Yes we finally moved back to Oregon. Rachel and I decided to say 'screw it' and move back to Oregon despite... well everything really. Economy sucks, job market sucks, Seattle traffic sucks, my boss getting fired right in front of me sucked, so we just up'ed and moved. A lot of people thought we were crazy, still do really. I say they are more important things in life than worrying about jobs and money, and that's coming from someone who has a good chunk of school debt left to chomp on.
Like I said, lots of people think we are crazy, so not that many have been supportive. Aside from ignoring them as much as possible, I'm also slightly humored at how I've always felt people have been 'selfishly' praying for us. My Oregon friends would pray against me getting a career job up in Washington and my Washington friends would pray against me getting a job in Oregon to hinder me from moving away. That's probably all in my head, and I'm sorry to my WA friends for losing but it's just something that had to happen.
Despite not having jobs yet, living with my parents, and otherwise being rejected 12 times a week with no replies to job postings things are great here. I'm happier, Rachel is happier, and I think Clara is happier too. I don't regret it for a minute. God works in weird ways, he can even screw up my math; example: I thought I had X amount saved up to cover being unemployed for awhile. After paying more than I was expecting to get moved down here, I have about 2000 more in my savings than I was expecting. How cool is that? See? No regrets.
Well if anyone in the Salem area knows of any jobs please feel free to let us know. Rachel is a certified RN and I have ministry, manager and admin/office experience. Personally I'd like to get a job just to get out of the house more, it's been a good 'vacation' and all, but I just want to work. Thanks to all who did support us and to those who really were selfish and I wasn't making stuff up in my head I'm sorry, but it's just something we had to do.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Thursday, July 21, 2011
ULTIMATE Marvel Vs Capcom 3
Most people know by now that yesterday Capcom announced the ULTIMATE version of the popular gaming series Marvel Vs Capcom 3. Some of us saw it coming and some of us were optimistic in thinking that Capcom wouldn't dare pull this kind of crap twice in a row. For those who don't quite understand how upsetting this is to me and many gamers (though surprisingly not as many as I thought) let me back up a bit.
Street Fighter IV was originally an arcade game and came to consoles in February of 2009. Fans rejoiced. Yet only 14 months later Capcom released SUPER Street Fighter IV, an updated version that added 10 characters (some of which had no reason being missing in the first place as they had been in the series before), some new game modes, new ultra combos, and "tweaked" controls to make the game better. To dampen any fans yelling about not receiving the full game in the first place, they released SUPER Street Fighter IV for "only" $40 (Street Fighter IV was originally $60 as are most new games).
Personally I never played Street Fighter much so I didn't get into this fiasco. I wondered why my friends were literally happy to shell out another $40 for the "real" version of a game that had only come out one year before. I was surprised more Street Fighter fans were not upset about the extra cash that had to be shelled out, the immediate drop in value of the first game that they already owned, and the leering suspicion that Capcom had just played them to get an extra $40 bucks out of them. Not to mention the fact that Super Street Fighter IV ARCADE EDITION just came out for even more money, but I digress.
Anyway fast forward to yesterday. The ULTIMATE version of Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is announced for... dun dun dun, only $40! Now you have to realize that SUPER Street Fighter IV came out over a year after the first one. MvC3 came out just last March, as in 4 months ago March. Yeah, no game is made in 4 months people. Maybe Pacman was but this is 2011. Yes, ULTIMATE MvC3 doesn't come out till November, but that STILL isn't enough time. In less than a year, Capcom has the audacity to release MvC3, announce a new version and release that and charge us for it.
Personally I'm calling bull crap on this. Capcom may have screwed up with SFIV and tried to make right on it with SUPER SFIV. But to do it to MvC3 this fast, they've had it planned from the beginning. They knew how many people shelled out the $40 for SSFIV and figured why not try and pull that crap again with MvC3? Heck if it worked once and we made bank on it why not screw our loyal fans and customers again? There's a saying in the business world that only some businesses follow but they are the ones that are tried and true and people actually like: Customers are the bottom line. Now if Capcom believed that they would offer a trade in program where I can take my already worthless (yes, ebay has MvC3 going for next to nothing, if you want a copy now's the time to buy) version of MvC3 and GIVE me the ULTIMATE edition for absolutely free. Now I know this will NEVER happen because I believe Capcom knew what they were doing from the beginning.
