This week, we discuss hardware pricing rumors, the return of Samba de Amigo, and Ajguy learns that Phantom Hourglass comes out next week! To celebrate, we discuss which is the best Zelda ever. Oh, and we talk about Halo 3.
The Exploding Barrel Podcast Show #6
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:03:38 — 43.8MB)
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Mike and I have decided to change the show schedule to better accommodate our real life schedules. As such, we’ll be recording on Fridays and posting the show on Saturdays. That means no show today, but you’ll get one tomorrow. Just play Halo 3 for another day and we’ll be there before you know it.
– Ajguy
Well, Tuesday, September 25 has just ended a little while ago. Many of you, like myself, probably spent some portion of the day playing Halo 3. And if you’re like me, 8 hours after you start the game, you may end up finishing the fight as it were. Yes, it was a bit shorter than expected, but it was a pretty good experience. The story wrapped up nicely (though there are still some confusing elements I didn’t quite follow). The gameplay is that same love it or hate it Halo gameplay from the first two, but it has been polished to a high sheen. The graphics are quite gorgeous, the sound excellent, and the presentation is spot on.
And to think I haven’t even dipped into multiplayer, or co-op, or the Forge. There’s still a lot more game in there beyond the single player, which may explain why I am not quite as upset that the single player offering only lasted me 8 hours.
So be sure to look for me online this week. I plan on getting in a good chunk of multiplayer and co-op before this week’s show so I can fully discuss the game. In the mean time, please share your impressions of the game.
– Ajguy
This week, Ajguy is enjoying the sweet, sweet candy that is Team Fortress 2. Mike gets his hands on Lair and Warhawk having bested yet another Final Fantasy. You like controllers? Well find out which one is the best ever.
The Exploding Barrel Podcast Show #5
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:00:05 — 41.3MB)
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Now that I’ve put a few hours into the game, I shall discuss it a bit. Basically, this game is awesome. The classes are wonderfully balanced. At first, the lack of grenade was troubling, but I now realize that it forces support roles to actually act as support. No more conc jumping medics and grenade spamming.
What’s remarkable is the subtle ways the game encourages teamwork on a smaller scale. The greatest example is the medic’s healing gun. If you heal enough people, you build up your ubercharge meter. When this is full, you can activate ten seconds of invulnerability between yourself and the person you’re healing. The sight of a shielded medic and heavy is a sight to behold.
Every class is insanely fun to play. Even classes that were weak in TFC are not only viable, but downright important. Scouts gain a double jump in lieu of conc jumping, and pyros actually are a threat (especially in small spaces).
I’ll have a lot more to say on this week’s podcast, so be sure to check it out.
– Ajguy
It’s 5:00am and I’ve been playing TF2 for 4 hours straight. I’ll put up some more in-depth stuff (with screens!) tomorrow, but for now, rest assured that this game is awesome.
– Ajguy
TF2 that is. Can you smell it in the air?
– Ajguy
This week we remember the Sega Dreamcast, Ajguy meets Castlevania head honcho Koji Igarashi, and Mike is chugging through Final Fantasy VI. Do you like news? We’ve got everything from studio closures to Rez on XBLA!
The Exploding Barrel Podcast Show #4
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:02:48 — 43.2MB)
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Tonight Koji Igarashi was at the EB Games located at the Universal City walk to take pictures and sign autographs for fans. If you’ve played Symphony of the Night, any GBA (excluding Circle of the Moon), or DS Castlevania titles, you might know who Iga is. If not, uh… he made the aforementioned games. He also dresses like a cowboy!
What’s a gaming event without a cosplayer?
Just some shots of the line.
Iga is signing my stuff!
Me and the man himself
Just some more shots of Iga in action.
He actually got really excited when I brought a pristine Castlevania for him to sign. Most people had SotN or DS games.
Today Valve has started taking preorders on Steam for the long awaited Orange Box. For those not in the know, the Orange Box includes Half Life 2, Half Life 2: Episode 1, Half Life 2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. If you preorder on Steam before the pack’s October 10 release date, you save 10% off the usual price of $49.95. Also for preordering, you get Peggle Extreme. Peggle Extreme brings the addicting gameplay of my personal favorite Popcap game to the worlds of Half Life, Team Fortress, and Portal (there’s a unicorn with a headcrab on its head).
But most importantly, preordering gets you into the Team Fortress 2 beta, which starts Monday, September 17. Yes, that’s right. On Monday, after waiting 8 years, I will be playing Team Fortress 2!
And finally, continuing the series of excellent videos, Valve has released their latest TF2 character study entitled Meet the Engineer. Enjoy!
– Ajguy