Ask Gauss

Sunday! Here we are just sitting around waiting for Walking Dead and wondering where our weekend went. Before you get all crazy wondering about it let's take a look at this week's questions.

Do you feel Villains are more important than the heroes in modern gaming?

The hero has always had the most development in any game you have ever played. Why? Because they are the one you send the most time with. Their development seems slow, while a villain who has a lot less screen time has to be more memorable whenever you see him. With modern gaming story telling has become much better so these memorable moments are becoming more and more spectacular. When you think about it though it has always been this way. Sephiroth is recognized as one of the greatest villains ever in gaming. Just think for a moment how much he actually appears in Final Fantasy VII. He is just more memorable because Final Fantasy VII's story was just way ahead of it times in terms of development.

Do you ever just get an itch to play an old game, then binge it?

All the time. This happens a lot with older RPGs with me. I will be playing a new game and it makes me think about something older then I just have to. You just get into and everything you do reminds you of your first playthrough. How difficult it was to how easy it was this time around. Also makes you think about how much harder games were because you only had you to do it versus now if you really wanted you have the internet to help you along. So no you aren't weird, that is unless we both are.

So why no Reader Post?

Well did you see the Uncharted trailer?

There you have it questions for the week. Hope you all got something out of it in some way or another. Now you have my permission to enjoy the rest of your weekend.

See Your World Through My Eyes

Wednesday it is upon us and it is time I make myself a list. Now what list will I be going with this week? Well I decided to go with the top 5 worlds of gaming I would love to visit. With that in mind there are countless worlds from gaming and really these are where I would go because I think the things and people to see would be to my liking. So with that in mind it is probably much different than yours.

5. Mushroom Kingdom - Super Mario Bros.

This was one of my first gaming worlds visited and one that I never will forget. There are plenty of things and people to see and something which is much different than the world I live in. So that is why it makes the list.

4. Koprulu Sector - Starcraft

So I am not a super into science fiction, but I do love me some Starcraft. Also have always wondered what it was like to communicate with a Protoss.

3. Nirn - Elder Scrolls

Can you say Dragons? Can you say countless languages and landscapes. Everything just seems so picturesque, how could you not want to be a part of it.

2. Gaia - Final Fantasy VII

What can I say, I want to try me some Materia. Also want to know how they can do their hair like that, and wield swords twice the size of themselves. Sign me up.

1. Azeroth - Warcraft

Ever since I was a kid wanted to be a part of Azeroth. World of Warcraft even made me want to more. Everything about the races, the places just something which is so large in scope and beyond imagination.

There you have it my top 5 gaming worlds I would love to visit. What are yours? Let me know in one way or another.

Ask Gauss

Sunday! Here we are another end to a weekend and another week closer to Christmas. Yes you are allowed to enter panic mode of not having anything done. Ignoring all that is is Sunday so why do we do what Sunday's are for an answer questions.

Do you think the Remake is possible for 2016?

No not at all. I think we would be lucky if we saw it in 2017. The games needs to be built from the ground up and there is no way they would be releasing it without it being perfect in their eyes. Sometimes companies release things when they aren't ready to hit deadlines, but this is the one game that I never see that happening with. There is way too much riding on this game being the definition of perfection. The shit storm if it isn't will be next level insanity.

Do you ever think we will see the UED again in Starcraft?

Well I believe if there ever is a Starcraft III the UED will have to play a big part in it. Especially with the way the Terran is now. There really is no real Terran threat besides them. I know everyone loved the UED from Brood War and I was among them. Just like everyone was glad to see Stukov in the Heart of the Swarm Campaign. They even hinted during that campaign about the UED returning. It will happen in some form even if it is in one of the mission packs. The only way we will get a massive UED story though is if there is a Starcraft III.

What is with the themed weeks?

Just happened to be that way. It is not going to be a thing or on purpose from now on.

There they are the questions for the week. Hopefully you all got something out of it. Thanks to everyone who submitted a question this wouldn't be possible without all of you so once again thanks. Enjoy what is left of your weekend!

Remake Is Not Remastered

So all that I have been hearing about since we got the first look trailer at the Final Fantasy VII remake is how they are changing things. When we were originally told about the remake they said some of the gameplay elements would be changed. Now to me this makes sense. There is this avid group of players who are all over talking about how the game is not going to play turn based. Do you know why turn based is not being used? Well it is an old mechanic used and in a much more high paced gaming world this type of style doesn't apply to the modern fan.