You might wonder why I write all this for one lousy video game. Well I'm not rich so when I drop $60+ on a game I expect it to be well made, polished, FINISHED, and complete. I don't expect the game company to royally screw me by coming out with a newer version only 8 months later. I know some of you may be saying "well you don't have to buy the ULTIMATE edition if you don't want to" and you should know by now I won't, but I'm sick of video game company's taking advantage of their customers. DLC is having the same problem/argument but Capcom has taken it to a whole new level by coming out with a completely different game. Sure I wouldn't be "as" upset if they did an ULTIMATE DLC pack with all the new characters, but now I have to go buy a whole new game? This is the definition of a scam, Capcom's name should be the first thing that shows up when you look up scam in the dictionary.
Surprisingly I've scanned a few forums and I will admit the majority of people are NOT mad about this! Yes there are people like me but most people are excited about the new characters and don't seem to care they are getting ripped off. I don't understand how they can just sit back and pay up. I have a friend who is also upset at the obvious gain Capcom will get from this, but still admits he will cave and buy it because he just has to have it as a fighting game fanatic. I understand loving a series so much you want it all, but seriously if you can resist even a bit to give Capcom a clue that you won't be ripped off you better do it now. Because I can almost guarantee you that "SUPER MARVELOUS ULTIMATE AMAZING GLITTERY 'WE'RE SCREWING YOU IN THE BUTT AND YOU DON'T SEEM TO CARE'" version of Marvel Vs Capcom 3 will come out within the next year. And people will still freaking buy it.
Street Fighter IV was originally an arcade game and came to consoles in February of 2009. Fans rejoiced. Yet only 14 months later Capcom released SUPER Street Fighter IV, an updated version that added 10 characters (some of which had no reason being missing in the first place as they had been in the series before), some new game modes, new ultra combos, and "tweaked" controls to make the game better. To dampen any fans yelling about not receiving the full game in the first place, they released SUPER Street Fighter IV for "only" $40 (Street Fighter IV was originally $60 as are most new games).
Personally I never played Street Fighter much so I didn't get into this fiasco. I wondered why my friends were literally happy to shell out another $40 for the "real" version of a game that had only come out one year before. I was surprised more Street Fighter fans were not upset about the extra cash that had to be shelled out, the immediate drop in value of the first game that they already owned, and the leering suspicion that Capcom had just played them to get an extra $40 bucks out of them. Not to mention the fact that Super Street Fighter IV ARCADE EDITION just came out for even more money, but I digress.
Anyway fast forward to yesterday. The ULTIMATE version of Marvel Vs Capcom 3 is announced for... dun dun dun, only $40! Now you have to realize that SUPER Street Fighter IV came out over a year after the first one. MvC3 came out just last March, as in 4 months ago March. Yeah, no game is made in 4 months people. Maybe Pacman was but this is 2011. Yes, ULTIMATE MvC3 doesn't come out till November, but that STILL isn't enough time. In less than a year, Capcom has the audacity to release MvC3, announce a new version and release that and charge us for it.
Personally I'm calling bull crap on this. Capcom may have screwed up with SFIV and tried to make right on it with SUPER SFIV. But to do it to MvC3 this fast, they've had it planned from the beginning. They knew how many people shelled out the $40 for SSFIV and figured why not try and pull that crap again with MvC3? Heck if it worked once and we made bank on it why not screw our loyal fans and customers again? There's a saying in the business world that only some businesses follow but they are the ones that are tried and true and people actually like: Customers are the bottom line. Now if Capcom believed that they would offer a trade in program where I can take my already worthless (yes, ebay has MvC3 going for next to nothing, if you want a copy now's the time to buy) version of MvC3 and GIVE me the ULTIMATE edition for absolutely free. Now I know this will NEVER happen because I believe Capcom knew what they were doing from the beginning.
You might wonder why I write all this for one lousy video game. Well I'm not rich so when I drop $60+ on a game I expect it to be well made, polished, FINISHED, and complete. I don't expect the game company to royally screw me by coming out with a newer version only 8 months later. I know some of you may be saying "well you don't have to buy the ULTIMATE edition if you don't want to" and you should know by now I won't, but I'm sick of video game company's taking advantage of their customers. DLC is having the same problem/argument but Capcom has taken it to a whole new level by coming out with a completely different game. Sure I wouldn't be "as" upset if they did an ULTIMATE DLC pack with all the new characters, but now I have to go buy a whole new game? This is the definition of a scam, Capcom's name should be the first thing that shows up when you look up scam in the dictionary.
