Final Post Assignment

What I thought of blogging is that it’s fun. I enjoyed it and the process of creating my posts and coming up with the next topic and how I wanted my blog to look. I did enjoy writing for my blog. With video game reviews for my topic, I had a good time coming up with ideas for my posts.

What I liked about blogging is brainstorming ideas and using the blog to practice my writing skills. I had fun putting together a post, finding what to link, and finding a picture that fit the post. What I disliked is I did get writers block a few times writing a post.

Yes, I will keep blogging. I liked writing about video games and reviewing them. I will keep this beat, but I’m interested in blogging about streaming shows but maybe I’ll start another blog for that beat.

What I wish I knew before taking this class is knowing how to customize my blog. For my video game reviews blog, I wish I knew how to give it a video game theme and layout. But I’m okay with the Blogger themes the website provides.

Overall, I had a positive experience with blogging and learning new tips and advice on how to build a blog. I will continue blogging and use the new information I learned in this class.

New DLC Character Update for “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!”

Masahiro Sakurai, the director of “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” presented the new DLC fighter in a YouTube video announcement. Min Min from “ARMS” joins the battle!

“ARMS” is a competitive, action multiplayer game that was released in June 2017. Why Min Min? The producer of “ARMS” recommended the character and said he wanted Min Min to join “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”

In this video, Mr. Sakurai goes into depth of the new fighter as he shows off her fighting techniques and moves. Along with the new character there is a new stage called “Spring Stadium,” and is inspired by the “ARMS” aesthetic.

The DLC includes all the music from “ARMS,” and it will be released on June 29^th for $5.99. This is the first fighter out of six, announced for the “Fighters Pass Volume 2.”

Along with the news, extra Mii Fighter costumes were announced and are available for purchase on June 29th for $0.75 each.

In the end of the video, new amiibos have been announced for Joker and Hero and are scheduled to be released Fall 2020. This was an exciting look at the new DLC character from “ARMS” and we have five more fighters left to be announced!    

Jump Up, Super Star! “Super Mario Odyssey” Review

“Super Mario Odyssey” is the latest entry in the Super Mario series and was developed and published by Nintendo. I played and finished it recently on the Nintendo Switch.

For “Super Mario Odyssey,” I was a little late playing it as it was released in 2017. But as a new player to this new entry I was not disappointed and had fun the whole time playing it.

Like any beginning of any Mario game, Princess Peach has been abducted by Bowser and Mario has to go rescue Princess Peach from Bowser’s wedding plans. With the help of Cappy, a new character introduced in the game, he teams up with Mario as his hat, and that provides him with new moves which are different and refreshing from the typical Super Mario game.

The graphics are stellar as you board the airship called the “Odyssey,” and travel to unique and amazing places in the pursuit of Bowser. These new areas are really fun to explore and learning Mario’s new moves with Cappy at first was a bit challenging, but once I got the hang of them, it was rewarding and helpful for exploring these new places.

Once you are at a new destination, you have to collect Moons to power up the ship, so you could go to the next new destination and explore it. And that’s the fun part because each new destination is unique and different from the previous one. From a jungle full of water falls, to the beach, and to a destination that looks like a candy land you never get bored with exploring them.

Another fun thing about the game is buying Mario new costumes at every destination. Each new costume fits the theme of each new destination. But to buy these costumes you have to collect enough coins to purchase the costumes and hats.

Of course the soundtrack is great and it fits the new destinations that you are exploring, but the stand out song is “Jump Up, Super Star” sung by Pauline and you can’t help but jam out to it.

The boss battles in “Super Mario Odyssey,” were challenging, but were still fun enough to go up against Bowser’s minions. And the final boss battle of the game is a fun time, but I won’t say much so I won’t spoil too much of the game.

Overall, “Super Mario Odyssey” is a fantastic and colorful 3D adventure game that is perfect for the Super Mario series. You’ll never get bored of exploring new destinations and learning new fighting and jumping techniques with Cappy. A new refreshing Mario game that is worth checking out and playing.

“Sayonara Wild Hearts” Mini Review

“Sayonara Wild Hearts” is a short and sweet game. It’s a side-scrolling shooter and rhythm game. It was published by Annapurna Interactive and created by Swedish developer Simogo. It’s available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PC. I played it on the Nintendo Switch.

The game is about the story of a heartbroken woman and her journey on moving on and finding herself. With her broken heart, the balance of the universe is disturbed and she is faced with her other self who is a masked biker called The Fool.

This game is fast paced with motorcycle levels, and facing opponents and trying to collect as many “hearts” to advance to the next stage.

“Sayonara Wild Hearts” has wonderful and unique art and graphics that are very colorful and it just pops. You can’t help, but get lost in the world full of dreamy neon colors and stylish dressed characters.

