Hump Day Music: Ballad of the Goddess

Since I bought it last Monday, I have been playing a whole lot of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.  Almost 20 hours into the game by now, considering I play it once or twice a day in one to two hour blocks of time and have a job, manage two blogs and many other things going on.  There are many new additions to the Zelda series in Skyward Sword, including one fans have been waiting for.  For the first time in a Legend of Zelda game, all the music for the game was done by a live orchestra.  Personally, I have always been a fan of the music in every Zelda game no matter what format it was in.  After hearing the quality of the music in Skyward Sword, I am a believer.  The live orchestra brings a whole new level to the music in the Legend of Zelda.  It feels so alive and natural that it will be hard to go back and listen to the music from previous Zelda games.

If there is one track in the entirety of Skyward Sword's phenomenal soundtrack that shows how great using a live orchestra is to Zelda, it is the main theme of Skyward Sword, the Ballad of the Goddess.  If you have watched any Skyward Sword trailer for this past year or watched my 25th Anniversary Tribute video for Zelda, then you probably have heard this beautiful piece of music.  Over the course of 25 years, Koji Kondo and other Nintendo composers have composed many excellent tracks for the series, but Ballad of the Goddess ranks up there with some personal favourites like Saria's Song, Zelda's Lullaby (note to all big Zelda fans, play Ballad of the Goddess backwards and you will hear Zelda's Lullaby, cool isn't it) and the Main Theme of the Legend of Zelda.  After a few listens, you will not be able to get it out of your head, it is so infectious.  I still hum it from time to time.  I hope you enjoy this great piece of video game music as much as I do and if planning on getting Skyward Sword soon, this track is included on the Special Orchestra CD that comes with the game.

Thank you to Wildi630 for uploading Ballad of the Goddess for us to enjoy.

Title Fight: Great Idea or Smash Bros. Rip-off?

For the past few days, a rumour has come up that Sony is working on Smash Bros.-style fighter for the PS3 by the name of Title Fight.  This fighter would feature many of Sony's mascots such as Sly Cooper, Ratchet, Kratos and Sweet Tooth fighting to the death.  These rumours have been fueled by a leaked picture of a Sweet Tooth model for the game (found at the bottom of this post).  According to many sources, indy game developer SuperBot Entertainment is working on the game.  At the moment, nothing has been confirmed by Sony or SuperBot, so everything about Title Fight is just speculation.  But conveniently with all this speculation, Geoff Keighley, the host of GameTrailers TV and executive producer on the Spike Video Game Awards (VGAs for short), has tweeted that they will be revealing a PS3 exclusive that we will not believe at the December awards show.  Signs seem all point to these rumours being true, but we will have to wait until December 10th to see if this rumour comes to fruition.

Being a huge Nintendo fan and a fan of the Super Smash Bros. games, honestly I do not like Sony seemingly copying what Nintendo has already done and perfected.  But if you have been following games for a long time like myself, you know Sony does not have many original ideas.  All-in-all if the chips all fall into place and SuperBot can differentiate it from Super Smash Bros., Title Fight should be a good to great game and excellent fan service for all of Sony's fans.  If not, it could be a huge misstep from a company that has been on a roll in the last half of 2011.

Graphics Don't Make a Game

A note before reading this post.  This post like everything I say on this blog is all my opinion.  You have the right to agree or disagree, but there is no reason to get angry over it.  Everybody has a different view on things, this post just shows mine.  Now with that out of the way, let's get down to business.

There was one aspect of video games that took a major leap with this generation of game consoles other than the Wii.  It was the graphics.  With the explosion of HD, game graphics got amped up.  No longer could we count polygons on a characters' face or see that keyboard in the computer room was just a flat texture.  Everything was much smoother and a little more lifelike, but something was lost in the process.  Some gamers' respect for anything that was not HD so to say.  This leap produced a whole bunch of graphics whores, people who cannot look past the superficial HD gloss on most games today.  News flash, graphics do not make a game.  Take it from somebody who still plays PS3 and Xbox 360 games on a standard definition television, the game graphics that stand out are the ones with excellent art direction.  Look at the big Nintendo games for the Wii, they did not have the technology to produce something with graphics like Gears of War, but still the graphics of Kirby's Epic Yarn or Super Mario Galaxy will age much better than Modern Warfare or Assassin's Creed.

