I realize some of you may have suffered mild sticker-shock from the two Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker bundles I posted about last week. I can completely understand not being able to slap down $3-400 in these difficult times. Well, I think I may have found a happy medium: Hori’s accessory set themed after the game.
Included in the set is the following:
- MGSPW PSP pouch (holds two UMDs)
- MILITAIRES SANS FRONTIERES face cover (compatible with 2000 and 3000 series)
- Dog tag screen cleaner strap
- Decal sheet
This bundle costs a mere 2,680 yen, which would be around $30 USD. It’s already available on Play-Asia for pre-order for $34.90 which is a tad inflated, but not too bad considering.
I really like this pouch and prefer it to both of the ones included in the more expensive sets. If I didn’t already have a case, I would definitely grab this bundle. I can vouch for the quality of Hori cases since I have had mine since the 2000 series launched and it’s still going strong.
I am not too crazy about the face cover since those things remind me of a dumpster lid, but if that’s your thing then there you go.
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Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker PSP Bundles Announced
The Japanese release of Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker is about two months away so it’s time to start baiting fans with some bundles, that’s right plural: bundles. The first bundle (pictured above) is the Konamistyle version, aka the more expensive version. Included in the set is the following:
- MGSPW Themed PSP-3000XZC System
- Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker UMD
- Snake-skin PSP pouch and strap
- MGSPW Stand complete with engraved serial number
- Camouflage screen cleaner (no one will see you wiping)
- MGSPW Dogtag keychain with serial number
- Artbook (no picture available)
- MILITAIRES SANS FRONTIERES patch
The cost for this fine collection of battle-ready accessories is 36,980 yen, which converts to a staggering $400 USD. Is there anything more “modestly-priced” you ask? I have just the thing for you:
The second bundle is not Konamistyle, but is certainly for the more money-conscious consumer. Included in this set is the following:
- MGSPW Themed PSP-3000XZC System
- Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker UMD
- Camouflage screen cleaner (no one will see you wiping)
- MGSPW Cloth Pouch and strap
- MILITAIRES SANS FRONTIERES patch
This set will run you 26,980 yen, or $300 USD — that’s still about $100 more than the average PSP bundled with a game, but I am sure hardcore fans of the series are already blinded by all that facial hair and camouflage to care about a measly $100.
If you plan on importing Peace Walker, it’s likely these sets will be on Play-Asia or etc. in the near future. If money is no object and you want to purchase the konamistyle version, act fast since there are only 1,974 of them being made (that’s also the year the game takes place, durp!). I sure do want this, but I am not even going to pretend I have that kind of money.
I finally got around to completing the demo of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker the other day. It took longer than I had anticipated since it was kinda tough, and I’ve been busy and all.
The controls were the first hurdle to overcome, but ultimately I settled on the action-based scheme as opposed to the FPS style. With a few alterations to aiming I was pretty comfortable with the controls. They are rather similar to Monster Hunter Freedom Unite meaning you move your character with the analog stick and change view with the d-pad. Holding R1 brings the screen into an over-the-shoulder aiming mode which can be set for auto-aim. I left this option off since it goes for body shots instead of head shots.
Some changes have been made to the classic system which I have mixed feelings about. For starters, it appears that Snake can no longer crawl. It’s possible to lie down by holding X which makes Snake less visible, but while he’s doing this he cannot do anything else. You cannot crawl or fire a weapon from this position. I saw at least two trucks in the demo and both times my natural MGS instinct was to crawl under them, but they are built right into the ground! This feels like a step backwards.
“After being betrayed by America… I will never crawl again.”
On the plus side, that is my only substantial complaint. Another change I noticed, which makes the game a bit more interesting is that enemies now have different armor levels. Not every enemy will die from just a few bullets. On several occasions when trying to tranquilize enemies by shooting them in the head with my MK.22, the pistol simply knocked off their helmet, alerting the enemy to my presence. I am not sure if it’s because of the size of the round (a .22 is rather small) or if my aim was off, but after that I changed my strategy to shoot-to-kill which resulted in less alarm phases. I appreciate the realism of this change which really contrasts not being able to crawl. Yeah, I am still bitter.
Other updates include a more advanced CQC system allowing multiple foes to be dispatched at once. I did have a lot of fun with this, but for whatever reason I could only execute it in the tutorial in the beginning of the demo and not the heat of combat. Perhaps I just need a bit more practice.
CQC in a refreshing rainstorm
Since the game has a multi-player option, changing equipment no longer pauses action, meaning you need fast fingers when in alert mode or when facing a boss. Luckily I feel I got used to the controls pretty quickly so this only really got me in trouble once or twice. Still, I can imagine some people getting frustrated by this.
I managed to blow through the demo without teaming up with anyone. I am pretty confident I will be playing this whole game solo, at least for the first play-through since the story is paramount. Still, the new multi-player features are really cool. Possibly my favorite element is the “co-op ring”. When two or more players are in close proximity their rings will form one large ring. While inside, the allies will share HP and have immediate access to each other items. This is possibly the greatest and least cumbersome way of swapping items I have ever seen in a game.
When it comes to the story, the demo really doesn’t offer much, which I found surprising. There is a simple cut-scene showing Snake being approached by some folks from Costa Rica a tad concerned with the goings-on inside their military-less country. They want Snake’s help in getting them out, and he’s all like “I’m not a dog of war, blah blah.”
