrezKennedy: hahahahaha

Well, I thought it was worth mentioning anyways.

Nintendo all the way here!