PixlBit

Next up in my trek through the consoles is the PS2. This will take a while because I have a lot more games for it than previous consoles and the games are a bit longer, reflecting the improvement in technology. But first, two games I forgot to play in the previous weeks. 

N64

Saban's Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue: This is a pretty basic aciton game with a story I beat in a few hours. Levels alternate between open world action, overhead view vehicle challenges and arena-based Megazord (giant robot/kaiju) battles. All have slightly clunky controls but work good enough. Cut scenes are done in comic book style and the theme song runs frequently, which is good because I like the theme a lot. Overall not great but enjoyable enough for a fan of the show. 

PSOne

Saban's Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue: This is much better and also very different from the N64 game. This is developed by Climax Studios whereas the N64 version is by Mass Media. The main game on PSOne is a 3D third-person brawler with some platforming and Megazord arena battles. You can kick and punch and throw a special move. It plays pretty well except that some locations you need to get to are positioned so close to the edge of the viewable area that they are easily missed. I actually stopped deep into the story missions because I couldn't find the next area (Yesterday I watched a walkthrough and found it and next time I'll finish it). 

Cutscenes are ripped right from the TV show and the character animations have a FMV, or motion captured, feel to them, both a testiment to the power of the Playstation at the time. The theme plays crystal clear between levels using that CD technology as a good source. I liked the game for the most part, much better than the N64 version. 

PS2 on a Silver Surfer Slimline Shady

Hot Shots Golf 3: It's more of the same in this series but still fun. Playing rounds earns you points to unlock gear and collectibles. I played a round of 18 solo and beat my previously dismal score of +17 with a slightly less dismal +14. I struggle with the shot meter. The target is very small and hitting it consistently is difficult. I'm getting the hang of it though. I still need to learn the technique that lets you spin the ball different ways. I love the zany characters and the many modes of this series. 

Rune: Viking Warlord: I played this earlier this year to completion. So this time I upped the difficulty. On first view with 2026 eyes, the graphics suggest a game that will be likely awkward to control, but it's surprisingly solid. It's by Human Head Studios whose next game was Dead Man's Hand on Xbox, a game I played enthusiastically when it came out. My only complaint with Rune is that its visuals are very dark. It has a dark theme, so it fits, but it's darn hard to see at times especially when you are under water. I managed it though. That is, until I stumbled on a spur attached to a platform and fell to my second death (you start the game dead and then revived by Odin) into the void of the underworld. How grim and fitting. I generally play permadeth rules these days so I can get through my collection, So I stopped, but I'm keeping this game for later replays. 

Wizadry: Tales of the Forsaken Land: I have, amazingly, gotten past the first hour of gameplay. Every time before this I got party-wiped early on. I think it was due to not understanding some aspects of this game. 

Different from other Wizardry games, you start by creating a solitary character and then go find helpful party members. You get two in the bar and then three more roaming level 1 of the labyrinth to make the full six that is standard to the series. As you level you get the ability to learn new spells but, unlike previous games, you don't just get the spell, you have to make or find enchanted stones and activate them to give you the spell. I never understood this mechanic until I did a deep internet search since even the manual didn't enlighten me. The game doesn't explain itself very well. 

In any case, I've finally beaten my first boss and am about to enter level 3 in the labyrinth (the game is a slow grind like most grid and turn-based RPGs). I still don't understand how to view the whole map at once even though I have a staff that's supposed to do that. I also don't understand Vellums. Are they scrolls? You can make them and use them as spells I think. I like the Allied attack strategies and the way the Trust system works, although, I'm unsure about the specifics of that as well. I'm just thrilled that I'm surviving after so many failed attempts in the past. I'm still playing it. 

Switch

Dragon Quest III HD 2-D Remake: I rented this and really enjoyed it until a sudden and unexpected party-wipe like what usually happens to me in these early DQ games. The modern upgrades are fantastic and the game looks amazing. I'll be buying this and the other DQ remakes sometime down the road. They've done 1-3 and just now 7. What's up with 4-6? 

PS4

Space Crew: I finally started this sequel to the great Bomber Crew by Runner Duck. It's a great mix of strategy and action. Have a look. 

This game is so fun. My only gripe is that it can get hectic especially when aliens invade your ship, but I'm telling myself to just chill and work the strategies. At least I can slow time while moving characters around. You can fast forward through space too but I like to watch my ship cruise in real time. 

XSS

Leo The Firefighter Cat: I beat this game and all its achievements in an afternoon. It was pretty basic in graphics and gameplay but I enjoyed it. A true baby game, you might say, but simple games can be a fun break from heavy challenges sometimes. I certainly enjoyed flying the helicopter around to hunt down the last pinata collectible (memories of Crackdown 2). 

You basically rescue cats from fire or toxic waste that are personified as little demons. You hose them down or wack them with your fire axe. There are missions for every vehicle type: jeep, fire truck, boat, seaplane and helicopter. It reminds me of one of the Paw Patrol games I played recently. Even the game's logo looks like a Paw Patrol graphic. 

Ys Origin: I joyously played this until a lady with a trident mopped the floor with me in the first major boss fight of the game. I loved the gameplay up until this moment that seemed unwinable. I guess I'll have to lower the difficulty because I want to play it more and get past that. 

Purchases

Paper Mario Sticker Star (3DS) - $20 via trade money at my game store. I feel I've played this before and maybe even didn't get into it, but it's Paper Mario and I need to fill out my 3DS collection. 

Hot Shots Golf Fore! (PS2) - Since I've become a fan of the series, I have to get them all. $7 via more trade money at my very physical and local game store. 

Shamu's Deep Sea Adventure (PS2) - $7 with trade money. I like underwater adventure games like Endless Ocean on Wii. Maybe this is at least decent? Screen shots look good. 

Leo The Firefighter Cat - $5 on a sale on Xbox. Looks like that Paw Patrol game I liked on Game Pass a while back. 

Ys Origin - $5 on sale on Xbox. This remake was on PSP originally, but I played Ys: Oath in Felghana on that system back then. I liked Oath and so I should like this remake of the first game in the series. $5 is like my impulse buy price for sales too. 

Well that was this week, my inverted week where work is on the weekends and weekends are midweek. It is what it is.

Next week will be more PS2 games and a few breaks to play my rental, Mario & Luigi Brothership on Switch and other stuff likely. I got four consoles hooked up right now!