I've been reading the graphic novel Watchmen for the very first time and so far I'm impressed with it. I'm at chapter six right now and I'm really into the story. I enjoyed Rorschach's origin story as it reflects perfectly how the books tone has been. Dark with a possibility bleak outcome. Its amazing how ahead of its time this book is, so it's no wonder they made it into a movie.

To be honest I did cheat a little as I went and saw the film before I read the book. I had wanted to see it first so I would be surprised by what was going on. I like that. I don't want to know the ending before I see a movie or read a book. I can see why certain parts were cut from the film as it would have been even longer that it already was.

Funny thing about me seeing Watchmen. I had to give it two attempts. Two weeks ago I went with some friends to finally go and see it. We were totally hyped about it and we were all really getting into the story. It got to the part where Dr. Manhattan's origin was being told when suddenly the power went out. A huge thunderstorm had come and knocked down a power line somewhere and we were given a rain check. So last week we tried it again. Saw it the whole way through. I was impressed with the overall story as it can be related to the situation we are in now. Not to the extremes of course, but the threat of war and the poor quality of life people have is very real. The effects and costuming were awesome, the movie as a whole looked spectacular. I'm going to have to get it when it comes out on DVD.

Anyway back to the book. So yeah I know how it ends but getting there is more fun than the movie. There is a lot of detail and content here and its great to see some of the side stories get more development. I like how they have smaller stories within the story and the maturity of it always keeps me on my toes. The only other graphic novels I have that deal with dark tones and issues are done by Jhonen Vasquez. The big difference is that Vasquez deals with dark humor while Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons are talking about issues such as war, nuclear destruction, and the human condition. Its differences from its own medium are what makes it stand out and the quality of the story and art make it have staying power.

The true test of it being a good book? I can't put it down. Every book that I really enjoyed I found that I didn't want to do anything else but read. It's that way when I read The Hobbit and several other of my favorite books. So all signs are good.

I think I'll go back to the book now. If you have never read Watchmen I suggest you go and pick up a copy. With the movie out there are plenty to be had and it is worth the read. If you have read Watchmen, why not read it again? You may have missed something in the background. I almost did a few times but caught it just as I was about to flip the page.

The Comedian is Dead.

To dream is to follow your heart. To follow your heart is to go on with pride. To play with the world allows us to sleep with dignity. To be able to love is the highest gift of all.

To remember where you came from will help you not to lose where you are going.

Outlaw88's Top 10 RPG's for the SNES

There have been a lot of great games made for the SNES and some notable RPG's were released for this system. I've decided to list my all time favorite RPG's and explain a little bit about them as well as my reasons for having them high or low on the list. Keep in mind that I am going over the ones I've actually played so if you think there is something that deserves to be on this list feel free to recommend games to me. I'm always willing to give a game a try.

Before we get underway there are two games I need to mention. The first is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. This is one of my favorite games in the Zelda series and one of the best games to come out for the SNES. The Zelda series is considered to be a milestone for the RPG genre and is still going strong today. However I feel that this game is more in league with the action/adventure/puzzle genre than it is an RPG. I also went to the Wikipedia entry for it and it lists it as that as well. For that reason I have excluded it from my list. If it was a part of it I would have ranked it very high on the list so any fans of the Zelda series shouldn't worry.
The second game I need to talk about is more of an honorable mention. Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest. This is considered the black sheep of the Final Fantasy series as it is a very basic RPG. It was designed with the intention to introduce new gamers to the RPG genre and was made simple and easy to play. This is also its downfall as everything about the game was mediocre. The music, storyline, characters and puzzles were all very basic without too much innovation. There were a few nice things about this game such as how some of the weapons and magic looked and worked but other than that not too much was going for it. It's playable and can be a fun game if you are in the mood for it so that's why I feel it at least deserves to be mentioned.

#10 Final Fantasy IV
Originally released here in America as Final Fantasy II this game was a major upgrade to what we had seen in the first game. Everything was bigger and better; the characters, the map, the game play, literally everything was improved. For the first time we were introduced to what Final Fantasy was evolving into. I've ranked this one pretty low because it has one fatal flaw: This is one of the hardest RPG's I've ever played. It gets so frustratingly hard at times I can't help but throw the controller when I get killed. This game was recently ported to the DS with tons of improvements but is still a tough game to play. I don't mind a challenge but when I get regularly destroyed during the random encounters and not get enough experience points to make it worth it, I tend to get annoyed.

