Friday, November 30, 2018

The Current State of Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter World has been out for several months now. Closing in on a year's time to be more precise. Since that time we've only seen a few new monsters, with upgraded variations. Those things along with special, and seasonal events that allowed gamers to catch up on what they missed while they enjoyed the grinding opportunities of new events. In all honesty it seems like a far cry from what was promised. It seems like the events are nothing more than placeholders for what should have been. Hunters have grown increasingly tired of grinding the same monsters, and their tempered variants (outside of the Kulve Taroth hunt). I myself find that I only return when there is a new event active. It's bad for a game that has features from other games in the series that could be implemented such as the new monsters, and areas we all get excited for. Monsters like Behemoth aside ... that monster can burn in hell for all I care.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

SMITE | A God Among Free-To-Play

Smite, for me has been an interesting off and on journey. From the beta on the PS4 to today on the same console I've dipped in, and out of the experience. Sometimes actually playing, and other times just logging in daily (in proper OCD fashion) to reap the daily login rewards. To date I have accrued over 40 gods and goddess as well as over 110 god/goddess skins. None of which I paid real money for. I even cashed in some gems at one point to participate in a season, and capitalize on the exclusive skin that was to be had there. The game is very generous to freeloaders like myself, and for that fact alone I find it highly attractive. Despite being one of the more lucrative free-to-play experiences though the game does have it's fair share of downsides as well. In fact the one key reason I kept turning from gameplay was, because of the cheaters and hackers playing it. That, and the times Hi-Rez both offered player reporting options, and took them away before reissuing said feature at a later date. The cheating, and hacks in the PS4 port of Smite are, and have been fairly serious. I'm not talking about DDOS'ing, or lagswitching, but actual hacks. The kind you'd see from PC gamers. Not a day ago I actually encountered one such hacker who changed the game's features and functions in such a way as to wholly change the game's updated format. Not only that, but they gifted the entire team within the lobby free skins. It was major.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Whispers of Angels & The ASMR of Demons | A Twitter Passage by OtakuDante

Below, in it's entirety, you will find a short burst of guided wisdom. Inspired by something unseen, and unheard. A knowing without knowing from a man (myself) who, for some reason, is allowed to see behind the veiled curtain of life. I share with you this passage regarding our role in life, as a fellow living human being. I hope, if anything, it opens your eyes a little wider to the bigger picture. That it let's you understand things a little more clearly, and above all else that it eases your worries about life, in general. For nothing in life is by chance. It is by design, and in knowing the fact that you cannot change life's direction at all it will lift the burden of thinking that you have to, or that you can. It will help you better understand that what you do with your life matters, but that it is in no way important to a point that you'd bare all the consequences or rewards due to your actions or lack thereof. You are doing as you are inspired to do. As you are led to do. We all have a part to play in the grand scheme of things, good and bad. Some more pivotal than others, but none less than significant than the other. Live, my friends. Live knowing that you lived the best life you could with whatever hand you were dealt. Be at peace.

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Call of Duty | The Love & Hate Relationship

What the hell is wrong with me!? Why can't I stop playing Black Ops 4 despite knowing it's a broken mess plagued by the usual problems? This is no doubt the question on some of your minds. For me my "obsession" with the game stems from a must win OCD focus. The more I'm cheated out of wins due to game issues or players cheating the more I want to get back in, and find a way to win. This is the driving force behind my personal "Love/Hate" relationship with the Call of Duty franchise, in general. I know the series has a reputation of the same faults never being fixed, and that it's gonna be the SSDD (same sh*t different day) every year. Still I find myself drawn to it like a fly to a fly zapper. While I tell you the game needs work, and that it's broken my continued playing of it might send a hypocritical impression that I don't intend on sending. Make no mistake though. I still believe Call of Duty, and Black Ops 4 is a lost cause, and a waste of money.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Omen of Sorrow (PS4)

Ambitious, and passionate is what I'd call this indie fighter. From what I've experienced during my time spent with "Omen of Sorrow" I can see the huge amount of effort put forth in every feature included, though somewhat lazily thrown together in some instances. Sometimes ambition, and passion isn't enough to suffice regardless of effort though, and unfortunately this game does have it's fair share of shortcomings due to an overall lack of polish.

At it's beating heart, or core, lies a four section story of sorts that reminds me a great deal of the Hugh Jackman inclusive film take on "Van Helsing". As with that film we find a chosen one named Gabriel who just so happens to be a nephilim. A half angel, and half human man. Like the previously mentioned film Gabriel encounters a whole host of monsters including a werewolf, a flying succubus, Dracula by a different name, Frankenstein's monster, Quasimodo, Dr.Hyde, a mummy pharaoh, and what seems to be Babylon herself. An ultimate evil in the guise of a woman who utilizes a several headed shadow beast as her means of hero disposal. Incoherently the story mode in which the player discovers the underlying tale, and it's cast of creatures/characters is a mixed up mess of forcefully spoken voice acting from a single voice actress, textual dialogue that only serves to confuse the player more, and decently animated cutscenes that blend Biblical scripture with the fantastical prophecy being spun. All you really need to understand is that Gabriel is the chosen one, that there's a mystical book being sought after, and that through interactions with other key characters, or monsters, he eventually comes to terms with his dark and light side in time to vanquish evil. More or less ...