I'm Back!

It has been a long while since I posted anything on my blog. I apologize to anyone who actually cares about what I have to say, but I can explain myself!

Altes Museum: Hitler's preferred Speech Venue

I went on a trip through Europe this last month where I got to see Berlin, Bern, Cologne, Amsterdam, Prague, Vienna, Rome, Venice, and some others. Although Europe was, surprisingly, a major disappointment I will make blog posts for each of the major cities (or at least a mass blog with bits and pieces from a group of cities). I will share my opinion of Europe as a whole with you now, however, so that you get the sense of why I feel so disappointed.

I found myself repeating this phrase to myself over and over again at each city. "Europe is like Latin America, but with more money and time to spend it." To be honest everything I saw and felt reinforced my opinion (at least culturally wise). This thought was not exclusive for Hispanic-like countries; it also crossed my my mind while in Germanic countries. Although Latin America is not as bad as some Americans say I did not like Europe being so similar to it and, in a nutshell, that is why I am disappointed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Deeper analysis~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In order to explain my feelings further I have to share the ideas I had before embarking (old stylish too; I left the US on a cruise...) on this trip. I knew what an average American would know about Europe from typical comparisons found on travel books and news: Europe has a more relaxed workplace, better work vacation programs, more organized and better quality of public transportation, more environmental policies, more history, freedom of personal choice, a less violent and more sexually comfortable culture, etc. Simply put, I thought of Europe as a more developed, acculturated and comfortable USA; this notion is completely erroneous. 

Vienna's Street Garbage Can

Florence's Street

The first thing I would like to mention about Europe is that EVERYONE SMOKES EVERYWHERE. For the exception of most indoor places it is utterly normal, actually expected I would say, that you smoke. It does not matter who is around you, what time of the day, or even if there is an elementary soccer team right next to you: YES, I witnessed PLENTY of mothers smoking while pushing their baby's stroller. This made me very upset every day; it was impossible to avoid snorting the foul, disgusting smoke coming out of someone's black and dying lungs for a whole day. I must've inhaled more cigarette smoke from only second-hand-smoke in that month in Europe than in all my life put together. The overkill is the best part: THEY NEVER TURN OFF (step on, water or smash up) UNFINISHED CIGARETTES.... and by never I mean MOTHERFUCKING EVER! On top of everything, unlike in the US, you feel unable to ask them to please smoke somewhere else or to turn it off because it is just culturally wrong since they have a different kind of freedom of choice. Plus no one else minds because they smoke too. It is just frustrating and disappointing to see how a place that I thought was more civilized, educated, and developed than the US was so suffocated in such a meaningless and easily recognizable disease/vice like smoking. I choose to call it disease because the abundance of smoking in every corner at every moment just makes non-smokers addicted to it as well without them even knowing and because it kills so effectively.

Bern, Switzerland
1 USD = 1.15 CHF

Another aspect that nearly blew my mind was how much they charge for things that we take for granted in the US. I know that most currencies in Europe are more expensive than USDs, but charging 7 British pounds for a sub at Subway just seems a little excessive when they have the most expensive currency in the world. Perhaps I was just overreacting because Ryanair had just raped me in the ass hardcore. DO NOT EVER GO ON RYANAIR IF YOU HAVE LUGGAGE AT ALL and DO NOT FORGET TO CHECK IN YOUR FLIGHT ONLINE 4 HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE. If you don't follow my advice prepare to hand over your ass (around 50-100 pounds per person) to the airline. If you know what is like to be raped by Spirit airlines just grab that feeling and multiply it by 1.71 in exchange rate. But this is not only about outrageous prices it is also about paying for going to the restroom, takeout boxes (If they actually have any), fees for a train you already paid, etc. Restrooms are not outrageously priced, but the only one I saw that was clean enough to warrant a charge was at Bern, Switzerland; the other were pretty much anything you'd find in USA or worse. Takeout, actually called "takeaway" (British), is not expected in sit down restaurants so they may not have bags or boxes for you to put your excess food and if they do have expect to pay some cents for each (Yes it is just cents, but it is quite stressful when you cannot discuss the bill with the waiter because of language barrier).There is charges for plenty of other stuff that have developed because of the overwhelming presence or tourists (charges to go into churches, charges to sit down to eat, etc). These I can overlook, but in the grand scheme of things they are quite annoying and frustrating.

Day Train from Berlin to Bern, Cleanest Train I rode.

I also have complains about the public transportation system, but these are due to American's opinions back home. Americans love to talk about how incredibly organized and punctual public transportation (PT) like buses, trains, and trams can be in Europe. I attribute their comments to the fact that there is no properly functioning public transportation in most US cities. The reality of European PT is far simpler; Europe has: trains that work, some ugly and old while others crisp clean and new; schedules change all the time, but they try to stay true to timetables; trains, buses or trams are not exactly punctual, but definitely attuned with the time hungry American lifestyle; facilities are severely different from one city to the next, but generally better in richer countries. In my opinion PT in Europe is an advanced version of what you will find in South America. By advanced I mean: it is more predictable (allowing for timetables and planning), cleaner, and safer. That is literally it. Bus, Tram and Metro lines are extremely difficult to learn if you are staying for just a day or two. There is plenty of rubbing against each other inside trains and buses, "hop-on salesmen" (at least that's what I've been calling them in my head all my life), and homeless and beggars on trains and stops.