In an area that changes so rapidly in video games these days, putting together gorgeous looking graphics might impress on first glance, but in the long run they do not mean that much when compared to the reason we buy games.  That is for the gameplay.  Just think for a moment now.  10 or 20 years from now, will you remember a game for its graphics or the great memories you had playing it?  It is most definitely the latter of the two.  So what gets me upset are the people who still to this day say that Wii is not a system because it is not HD or that PS Vita will be the best portable because it has almost PS3 quality graphics (to those people, the most popular portable game is made with 2D sprites).  In an industry where gameplay trumps all (and if that is not what you believe, why do you play games?), why do the majority of gamers still get caught up with all this superficial sugarcoated crap that they see with their eyes rather than what we experience on a mental and emotional level while playing?  Give me a game where all the art is just stick drawings or made of little dots and as long as the gameplay is fun and compelling I will most likely enjoy it, but the question is if you will?

Agree or disagree.  I would like to hear what everybody thinks about this topic in the comments below.   From reading this post, you know my thoughts.  Let's hear your thoughts and I hope you enjoyed this post.  Cheers.

Bit by Bit: November 20-26

Welcome to Bit by Bit.  My weekly rundown of everything involving video games in my life and the world around us.  We will take a look at all the games that I am played during the past week in the Game of the Week, take a look to the future with Most Anticipated Game of the Week and a bit of random awesomeness with the Video of the Week.

Game of the Week
This past week has been one of the busiest for me in a long time.  In the matter of one whole week, I have bought a whopping total of nine games and have been juggling my play time with these nine games plus Super Mario 3D Land.  These nine games are Darksiders for PS3, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for Wii, Cave Story+ for PC, X-Men Origins: Wolverine for PS3, Metroid II: Return of Samus and Donkey Kong both for the 3DS, Epic Mikey and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor for the Wii and finally Limbo for the PC (which is 75% off on Steam today only).  Out of all those great games, which the majority I got under 10 dollars, one game can stand tall as Game of the Week.  That game is The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.  Out of all the games that I have been playing this week, I keep wanting to play more Skyward Sword.  I am only about eight or ten hours into the game, but it feels like I have only touched the surface of this epic adventure.  Each new area opens up new unique mechanics and new challenges that are both brain-racking and extremely satisfying.  The addition of weapon crafting has me exploring each corner of the map to find the materials needed to upgrade my weapons.  I will try to pick a different game for Game of the Week next weekend, but it might be hard when I will be spending most of my gaming time playing Skyward Sword.

Most Anticipated Game of the Week
There are many games I am looking forward to playing come next month and 2012 from Mario Kart 7 to Mass Effect 3, but I have been really excited to play some of the high-profile games that came out the last two months.  After playing a hour and a half of X-Men Origins and reading a review in the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, my most anticipated game of the week is Batman: Arkham City.  I played a demo for the Arkham Asylum and loved it and the 40+ hours of gameplay crammed into an action-adventure like Batman is unheard of that I have been feverishly looking for Arkham Asylum.  Maybe I will get it for Christmas, but we will have to see.  Right here and now, I am very excited to get my hands on two of the greatest comic book games of all-time hopefully in the near future.

Video of the Week
Kevin Butler is a name that all gamers should know no matter what system they prefer.  He is the VP of Awesomeness at Sony Computer Entertainment America and has provided us with some of the best and funniest PlayStation commercials of all-time.  As a part of Sony's new and amazing ad campaign Long Live Play, Mr. Butler has been honouring different PS3 players each and every day for the past couple months.  Last Thursday, the American Thanksgiving, marked the end of these string of hilarious videos.  What a better way to end this event with an equally amazing 80s montage.  Let's roll the footage.

On the Download: November 20-26

Yesterday, I took a look at the big Autumn Steam Sale, which has entered its' third day.  For anybody who has not picked up Back to the Future game or Knights of the Old Republic, they are on sale for 10 and 5 dollars respectfully.  From someone who has bought them, they are well worth the money you are paying.  Also for those who own an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, there is a huge Thanksgiving sale this weekend.  The highlights of this grand App Store sale are Infinity Blade for 3 dollars and Real Racing 2 HD and Spider Man: Total Mayhem for a mere dollar.  Today, we will be taking a look at the two big downloadable games that were released earlier this week in Cave Story+ and Metroid II: Return of Samus.