So if people can accept that they take it as they are ruining a game. All they ever had to do was just update the graphics. Now if you were not sure that is the difference between a remake and a remaster. For example X and X-2 recently went through the remaster stage and we have heard XII is also currently heading in this direction. A remake though changes gameplay elements. Like say the battle system. Maybe a scene will be filmed differently and end with the same result. These are the things you have to get through your head when you hear the word remake.

Do I think they will change major plot points? No I don't think so. I think they will make things mess better with the other Final Fantasy VII games, but other than that I don't think so. I feel like they will go a lot more in depth because the voice acting option gives them this ability to make you feel more for the characters you will be playing.

This game won't be the same as the original. This was never the intention. What it will do is give the modern fan the chance to be part of the story we all fell in love with back in 1997. If you don't like the new ones gameplay you can always still play the original. Don't feel cheated because you are not getting exactly what you want, because rally that is the sense of entitlement you have been ragging the current gaming generation on.

No Longer Talk, No Longer Laugh, Cry Or Get Angry

So after seeing "the trailer" their has been a few things on my mind. Be it from the endless amount of complaining I have seen about it not being turn based to what scenes from the original I am looking so forward to see in the remake. With jsut the opening from the game I can already tell this is going to be something I am going to love. So for the list here are my top 5 scenes I cannot wait to see in the remake.

5. The Golden Saucer

You know when you first arrive to the Golden Saucer and how epic and amazing the entire atmosphere is. Well that's exactly what I am thinking is going to be even more epic the second time around.

4. Cid's First Flight

What can I say I love Cid. When he is bitching and complaining the entire time and then finally gets his chance in space. Well this is just something else on another level. He gets his dream and everything else is history.

3. Finding Vincent

So there is this guy chilling in a coffin. What is he doing there? Who is he? How mysterious? Well it was all that when played it before how much more dark can they make it this time around?

2. Red Sees His Father's Sacrifice

You know a certain someone's death seems to get all the credit, but this to me is one of the most heartfelt scenes in the entire game. To realize what his father did when this entire time what he thought of him is some next level stuff. Even more so in my mind with better graphics and vice acting.

1. Aerith Death

Was there really any doubt to this? This is not only one of the most iconic scenes in the game itself it really is one of the most iconic scenes in all of gaming. Seeing it remade is going to make the feel train moving.

There you have it the scenes I am most looking forward to in the remake. Obviously I am looking forward to everything about it these just happen to be my go to. Do you have ones you think would fit better? As always let me know.

You Fail At Complaining About "The Trailer" If...

So here we are on yet another Fail Day. On a day that you would think people would be rejoicing about, but instead they are complaining. They are complaining about anything and everything. Final Fantasy VII is getting a remake in case you have been living in a box for months now. Also this past weekend we got the first trailer for it with some gameplay footage. That hasn't stop people from going off about it, so that is where I come in.

You Fail At Complaining About "The Trailer" If...

• Your first thoughts were "It is not turn based?"
• That was followed by "Where is the flower girl?"
• You don't like how they are using the same voice actors as Advent Children
• You are asking why they just didn't update the graphics
• You are complaining it is only the first chapter of the game in the trailer
• You didn't getting feels seeing the Avalanche crew
• Now you are not thinking about the tower climbing scene
• You keep saying this is FFXV part VII
• You are refusing to play it because it is not the original
• You keep making up things you have "heard" they are changing
• You keep going off about how they changed things and it was worse, but have mentioned nothing of the better
• You are going on and on about how this is no longer a service to the people who have waited for this remake
• You are part of the endless debate about the cross dressing scene having to be removed because of how it offends transgender people

and Finally

• You don't know the difference between Remake and Remaster

There you have it this week's edition of fail. Hope you all enjoyed it and see how stupid some people can be.

"The Remake" Trailer

So you may have been living under a rock for a few days, and may not have seen this. Even if you have I know you will watch it again and again. The first trailer to the most highly anticipated remake in the history of gaming. I am sure I will be talking about this for a few days, but have yourself a watch.