Surprisingly I've scanned a few forums and I will admit the majority of people are NOT mad about this! Yes there are people like me but most people are excited about the new characters and don't seem to care they are getting ripped off. I don't understand how they can just sit back and pay up. I have a friend who is also upset at the obvious gain Capcom will get from this, but still admits he will cave and buy it because he just has to have it as a fighting game fanatic. I understand loving a series so much you want it all, but seriously if you can resist even a bit to give Capcom a clue that you won't be ripped off you better do it now. Because I can almost guarantee you that "SUPER MARVELOUS ULTIMATE AMAZING GLITTERY 'WE'RE SCREWING YOU IN THE BUTT AND YOU DON'T SEEM TO CARE'" version of Marvel Vs Capcom 3 will come out within the next year. And people will still freaking buy it.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Hate Vs. Love
I watched Judge Jeanine Pirro yesterday (yes I watch court shows) and there are always some disturbing cases. One such case was a young homosexual man who was asking advice on hate crimes related to sexual orientation. He described an incident and was wondering if could be considered a hate crime and if so what should he do about it. Basically he was with his boyfriend at a bar and felt that everyone was watching them. When they got up to leave some people verbally harassed them but nothing else. When they got to their car there was an obscene word written in ketchup on their windshield.
Now I don't want to get into the whole homosexual debate, but what this Pirro episode made me think is: Who has the time and puts forth the energy to do something hateful like that? I mean seriously, when is it ok to hurt someone emotionally or physically with that kind of hatred? You can have your difference of opinion but actually putting it into action like that is just wrong and I don't know about everyone else but I have better things to be doing. I thought society was super busy and had no free time but apparently some do and waste it on menial tasks like this.
I also think about Jesus and how he hung out with these kind of people. If Jesus were walking the earth today, this is probably the kind of guy he would go talk to, maybe even hangout with. Jesus was always seen with the sinners, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the shunned ones of society. Jesus wasn't writing obscene words in the sand about these people, but showing them love and forgiving their misgivings. Christians know these are tough shoes to fill, impossible really, least I know I've been judgmental of people like that, always trying everyday to do better.
But Jesus used his free time to spread love to the love-lacking and we can see what kind of impact he left on the earth. I hope in your free time you'll choose love over hate, I know I'm trying to as well. I'm not saying we have to be tolerant of everything, the Bible does talk about speaking the truth in love, but I think we need to love people first before "attacking" them for their sins, as we so often come across as doing. I guess my point is: between hate and love, choose love; and don't waste your spare time. I think if we could all do that, the world might be a little better of a place.
Now I don't want to get into the whole homosexual debate, but what this Pirro episode made me think is: Who has the time and puts forth the energy to do something hateful like that? I mean seriously, when is it ok to hurt someone emotionally or physically with that kind of hatred? You can have your difference of opinion but actually putting it into action like that is just wrong and I don't know about everyone else but I have better things to be doing. I thought society was super busy and had no free time but apparently some do and waste it on menial tasks like this.
I also think about Jesus and how he hung out with these kind of people. If Jesus were walking the earth today, this is probably the kind of guy he would go talk to, maybe even hangout with. Jesus was always seen with the sinners, the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the shunned ones of society. Jesus wasn't writing obscene words in the sand about these people, but showing them love and forgiving their misgivings. Christians know these are tough shoes to fill, impossible really, least I know I've been judgmental of people like that, always trying everyday to do better.
But Jesus used his free time to spread love to the love-lacking and we can see what kind of impact he left on the earth. I hope in your free time you'll choose love over hate, I know I'm trying to as well. I'm not saying we have to be tolerant of everything, the Bible does talk about speaking the truth in love, but I think we need to love people first before "attacking" them for their sins, as we so often come across as doing. I guess my point is: between hate and love, choose love; and don't waste your spare time. I think if we could all do that, the world might be a little better of a place.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Clear / Clearwire - worst ISP ever!
I had the unpleasant experience of canceling my clear account the other day. I went with Clear because they were cheaper than Comcast and my wife and I decided that internet was a luxury, not a necessity so slower speeds were ok.
The first 6 months were fine, but all of February I had serious speed issues, and I mean serious. I would average 5-7Mbps on speedtest.net with Clear. What I've been getting is 0.6Mbps which is almost completely unusable. While Netflix constantly "retrieves" your movie, I even had some websites time-out on me. Clear had me go through the usual on-off crap with no luck, issued a "speed ticket" to look into the matter and would get back to me. They called me a few days later with an automated message saying press 1 to talk to a representative which didn't work, the second they called it put me on hold, said it had to do with congestion during peak hours and to just deal with it.
It continued to happen all month, I took several screenshots of speedtest.net reports at different times, sometimes even around noon. I eventually gave up on them and said I'll just pay too much for internet to Comcast. Once I had Comcast's cable internet again I called to cancel Clear. Now I'm a decent person, if you don't give me grief when canceling I won't go around badmouthing you (I've canceled with Comcast, very pleasant actually). Unfortunately, Clear needs to take lessons in not being complete jerks. I was on the phone for 1:24:24 according to my phone. Here is a breakdown of all the times I was put on hold:
9 min - 1st initial hold to get to a real human being.
