Ragnarok Online

Ragnarok Online appears to be one of those games that I can never seem to totally let go of. Granted, it's an old game, but lately, I've heard it's siren song calling to me and inviting me back to the fantasy world of Rune Midgard once again.

Ragnarok Online, as I've mentioned before, was the game that got me interested in MMORPGs. I got my first taste of it way back in 2003, when curiosity compelled me to try the game that my friends were talking about. A few hours of play later, I was hooked.

As with all games, my interest in Ragnarok Online has waxed and waned with the passing of time. Part of it had to do with certain not-so-edifying fellow players, the overwhelming surge of bots and hacks, and the sheer tedium of the grind.

As I discovered other MMORPGs, I left the game (albeit temporarily) for a time, only to find myself check it out again after some time had passed. Despite all the problems it's had over the years, there's something about the game that constantly draws me back, even when I get tired of it over and over again.

My current interest in Ragnarok Online has something to do with the repeatable daily experience quest that both Gravity the local publishers over here have set up. It sure beats grinding like hell just to get the highly-coveted aura. If I do the quest a few minutes at a time everyday, I may just make my in-game cleric eligible for archbishophood after all.

Why all this concern over such an old game? For me, the answer is simple: I never forgot my first love. My world simply expanded to accommodate other games, yet there was always a soft spot for Ragnarok Online in my heart.

In fact, I dare say I'm enjoying the game more now that I do not feel the urge to powerleveling like mad anymore. It's comparable to that of moving from romantic love to companionate love: the fiery passion of the honeymoon phase has given way to the more temperate, yet deeper level of emotional intimacy phase.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll play a little bit of both Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine and Ragnarok Online.

Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine

Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine is a nice MMORPG I into after having finished Persona 4. Admittedly, the fact that "SMT" was in the title immediately caught my attention. I've recently downloaded the game and I've been drawn into its world ever since.

Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine is set in an apocalyptic future, very much like some of the games in the mainstream SMT console games. It also seems to retain the dark feel of the its console brethren. In fact, the very first NPC that you meet dies in the first few minutes of the game.

It was a treat to meet various familiar faces in Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine. Atlus' mascot, Jack Frost, is definitely in there, as are various personas from Atlus' SMT lineup. What was even better was the fact you could talk to them and even recruit them as allies. Talk about nostalgia!

As a major fan of the Persona 4 fusion process, I was delighted to discover that Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine also features this option. While fusion only reaches the triad level, it still retains the experimental fun that I had come to love in the Persona series of games.

The game is divided into a series of acts. These acts serve as quests for Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine and help move the story forward as well. Aeria Games has woven tutorials on game mechanics into these acts, so newbies like myself will be learning and having fun along the way.

As cool as the game may sound, it isn't without flaw. The conversations with the demons in Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine have been dumbed down -- talk with other players if you want any serious intellectual discussions.

Besides that, the ever-present MMORPG grind is still there. I've gotten tired of grinding in recent times, so much so that I prefer chatting with fellow players and messing around with the demon fusion process instead.

Overall, I'd say that the game is at least worth a try. Besides being free, the game is currently in its open beta phase, so it's very likely that new stuff will find its way into the game sometime in the vague future. Who knows, I may even end up enlisting your help with triangle fusion in Shin Megami Tensei Online: Imagine?

Star Wars MMORPGs

Star Wars MMORPGs are among the kinds of games that bring out the little kid in me. Imagine taking all the awesomeness of George Lucas' brainchild and turning it into something thousands of players can enjoy all at once.

Star Wars MMORPGs allow us the exquisite pleasure of roleplaying as Jedi Knights, bounty hunters, entertainers and what not. Even if you're not into roleplaying, the whole Star Wars universe is as immersive as they come. Few things can compare to the experience of literally blasting your opponent into oblivion.

To date, only two Star Wars MMORPGs come to mind: Star Wars Galaxies (SWG) by Sony Online Entertainment and Star Wars: The Old Republic (TOR) by BioWare. Let's take a brief look at each of these in turn.