Yes like the Nerdgasms commence

Cloud Storms Into Battle

So you may not have heard, and if you haven't well this is going to be a great way to start your Monday. Cloud Strife himself is going to be joining Super Smash Bros. lineup. Yes you have heard that right and you are not dreaming. So yes I should be sharing a machinima of some sort today, but how could I when this news is upon us? I really couldn't could I? Here is the announcement trailer for it. Enjoy!



Just a wee bit pumped are we?

Inception Gaming

Wednesday! Which means it is time for me to make this week's list. So what was my decision of what to do it on? Well have you ever been playing the game you were playing and then just got sidetracked playing the game within the game? Well that is what this week's list is all about my favourite games within games. So here we go.

5. Chocobo Racing - Final Fantasy VII

So yes there was a purpose so you could get Knights of the Round, but then it was also so much fun to keep racing again and again to see how much you could push yourself. To this day I always spend way too much time doing this when I do my runs through VII.

4. Triple Triad - Final Fantasy VIII

Anyone who has ever played FFVIII knows that you can log onto this game with a purpose and then all of the sudden realize you have been playing cards for 3 hours. While you were having fun you also realize you never accomplished anything.

3. NES Games - Animal Crossing 

So there is games within games and then there is a collection of games within a game. Animal Crossing had just that where you could play a wide variety of NES games during your adventure.

2. Lost Viking - Starcraft II Wings of Liberty

This was a nod to of course The Lost Vikings one of Blizzards original games, but it was also something to pass the time while you were chilling during Starcraft II WoL campaign. Oh the fun!

1. Geometry Wars - Project Gotham Racing

So there are great games within games and then there are games within games that then outsell there original game when they are released by themselves. Geometry Wars did just that.

There you have it my favourite games within games. Did I miss one? Probably and I am sure you will let me know about it.

Welcome To The Revolution, Battlejerks

Here we are getting up and enjoying the fact that it is already Wednesday. Maybe for the fact that the work week is at its half way point or you were just really curious what the list was going to be about this week. For the latter well this week I thought about doing the best "vehicle" sections in video games. Now I just want to point out that to qualify for this the game itself cannot be a vehicle game as that would be cheating. So here we go

5. Motorcycle - Final Fantasy VII

So you are on your way out of Midgar giant sword in hand and all you have to do is ride your bike at the same time. Just one of the many great mini game type things through Final Fantasy VII that made it so fun to play.

4. Streets - Goldeneye 007

So there was that great tank scene from the movie so it better have been in the game right? It was and really turns out to be one of the best parts to the game.

3. Mine Cart - Donkey Kong Country

The game is jsut starting and instead of the normal platforming you get to ride around in your mine cart and wonder how these tracks are still in use. Regardless still one of my favourite levels of the game.

2. Horseback Riding - Uncharted 3

Uncharted is know for its great action sequences and I could have chosen so many from all the games, but went with this one not only for the fun factor, but also for the difficulty one. Riding around just made the frustration that much more fun.

1. Turbo Tunnel - Battletoads

What happens when a really hard game makes a really hard level? Well you get this. Even if you begin to rage the level itself is fun that you just keep trying again and again to get it right.

There you have it this week's list. Do you have a level I may have missed? Let me know one way or another.

You Are Banished From Death

Wednesday already? That's what I thought when I woke up this morning. I was though excited to release this list. I thought of it during my holidays and figured I would do it as the first one back. What list is that you ask? Well I was having an argument the other day on what I would define as an "Immortal" I see it as someone who cannot be killed without some highlander type stuff going on. So then I came up with this list of the best Immortal Characters in Video Games.

5. Ganondorf - Legend of Zelda

Now truthfully I am not 100% sure if he is actually immortal or it is just Ninetendo being lazy. I do though recognize his signifgance to the gaming world so he makes my list, but comes in at number 5.

4. Zasalamel - Soul Calibur

Generally in fighting games there really isn't that interesting of a backstory to characters. Zasalamel on the other hand has one of the deepest stories not only for a fighting game, but also most fantasy games out there.

3. Vincent Valentine - Final Fantasy VII

I am sure many of you saw this coming. You may have thought he would have made it higher up the list though. Vincent has one of the most tragic stories of immortality there is. He was a human experiment who only became so because he ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time trying to do the right thing. On the plus side though has pledged his life to revenge.

