Null Space

Super Paper Mario 

(Warning: some very minor spoilers)

I've finally gotten back into playing SPM after bit of break after Guitar Hero III arrived on the scene, and I want to finish it before I really get into Super Mario Galaxy.

Super Paper Mario is a hybrid of the RPG and platforming genres. The Paper Mario series to this point (at least the ones I've played) have been almost pure RPG, complete with turn-based combat. This time around its mostly a platformer, with RPG elements. You have party members, hit points, attack points and special items. You don't get to choose where to put points when you level up, which I think is a bit rotten, as I'd really love to put up my defense level.

The plot: Count Bleck, using a book of dark prophecy, has set in motion a series of events which will result in the destruction of the multiverse. Fortunately, there's a book of light prophecy that gives clues on how to stop that from happening, so that you, the player, get to use your party of Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser to travel to various universes to collect seven 'Pure Hearts'. To aid you in a number of the puzzles are helper icons called 'Pixls' that perform various functions, such as making you tiny, or giving you the 'ground pound' move.

Some of the game is a bit repetitive, but then the plot will go somewhere unexpected - in one chapter you end up being stuck in a universe when it collapses. The other thing that's really keeping me going is the unexpected emotional depth in the character interaction. Things aren't what they seem, the villian is becoming more and more grey in his motivations and the end of the chapter I finished last night was truly heartwrenching.

Definitely recommended.

Super Paper Mario(Minor Spoilers 

I've finally gotten back into playing SPM after bit of break after Guitar Hero III arrived on the scene, and I want to finish it before I really get into Super Mario Galaxy.

Super Paper Mario is a hybrid of the RPG and platforming genres. The Paper Mario series to this point (at least the ones I've played) have been almost pure RPG, complete with turn-based combat. This time around its mostly a platformer, with RPG elements. You have party members, hit points, attack points and special items. You don't get to choose where to put points when you level up, which I think is a bit rotten, as I'd really love to put up my defense level.

The plot: Count Bleck, using a book of dark prophecy, has set in motion a series of events which will result in the destruction of the multiverse. Fortunately, there's a book of light prophecy that gives clues on how to stop that from happening, so that you, the player, get to use your party of Mario, Luigi, Peach and Bowser to travel to various universes to collect seven 'Pure Hearts'. To aid you in a number of the puzzles are helper icons called 'Pixls' that perform various functions, such as making you tiny, or giving you the 'ground pound' move.

Some of the game is a bit repetitive, but then the plot will go somewhere unexpected - in one chapter you end up being stuck in universe when it collapses. The other thing that's really keeping me going is the unexpected emotional depth in the character interaction. Things aren't what they seem, the villian is becoming more and more grey in his motivations and the end of the chapter I finished last nioght

An Invite Down the Pub 

Me and Grant and Sonia are going to hang out at the Brass Monkey in Northbridge for a bit from 2pm on Sunday afternoon (23rd of December).

If you feel like coming and joining us, please feel welcome to do so!

Liquidity in the UK 

As I was standing there with my three-quarter size Gibson Les Paul shaped controller playing Guitar Hero III, strumming along to a new version of 'Anarchy in the UK' that the Sex Pistols recorded especially for the game, that it crossed my mind that maybe they always were only in it for the money all along...