The Black Hole after the Playstation Challenge

It's odd to say this, but after a year of frantic gaming to beat Andy in the challenge... I fell into a black hole.  For some reason, I can't get my sorry ass hauled over to my consoles or my handhelds again, and I think I know why.

Currently I only played some Game of Thrones, and even though I'm curious of how the story will unfold, it has only 15 levels or so, each taking about an 1.5 hours to complete.  After a week, I'm in Chapter 5...

It's even worse on the Vita, only thing I played there so far is a PSP ported to Vita 'picture item search' game... Mystery of the Crystal Portal.

There are no decent RPG's on them with online features.  Destiny looks promising, but that one is still on the far horizon, and my 'gaming life' has mostly consisted of this.  Yes, I enjoyed WoW, yes I liked being a small scale scrapper in EVE online, and doing scientific research in Star Trek Online was enjoyable.

But now, I just don't have those things.  In the end, I decided to move my 'the machine', aka my PC, over to my girlfriend's place in the next school holiday week, being the beginning of march, and throw myself back in the whole online gaming community. 

But with real life come real responsibilities, and gone are the days I can (or even want) game all night long and raid this or that.  I can not, and will not, plan those things ever again, so I am going to look around for decent, and especially playable, online games, preferably fantasy MMOs.  Big pixeled bubs FTW.

One of the criteria will need to be that you can advance playing solo, because I'm not committing to the Guild Life again anywhere soon.  GW2 might get a reboot, though my downloader erred yesterday.  World of Tanks (and Battleships!) will definitly be on there, even though mostly in a capacity of a swift round in time killer.

But for the rest I'm going to look into, install, try and if I don't like it, delete, some fantasy games which I can play when the GF has late shifts, or when she and kid are having their soap opera timespans. 

This does also bring the added benefit of having my far more powerful PC here to work and develop for school instead of transferring constantly between her old laptop and 'the machine', but that is a bonus ;-)

But what games it will be?  I can't say yet, still have a long time relatively speaking (and especially in 'game time') before we set off on that journey again, but at first I'm going to try some of the Perfect Worlds games I have installed, but never played nor even registred, being the PWI and the Jade Empire ones.  And since Perfect World is considering Saint Seiya Online... (yeah, as if there will be doubt I'd be playing THAT).

Everquest is now also FTP, so I'll have a peek there, and maybe some more possibly intresting titles from the Free MMO listings, but it will depend not only on the abvoe criteria, I'm going to read forums as well to find out if the games are infested or not by "Chinese Farmers", otherwise it won't be worth the time as it is on a track to ruination.

The odd thing I miss the most in those games, is perhaps hard to explain to people like my GF.  By nature, I'm, and have always been from childhood, a rather reclusive person.  I didn't need friends to play woith, I could keep myself occupied by building Lego.  That evolved in the wargaming alley where I preferred the army building and painting more then the actual game.  In MMO's, I don't look for social contact per se, but I find it enjoyable to meet 'fleeting aquaintances'.  People you PUG with, have a click, play a few instances together for a week or so, and then move on to be a vague contact and forgetting about each other as everyone continues their story in their own way and speed.

Or meet up for the occassional in-game role playing event, Rhyme and Punishment was such a guild on WoW where I could perfectly 'hide' in... no pressure, no raid schedules, and we did get to see everything as well in the end, though often with a delay of a full expansion.  But I did get to know some awesomesauce people on there, some I still often talk with on my Facebook ('often' in my terms meaning like once every trimester, but he, that's me).

It's perhaps an odd thing to say, but I feel 'lonely' when playing a game these days, no 'competitive drive adrenaline' in ly veins as with the challenge, and no goof-balling in a game for the average surface chat (Hey, did you see that movie?  Yeah, etc etc etc...)

Another added bonus is that I can work away my 1081 and counting hours backlog of anime I still have to watch...