I do like the unique comic-book style used for the game’s cut-scenes. It really creates a sense of cohesion with the character designs used throughout the series. I just hope it will be able to maintain the level of maturity I love from the series, when necessary.
Paz being introduced in the cutscene from the demo
All in all I enjoyed the demo. Once you get used to the controls you’ll really have a lot to do… aside from crawling. Sorry, I am just deeply disturbed by the omission of such a key part of MGS games. I really need to move on…
I look forward to Peace Walker’s May 25th release date, as well as hopefully getting some multiplayer under my belt!
Persona 3 Portable Wallpaper
The official website for Personal 3 Portable updates very regularly, but I usually don’t have time to stay up to date on its shenanigans. By shenanigans I mean crazy time specific secret-moon-links. Luckily xComp over at Randomness (formally Yuuenchi) figured out a secret link which produced the above wallpaper.
It features both protagonists in their winter/fall leisure clothes. The female protagonist is in the foreground and her brighter colors really contrast the male’s more earthy tones.
I have this set as my wallpaper at work and I am digging it. It’s been a while since I had a new wallpaper I liked.
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Cloud Strife Eau Du Toilette
Do you find yourself less than popular with the opposite sex? Well Square Enix, your digital wingman, has your back. A new eau du toillette for men and women themed after Cloud Strife, the conflicted protagonist of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children has gone on sale. Instant attraction will cost you a mere 6,800 yen or around $75 USD.
In case you’re wondering what Cloud smells like, since I assume most of you have never had the pleasure of inhaling deeply from his spiky hair, here are a few odors that make up this protagonist musk:
- Top: mandarin, lemon, leafy greens, aqua, melon, peach, apricot
- Middle: lily of the valley, jasmine, rose, freesia, carnation, violet
- Last: cedar wood, sandalwood, amber, musk, vanilla, oak
Wow, Cloud smells fucking delicious.
I am not sure why the scents are arranged by top, middle, last. I assume I just don’t know crap about perfumes or colognes, which may mean I am in desperate need of one.
Metal Gear Solid: Philanthropy: The Fan-Made Movie
I am not sure how I missed this one, it probably got washed away in the flood of Tokyo Game Show news. A film made by a few Italian Metal Gear Solid fans became available online September 27th. It can be both viewed or downloaded here. Apparently these guys started working on it after playing Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and just finished it this March. They spent nearly $14,000 USD of their own scratch to bring their beloved baby to fruition.
Without having seen this film (I am at work, OK) I applaud these guys for their work. They took what Hollywood undoubtedly would (or probably will) butcher and made it from the heart! I can only image the meeting concerning a profit driven MGS film: “Wait, so there are robots and explosions in it? Hell, anyone can make this movie! Let’s hire Micheal Bay and just splice together scenes from both Transformers movies!”
I guess I believe that a Hollywood version would set the deep, profound story of the series to the side to focus on the robots, sex, and explosions. Prove me wrong internet, prove me wrong.
Anyway, I plan on sitting down and watching this in its entirety this weekend. No spoilers please.
TOKYO GAME SHOW 2009
Again I awoke to few, if any, Tokyo Game Show updates worth mentioning. It looks like the event may be losing its momentum as it gets closer to being opened to the public. I still wish I got to go for swag and food purposes.
A few more disappointingly short trailers, devoid of new information have surfaced. Take this Persona 3 Portable trailer for instance:
It’s mostly a fusion of existing trailers we’ve already seen, arranged to distract the viewer from the fact that they aren’t learning anything. Kind of like watching reality TV right?
I daresay the most successful and interesting enterprise of the event is easily Kojima’s Metal Gear Solids. He’s somehow managed to really provide substantial information about both his two projects (Peace Walker and Rising) and his philosophy on gaming in general. Case in point: this excellent article by Stephen Totilo via Kotaku. That’s right: I just liked to Kotaku. Boo-ya.
If there was a Kotowari award for Tokyo Game Show Champion, Kojima gets it.
PODCASTING
Mark and Glenn of PSNation were nice enough to have me on their most recent podcast to discuss current events and review a few recent/upcoming RPGs. It was a lot of fun and I think we did a pretty thorough job discussing Demon’s Souls specifically. I plan on having my review up soon for the game, but if you want a preview of my thoughts this is definitely a good place to start.
I noticed I said “like” a lot. Damn. I guess I am more eloquent when writing than talking. I knew I should have taken public speaking in high school! Anyway, if all goes well I will probably be back on Mark and Glenn’s podcasts sometime again.
FALLOUT 3 DLC HITS PSN
Yesterday, Broken Steel went on sale on the PlayStation network. I cannot tell you how long I have waited for this day. Fallout 3 blew me away last year and is still one of my favorite games for the PS3. This particular piece of DLC really builds on the game by providing story after the somewhat controversial ending. It also increases the level cap from twenty to thirty and provides some more difficult enemies to keep things interesting.
Bethesda was kind enough to provide me with a PSN code for Broken Steel, so I plan on diving into it as soon as possible. Expect a review soon!
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My name is Roy and this is my blog about games that I enjoy. My favorite games are RPGs, but there are a few wild cards from time to time. I use my elementary knowledge of Japanese language and culture to translate info on upcoming games in Japan. When time (and publishers!) permit I also preview games and write reviews.
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White Knight Chronicles
by Level Five
Hours Played: 35-40
Recent Accomplishment:
Georama Level: 7
Clan Level: 7
Trying to make some of the higher level job parts, they take a lot of rare elements which has be questing my ass off. Should be able to reincarnate my character soon!