Venice, Second to Rome in Nastiness

City garbage is still a problem despite Americans saying that Europe is very clean. I think this is due to the size of the cities (big cities are bound to have street garbage and smelly alleyways), but the American pedestal quite exceeds the reality. A lot of Europe looks exactly the same as downtown Miami (and Latin America for that matter) in the garbage department, disgusting and unapproachable. It is noticeable, however, that they spend time and money to keep high traffic and tourist concentration areas fairly clean. Thus becoming Latin America ++.

Beggars and 'Buhoneros' (street vendors) are everywhere. While there is plenty beggar and buhoneros in USA I have never seen any as annoying and persistent as the ones found in Latin America; sadly, I encountered several that surpassed them in Europe. I have never been slapped or pushed by a beggar or buhonero anywhere in Latin America, but this fact didn't stop them in Europe. There was at least two occasions where I can distinctly remember being mistreated. First, it was by an old lady beggar in front of a church and after by a Turk buhonero that followed us for almost two blocks. Perhaps these people are not from that country or from Europe at all (we saw several Africans and Turks as street vendors), but I still think that Europeans (in their glorious freedom and letting others be) don't have the guts and character to tell these people off so that they behave better.

The quality of the food is definitely better in Europe, but not enough to justify prices and the simple, insubstantial plates served in restaurants. The only food worth money in amount and quality are Doner Kebabs, but they get old fast when that is your only food. If you are going to Europe thinking that you will have great food rich in culture for a normal price you are tremendously mistaking. If you want decent food you have to be ready to spend a lot more than you would in the US (and Latin America for that matter). Food is the single aspect in which I honestly think that Latin America completely outperforms Europe. The best meals I had in Europe at a bargaining price were a Mexican torta in Bern and a meter diameter pizza in Venice. My overall diet while in Europe were Doner Kebabs (or its chicken counterpart), and salami/bologna/cheese sandwiches with juice simply because of budget. Take this advice when you go to Europe: If you are going to spend your money there make sure you have extra to cover good food expenses first!

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Needless to say Europe is a very good place to visit. It is extremely safe (even thought it may not seem that way at first), there is plenty of history to see (although not much to feel), and there is plenty to do aside from sightseeing. Hostels are what you would expect: some dirty, some smelly, some with 30 people in a shared room. They vary severely in price, place, and quality. I am simply trying to say that Americans have Europe on a high pedestal that does not represent it and for this reason I was disappointed. I thought Europe was something else than what I found. I ask you not to make the same mistake; I am certain that if I had gone there with my mind empty and no expectation I would not feel as empty about Europe as I do now.

In the end my Europe trip helped me realize how wasteful Americans are, but at the same time how ingenious they can be when making life easier and less burdensome (putting workplace aside). I went to Europe thinking I would find a place that I would love to call home, but found a part of the world that I would love to visit, and only visit, again. Yes, the USA has many problems, but I just did not feel as comfortable over at Europe. Now.... Canada.... That is a place I would call home ranking above USA. We will see when I go back up there, how I feel about it and what I decide to do.


PS: I was working on some drafts before leaving to Europe and I know I haven't posted them yet, but I am trying hard not to make blogging part of my homework or job yet. I do not want it to get tedious and frustrating before I am even started. I promise I will post another game review soon and some video games news (there is plenty of material with the past E3 event and upcoming releases).
The thing is that reviewing a video game is tremendously difficult when all I've done in life is play video games for fun. I definitely think I have an aptitude for it because I am now able to look at video games with a different eye, but in the end it is strange and difficult to play games while I looking for stuff to write about. I think I should make a comparison in one post.... I'll call it "Reviewing gaming vs. Fun gaming" (or something like that). I hope you have a good few weeks of summer before fall starts approaching (In my opinion it's just too hot and I want winter already....).

Darksiders PS3 - Review

Darksiders was released on January 5, 2010 for the PS3 and Xbox360, the PC version was released a little later, but it is out already. This game, made by Vigil Games, seems to be an attempt to take the God of War franchise and twist it around enough in order to create an original game that would satisfy Xbox360 owners since God of War is a PS3 exclusive. It is inspired on the christian/catholic apocalypse, with the player taking the role of of one the feared horseman - War. A sequel is currently under development and expected to be released in Q4 of 2012. In my opinion this game definitely took the safe route to success (although only mild success I'd say). It takes the God of War formula and scrambles the story and artwork. It only redefines design and gameplay slightly (some people may say that it does not change it at all thought).


Story: 
SCORE: 4/10

As I mentioned in the introduction, the story is based on the idea that four horsemen will appear one after the other once the end of time approaches and judgment will be brought upon everyone that has not follow the commandments put forth by God. I do not know the apocalypse from the bible verbatim, but that is my understanding of it. Darksiders twists the story a bit by making the horsemen righteous entities due to the fact that they are supposed to bring "balance" to the fight between heaven, earth, and hell. However, the search for balance is thrown off when you are summoned before your time by an unknown entity.