Another strength the game has is the soundtrack. The music used in the game is synth pop and it’s so catchy you can’t help but jam out to the music. It works perfectly with the gameplay as it makes it more memorable.

Overall, “Sayonara Wild Hearts” is a dreamy, fast paced game with a great soundtrack. While it may be short, you can still can go back and replay the levels without getting bored and you can see if you could beat your last high score. I highly recommend this game if you’re looking for something short and sweet.

“Persona 4 Golden” is Now Available on Steam!

“Persona 4 Golden” is the improved and enhanced version of “Persona 4” and was first launched for the PlayStation Vita. Now it is available on Steam for PC. This means it is available for a wider audience that don’t own a PlayStation Vita and have a Steam account which is easy to sign up for.

“Persona 4 Golden” is a JRPG game about the protagonist and his friends who live in a small town called Inaba in rural Japan that is unsettled by a mysterious murder. Who is the murderer and are they connected to the mysterious “Midnight Channel” broadcast?

I’ve played five hours of it so far, and I’m enjoying it as this is my first time playing “Persona 4 Golden.” As this is an older game, the graphics don’t look bad as they updated it to HD and it is still enjoyable. The story is really interesting and the characters are charming and likeable. And the soundtrack is really catchy and upbeat.

My only complaint is the animated cut scenes freeze and disrupt the story which is not fun and takes you out of the story. Maybe an update to fix this will help with the animated cut scenes.

Overall, not a bad port and “Persona 4 Golden,” is finally accessible to anyone with a Steam account.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” Three Years Later

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is the latest game in the LOZ series and it was released on March 3, 2017. It is an exclusive Nintendo Switch game, meaning it is only available to play on the Nintendo Switch. It was developed by Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development.

I’ve been playing “Breath of the Wild” since 2017, and I’m still playing it to this day. So, does it still hold up in 2020? And if someone new is interested in picking it up, is it worth it? I say a big yes to all these questions.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is an action-adventure game and you play as Link who woke up from a 100 year coma, and has amnesia. He doesn’t remember what happened a 100 years ago, and the war against Ganon. So, Link must explore the land and regain his memories to save Hyrule and princess Zelda.   

“Breath of the Wild” is an open world game, where you could take your time and explore and discover the map. The map is vast and there are many areas to venture on from snowy mountains, a dry desert village, a foggy forest, and much more. Or you could continue on with the main story and quests and beat the game.

The graphics in the game are still incredible and beautiful. You can’t help but be memorized by the beautiful landscapes and the attention to detail in the game. Three years later and the graphics are still impressive.

Of course the music is also memorable as you’re walking on a gorgeous green field, and soft piano music is playing in the background, but it changes to a faster pace to let you know when an enemy is nearby.   

In the game there are “shrines” that are scattered throughout the map and you discover them as you are exploring the map. These “shrines” include different puzzles to solve and provides rewards for solving the puzzles. There are more than 100 “shrines” for the player to discover.

There are many different villages to visit that are unique and different, and many villagers to talk to. Also there are different recipes to craft with the food you gather on your trips. Picking vegetables and fruits, hunting wildlife, or fishing can help with crafting new dishes. Making these dishes can heal Link and they come with extra boosts like giving Link extra hearts.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is still a great and beautiful game even though it’s been three years since it launched. Even if you’ve been playing it since the first day, or if you decide to pick it up now the game offers so much content.

The replay value is high as there is always something new to find with the vast size of the map and freeness of the open world game play. I highly recommend playing this game as it’s an experience and your journey is a unique one as you get to choose what you want to do and how you play.

And there is a lot of hype for “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2.”

“River City Girls:” A Hidden Beat ‘Em Up Gem

“River City Girls” is a beat ‘em up video game available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch. It was developed by WayForward and published by Arc System Works. I played it on the Nintendo Switch.  

“River City Girls,” is about two high school friends, Misako and Kyoko, who fight enemies to rescue their kidnapped boyfriends Kunio and Riki. This game is a spin-off title in the Kunio-kun franchise.

In this game it takes the classic beat ‘em up formula and brings it to a new and stylish entry to the “River City” series. The art style of the game is bright and colorful and there never is a dull moment.

You choose between the main characters, Misako or Kyoko or you could play in 2-player co-op and learn new fighting techniques in the game. As you make progress in the story, you get to meet new characters and unlock new areas on the map. Purchasing new items in shops with the money you collect beating up bad guys, helps you level up and you could purchase extra health when you’re running low.

This game has fun combat and an awesome soundtrack to go with it and it has a huge replay value as you could go back and play the game all over again. I highly recommend “River City Girls.”