2. Alucard - Castlevania

The child of Dracula who fights Dracula. Need I say more? Alucard really is exactly what everyone thinks when they think of gaming and immortals. Well at least anyone that I have been talking too.

1. Talion - Shadow of Mordor

So of all the Characters I have here none of these dies repeatably for you to see again and again. Talion is executed but is banished from death to serve a purpose. Sure you can die but you just keep coming back again and again to fight again.

There you have it this week's list. Sure there are people I missed and I will get ripped into about it, but really it doesn't matter make your own list!

At Last The Promise Has Been Made

So E3 is over and we all are in recovery mode. Like every year after E3 well sit back and realize what we will be able to get our hands on. Some times these things are delayed and sometimes there is pain and anguish of having to wait to get our hands on them. With all of that in mind I thought the perfect plan for this week's list was to say what E3 has got me the most hyped for. So here it is.

5. The Last Guardian

So the game that looks absolutely amazing with all the visuals they had available. The trailer showed us how connected the 2 trailers are, but you just got this feeling that something awful was going to happen to cause some feels at some point in this game.

4. Fallout 4

Well it is Fallout. What more is there to say about this. That is all.

3. Shenmue 3

You have seen me mention numerous times how this series has deserved a third installment. They through it at the fans to see if they were interested and it was an overwhelming success. Maybe I can work as a forklift driver again.

2. Uncharted 4

What can I say the gameplay footage they showed was masterful. I was already beyond pumped to play this game when it was first announced with just a random teaser trailer. Naughty Dog has not disappointed me yet and I don't expect them to.

1. Final Fantasy VII Remake

Was there a doubt? The surprised and the show show stealer at E3. This will be remembered as the E3 when they announced this was finally going to happen. I still really cannot believe this is going to be a thing, but no matter when it happens I cannot wait.

There you have it. Did E3 get you hyped for anything else? Let me know, but please don't expect me to be all excited about some xbox crap.

Ask Gauss

Sunday. Here we are wondering what we are going to do because there is no Game of Thrones on tonight. I know I am still taking in last week as well. We must go on though and with a Sunday comes the time to answer some questions so here we go.

Are you at all scared they will destroy Final Fantasy VII reputation with this remake?

I think they have been scared of this for a long time. Wondering what would happen if they take this project on. There is no question the sales for this game are going to be through the roof. The question is if they are going to anger fans from changing things or peoples memories of what was just isn't going to be the same. It is a fine line really. I think they know what they have got themselves into and will do there best to ensure everything works out as it should and how they want it to.

Have you tried Tavern Brawling?

I actually did the other day. Was a fun feature and certainly will do it probably the once a week to get my reward. I did wonder why the reward was an original pack of cards though and not goblins and gnomes. Did get a legendary even though Mr. Fordring already exists in my set of cards. It's free so I urge anyone who is playing Hearthstone to give it a try after all you do have nothing to lose.

So XBOX has a new controller?

And this matters because?

There you have it questions answered for the week. Hope you all got something out of it! Thanks to everyone who sent something in and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Would They?

So here I am going through the reader posts for this week. When I got this proposition from Peckham. What if they were to change specific story elements from the game for "Shock" value. To surprise even the biggest of fans. Now I am against this as I have stated. I wouldn't be opposed to them adding detail, but changing major part of the story is a no go from me. Especially what Peckham is referring to here.

I’m just suggesting that you consider an alternative scenario, one where this Final Fantasy VII remake becomes more than just a snazzier mimic of its archetype.

What if you could upend one or more of the game’s hallowed story vectors? Entertain a few “what if” scenarios? How much more gripping would the game be if some of its most memorable and hence anticlimactically predictable) moments weren’t carved in stone? Is it asking too much from an assured blockbuster that’ll pay dividends on whatever crazy figure it costs to make?


I’m assuming stuff like the battle engine and item customization (materia) systems are going under the knife, that loot placement’s headed for the lotto ball tumbler, that the original game’s innumerable cutscenes, no longer necessary to fire our imaginations as feats of full-motion derring-do, are due for cutbacks, or at least less jarring placement.

I’m also assuming, given how much we’ve seen in this trailer that we’ve never seen before, that some of the allure’s going to lie in seeing all the crazy world-building chrome the development team’s going to layer in, and that 1997’s creaky video standard would have rendered inscrutable.