The story has enough name dropping and indirect references for people to be able to relate it with the bible and other apocalyptic writings; however, the story does not go into explaining anything other than its own premise and goals. In the end, this helps the story from getting overly religious, but it makes it feel like aliens from heaven and dinosaurs from hell would have worked just as well. In other words, they place the game in a mythological environment that they are weary of using... so why do it at all? After being tricked War is given a chance to redeem himself by fixing the situation down in earth and killing the perpetrator for his own revenge and for restoring the balance. War simply heads out to find out why, how and who tricked him into appearing before his time, killing that entity and returning to his former glory without further a due. Throughout the game there is plenty more names dropped into the story, but none of the characters really become part of the story in a relevant way so that you actually care about them.

The story ends quite abruptly with obvious and expected plot twists, dramatic cutscenes, and a paved road for a sequel. I felt that the mythological (or religious) story was used to make a supernatural setting without the need of much thinking (Yes, this is my opinion with God of War as well). I was quite disappointed with the story; It did not explain the mythology and it felt extremely disconnected from its basis without a good reason. Nothing seems to make sense because they do not explain to you the story completely at the fear of becoming a bible game, but in my opinion that was a mistake. If you have such a fear and cannot visualize how to make a 'bible' game that is worth playing, then you should not pick that mythology setting altogether...

DISCLAIMER: I was raised a catholic; I know the bible's apocalypse story very superficially. I am not religious and do not specifically desire a bible game at all.... Actually, I despise them just as much as any other educational game.


Gameplay and Design:
SCORE: 9/10

This section can be boiled down to a single sentence:
Why fix what God of War has perfected?

Honestly.... Darksiders plays exactly the same as God of War: It plays at the same speed, fast but with enough gaps to allow enemies to hit you; War has a lot of similar moves in comparison to Kratos, such as counters, magic, area of effect slashes, etc; leveling system is based on the blue souls (red orbs in God of War) collected from chests and enemies; the use of green and yellow souls (instead of orbs in God of War); temporary Chaos Form... granting invincibility, extra damage, reach, etc; even the "dramatic kill moves" triggered by the same fucking button... circle. Simply put; there are too many similarities; it would not surprise me if they actually purchased rights to the game engine from SCE Santa Monica Studio, but there are no official announcements about this that I could find.

The gameplay varies sharply on one of the items that you get to use later in the game. This item is the voidwalker; it allows you to create portals as in Portal from Valve. The cool thing about this item is that they implement the item for both puzzle solving and combat (although only for mini-bosses, but new feel nonetheless). 

Another, thing that is fairly new is fighting on horseback. Ruin was actually given a whole level for running around: The Ashlands. There you confront several enemy types and a unique one to this level on Ruin (Wurms). There is also boss battles which require that you master control over Ruin; the implementation of horseback riding and combat is perhaps the most original in this game, at least in comparison to God of War. I found myself riding on Ruin even if I didn't truly need to and the boss encounters that involved Ruin were the most entertaining in my opinion.

I realize that this comparison with God of War makes it seems like I am trying to bash the game, but this is not my intention. I just mean to point out that these two games are extremely similar. As I said at the beginning of this section, this game copies all the good stuff from a game that is already established and attempts to add to experience in a small way. In the end, I deduct a point for lack of originality, but I think there is little they could have done to improve the system while still trying to capture the same audience. Plus, the elements they appended were fitting and well received.

Presentation:
SCORE: 6/10

The art here is similar to that of the board game Warhammer 40K minus the guns. Characters look bulky, even if they are categorized as slick and agile; exaggeration of proportions is common practice in Darksiders as well. Art is also comparable to God of War in technical quality. Environments, enemies and such look good enough to not be judged. Bosses and major characters tend to have more detail and differentiating characteristics as it is always expected. There is only one woman in the game.... and coincidentally she is the only skinny humanoid (not counting the ghosts) character in the whole game. Voice over is good, but not great. Cutscences can be quite disappointing as they often picture a conversation previous to a fight and nothing truly worth a cutscene.

Overall, I think the presentation is intrinsically hurt because of the lack of story and clear purpose in the game. However, Vigil provides gamers the expected traditions of cutscene action that has been exploited in the last decade. It is hard to say that the formula is terrible, but it is most definitely not great.


Lasting Appeal:
SCORE: 2/10

This game is quite long. It took me about 40 hours to finish (including the search for all the collectibles in the game). I will admit that playing Darksiders doesn't get repetitive because it changes scenery and item exploit much like in Zelda games, at the right time. Darksiders, however, has no lasting appeal other than trophies/achievements. The only reason you would not resell this game is because you are a game collector or your friend borrowed it. Sadly, this game is a perfect rental or used turn-in product.


Overall Score: 5/10



I would recommend people to play this game if they truly love the hack and slash action genre. It is silly fun without an engaged story line. Simply put, if you like hacking enemies because it looks cool and killing unrecognizable bosses because it gives you a raw sense of achievement by all means buy and play the heck out of this game. Otherwise... just get a PS3 and play God of War....