4 min - On hold to "check something"
11 min - To try and waive fee
2 min - Setting me up to transfer to a tech. The rep said if I issued another speed ticket, I could cancel with no fee within 7 days after.
10 min - To actually get to the tech
14 min - To get back to a different rep who says that everything the first rep said was wrong, no way to waive fee. So I asked for a manager.
10 min - Rep talked to manager and said that manager said it was ok to waive fee.
2 min - Finalizing my cancellation.
That's 62 minutes of being on hold for an 84 minute phone call. Do the math, 22 minutes of talking is all I did. Why couldn't I get that first rep and her supervisor who immediately waived my fee? Oh, which is not $40 like they tell you. I specifically remember when I signed up asking how much a cancellation fee was and they said just $40. When I called to cancel, they said that since I own my modem I have to pay the remainder of my contract. First off, what does owning my modem have to do with anything? Second, don't even try it because your internet sucks.
They tried to explain to me that my account was being "managed" whatever that means. I didn't really understand the rep but what I think she meant was that they see who uses the internet alot, then slow that person down so it doesn't create a traffic jam on their tower... right, like that's legal. Why would I pay for internet, use it, then when I do use it you see I'm using it and put a cap on me to make mine really slow? I also liked how she said all ISP's are using the managing software now and I'll have the same problem no matter where I go. Had Comcast for several days now, solid 20Mbps with no problems.
They also continuously try and get you to change your mind before canceling, even after you say no thanks. I understand trying to sell me one last time but for pete's sakes just let me cancel! WORST INTERNET SERVICE COMPANY EVER! And worst customer service. To their credit, their tech's were always nice, but other than that they are terrible, don't listen to anything you say, and blatantly lie to you about just about everything.
I told them I would tell everyone I know to NEVER use Clear EVER, and I intend to. This blog is only the beginning, on to every review site I know and feel free to tell your friends. Oh, and if you think I'm just being a stick in the mud and they only one with a problem with them, go to their website and see what the most recent forum activity is. Most posts are about slow internet, horrendous customer service, and I've even seen a few posts about how their previous forum post that was a complaint has been deleted because they are trying to hide the ugly truth about how terrible a company they are. It's all there. Don't get caught up in their lies.
The first 6 months were fine, but all of February I had serious speed issues, and I mean serious. I would average 5-7Mbps on speedtest.net with Clear. What I've been getting is 0.6Mbps which is almost completely unusable. While Netflix constantly "retrieves" your movie, I even had some websites time-out on me. Clear had me go through the usual on-off crap with no luck, issued a "speed ticket" to look into the matter and would get back to me. They called me a few days later with an automated message saying press 1 to talk to a representative which didn't work, the second they called it put me on hold, said it had to do with congestion during peak hours and to just deal with it.
It continued to happen all month, I took several screenshots of speedtest.net reports at different times, sometimes even around noon. I eventually gave up on them and said I'll just pay too much for internet to Comcast. Once I had Comcast's cable internet again I called to cancel Clear. Now I'm a decent person, if you don't give me grief when canceling I won't go around badmouthing you (I've canceled with Comcast, very pleasant actually). Unfortunately, Clear needs to take lessons in not being complete jerks. I was on the phone for 1:24:24 according to my phone. Here is a breakdown of all the times I was put on hold:
9 min - 1st initial hold to get to a real human being.
4 min - On hold to "check something"
11 min - To try and waive fee
2 min - Setting me up to transfer to a tech. The rep said if I issued another speed ticket, I could cancel with no fee within 7 days after.
10 min - To actually get to the tech
14 min - To get back to a different rep who says that everything the first rep said was wrong, no way to waive fee. So I asked for a manager.
10 min - Rep talked to manager and said that manager said it was ok to waive fee.
2 min - Finalizing my cancellation.
That's 62 minutes of being on hold for an 84 minute phone call. Do the math, 22 minutes of talking is all I did. Why couldn't I get that first rep and her supervisor who immediately waived my fee? Oh, which is not $40 like they tell you. I specifically remember when I signed up asking how much a cancellation fee was and they said just $40. When I called to cancel, they said that since I own my modem I have to pay the remainder of my contract. First off, what does owning my modem have to do with anything? Second, don't even try it because your internet sucks.