#9 Lufia & the Fortress of Doom
This is your standard fantasy story. Hero sets out on a quest to save the world from a supernatural threat. What makes this interesting is that the storyline is well done. It has your party going through steps a similar team did years before to defeat the same threat. This game does have its problems as there it's a very straightforward type of game with little to do other than the quest. Also the battle system can get annoying as it's slow at times and if you have everyone target the same enemy and the first person kills it, everyone else will still swing where that monster was and not automatically target something else. This forces you to pay attention to every random battle that occurs which can get old fast.

#8 Breath of Fire
A game that lets you play as a dragon in the form of a man, this game introduces us to a great series. The cast of characters are memorable, the storyline is engaging and the game play is good. You main character Ryu (man Capcom loves that name huh?) sets out on a quest to avenge his clan as well as restore peace to the land. There are a few twists and turns along the way and the world in which you are exploring is full of life and colorful characters. A drawback to this game is that much like Lufia, the idea of side quests is almost non-existent. There are a few spells and items to look for which is enough to boost it over that game. The only other negative I can think of is that the characters moved too slowly when walking around the map and dungeons.

#7 Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals
Talk about an improvement. It shows how much went into this game as a lot of its features were upgraded. What makes this stand out though is that it is one of the first prequels I was introduced to. This game takes place before the first Lufia title and delves deeper into what the hero Maxim did on his quest to defeat the Sinistrals. Thankfully the battle system got an overhaul so it plays much better than the first game. The graphics are much better this time around and there are side quests to keep you occupied. However the North American release had several bugs which were later fixed in the European version. Despite it being a slightly flawed game it still far surpasses the original.
#6 Breath of Fire II
It's not often the sequels are better than the original but such is not the case with these last two games. BOF II greatly expands what was done in the original and greatly adds to the series. What's unique about it is that rather than continue with the story of the first, you play as descendents on an adventure several decades and generations later; a theme that would continue on in the later games. This game also features one of the most bold and gutsy plot twists I've ever played through as religion, a topic most games avoid, is taken to task. The characters featured in this game are memorable and fun and there are plenty of side quests and secrets to find. This game can be frustrating as some of the puzzles are tricky but overall this game is just awesome. Both BOF games were re-released on the GBA with some improvements and are worth looking for. However only BOF II is currently on the Wii Virtual Consol.

#5 Earthbound
This is a game that many people missed upon its initial debut. Originally titled Mother 2, Earthbound is radically different than all the games on this list. For one thing it does not take place in a fantasy land with warriors using swords and spells. This game takes place in a modern setting with kids using things like baseball bats and yo-yo's as weapons and psychic abilities in place of magic. The story also has aliens as the primary threat, and having their influence take control over things in the world such as taxis, and new wave hippies. What really makes this game stand out through is the humor involved. The game never takes itself too seriously and pokes fun at all the cliché things featured in RPG's at the time. The games main character Ness was featured in the Super Smash Brothers games which made me want to find out who this character was. It took me a while to get a copy of this game but I was glad I did as I was entertained from start to finish. The game can be challenging at times and the limited space for items can make things tough but overall this game is worth playing.

#4 Secret of Mana
This game is notable for several reasons. The first is that unlike all the other games on this list, Secret of Mana does not use a turn based battle system. It allows you to freely control your characters as you can swing the many weapons you can master as well as cast spells on the fly. The music and graphics are also a standout as the game is just a stunning work of art. The story is well thought out and with lots of places to explore this game will take a long time to get through. I guess that's why there really aren't any side quests to do, but with a wide variety of weapons and spells to level up there will be no shortage of replay. This game is available on the Wii Virtual Consol.

#3 Final Fantasy VI
Labeled as Final Fantasy III when it came to America this game took us by storm. With a huge cast of characters each with unique abilities as well as a compelling story this game is still considered to be one of the best Final Fantasies ever made. The game has many twists and turns as well as side quests to keep you coming back for more and the music keeps the game fresh. The sprites were designed well and so are the areas you can explore. The cast of characters themselves are what really draws us in as the main villain Kefka goes down as one of the evilest and craziest bosses. Other characters such as Terra, Locke, Mog, Shadow and the rest offer plenty to the game. Plus how many other games can you think of that actually had an Opera segment and made it enjoyable?