So yes, It is going to be a long quest in the beginning of looking for a few suited games, but also an opportunity to add some more posts this year to the blog, as well, in all honesty, I can't force my hand to lift a brush, and I'm giving all my paints to my nephews soonish.  They'll just have to cope with the fact that if I ever need a few paints and a brush to repair something, they're going to borrow that to me without discussion hehehe.  OR I'LL BILL THEM!

So let's end this post with a small word of advice before plunging into the world of MMO's:

Always remember that behind every sexy elfin toon is a finnish construction worker in his undershirt wanking his cranck

LEGO The Movie blind bags

Okay, this was a bit of a downer.  My 16 packs (the maximum allowed to be ordered over their website) arrived within 24 hours of ordering, but the loot was... disappointing.

The series has 1 model I really wanted, being Abraham Lincoln, and a few I wouldn`t mind if I got them, being Wild West Wyldside (to be used in a moc with Abe), the Mermaid Queen, William Shakespeare and the Nacho Guy, whom would be an easter egg when Guilds of Historica goes Kaliphim this year for an `easter egg`.

I got the mermaid, and the nacho guy even twice (one for me, and one for the kid, he has first dibs on doubles), but apart from that it was a very poor pick.  I had no less then 4 hardhat Emmet`s (so thats 3 up for trade), 4 times the Bad Cop (same), 2 times the Barrista guy (one for trade) and three times the Davy Crockett robot guy (so 2 for trade)... that`s only 6 different figures out of the 16.


Next time better, or at least hope they`ll be adding them soon to Miniature Trading and see to send some around the globe.

Well, liked the rest of the order though, 2 small Friends sets (the new turtle and tiger animal sets, I could use the parts and it gave me this months freebie to trade off, the Stephanie`s Bakery Stand polybag promo), the legendary wolf beast from Chima (the beast will be for a MoC, the character I`ll find some use for, but the addition of that model put me over the minimum for free shipping, and it would otherwise be the same total as it costs exactly as much as the shipping fee, better to pay for bricks then for stamps) and a Bilbo Baggins keychain ;-)

On the same note, this also dropped in from Bricklink, so not to bad a Lego day in all.

Inspirational Lego: Pacific Rim

I loved the movie, and it seems to pop up in most yearly lists as 'stayed under the radar undeservingly' so it wasn't that bad a movie as some people tend to think.

And that is why I really like this build, especially the concept at least.  The tanker scene is one of the most epic on the flick, and it is a pity the creator got the colours of Gipsy Danger wrong, if he would have made her grey instead of green, this would have been sheer epicness in bricks (for me at least).

Talking epic Lego, this picture turned up yesterday over the net, the first of the Simpson license sets, probably being released around the summer.  However, this isn't going to be a cheap set with over 2500 parts, and the fact it is labelled 'build level' 12+ it is probably going to be a shop exclusive set (or range?).

Oh well, that gives me another 6 months or so to save up and clean out materials and toys, though I'm not actually to sure I'll be getting this particular set, not really into my fantasy medieval range, but we'll see.  Am I thinking the munchkin is going to want it?  Not sure, I think his generation isn't to wild anymore of the franchise, especially not at his age...

Expedition into the Forest of Waldurk

Lego Heroica games are nice little 'fantasy rpg' style games, suitable for an half hour or hour entertainment with the whole family.  Not to difficult, and if you can bring over the story, it is enjoyable for everyone.  And I can try and make the munchkin get a knack for wanting to go LARP one day *insert evil laughter*

Deep in the forest of Waldurk, the Dark Druid is comming back to power.  But what is it that is giving him his evil powers?  Bravely three adventurers set out and try to unravel the mystery in a wood infested with huge spiders and vicious werewolves!

Undaunted, the Barbarian takes the lead, storming forward and swinging his axe left and right.  But it seems he only has victory and glory on his mind, as he goes through every effort to block off the road for the Druid.  A blood feud seems to be in the making...

In the end though, the Barbarian storms the Dark Druid and swiftly defeats him, and the party learns of his secret...

