Ode to Patapon

Patapon ... my dear Patapon ... is it you, or is it me? Are you just not what you were suppose to be, or am I ... am I just tragically unable to follow a rhythm? I finally got my hands on Patapon, It truly is a great experience when you load a game, and you are for lack of better words, God. There is something that comes over a person in that role, in knowing whatever beings you will be leading, pushing around or mercilessly destroying, will still bow to you as God. These Patapon worship me, yet they are pretty picky about when they will. Do I look up at the sky and announce to God that I will only obey if he can hit XXOX in a decent rhythm? I do not. These Patapon however require something more then an uncoordinated Lord such as myself can offer.

While I enjoyed the art style, the theme, the Patapon little eye people, and the fact they would slaughter and hunt, I just could not get them to fight as well as needed. I got to about the second level, and while I was not bad at the game, I just felt like I would never get better. It was an odd feeling since I personally can't dance, it was an inner feeling for sure, something deep that said to me, you have no chance ofo ever leading these little eye balls like they need. It was an unusual moment coming to grips with the realization that, while I wanted to help them, I could not. Perhaps it is like watching your over weight friend hang off the ledge of a cliff reaching out for you, but you, knowing you never lifted over 20 pounds before, know you can not help him at all. Those poor little Patapon.

Perhaps it was not all me however. They decided to raid a fort while it was raining, and I just could not hear their chants over the torrential downfall. When they went into a frenzy, ready to lay waste to anything in their path, I could not time my mighty drum beats to start just right at the end of their war cries. Perhaps if things were quieter, perhaps if they did not yell, perhaps if it did not rain, but what would Patapon be without their cries and chants?

Patapon is one of the most fun titles I have ever sucked at.

Halo Laser Tag

A friend of mine dropped me a link to ThinkGeek featuring their Halo laser tag Covenant rifle, Covenant pistol, and each coming with a shield generator. Beyond the remarkable similarity to the actual in game graphics, the mechanics of the game operate in the same fashion. The shield generator allows you to take 6 shots before they are depleted fully and a hit registers. Just as in the remarkable FPS, the shields will slowly regenerate, allowing for a fast paced game of shoot'em up. The two guns even operate in the same fashion as their Halo counterparts. The plasma rifle, when used to fire to quickly, will simulate overheating and the sides will actually eject to cool the device, a great feature minus the third degree burns. The pistol has to be reloaded after a set number of shots and all guns feature the sounds and effects you remember from the game itself. The pistol comes in at $79.99 and the rifle at $129.99.