They tried to explain to me that my account was being "managed" whatever that means. I didn't really understand the rep but what I think she meant was that they see who uses the internet alot, then slow that person down so it doesn't create a traffic jam on their tower... right, like that's legal. Why would I pay for internet, use it, then when I do use it you see I'm using it and put a cap on me to make mine really slow? I also liked how she said all ISP's are using the managing software now and I'll have the same problem no matter where I go. Had Comcast for several days now, solid 20Mbps with no problems.
They also continuously try and get you to change your mind before canceling, even after you say no thanks. I understand trying to sell me one last time but for pete's sakes just let me cancel! WORST INTERNET SERVICE COMPANY EVER! And worst customer service. To their credit, their tech's were always nice, but other than that they are terrible, don't listen to anything you say, and blatantly lie to you about just about everything.
I told them I would tell everyone I know to NEVER use Clear EVER, and I intend to. This blog is only the beginning, on to every review site I know and feel free to tell your friends. Oh, and if you think I'm just being a stick in the mud and they only one with a problem with them, go to their website and see what the most recent forum activity is. Most posts are about slow internet, horrendous customer service, and I've even seen a few posts about how their previous forum post that was a complaint has been deleted because they are trying to hide the ugly truth about how terrible a company they are. It's all there. Don't get caught up in their lies.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Pushing Daisies
I've been watching the recently canceled TV show "Pushing Daisies" via Netflix instant (thank you Netflix). It's an interesting TV show about a man who has the ability to bring dead things back to life with one touch and if he touches them a second time they will die forever. The catch is if he brings someone back to life for longer than a minute, someone else in the vicinity has to die. Mostly he uses his "power" to solve murder cases and gain the reward because he can bring the victims back to life for a minute, ask them who did it, touch them again so they die and nobody gets hurt.
What I find most interesting is the correlation to Jesus and the little nuances they have made towards Jesus in a few episodes. The show is in no way connected to Christianity; but as a Christian I'm watching it from a Christian perspective. There is an episode where a nun dies and Ned is scared to bring someone back to life in a nunnery, to which his colleague replied that "He" did raise the dead once referencing Lazarus (John 11). Fortunately Jesus is God and therefore there were no rules as to how long Lazarus could stay alive and if someone else had to die in his place after a minute.
Honestly, though the show has little to do with the Christian perspective of death I still like the show. It is interesting what people do with only a minute to explain their death and the cinematography is very unique (actually reminds me of Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") so all in all I'd recommend checking the show out, especially if you have Netflix.
What I like most about the show is how it reminds me that we as Christians have something to hope before beyond death. Whenever Ned wakes someone up from the dead they always ask if they are dead, as if they were asleep and didn't know it. We have a God who is faithful and just and is going to "wake" us again into eternal life, to be with Him forever. Therefore we have no reason to fear death and that is also the best news anyone could ever hear; perhaps you could even use this show as a springboard into a conversation about what death really means and share God with someone.
What I find most interesting is the correlation to Jesus and the little nuances they have made towards Jesus in a few episodes. The show is in no way connected to Christianity; but as a Christian I'm watching it from a Christian perspective. There is an episode where a nun dies and Ned is scared to bring someone back to life in a nunnery, to which his colleague replied that "He" did raise the dead once referencing Lazarus (John 11). Fortunately Jesus is God and therefore there were no rules as to how long Lazarus could stay alive and if someone else had to die in his place after a minute.
Honestly, though the show has little to do with the Christian perspective of death I still like the show. It is interesting what people do with only a minute to explain their death and the cinematography is very unique (actually reminds me of Tim Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") so all in all I'd recommend checking the show out, especially if you have Netflix.
What I like most about the show is how it reminds me that we as Christians have something to hope before beyond death. Whenever Ned wakes someone up from the dead they always ask if they are dead, as if they were asleep and didn't know it. We have a God who is faithful and just and is going to "wake" us again into eternal life, to be with Him forever. Therefore we have no reason to fear death and that is also the best news anyone could ever hear; perhaps you could even use this show as a springboard into a conversation about what death really means and share God with someone.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Final Fantasy Main Series
1. Final Fantasy VI - SNES
By far my favorite of the series, this game has everything! Engaging plot line, characters with personality and backstory (yes, all 12 of them... and there are 2 more secret characters!), spot-on gameplay. I really never get sick of going back to this one. I love that the game's main character is technically Terra though it's arguable because the other characters you get early on are so involved as well and have such engaging personalities they can steal some spotlight. Kefka is a great crazy bad guy and literally saving the world from him is always satisfying. There is so much to explore and discover in this game it was amazing they could fit it on a 16-bit cartridge.