The winner is 'Hit By the Mill' the Barbarian, with a mighty imposing rack of trophies to boast.  Seems he got hit one time to many in the head though...

With him in the room was also 'Red the Blue', Ranger

While 'Bompa' the old druid was still wandering the woods during the expedition

But the adventurers had learned that his power came from the Holy Grail, a relic hidden even deeper in the Forest of Waldurk, and bravely they decided to push on.  Little did they know the Dark Druid hadn't been defeated at all and he still wandered the woods.

Fearless the Barbarian, still overconfident from his earlier victory, rushed forward, but to no avail.  Because of the feud, the Druid stalwarthy refused to lend a healing hand, and twice the Barbarian went down against the evil lord.

In the end, it was the Ranger with his special trick shot skills that took the overlord down, while the Druid lingered near the entrance gate, trying to unravel the secret of the gate in front of him.

When suddenly the mistic barrier went down, the old Druid grabbed the Holy Grail, once and for all bringing down the dark powers that infested the forest and brought tranquility back to the place!

And thus we ended the adventures of the boxed Forest of Waldurk, and we had fun all three.  Next time the other 'medium' box adventures, before going to the big fort story and finally the grande finale of all the sets combined (minus 'special case' Illirion and the small promo polybag orc set)...

My 'Words to live by' for 2014

Fresh bricks for moi yayay

Like I told yesterday, I was planning to get out to the toy store and grab me Bag`s End... so guess what they don`t had anymore.

No problem though, I picked up Lake Town Chase instead, another diplay set I had my eyes on, and a fine set if you ask me to boot.

Afterwards I went into negotiations with the kid (for like 7 seconds) whom i had given a Castle chariot months ago as a present and it still stood there in it`s box.  He has it already over at his dad and on the other hand my Lone Ranger stagecoach has been eyed by him on multiple occasions.  So we reached a trade, even though I have no plans on building the cart, just grab the minifigs and the bricks for some MoC projects.

Finally today an envellope arrived from Canada with a lot of the promo set Mirkwood Elf from The Hobbit range, one for me, one for the munchkin and one each for both my nephews (and then some more...).

Good brick days indeed...

Inspirational Lego: Rivendell

Let's start this year of with a great inspirational piece of building.  It has been showing up on Flickr (I so still need to make that account in order...) and it is a mighty piece of work to boot.

For more pictures of yet antoher awesome 'Last Homely Home', check out this page on the One Ring, the Lord of the Rings fansite, but I can only say I'm all kinds of green with envy on how cool it is, and how I lack the skills to build something like that.

But let's also start of the year with a giggle.  I posted this picture on my Facebook and it had some serious laughsies and likes last week, I think it, though on the last moment of the year, the best spoof picture that has shown up during 2013, just topping off that Transform Already Optimus Prime one from months ago.

But now I'm off to the toystore, as I got a few gift vouchers from the local one from the family yesterday, so if 1. they have it in stock  and 2. I put down a few additional euros, I'll be building Bag's End tonight AT LAST!

The 25 Platinums

Okay, so thanks to the Playstation Challenge, I pulled up my amount of platinums from 3 to 25, and that being kind of a milestone, let's look back and see what I think of each one.

Did I like them?  Do I recommend them?  Let's start first by saying what kind of games I like to play:
* J-RPGs: the typical ones, like Ni No Kuni, the Tales series, etc.  Unfortunatly, they are also very grind and time intensive clocking on average 200+ game hours, so it's doubtful I'll ever actually platinum one.
* Musou games: games where you fight against hordes of opponents with a mighty hero, and then some boss fights. 
* LEGO games.  Yes, i love them, not only as an AFOL, but they are quite funny, usually following the stories of the franchises they are based on with a twist and a lot of tongue in cheek humour. 

What I don't like?  First person shooters, adventure games like Assassin's Creed, and beat em ups, those last ones because I just lack the focus to hone my reflexes towards button bashes.

