Notes of the frustrated gamer

I'm no Sonic fan, as demonstrated by these notes I took as I attempted to play Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS:

• I simply cannot go without mentioning this irritating thing on Green Hill, Act II: I can't get past the level's very last obstacle, the giant falling totem pole. Okay, so I'm supposed to press "Y"? Fast, slow? What does this game want of me? Hey, I'm a gamer! I don't need manuals or tutorials to figure things out! This, however, is simply ridiculous. This game does nothing to cater to series newcomers. For that matter, it's not much fun at all.
• Okay, seriously? Even after playing Green Hill, Act II about ten times or more, I still can't avoid that infernal enemy? I have gaming reflexes. Even when they kick on, there's simply no way to avoid it, except by having the level memorized. Is this what Sonic is all about?
• Control flaw: when I take Sonic into a sliding position, I can't simply lift my finger off of the down button to get out of it? Apparently, jumping is the only way to do that, and what if I go spiraling out of control into a pit of death?
• Starting on Mushroom Hill, Act I: enjoying the graphics, but still confused as to whether I'm meant to play the level 50 times in order to memorize it so I can flash through at hyper speeds, or take my time getting through molasses-slow portions such as that up-down lever...thing that I just encountered.
• Again with the whole "What speed is this meant to be played at?" question: so some kind of jump that I couldn't avoid just catapulted me over a huge mass of rings? So...can I go back for them, or am I on a schedule of some kind, or what?
• Sorry, I won't be playing that one again. Memorization is something you only do in school, against your will. If the only reason I have to return to something is to be humiliated again and again, I'm not doing it.
• Okay, on to Act II. Did that mushroom, completely innocent looking, just jump out of the ground and attack me? Seriously? There should be a "Video Game Designing Code" that prohibits the abuse of players or something.
• I beat Metal Sonic! ...With, what, maybe 10 presses of the "A" button? How can one expect to get invested in this game?
• Fighting Big Arm has been the best part of this game so far. It...it...it actually employed my brain!
• Whoa, Sonic's got cool moves...it's just too bad I'm not even doing anything to pull them off except tiring my thumb out by endlessly holding the D-pad.

As you can see, I have yet to be impressed by a Sonic game, and I'm rapidly losing the desire to like him at all. Sonic Generations was frankly insulting to me. On the user profile, it asks what Sonic game your favorite is, which was like a slap in the face. Maybe it doesn't seem this way to people who're familiar with the series, but Sonic Generations just seemed to be, I dunno, full of itself or something like that. 

Why Sonic Colors should stick with Sonic fans: A Review

I may have played a Sonic game on the PC back in 1st grade or something. Other than that, Sonic has only been a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as far as I'm concerned (mind you, I like using Sonic in Brawl). Of course, I've had ideas of what Sonic games are like: high-speed platforming, to be concise. Though this idea has always frightened me away, the old-school Sonic formula must work. Look how popular it is!

So here we go with Sonic Colors for Wii. Some villain called Eggman has constructed a gargantuan amusement park in space, and it's composed of several themed planets. A great setting. Despite how grand it is, however, Sonic and his best friend Tails arrive on the scene to investigate. The story is punctuated with cut-scenes that, however witty, I would have preferred to see less of.

Now, the gameplay and control. What to say about gameplay and control in Sonic Colors? You know, I suppose there was a reason Mario and Sonic were rivals back in the day: their play styles differ greatly. Lets just put it this way: after playing Sonic Colors, I know where my allegiance lies...with Mario. Though much of the gameplay in Colors feels slick, some of it falls flat, and some of it is downright frustrating. Sonic fan? I'm sure this is just the game for you. Mario fan? You may just want to stay away.

Two features almost redeem the flaws in Sonic Colors: sound and graphics that lend the game a major cool factor. The music in Colors is catchy and memorable. As for the graphics, I thought that a giant, multi-planet theme park could potentially be an amazing visual wonder prior to playing this game: well, to put it simply, the game itself exceeded all my expectations. If you can endure the frustration, you'll find yourself with your mouth hanging open on more than one occasion while playing Sonic Colors.

So when it comes down to it, who should buy this game? I think it's undoubtedly a must for Sonic fans. The frustrations may not be worth it for those of you who enjoy the slower platforming pace of Super Mario games. Tread carefully.

Video game violence: one gamer speaks out, and it's not what you're expecting

There is certainly a controversy surrounding the "threat" of violent video games. Some believe such games are harmless, while others believe they are a threat. I have personally concluded that video games do, in fact, have a negative impact on gamers. Why, of all people, do I take this stance? I'll tell you:

First of all, violent video games unavoidably cause bad thoughts. The road that leads to action is thought. Thoughts sink into our personality, becoming a part of our very being. I've seen the effect, not only in others' lives, but in my own life. Fortunately, I realized early on that it's something I don't want in my life, and thank goodness I did.

Secondly, violent video games contain appealing characters, and often glorify terrible behavior. The reality is, video games are no longer always about saving the world or defeating evil. One game might star a physically appealing character who participates in crimes ranging from stealing to killing...and for what purpose, one may ask? None whatsoever, in many instances. It's all for the sake of so-called "fun".

Think that's the worst of it? Well, consider this: there is a connection between the player of a video game and what happens on-screen. The onscreen character responds directly according to button presses, etc. that are performed by the player. It may seem insignificant, but, believe me, this interaction draws players into the world of video games in a way movies and TV can only dream of. Gamers don't just sit and watch what's happening: they control what's happening.

Being a gamer myself, I obviously have that unique perspective on why one might disagree with me. Even high-quality studies disagree with me. But it's not about whether violent games cause players to take a weapon to school and go on a shooting rampage. The real havoc occurs in a person's heart and mind. It plays out in a person's family. It demonstrates itself in a person's general behavior and attitude, not to mention their performance in other areas.

To me, there's nothing better than waking up late on a Saturday morning and snuggling in to play The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It gets even better when my younger siblings wake up and wander in to watch me play. There are quality, non- to light-violence video games out there. Pick up a good Mario or Sonic game. Check ESRB ratings. It really is possible to enjoy video games without guns, zombies, explosions, gore, gang-related activity, or even good-looking characters (I can't see Mario winning a modeling contest any time soon, can you?).