2. Final Fantasy IX - PlayStation
I'm sure I'll get criticism for putting this so high but once again, I love this one and can't get enough of it. Being the last FF on the Playstation, it tried going back to the more classic style of story, art, and gameplay. The game itself gives a nostalgic feel to someone like me who grew up on the original NES. Almost all the characters are awesome and the story is worth several playthroughs.
3. Final Fantasy XII - PlayStation 2
Again criticism, but I was a fan of this one; so much so, it's in my top 3. Again I felt this game deserved next-gen credit, but that just made it the best looking Ps2 game available. The gameplay was way different from really anything else I've ever played and that's where it receives most of it's criticism, but I rather enjoyed the gambit system and the lack of random battles. Characters were really good, first time I felt the main character really did "grow up" while playing, and even after playing through this game more than once, it still is a pretty long game.
4. Final Fantasy XIII - PlayStation 3
I'm a sucker for criticism, but this game is just too gorgeous on the Ps3 to be any lower on my list. While I didn't enjoy the paradigm gameplay system as much as some of my friends, I didn't hate it as much as some other people. While the gameplay wasn't my favorite, it did work well, the graphics are out of this world, and I really enjoyed all the characters in this one. Again, this game is really long and I'm glad they have figured out how to put more game time into a game without making it feel daunting.
5. Final Fantasy - NES
It's classic, it started it all. If you missed out on the original, I highly recommend going back to it. This game has so much to offer even today. I don't know about the ports on like the PSP for example, but on the NES this game is HARD! The challenge alone is worth the playthrough. While there is no real character development, or any "real" story for that matter (kill the bad guy, that's about it) it almost creates it's own story just by you having to figure everything out.
6. Final Fantasy VII - PlayStation
This is where my list gets a little muddy. I like the next few games all about equally so it's tough to rank them. However this one gets to be on top just because I've played it more than the others. I know it's low on the list for a lot of the fanboys but it doesn't hold my attention as much as the others. The gameplay was spot-on in terms of the battle system, but some of the characters I felt were lacking, especially Cloud who *SPOILER* isn't the awesome soldier you thought he was; you have to play Crisis Core to be the cool guy. Story was pretty good but just overall I wasn't feeling this game as others did.
7. Final Fantasy III - NES
For being on the NES this game is a huge leap in gaming. Even playing the port of it on the DS, this game has heart. Only 8-bit on the NES and they were still able to portray character development and story in a way that gets you very involved. Gameplay was new and interesting with a job system rather than just straight leveling. While not my favorite nor the best FF game, it had so much to offer while still being on the NES that it amazes me.
8. Final Fantasy IV - SNES
Another classic, this one was the first step into the 16-bit era of gaming. The game had everything to offer, good story, good gameplay, good characters; which makes it an overall good game. Not great, just good. I only really liked Kain, the rest I could take or leave, but something this one did different was you had more characters coming and going from your party than the others. Just because a character joined you, didn't mean you had them for the rest of the game, it was a fun change.
9. Final Fantasy X - PlayStation 2
Having enjoyed the previous installment so much, I was hoping to be blown away by the first FF game for the Ps2. Perhaps it was the girly-man of a main character, or perhaps the lack of a story that really makes any real sense, or you could blame my friend who let me borrow it and said "yeah, it's not the best." However you blame it, this game was rather disappointing. It didn't suck, it just was a grind to play the whole time and other than looking pretty on the Ps2, it didn't have much else to it. Characters are lacking, gameplay was alright but with a few new twists and the sphere-grid leveling system was HORRIBLE, and as I said before the story is a "what the crap is going on" type story. While it isn't the worst, it was a huge letdown.
10. Final Fantasy V - SNES
This is another one that just felt like a grind to get through. While the story was alright, none of the characters really felt like they had much of a personality. The gameplay was a great, intricate, job system that had a lot to offer. Other than that there wasn't much to the game other than to get through it. Again, not a bad game, just nothing to really be remembered for.
11. Final Fantasy II - NES
This is where the hate starts for me. This one was a huge step backwards after the first FF game being so awesome. The leveling system is what ruins this game. If you were to play the game as it was intended to play, it would take FOREVER to level anything or get anywhere, because the game itself is pretty tough. However, if you have the internet and have tried this game you know there is a way to "cheat" and level your characters in a matter of minutes. Story was so-so and the characters I could really care less about. Feel free to skip this one if you haven't already.