But let's get this show on the road, and here are all 25 platinums, when I got them, and how long I took over them.

1. Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 
December 24th 2011 - no timestamp - PS3

A musou game and the very first platinum I ever scored, about a year after buying a PS3.  The franchise has always been one of my favorites, and the game style is something I loved.  It also has a pretty good 'cross over universe' storyline.
The funny thing is that I uploaded the trophy on the count of chrismas night going over on day and flipped the network, resulting in trophies having taken 69 years to complete and all...

2. Saint Seiya: Sanctuary Battle
April 25th 2012 - 3 weeks, 4 days - PS3

What can be wrong here.  It is Saint Seiya, it was a musou game, and I took 2 weeks of time off from work to work towards that platinum.  I loved the game, fair and square, and even if it was rubbish, I would still love it.

3. LEGO Pirates of the Carribean the Video Game
December 16th 2012 - 2 months, 2 weeks -PS3

Not only the first, but for me still the most enjoyable of the LEGO games out there.  The humor of the Pirates franchise and the humor of the Lego games just works together.  If you want to try a Lego game, grab this one or the Lord of the Rings, and you won't regret it!

4. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
January 6th 2013 - 2 months, 1 week - PS3

Lego games have a certain rhytm to them for trophy hunters.  At first you get a lot of them as you complete the storyline missions, then it falls down to a dribble with the occassional trophy as you grind through the levels again to unlock mini-kits and characters, only to ping as hell near the end as you get to 100%, collect all kits, all characters, etc etc.
Now, I never watched the Potter movies bar the first one, so my knowledge of the franchise is limited to what the games depict, and it is more or less accurate.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2
January 22nd 2013 - 2 days, 11 hours - PS3

Avoid this rubbish at all costs, unless you want to score a quick and easy platinum and you can find it in a bargain bin for only a few euros.

6. CSI: Fatal Conspiracy
March 13th 2013 - 3 days, 22 hours - PS3

Another flop in the enjoyment factor, as the story is rather linear and bar episode 4 isn't worth the effort to put in.

7. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
May 1st 2013 - 1 week, 4 days - PS Vita

My very first VITA platinum, this is not the same as the PS3 version but is a ported version of the Nintendo DS game.  It's rather straightforward as you have the smaller levels and a duelling club, but it wasn't to bad actually.

8. LEGO Lord of the Rings
May 16th 2013 - 2 weeks, 3 days - PS Vita

The second Lego platinum on the Vita, this is a tuned down version of the PS game, but not a bad game at all.  It was a fast and enjoyable platinum, and worth adding to your Vita library.

9. Megamind
May 19th 2013 - 1 week, 17 hours - PS3

Andy had this game platinumed and told me it ain't half bad.  Yes, it has the comical aspect of the movie, but I didn't think it to good a game.  Luckily I found it in a bargain bin at the local game store.

10. The Penguins of Madagascar
May 31st 2013 - 1 week, 1 hour - PS3

Another fast and easy THQ platinum, this game was actually worth the time playing.  Sure it ain't the difficult braincracker or time grinder, but the puzzles as you command all 4 penguins make it a funny game to play and add a fast platinum to your library.

11. Up
June 11th 2013 - 1 week, 18 hours - PS3

If you want to play an actual GOOD game from the THQ stall of animation movies adaptions, grab Up.  You'll find it in most second hand sections for not to much money, but it is of all those I played this year to boost my points the most pleasurable of all.  Though the plane sequences are a rather pain with the erratic camera movements.

12. LEGO Legends of Chima
July 27th 2013 - 1 month, 1 week - PS Vita

The only gampe not to have a bigger brother on the PS3 in the Lego series, this is also the best of them.  It has long levels for a Vita Lego game, smooth animations and nice cut scenes, and a good story line.  This is the Lego game you need to have in your Vita library!  The only pity a bit is that you don't actually need to complete it to 100% in order to platinum the game.

