Easter Weekend Blog Log (Apr. 2015)

Normally I like to keep this blog strictly about gaming reviews, and game related news. It keeps out the personal clutter, and makes the blog the gaming, and hobby focal point that I aim for it to be. This Saturday, the Saturday before Easter though I figured I'd get on a more personal level with you guys, and gals. It'll probably be a lot of incoherent rambling, but I figure it's not going to hurt anything. So ... first off I want to talk about the interview between Angry Joe, and Ed Boon. It was by far one of the most revealing MKX interviews yet, because Joe dared to ask questions that others really hadn't touched base on. Some of the answers to those said questions sounded cool while others fell into a more concerning category. If you've stayed tuned to this blog you'll know I've had some concerns of my own about MKX, and hearing some of what Ed had to say only pushed those worries further.

In case you did not watch Angry Joe's MKX interview Ed Boon leaked a lot of information about how the towers were going to work, and how the INJUSTICE-like profile customization was going to affect gameplay. I liked the idea that the challenge towers would be tripled, but shorter, and that they'd constantly be changing. What I didn't like about the towers though were that they were geared towards unlocking profile pics, icons, and name plates that would each have game changing effects. Ed didn't mention all of the additional effects, but did say that things like damage boosts, and XP boosts (God, I hate the mention of XP in a game) were included. If you've ever played "Street Fighter x Tekken" this basically sounds like a tricked up copy of the power gem system from that game. I hated the hell out of the power gem system, because it gave players an easier way out. It also made for some unbalanced fights. I think the new profile customization system that Ed is talking about is similar, and is definitely a step in the wrong direction.

To me it also seems like Ed Boon is really trying to capture the attention of the CoD crowd. Like many other developers Ed has stepped into game ruining territory by appeasing the minority (non-fighting game enthusiasts), and neglecting the majority (die-hard MK fans). I've seen many other fighting game devs do similar things by making certain characters in the roster OP, and easy to use. Heck, I haven't seen a balanced, or fair roster in a long damn time. Some devs have even taken it a step further to attract sales by including trolling features such as titles, and different types of taunts. When you forsake your core following just to push sales beyond your fan base you are going to screw things up. While I can't say for definite that's what Ed, and his crew at Netherrealm have done I can't rule the possibility out. Like I said that profile customization/enhancement system is truly a step in the wrong direction. The added fact that the game is going to be an ongoing faction based competition with XP only serves to take the game even further into dark territory, CoD territory.

The fact that Ed has now included factions in the mix it certainly makes it seem like he's calling out to all the CoD trolls to f*ck things up. It's like a larger than life billboard sign that say's "Buy me! You can take trolling to a new level!". It may get him sales quickly to have an extra competitive aspect, but in the long run it could turn MK fans from the series, and from any future game that his team might release. As a game developer you absolutely cannot sacrifice integrity for a quick buck. The moment you do that all future profits are at a risk of being forfeit. I hope for Ed's sake that I'm wrong, and that I enjoy the game, but I have this lurking feeling that it may go down in MK history as the hugest letdown the series has ever seen. If you build up the hype as much as Ed has done it has to be a "Flawless Victory".

Aside from those MKX concerns I've been trying my hardest to enjoy my weekend off. Unfortunately my holier than thou Uncle, his wife, and his daughter had to come by several times this weekend to visit. What a pain in the ass some relatives can be. I'm sure some of you out there have had similar experiences with family. For me it's literally all of my family that wants to drag me down with their BS, and talk behind my back. I'm different from everyone else in my family tree, and it's for that very reason I'm always catching flak. I can't review porn without being preached at, or talked about. I swear sometimes it's so hard to avoid the negativity.

Tomorrow, My Bro is supposed to grill some burgers for the lot of us, for Easter. I was excited about it at first, but my holier than thou Mum invited my holier than thou Uncle, and his tag along peons over as well. FFS I can't win for losing! All I can say is that if you ever intend to visit family do not stay around for hours, and talk amongst yourselves in front of those whose house you are staying at. It's rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. Don't be an ass about family visits. No one wants to entertain you for hours, and feed you like you are royalty.

Anyways ... Games I'm looking forward to in the coming months include MKX, Shovel Knight (cause I've never played it), Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Omega Quintet, and a sh*t ton of others (especially those on my review list). Speaking of that. Have you ever felt that the thrill of gaming was gone, and that to gain said thrill back you felt you had to buy a new game? That's where I'm at right now. I've got so many games that need completing it's a sin (Gaming Gluttony). I feel like I'm more addicted to the thrill of gaming discovery (journalism) than I am about actual gaming. Journalism has really turned my gaming hobby topsy-turvy in some unexpected ways. Don't get me wrong though. I do love gaming journalism, and providing reviews for you guys, and gals, but I've seriously gotta quit buying games for the sake of buying them. I know some fellow gamers who aren't as fortunate as me who'd love to play the games I've bought, and turned away from. It's a proper sin on my behalf. Bad Brad, Bad Brad ... you naughty, naughty boy!

I think I'm going to close this "Blog Log" on that note. I hope you enjoyed the read, as mental as it may be. Feel free to chime in with your own thoughts about anything I've said. I'd be more than glad to reply back. Until next time my friends, and readers I bid you adieu. There are surely more reviews on their way!

Your Last Samurai,
Brad C. (OtakuDante)