12. Final Fantasy VIII - PlayStation
This is where I have more hate for an FF game and where some hate towards me might begin for putting it at the bottom of the list. This FF game had everything wrong about it that could be wrong. Seifer is the only redeeming factor about this game and he's not in it nearly enough. Squall is a pansy with no personality or care for anything and only does what he's told. You have no reason to hate or go after the bad girl and the "love story" that everyone says is so great doesn't really exist; Squall randomly realizes he loves Rinoa as she is floating away in space to die... some love story, oh and then they are saved by a spaceship that's been missing for 20 years but hasn't been mentioned till that point, what luck! I could go on but this game is just everything that could be wrong in a video game, don't even bother with it.
By far my favorite of the series, this game has everything! Engaging plot line, characters with personality and backstory (yes, all 12 of them... and there are 2 more secret characters!), spot-on gameplay. I really never get sick of going back to this one. I love that the game's main character is technically Terra though it's arguable because the other characters you get early on are so involved as well and have such engaging personalities they can steal some spotlight. Kefka is a great crazy bad guy and literally saving the world from him is always satisfying. There is so much to explore and discover in this game it was amazing they could fit it on a 16-bit cartridge.
2. Final Fantasy IX - PlayStation
I'm sure I'll get criticism for putting this so high but once again, I love this one and can't get enough of it. Being the last FF on the Playstation, it tried going back to the more classic style of story, art, and gameplay. The game itself gives a nostalgic feel to someone like me who grew up on the original NES. Almost all the characters are awesome and the story is worth several playthroughs.
3. Final Fantasy XII - PlayStation 2
Again criticism, but I was a fan of this one; so much so, it's in my top 3. Again I felt this game deserved next-gen credit, but that just made it the best looking Ps2 game available. The gameplay was way different from really anything else I've ever played and that's where it receives most of it's criticism, but I rather enjoyed the gambit system and the lack of random battles. Characters were really good, first time I felt the main character really did "grow up" while playing, and even after playing through this game more than once, it still is a pretty long game.
4. Final Fantasy XIII - PlayStation 3
I'm a sucker for criticism, but this game is just too gorgeous on the Ps3 to be any lower on my list. While I didn't enjoy the paradigm gameplay system as much as some of my friends, I didn't hate it as much as some other people. While the gameplay wasn't my favorite, it did work well, the graphics are out of this world, and I really enjoyed all the characters in this one. Again, this game is really long and I'm glad they have figured out how to put more game time into a game without making it feel daunting.
5. Final Fantasy - NES
It's classic, it started it all. If you missed out on the original, I highly recommend going back to it. This game has so much to offer even today. I don't know about the ports on like the PSP for example, but on the NES this game is HARD! The challenge alone is worth the playthrough. While there is no real character development, or any "real" story for that matter (kill the bad guy, that's about it) it almost creates it's own story just by you having to figure everything out.
6. Final Fantasy VII - PlayStation
This is where my list gets a little muddy. I like the next few games all about equally so it's tough to rank them. However this one gets to be on top just because I've played it more than the others. I know it's low on the list for a lot of the fanboys but it doesn't hold my attention as much as the others. The gameplay was spot-on in terms of the battle system, but some of the characters I felt were lacking, especially Cloud who *SPOILER* isn't the awesome soldier you thought he was; you have to play Crisis Core to be the cool guy. Story was pretty good but just overall I wasn't feeling this game as others did.
7. Final Fantasy III - NES
For being on the NES this game is a huge leap in gaming. Even playing the port of it on the DS, this game has heart. Only 8-bit on the NES and they were still able to portray character development and story in a way that gets you very involved. Gameplay was new and interesting with a job system rather than just straight leveling. While not my favorite nor the best FF game, it had so much to offer while still being on the NES that it amazes me.
8. Final Fantasy IV - SNES
Another classic, this one was the first step into the 16-bit era of gaming. The game had everything to offer, good story, good gameplay, good characters; which makes it an overall good game. Not great, just good. I only really liked Kain, the rest I could take or leave, but something this one did different was you had more characters coming and going from your party than the others. Just because a character joined you, didn't mean you had them for the rest of the game, it was a fun change.
9. Final Fantasy X - PlayStation 2
Having enjoyed the previous installment so much, I was hoping to be blown away by the first FF game for the Ps2. Perhaps it was the girly-man of a main character, or perhaps the lack of a story that really makes any real sense, or you could blame my friend who let me borrow it and said "yeah, it's not the best." However you blame it, this game was rather disappointing. It didn't suck, it just was a grind to play the whole time and other than looking pretty on the Ps2, it didn't have much else to it. Characters are lacking, gameplay was alright but with a few new twists and the sphere-grid leveling system was HORRIBLE, and as I said before the story is a "what the crap is going on" type story. While it isn't the worst, it was a huge letdown.