But I’m not sure how motivated I am to climb into a gun and roleplay a bullet that, by the time Final Fantasy VII arrives circa its 20th anniversary, someone will have fired decades ago. Put that gun to my head, and I’d probably plead my case for at least one sequence rethink. You know the one I’m talking about.

So my question to Square Enix is this: Is it wrongheaded to request that part of this remake’s raison d’être lie in allowing that one momentous and monstrous inevitability to somehow play differently? Could the game’s most resonant trick be not its obviously stunning visual recast or ostensible gameplay overhaul, but the way you approach, experience, then proceed past one of its most indelible moments?

How angry would you be? When in the remake of a game you have waited for years then changes one of the very things which made it so memorable?

How To Remake The Remake

So I know you have heard, well that is unless you have been living under a rock that is. If that is the case have a watch here for something that has always been wished for, but no one ever believed would actually happen.



Now I am excited for this more than you can possibly imagine. The 3D worlds of the 7,8,9 games never aged particularly as well as the 1-6 games. Not that graphics are the most important thing, but they do help in bringing new people to the franchise and help those who haven't played earlier titles get into them.

When things get down to it though the word "remake" doesn't mean the game has to be exactly the same just with update graphics, sound, and voice acting. It could also mean they could change some of the current aspects of the game to have a more modern approach. Something I think they actually do. You see random battles are no longer fun to me. I want to see the style which started in 12 come to the 7 universe. Meaning you see all enemies you are approaching. This style makes farming and grinding much more fun and also leads to much better visuals overall. I also would like combat to be more challenging. I love the combat in the 13 games in terms of positioning and moving around. Now don't think this means that I would like an "x" button mashing combat. I just want battles to be more interactive where movement occurs and your speed of execution actually matters. I also don't want the game made easier for the modern gamer. It still needs to maintain at minimum the same difficulty across the board.

I want the materia system to stick around, but I am sure they will change some aspects of it in terms of modern gameplay. I am completely ok with this as long as it keeps its core foundations.

Lastly please don't change the story we know and love. I would be find if they went more in depth with certain aspects and characters of the game, but please don't do anything drastic just to surprise the people who have played countless times. It would be in poor taste and really would just upset the very fanbase that has been begging for this remake for years.

Now those are my simple requests. Not that they would be listened to, but as fans of the game I would think they would understand all of these things.

I Will...Never Be A Memory

So with the announcement that we are finally going to get a remake of Final Fantasy VII. I thought this is the perfect opportunity to do a list of my favourite moments from the game. Now this was actually harder than I thought when I put it into practice. Why? Well I started to have a list split with moments I felt great about accomplishing and then story moments which have left me and others in the state of hoping for a remake for years. I decided I would go with the story moments as I think that is something everyone can relate to. So here we go.

5. Cid Finally Going to Space

So when we first encounter Cid he is a bitter man for what he believes was taken away from him. All he ever wanted was to go to space and see the world from there. He lost his chance after he decided to save someone rather than go for his dream. Years later he gets his chance and realizes he made the right choice back when he did, but you cannot help the feels coming when he is looking through the glass into space when he is finally there.

4. Encountering Vincent Valentine

Everyone always gives Cloud and Sephiroth the prize as the most interesting characters in the game. I have to say I find Vincent's backstory jsut as interesting if not more so. This is a guy who gave up everything just to help protect the one he loved and has been punishing himself for years for what he believes are his failures.

3. Sephiroth Burning Nibelheim

The moment that probably has more fan art creations than any other in the history of gaming. There is a reason this moment is looked on as one worth doing so. This is a major point in the story which truly is the reason for the entire rest of the story.

2. Aerith Death

Bet you thought this was going to be number one didn't you? This is a great moment one which is considered one of the greatest moments in gaming reason for what it actually had the guts to do. Sure main characters had been killed off before, but never like this. Truly a sad moment of sad moments and one that I think everyone is looking forward to seeing in the remake.

1. Killing Septhiroth with Omnislash

The true "Last Boss" of the game. Now, of course, this moment is an automatic win, but that doesn't take away from its epicness. You are one on one with the "greatest" swordsmen in the world and you cut him to pieces. Showing you are not only better but that everything you fought for the entire game is over and completed.