Star Wars Galaxies was the players' first real taste of a Star Wars MMORPG experience. It featured several expansions over a period of five years. One of these expansions, "New Game Enhancements," served as a double-edged sword. For example, the Jedi profession that players had to work so hard to unlock in previous editions immediately became playable, and certain aspects of the game's mechanics were dumbed down.

On the other hand, BioWare is keeping a watchful developmental eye on the next Star Wars MMORPG, The Old Republic. Does the company's name sound familiar? It should -- it's the very same company that brought us the PC RPG Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. And if my experience with KoTOR is any indication of how they do RPGs, they can probably do MMORPGs well, too.

Now imagine if BioWare put someone like this in it.

TOR might be worth checking out, if only to compare it with its precessor. Regardless of how things out, I'm just thankful for the fact that we will soon be able to enjoy two Star Wars MMORPGs.

Acknowledgments: This blogger would like to thank fellow blogger Codamon for the Dark Obi-Wan picture above.

War PC Games

War PC games have come to my attention in recent times. If you recall, I mentioned in a previous blog post that. These are some of the serendipitous things that have somehow found their way onto my gaming lap.

War PC games include many different genres. Some of the more obvious ones I've encountered and played are First Person Shooters (FPSs), but there are simulators and strategy games out there that fall under the category as well. The genre is so broad that the distinctions can get a little bit blurry at times.

One particular war PC game that I've had the privilege to play was Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. as part of my job in the company I'd previously worked for. I was asked to review a particular game accessory and my colleagues recommended that I try it out with the said game.

Unfortunately, I never finished the single player campaign of this game due to time constraints. It did open my eyes, however, to the fact that war PC games need not be the mindless fragfests that I once thought they were. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Call of Duty 4 required some intriguing think-on-your-feet strategy from me as a player.

One thing I'd like to bring to your attention today is the Tom Clancy series of war PC games. Someone came up with the brilliant idea of attaching this distinguished author's name to a whole lineup of games, and so far, the strategy has worked wonders.

Tom Clancy's EndWar, for example, is a real time strategy (RTS) game that makes exciting use of voice commands to direct one's troops in battle. The Splinter Cell lineup could pretty much give Konami's Metal Gear series a run for its money, at least as far as stealth games go. I'm also looking forward to H.A.W.X, as it reminds me a lot of the venerable Ace Combat games.

If you're looking for, I highly recommend that you give the Tom Clancy war PC game series a try. There are a variety of games to choose from in the series, so pick anything that looks seems to resonate with you and start playing. I can practically guarantee that you'll have a blast in more ways than one.

That's it for today. Thanks for reading, and welcome to the wonderful, weapon-filled world of war PC games.

PC Racing Games

PC racing games tend to catch my attention every now and then. Sometimes, I find the need to break away from the staple intellectual or strategy stuff and relax with something simpler -- something that gets my adrenaline pumping.

PC racing games may act as an interesting alternative to real life racing for armchair racers. If you don't happen to own a in real life, then picking up that controller or joystick may be the next best thing.

Admittedly, I haven't played too many PC racing games myself. Most of the ones I'm familiar with aren't even for the PC: the Initial D and Daytona series for the arcades, the F-Zero series, plus Mario Kart for the Nintendo Wii.

Nevertheless, the few PC racing games that I have played, and the ones that I've seen others play, are worthy of note. Which of them would I recommed? It really depends on what you're looking for.

You see, most PC racing games may be divided into two general types: simulators and arcade-style games. The former offer a more "realistic" experience than the latter because they attempt to mimic real life vehicle handling and physics. The Gran Turismo series would be a good start, as is anything with the word NASCAR, F1 or Grand Prix in it.

Arcade-style racers, on the other hand, tend to emphasize breakneck speed and fast-paced fun more than realism. Most of the games I've played fall under this category. I recommend the Initial D if you're a fan of the anime/manga. Initial D has a PC racing game with the subheading "Mountain Vengeance." You'll also find Initial D games at your local arcade.

My friend, Aodhan (yes, the same one who's making his own MMORPG) sings praises to the Need for Speed series (especially Need for Speed: Carbon) so you may want to check that out, too. If you're in the mood for some silly party console fun, Mario Kart is the way to go.

Come to think of it, maybe I should find out what Aodhan is so crazy about. Please excuse me while I check out some of his PC racing games.