Cave Story+ came this past Tuesday on Steam for a mere $8.49.  Cave Story started out back in 2004 as a freeware game and has grown into a full-fledged indy hit available for the Nintendo Wii, DSi, and 3DS.  For those who have played Metroid or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will feel right at home in Cave Story.  You are dropped in this labyrinth-like world with no memories or knowledge of who you are and left to your own devices.  Explore the gorgeous 2D world to find new weapons and equipment in order to further your exploration, help out the Mimigas and stop the villains who stand in your way.  For Cave Story+, Team Pixel has upped the resolution on the 2D visuals, remastered the soundtrack, added six new play modes including a Boss Rush mode and promised future content updates.  Personally, I have only played an hour of Cave Story+ and I am impressed.  It is a well constructed game that hooks you in right in with its' similar feel to Metroid.  You just want to keep playing to see what new weapon, upgrade or secret you can find.  If you are interested, pick up Cave Story+ soon because it is only 15% off for a limited time.

Talking about Metroid, back a few months I promised myself that I will get Metroid II: Return of Samus the day it is released on the Nintendo eShop.  Well to my pleasure it came yesterday and yours truly bought the Game Boy Virtual Console game for his 3DS.  Metroid II originally came out for the Game Boy back in November of 1991.  Metroid II follows Samus' mission to exterminate the Metroids from their home planet of SR388 as they threaten the well-being of galactic life.  DUe to the limits of the Game Boy, Metroid II was a departure from the originals' much larger open-ended world as its world was much more linear, but still offers enough exploration to keep Metroid fans satisfied.  If you have a 3DS and are starving for games, go on the Nintendo eShop, drop the 4 dollars needed to buy Metroid II and enjoy one classic portable game.

On the Download: Steam Autumn Sale

Welcome to the first edition of On the Download.  On the Download will be a weekly post where I talk about the newest and greatest downloadable games available for PC, XB360, PS3, Wii, 3DS and iOS.  Some of the best and most unique video game offerings in the last few years have been from the downloadable space.  Just look at critically and universally acclaimed games like Minecraft and Bastion.  Due to fact that I have to go into work early today, there will be be two editions of On the Download this week.  One today, which will take a look at the Autumn Steam Sale, and another tomorrow, which will rundown the newest downloadable games for this week.

It is that time of year again.  It is the American Thanksgiving and for anybody who plays PC games that means a huge sale on Steam.  In recent years, Valve's client has built a reputation of having epic sales on its' humongous library of games that have gamers dropping money like crazy.  I know because I myself have done it.  The Autumn Sale started yesterday and will go until this coming Monday.  Over 1500 games have been put on sale so there should be a game for everybody.  Also there are daily deals that offer HUGE savings on big games such as Portal 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops and Mass Effect 2.  I have not bought anything yet, but I will be checking back everyday to see all the new sales that Steam has to offer.  

So if you are into PC gaming even just a little bit, check this sale out.  It will be well worth your time and the money you possibly save.  And if you miss this sale, there will most likely be one for next month for Christmas.  Oh how I love Steam!

Hump Day Music: Special World 4

It's Wednesday, the very middle of the week, two days removed from the beginning of the week and two days away from the weekend.  For that reason, Wednesday has been known as Hump Day.  To help you get over the hump, every Wednesday I will be sharing a piece of video game music that I have stuck in my head.  Great video game music accentuates whatever is happening in the game and gets you engrossed in the experience or hyped to play more.

This last week I have been playing a whole lot of Super Mario 3D Land for the 3DS.  Just a minor spoiler to those who have not played it yet, after you beat the all eight worlds another eight special worlds open up for you to play.  This tune starts when you enter the overworld of the 4th special world.  When I first heard it, my head was bopping to the beat of the music.  Even though it is only a minute in length, this piece has stuck with me as my favourite bit of music from Super Mario 3D Land.  That is saying quite a bit since Mario games have superb music.  Even while playing the later levels, I just want to run back to Special World 4 to hear this infectiously joyous music play on loop through the speakers of my 3DS.

Thank you to GilvaSunner for uploading this great piece of music.

Launch Station: Sonic Generations 3DS

You may have thought Sonic the Hedgehog's 20th Anniversary celebration was over with the release of Sonic Generations for the consoles and PC.  Well you better think again.  Sega hopes to continue the celebration all month long with the release of Sonic Generations for the 3DS today.