13. The Walking Dead
August 12th 2013 - 5 months, 3 weeks - PS3

Does this game need any words?  Only a shame that like now with season 2 and the Fables line by Telltale it takes a while until a new episode is released.

14. X-Men Destiny
August 25th 2013 - 1 year, 8 months - PS3

It took a very long time to plat this one not because it is so hard or so, but the challenge motivated me to also finish it on medium and hard difficulties.  It ain't the hardest of games and it is quit enjoyable in storyline terms.

15. Skylanders Giants
August 28th 2013 - 3 months, 2 weeks - PS3

My hardest platinum in rarity ratings, mainly because the extreme difficulty you unlock after the first playthrough.  It was an enjoyable franchise though and I kind of like the system far better then Infinity, as you don't need to buy a heap of 'starters' to be able to ven play characters.

16. The Walking Dead
September 27th 2013 - 3 weeks, 2 days - PS Vita

It came to the Vita, I played it.  Period.  Now the GF can play season 2 when it comes on the PS, and I'll make my choices in the Vita version then.

17. Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
September 28th 2013 - 5 months, 1 day - PS Vita

This game has a darn hard trophy, namely completing the Justice League on gold rating.  That one alone took me on and off gaming almost 2 months to get and then it was a stroll to the platinum.  By far the hardest Lego Vita platinum I gained.

18. Wonderbook: Book of Spells
September 29th 2013 - 4 months, 1 day - PS3

It's a wonderfull piece of technology, and this platinum is nearly completely the kids achievement.  He adores the Potter verse (as does his mum, so she was the moral support during the whole game) and be able to step into it was a fantastic experience.  My only contribution was 2 bronze trophies as he had lost intrest after finishing the game and I got to do a quick clean up for the platinum.

19. Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires
October 5th 2013 - 1 year, 5 months - PS3

The accidental platinum of the challenge and this list.  I was at my place and just bashing some buttons in this game knowing I needed some more trophies while the GF was off somewhere.  Then suddenly a golden trophy popped followed by the platinum, seemed I just needed to do some small clean up in a few missions without even realising it as I revisisted this musou game after more then a year.

20. Legends of War
October 21st 2013 - 1 week, 2 hours - PS Vita

One of the best games I played on the Vita, this is an actual real time strategy game in the style of the Battleground games, though with smoother graphics of course.

21. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
November 12th 2013 - 1 year, 2 weeks - PS3

It was mostly the kid and my two nephews that been playing this game, so I didn't interfere with it until the end of the challenge neared and it was at 90+ % completed.  I just stepped in and did the clean up of searching for the final missing pieces.

22. Saint Seiya: Brave Soldiers
December 9th 2013 - 1 week, 3 days - PS3

My crowning topgame of this year, again I love the franchise and I would be damned if I didn't platinum this one!  So within a week and a half of it being released, I put the platinum of this beat-em-up on my virtual shelf.  It plays different from other beaters, but knowing the series by heart definitly helped for platting it this swiftly!

23. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril
December 22nd 2013 - 1 month, 4 days - PS Vita

A completely different game from it's big brother, the critics are disliking this over the web.  I don't!  It is build up of challenges that take a few minutes for each 'sub level' and makes it the ideal game to put in a few quick rounds in between doing things.

24. Shrek Forever After
December 26th 2013 - 6 months, 1 week - PS3

A rather boring game, the only reason I platted it is because it could be done rather fast after the first stint and the kids chucking some time into it, but even they got fastly bored.

25. LEGO The Lord of the Rings
December 28th 2013 - 1 year, 1 month - PS3

The only reason this rather great Lego game took this long, was because it was on the PS at my parents, and only after I learned how to transfer my save games between to systems with the same account on it did I play it again decently and platinumed it to crown the challenge of.


So that are all 25 platinums, and as you can see, with 8 titles the Lego franchise has been the most represented between them all, and only 6 Vita titles have been platted, 4 of which where Lego games...