Update and Games for the Strategist

Just a quick update and some suggestions for fans of the strategy genre.

The next series of posts I'll be working on are going to be in the "Suggested Reading (Comics Edition)" vein. For each, I'll take the top five runs for the following titles:

Spider-Man (this may have a few iterations, but I'll do a general post at first)
Scarlet Spider
Venom
Carnage
Batman
X-Men (this may turn into a Wolverine run, but we'll see)
And more, I'll go through some of my boxes and see what series/characters I've grown fond of.

I'll also do a Sci-Fi and Fantasy novel version, but those will be after I finish of the comic run.


Now, for the strategy game suggestions. I'll do one per console until I get to PC.

X-Box 360: Civilization Revolution (also on PS3 and PC): Revolution is a more streamlines and slightly watered down version of a Civilization title. I own Revolution, 4, and 5 and I love all of them equally. For a console strategy game, this is an amazing title; it is quick to pick up, easy to learn, and still challenging. It also makes a great introduction to the Civilization universe -- it's easy enough to learn and promotes the "one more turn" mentality that will absorb you. I still play all of them and love having Revolution on my 360 for easy access and control.
PS3: Record of Agarest War(also on X-Box 360): I've heard you don't need to play the first one if you get Zero, but I've yet to test that out. This game is a SRPG with a Japanese dating sim twist; as you progress in the story, you choose a bride that determines your heir through the several generations the story covers). I found it slightly simpler in gameplay than other SRPGs, but the story held up and I really enjoyed the character collection aspect.
Wii: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance/Radiant Dawn (the first is actually a GameCube title): If you have no played Fire Emblem before, you are missing out. It has large tactical battles, sweeping storylines, and in depth character recruitment. It also features permanent deaths -- this can be scary, but it makes you have to play that much more carefully. If you have played Fire Emblem, these two are great titles in the series and I really can't suggest the enough.
3DS/DS: Devil Survivor: Overclocked (The non-overclocked verision and sequel are for the DS): I find that the 3DS/DS have a lot of goot strategy titles. One of my absolute favorites is this title. It has a Shin Megami Tensei story, grid based battles, mild character recruitment, and amazing demon collection. It plays like a regular SRPG on the battle map, but battles actually take place in a traditional RPG turn based format with up to 3 on 3 character battles. It also has a high amount of replay value, something that other titles lack.
Vita/PSP: Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together: I still don't own a PSV title, so I'm adding a PSP title I own digitally for this list. And by PSP title, I mean an updated version of an older title (PlayStation/Sega Saturn). All that aside, it is an amazing SRPG and one of my absolute favorites. This one is all about the story, but it doesn't let you down in the post-game either. Branching storylines, interesting characters, and massive tiered levels for those that want the marathon sprint. This is a must own for any strategy fan.

For the PC, I have enjoyed a lot of strategy titles, and the genre is really diverse. I'll list the one I'm playing most recently and possibly do a PC game list down the road.

PC: Crusader Kings 2: This is a slightly different take on taking over the old world. If you've played either of the Total War: Medieval titles, you're familiar with having to take over/survive a massive map through, you guessed it, total war. In Crusader Kings 2, war is only one way to expand your kingdom, and can be one of the most difficult. In CK2, you take the role of a specific character instead of a country. You have relationships with your family, your vassals, your courtiers, and everyone else in the world. When that character dies, you become your heir. If there is no heir or county left under your control, you lose. You expand your kingdom through intrigue, marriage, or war. You can't, however, declare war whenever you want. You have to have a claim (fabricated or otherwise) on the territory you want to control. And then you have to deal with the fallout of having to raise an army and pay for it, and how others view you for going to war (good, bad, or ugly). The game has layers upon layers of strategy and yet isn't that hard to pick up and play. I won't say it's my favorite strategy game on PC, but it is one I have really been enjoying. The one thing it lacks in comparison to the Total War games, however, is that combat is very basic and takes place on the overworld; you don't control the individual units. Even so, a phenomenal game.

That's all for now, keep an eye out for more suggested reading. Also, if you have any desire to see a "suggested reading" on a given topic/series, just let me know!

Now Playing (Literally [Well, Almost])

Just a quick post:

I've decided to start up Bulletstorm tonight and see if it is worth playing through. If not, it will be sacrificed to the GameStop gods to summon Pokemon Conquest in a couple weeks.

Also, I've been playing Civ V a lot more. For any Civ 5 fans out there, what are some decent mods? I've tried NiGHTS; it's too much like learning a new game. I'm sure I'll come back to it, but I was just getting the hang of vanilla (ok, not vanilla. I really couldn't pass up the chance to play as Cthulhu and conquering Faerun...). Would love some smaller-yet-still-interesting mods, though.

Next post I'll let you know how Bulletstorm went!

The Pull List

First, does every comic book store have a "pull list", or do they use some other term? The two I've used (Rubber Chicken in Franklin, MA and now Joker's Child in Fair Lawn, NJ) knew what I was talking about. When I move back to MA, I'm wondering if it will be the same...

Would love to know some other terminology! I'm still surprised that there are some folks who call every carbonated beverage a "coke".

