Lacqui's Log » Games

Retrogaming

lacqui — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:20:46 +0000

I was cleaning my storage closet the other day, when I found a CD containing one of my all-time favorite computer game series: the Ultima Collection.

As with the first time I played the series, I’m starting with Ultima IV: The Quest of the Avatar. This was one of the games responsible for giving CRPGs a story, rather than a goal of “kill all the bad guys, who aren’t really doing anything, then kill the ultimate bad guy, who’s just hanging out. On the way, you can lie, cheat, murder, and steal your way to victory”.

One huge difference between my current run-through and my first one, I’m old enough and experienced enough to understand the different game style. My first time winning, I had to cheat, because I didn’t understand that you couldn’t lie, cheat, murder, and steal, so I’d get near my goal then lose virtue points, making the game unwinnable.

Another difference, this time I know (most of) the answers, having played most of the series at least once, so it should be an easier time through the game.

Working it

lacqui — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:02:45 +0000

We decided to trade in a bunch of games today at EB Games, and use the store credit to buy EA Sports Active for the Wii. Tried that out today. Holy crap!

My “20-minute workout” took me about 45 minutes (including training videos). I decided to try a high-intensity workout. They aren’t kidding when they say intense! I think it’s meant to make sure I’m either fit or dead by the time my 30 days are up.

Searching Games

lacqui — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 07:04:35 +0000

I bought Ultimate I-Spy for my wife’s birthday on Wednesday. Now, it’s Friday night and it’s finished.

It was a fun game while it lasted, but it has no replay value. Once the game is finished, you can restart again but you’re looking for the same objects in the same locations.

Somewhat better is Mystery P.I., which we got on Steam. Although the replay value is still limited, there is a wide variety of items to find in each location, so even if you replay a level you won’t necessarily get the same items.

My wife isn’t much of a gamer, but she loves her searching games. Now we just need to find one that will last her more than a few days.

Old game, new computer = FAIL

lacqui — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:00:03 +0000

My desktop computer is not working at the moment, so my daughter asked me to install Scholastic Brain Play grade 1-3 (no link available) on my laptop. When I click on Autorun, I get the following message:

The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you’re running. Check your computer’s system information to see whether you need an x86 (32-bit) or x64 (64-bit) version of the program, and then contact the software publisher

Now, I’m not an expert on Windows, but as far as I knew, 32-bit apps were supposed to run on Vista 64 (hence the Program Files (x86) directory)