If you picked up Sonic Generations at the beginning of the month, you have probably beaten the game, completed all the challenges, received a S rack on everything and made a stab at the top of the online leaderboards.  You played the game inside and out and just hoping for a little more Sonic to satisfy your needs.  Sonic Generations for the 3DS is not a rehash of its console brethren.  Other than Green Hill Zone,  the 3DS version has its own set of remade levels from Sonic's past ranging from Casino Night Zone from Sonic 2 to Water Palace from Sonic Rush and its own bosses such as Big Arm from Sonic 3.  Now all remastered with 3D polygons and given depth through the 3DS' 3D capabilities.  Like the console game, Sonic Generations includes numerous challenges from each level for both Classic and Modern Sonic.  Unlike the console game, Sonic Generations will feature special stages (very reminiscent of the ones found in Sonic Heroes), a multiplayer versus mode and the ability to different challenges through StreetPass or by using Play Coins. 

Personally, I am very tempted to get Sonic Generations for the 3DS, but I think I am going to hold off until Christmas.  Just got The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword yesterday plus I am still playing Super Mario 3D Land, Darksiders and Sonic Generations for the console.  There are too many games I have on the go and I cannot add another one right at this very moment.  For those that are not as busy as I am and have a 3DS, Sonic Generations should be a quality platformer to pick up for your handheld.

Launch Station: WWE '12

If you read my first post, you would have found out (unless you already knew) that I am a huge wrestling fan.  So it pleases me to talk about what releases this week.  As tomorrow, THQ releases the next iteration of the WWE series.  

This year THQ and Yuke's have made a big overhaul on the long running wrestling franchise, which is shown in the new title for the series.  THQ has dropped the Smackdown vs. Raw title for the simple and to the point title of WWE '12.  The title is not all that has changed in WWE '12.  Yuke's have revamped the animation system, which has grown a little stiff over the last couple of years.  The new Predator Technology animation system, named after the cover athlete, allows more fluid and realistic character animations, the ability to realistically interrupt moves and no longer warps players to the centre of the ring for certain moves.  You are also able to chain move together.  For example, hitting a opponent with an elbow drop right in the middle of a full 619 and splash animation.  Yuke's has also worked on the flow of matches with the return of stored finishers and the additions of wake-up taunts, dynamic comebacks and a new camera system.  WWE Universe and Road to WrestleMania modes will return this year with some major improvements.  Now in WWE Universe, you can actually make Title and No. 1 Contenders' matches rather than being at the mercy of the computer.  Yuke's have also added new and unpredictable events based on your choices to WWE Universe.  Road to WrestleMania has been completely changed from multiple 3 month storylines to one single storyline that is separated into 3 acts over 18 months, which includes two WrestleManias.

Even with all the improvements, I am not going to rush out and buy WWE '12 like I did with Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 last year.  Not to say I am not excited to play this game because I certainly am.  But I was highly looking forward to Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 and I was disappointed.  It is still a good game, but is a big step down from how amazing Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 and 2010 are.  In this Game Flood of 2011, WWE '12 may not stand out.  For sports and wrestling fans who are not already caught up in the plethora of superb games that came out this November, WWE '12 should be one great game that should clench your thirst.

25 Golden Years of Zelda

2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of Shigeru Miyamoto's classic, Legend of Zelda series.  Also tomorrow marks the release of The Legend of Zelda:  Skyward Sword.  In honour of the great series and the release of Skyward Sword, I made a tribute video below and the banner above to show my respect.  Having been a fan of the series ever since Oracle of Ages and Seasons and a huge Nintendo fan, Zelda has been an important part of my gaming life.  I hope you enjoy my tribute to this legendary series.

Welcome to Silver Bit

Welcome to Silver Bit.  Your one stop shop for analysis on anything gaming-related.  It is a place where you will be able to find opinions on the biggest gaming news, previews, reviews and much more entertaining video game-related content.

Now let me introduce to the owner of this blog and the one person who will create all this content for your enjoyment.  The name is AJ Silver.  I have been a fan of video games since I first got my hands on a Pico (for those who actually know what that is, you deserve a pat on the back).  I have been sharing my opinions on video games for over 2 years now on various video game sites from IGN to ScrewAttack.  Now I want to have a blog dedicated to everything video games like I have one just dedicated just to Professional Wrestling (you can check that one out at www.thesilverdome.blogspot.com).

I want to change things up with this blog.  For my wrestling blog, I put up a post once every week.  For Silver Bit, I want to put up a short post every weekday and one or two each weekend because there is a lot going on in the video game industry every single day.  So please come back for new post almost every single day.

So again welcome to Silver Bit.  I hope you enjoy your stay.