Right, back on topic.

My pull list is currently comprised of:

Amazing Spider-Man: This will be a title I always follow. I eventually plan to go back and pick up every issue of ASM, but for now I'm content and staying current. Now, I don't like the changes that "Brand New Day" brought. It is our version of the 90's "Clone Saga", except it accomplished what the writers wanted: Spider-Man was now a young bachelor with a lot of romantic and professional options.

The "Clone Saga" attempted to do this by replacing Peter Parker with Ben Reilly (Peter's Clone, you'll remember). This would let Peter hang up the webs to become Spider-Dad and Ben could be a new, single Spider-Man with future plans wide open. In my opinion, this failed because they dragged it out and gave fans a chance riot. The storyline became too convoluted, especially with determining who was actually a clone, a fact that shouldn't have been paramount to begin with (seriously, you want readers to believe they've been following a fake for five years?). But that's neither here nor there. And I still love the Scarlet Spider costume.

On topic! Brand New Day was an abrupt change, but it has been an interesting ride. The stories coming out of ASM are continuously getting better, which is the important part. I enjoy the villain changes we've been seeing and my favorite thing to come from the recent issues is Peter Parker being an important part of the Spider-Man role. Peter finally using his head instead of his natural abilities is how it should be, and it being translated into new costumes is effective.

Avenging Spider-Man: Love the art in this book, and the story has been getting more interesting every issue. I don't think we really needed another Spider-Man title, but I'm ok with it so far.

Ultimate Spider-Man: I have every issue of USM to date, and I've really enjoyed it. I much more enjoyed Peter Parker's stint because it was a fresh take on the established mythos, but I'm not hating Miles Morales' story so far. It is all new and interesting, though I feel it is moving a touch slow in the first 10 issues. And, of course, I wish they had gone a different route with how Peter was shuffled out.

Scarlet Spider: I'll be honest, I'm only reading this because of the title. And the sad hope that Ben Reilly will somehow find a way back. If they can bring Kaine back from the dead multiple times, why not? The story has some potential, but I'm not sure it's gotten there just yet (though I am a little behind). Kaine is being built as a dark-side Spider-Man, but they are trimming his claws and having him not kill his enemies. That's fine, we don't need another Venom. I'm just not sure we need another Scarlet Spider that second guesses everything he does. I look forward to seeing how Kaine finds his way and then bashing it on here if I don't approve. Also, as I've said before, his costume is stupid. Stop it, Marvel, too many red and black Spider-Men as it was.

Boy, that's a lot of Spiders... Now for something different!

Venom: Ok, not SO different, but oh well! I'm trying to like Flash as Venom, I really am. I just hate the new design. The character. His love/personal life. His enemies. Oh, and the military use of the symbiote, which was done in one of the old, terrible runs of Eddie Brock as Venom. Note: I love old, terrible runs. And I love Venom in general. This series isn't terrible, I'm just hoping it picks up soon (last issue I read saw Eddie Brock getting a new symbiote, so maybe I'm getting my wish). Can't wait to read the issue(s) in my pull list!

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic - War: I own and have read every issue of Knights of the Old Republic, as well. I think they ended on a note I enjoyed. Now they are bringing Zayne back to play a role in the actual conflict known as the Mandalorian Wars. I don't know how long it will go, but I'm not enjoying it so far. If they were going to start the series again, I want more stories with the characters that made the first 50 issues interesting. Zayne travelling with a new group, none of whom I like, isn't working. Until I see otherwise, I feel this series should stayed finished.

Avengers vs X-Men: Going well so far. I don't follow either group unless there's an interesting event going on, but this has been a good one. Also, these are the first issues I've ever seen using the Marvel AR app, which I'm enjoying. This makes me mildly more interested to read up on the X-men, but only mildly. Avengers I still don't care about, beyond a character here and there.

Batman: GASP! A DC title! It is one of two on my current list (Flash used to be a third, but I really didn't enjoy the first several issues). I'm not really enjoying this run yet. I almost wish I had picked a different Bat title, because this one simply shows Batman at a very low point, getting beat by a bunch of owls. So far, I haven't seen much of any supporting characters. I'll stick with it until the Night of Owls finishes, but if it doesn't improve, I don't think Batman is for me.

Red Hood and the Outlaws: This is a much more interesting book for me, possibly because I have few preconceived notions about the characters (Red Hood, Arsenal, and Starfire). So far I like the writing, the new back stories, the characters, and the enemies. Following this series with interest for now.

I think that's it for the pull list. If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comments; I swear I'm not just a Marvel fanboy!

Next post will be about the comic characters I enjoy. Or Civilization 5. Because I just need... one... more... turn...


In more personal news, the wife and I just finished unpacking at the new, temporary apartment during the renovation process at the old place. Pro: We have a bathtub (well, two) and a porch. Con: The sink has a garbage disposal and it is one of the most frightening things I have ever seen. Doing dishes will now be put on par with petting slugs in my fear department.

Ok, I'm being dramatic. Petting slugs would be much worse, and I can't believe I even wrote that. Blearg.