There they are my favourite story moments from a game I have played way too many times to count. I am sure you have some of your own some of which might be these. As always let me know one way or another.

I'll Miss You..

So here we are Wednesday only 4 days from Sunday and the Season Premier of Game of Thrones. Now if you don't watch Game of Thrones you should. Even if it doesn't follow the books completely it is still far and away the best show on television. If you don't watch it you will not know that it is know for some of the most shocking deaths anywhere. So when coming up for this week's list I thought I would share what I believe are the most shocking deaths in Video Games. Now this is obvious but spoilers.

5. John Marston - Red Dead Redemption

So John is a criminal that is made obvious by the get go. He is willing to give up the other criminals for his family to have a chance at a better life. After he does what he is told the very man who was supposed to give him his freedom betrays him and he his killed brutally by an onslaught of bullets

4. Joker - Arkham City

So Batman doesn't kill anyone. That really is a Batman thing it doesn't happen, but then this happened. Even if it was by accident it still happened, and I will never stop being shocked that this happened.

3. Lucy - Assassin's Creed Brotherhood

So this is the girl that saved you. Brought you to some other Assassin's and lead you on to the path for better things. Then all of the sudden your body loses control from this other weird being and you stab her. Granted you find out later she was a double agent, but ya that happened.

2. Aerith - Final Fantasy VII

Not sure you could do anything with Video Games and Death and not include this scene. This afterall had all the shock value. Even with the graphics of the day you could see and feel the intensity of the scene and the shock value when our favourite big baddie pulled the sword out of her.

1. Lee Everett

You could probably include the shock value from the moment he got bit. You were left wondering if you messed up and what you were going to do. Then, of course, with Clementine shooting him in the end you are just left with what in the living hell did I just play.

There you have it my choices for the most shocking deaths in video games. Not sure if it is the best tribute to Game of Thrones, but it was an attempt. Do you have any shocking deaths you thought should have been included? As always bitch about it in some way or another.

Whatever I May Be - Whatever I May Become In This World - Know That I Will Always Look Out For You

So here I was getting for what list I was going to do this week. When I was getting flack from all of these people for my list last week. Why aren't such and such part of it? Why not them? Well then when people started naming couples I was thinking were they even really a couple. Then it got me thinking what about those that shit just happened and it never ended how you would have thought it should have. Now just so I am covering myself this is not going to include those who broke it off and never got a chance to get back together. I am looking at you Arthas and Jaina! So with that in mind here are my choices for the couples that never got their chance!

5. Balthier and Ashe - Final Fantasy XII

So some may even argue this was never going to be a thing. Balthier just has other things on his mind like saving the world and being the leading man. I would argue though that the ending when he gives back the ring just makes you think.

4. Raynor and Kerrigan - Starcraft Series

When Wings of Liberty ended you thought this was finally going to happen. She was finally no longer and evil murderous killing machine hellbent on killing everything. Except now she had to get her Zerg ways back to save the world and live Jim hanging. Who knows what we are in store for in Legacy of the Void, but I hoping to some form of ending to this.

3. Cloud and Aerith - Final Fantasy 7

Boys meets girl. Boy saves girl. Boy vows to protect girl. Girl runs off and tries to save the world. Crazy guy with giant sword kills girl in front of boy and all his friends. In one of the saddest moments in gaming history if you know the backstory you can actually feel the characters pain followed by the burial and just wow sucks to be Cloud. 

2. Ezio and Christina - Assassin's Creed

Now if the death of Aerith was sad I am not sure there is a word for Christina's. Ezio has to leave her behind after his family is killed to protect her. He later ensures she can have a husband that is worthy of her. He comes back when all the fighting he needed to was done only to have her die in his arms. Ya it still hurts.

1. Illidan and Tyrande - Warcraft Series

Now I am sure we can all agree that Cloud and Ezio got the short end of the stick. At least they could have had some form of peace finding others for themselves. Illidan saved the world twice, along with Tyrande's life, only to be imprisoned for 10,000 years, banished, exiled, and not to mention, she ended up choosing his twin brother over him. All he has for his efforts is a memento of her which he magically imbues so that it never fades. This is not only tragic, but awful in every possible way you can think. Poor guy, always doing the right thing, the wrong way.

There it is. So is there any complaints for this week's list? I am sure there will be so go ahead and let me know what they are!