Overview forgamesjournal

Home is where the hatred is

Ha!  Did you think I was finished with the games journal?  Well, actually I was, but then I decided to append one more article before closing it for a while.

Silent Hill 4: The Room

For me, Silent Hill 4 is better than some people make it out to be.  They are right in that it deviates a bit from the customary traits the series is known for, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing, does it?  Checkout my write-up for it and decide if my defense makes sense or if I'm just a SH4 apologist.  In either case, Happy Halloween!  WoooOOOooooooOOO!

Take this job and shove it

Work Time Fun

Ending this season of entries for the game journal, we finish things off by checking out one of the higher regarded games in my PSP library which I take no apologies in saying.  I love this game so much, but it sure doesn’t love me -- or anyone for that matter -- who plays it.

Thrill ride

Coaster

Building a coaster is cool, but also being able to ride it makes it the selling point.  And that’s exactly what this game does!  You can build and ride your own coasters!

For a fun fact, back when I was a kid and heavily playing this game, as my magnum opus of roller coaster building, I tried my best to copy the coaster found in the music video "Love Rollercoaster" that was covered by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I was even able to beautifully mimic the part of the coaster that looked like a lady.  Unfortunately the riders didn’t care much for it and gave it a mediocre score.  Screw them!  They can just Suck My Kiss!

Jammin’

ToeJam & Earl

If you look beyond the surface, TJ&E can be interpreted as a mirror's reflection of humanity and just how terrible we would be to act as hosts for guests from another planet who just need an intergalactic tow truck to get them on their way.  As for the environment, a metaphor for the structure of the Earth in TJ&E could be implied as a sign that danger lurks near, similar to how a winding road leading to Dracula’s castle with jagged cliff sides connected by natural arches are symbols of caution as they eventually lead to the Count’s front door.  The unhinged structure of each level is further evidence of how unstable the inhabitants of Earth are.

But I don’t care for any of that kind of deep analytical take on things.  I like the game ‘cuse it has aliens and funky music.

Wild in the streets

Streets of Rage

This was originally planned to be an article for Streets of Rage 2, as that was the game from the series I had a more fonder memory of playing as a kid, but after recently going back and playing both the original and the sequel, I was surprised to find out that the original was waaaaaay better than 2, so I decided to do the article on Streets of Rage instead.  But definitely not Streets of Rage 3.  That’s a cheap, heap of trash, quick cash in of a game that had no reason to come out.

Soldiers Without Boarders

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

After mix-felt opinions of what Metal Gear Solid 4 delivered as its conclusion for the multi-decades long series, some faithful fans of the franchise were disappointed by it; mostly with its story, the gameplay, or both. So when Konami began showing off the latest installment, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP, you bet there was nerd hate skepticism towards it. But when the naysayers actually played it, their feelings of resentment evaporated for this post MGS4 title as it’s probably the most technical MGS game there is, with a great story to boot. You might call it a peace offering to all the fans.