10. Final Fantasy V - SNES
This is another one that just felt like a grind to get through. While the story was alright, none of the characters really felt like they had much of a personality. The gameplay was a great, intricate, job system that had a lot to offer. Other than that there wasn't much to the game other than to get through it. Again, not a bad game, just nothing to really be remembered for.
11. Final Fantasy II - NES
This is where the hate starts for me. This one was a huge step backwards after the first FF game being so awesome. The leveling system is what ruins this game. If you were to play the game as it was intended to play, it would take FOREVER to level anything or get anywhere, because the game itself is pretty tough. However, if you have the internet and have tried this game you know there is a way to "cheat" and level your characters in a matter of minutes. Story was so-so and the characters I could really care less about. Feel free to skip this one if you haven't already.
12. Final Fantasy VIII - PlayStation
This is where I have more hate for an FF game and where some hate towards me might begin for putting it at the bottom of the list. This FF game had everything wrong about it that could be wrong. Seifer is the only redeeming factor about this game and he's not in it nearly enough. Squall is a pansy with no personality or care for anything and only does what he's told. You have no reason to hate or go after the bad girl and the "love story" that everyone says is so great doesn't really exist; Squall randomly realizes he loves Rinoa as she is floating away in space to die... some love story, oh and then they are saved by a spaceship that's been missing for 20 years but hasn't been mentioned till that point, what luck! I could go on but this game is just everything that could be wrong in a video game, don't even bother with it.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Exactly Where God Wants Me
Broken. That's where I am and that's exactly where God wants me. Don't get me wrong, I'm in the most upbeat mode I can be while still being broken by God. I'm married to the most amazing woman in the world, I'm going to be a Dad around the end of March, and I have a roof over my head, smiling the whole way. But for those of you who don't know, Rachel and I really wanted to move back down to Oregon to live closer to family as we started our own family. Toss it up to bad luck, the downward-spiraling economy, or anger towards God (I've done all 3) but it just wasn't in the cards.
I applied to plenty of church jobs, though churches are about the last places hiring right now. I applied to churches around Salem, heck I even finally applied to one that was IN Salem, but apparently God has other plans. While I refrain from blaming God for stopping me from getting that job, I wonder if He didn't try on my behalf because He has something better planned? I tried to start and open up, I applied to churches in my area because I thought maybe He wanted me to stay up here and enjoy a full-time job with benefits and the like to, you know, support a family. Still not right. California is nice but still nothing. So I opened up a little more and applied to a job in Montana near where Rachel grew up. No go there either... by the way, I'm not Pentecostal enough for some AG churches, but I'm too Pentecostal for some non-denominational churches, I find that disgustingly funny. I've now gone as far as to apply to some jobs (yes, more than one) in Colorado, still haven't heard back (Pastors are terrible at replying to email, no offense if you're a Pastor).
So here I sit, broken and wondering what is next? Rachel and I are both broken, we are ready to go wherever I can find a job that supports a family so that once the school loans are paid off (still waiting for that lotto ticket, haha) she can be a stay at home Mom. That might be here in the Seattle area and it might be somewhere else, quite frankly I don't really care where anymore. I'm glad God is finally getting His way now, hopefully He'll make His move soon. Now that I'm letting Him have complete control I'm antsy to get a move on it and start whatever new chapter He chooses!
I applied to plenty of church jobs, though churches are about the last places hiring right now. I applied to churches around Salem, heck I even finally applied to one that was IN Salem, but apparently God has other plans. While I refrain from blaming God for stopping me from getting that job, I wonder if He didn't try on my behalf because He has something better planned? I tried to start and open up, I applied to churches in my area because I thought maybe He wanted me to stay up here and enjoy a full-time job with benefits and the like to, you know, support a family. Still not right. California is nice but still nothing. So I opened up a little more and applied to a job in Montana near where Rachel grew up. No go there either... by the way, I'm not Pentecostal enough for some AG churches, but I'm too Pentecostal for some non-denominational churches, I find that disgustingly funny. I've now gone as far as to apply to some jobs (yes, more than one) in Colorado, still haven't heard back (Pastors are terrible at replying to email, no offense if you're a Pastor).
So here I sit, broken and wondering what is next? Rachel and I are both broken, we are ready to go wherever I can find a job that supports a family so that once the school loans are paid off (still waiting for that lotto ticket, haha) she can be a stay at home Mom. That might be here in the Seattle area and it might be somewhere else, quite frankly I don't really care where anymore. I'm glad God is finally getting His way now, hopefully He'll make His move soon. Now that I'm letting Him have complete control I'm antsy to get a move on it and start whatever new chapter He chooses!
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