#2 Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
This game is like combining chocolate and peanut butter. You wouldn't think they go together until you try it. Super Mario RPG is a fond part of my gaming past as it had elements I liked from the two genres. Mario in all his jumping glory done in a very colorful and eye pleasing art style goes on a quest to stop the Smithy Gang and restore the Star Road. Not only are new characters such as Geno and Mallow introduced, we finally get a chance to have Peach and Bowser as playable characters. The music and design of the game truly make it part of the Mario series and the elements SquareEnix brought to the table really make this game stand out among the rest. This game is still considered to be one of the best SNES games of all time. Stuffed full of mini games and secrets this game has hours and hour's worth of entertainment. It was recently added to the Wii Virtual Consol.

#1 Chrono Trigger
This game tackles that all too familiar question of how things would turn out if you went back in time to correct things. The game follows the path of Crono and his friends as they go to different time periods trying to save the world from a bleak future caused by a parasitic creature known as Lavos. There are lots of things that make this game stand out besides its compelling story. The different attacks and spells you can learn along the way are fun and you can combine abilities to have double and even triple team moves. Every choice you make counts in one form or another and can greatly change the outcome of the game. Not only that but the concept of a "New Game +" allowed you to go back and try it again with all your levels and gear from the first game. You'll need it as you can finish the game at certain points to get alternate endings. The music in this game also makes this an instant classic as each of your party members has a unique theme. Those who have played it are hard pressed to forget the battle theme of Magus or the upbeat tune Ayla is featured with. The only negative I worth mentioning is that it's a little on the easy side. Other than a few nit-picks here and there this game totally rocks! This game was recently re-released on the Nintendo DS and has some new features such as some new dungeons to explore as well as an arena to train and battle monsters. It also has the video cut scenes that were featured on the Playstation release.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this list. I plan on eventually doing full scale reviews for some of these titles by going deeper into the stories and game play elements. Like I said earlier if there is something missing please let me know.

This is Outlaw88.
Life is unfair. Carry a 1up.

.
/* */

.
/* */
This game rocks!

I've been part of a Mega Man team since 2004. For those of you who don't know, there has been several teams of people who use the characters from the Mega Man games and do things as a team, such as write stories called epilogues, create art, role-play and much more. The stories are called epilogues because everything the teams do usually takes place after the events in the game they are in.

One of the most famous and arguably best team is The Mechanical Maniacs. You can check them out here.

Anyway since Mega Man 9 is going to come out soon, I figured I may as well talk about the team I'm on which is is the Mega man X2 team called the Code: Island Attackers. The group has its start here on Newgrounds as it was in the Mega Man Crew that I met Rebel4000. He is the one who put the team together and maintains the site. We've had some changes to our team lineup a few times as well as switching to a couple new sites, but right now it has looked better than it ever has and our team is the best it's been in a long time.

I am Wheel Gator on the team. I really can't draw or anything so I have mainly done epilogues. I lend my opinions to the storylines for us. I also maintain a Live Journal which is done in character. You can have a look at that here.

We have a great cast of characters and interesting villians to deal with. We have three series so far with a fourth to start very soon. Our main strength is the epilogues as we've got some very talented writers on our team. We have a bit of art too and a few other things, but overall our bread and butter is the written work.

One thing I've always wanted to see is a flash based on our of our epilogues. That would be awesome! The cool thing about that is whoever did it would have a script already there to work from. It might be hard to make a sprite movie since the original sprites aren't as animated as much as we make our characters. Still it would be cool to see it.

I'd be happy if you guys would give our site a look. There is plenty of content to go through, and our main focus has always been comedy. So if you need a laugh chack us out. Go C:IA!

I was looking over my list of favorite flash submissions when I noticed something strange. I didn't review a lot of them yet have them in my list anyway. I found this to be on the hypocritical side so I'm going back and reviewing everything that I didn't on that list.

I don't know why I didn't review those movies when I saw them.. Probably laziness. That and for a while everyone kept marking my reviews as useless which really deters me from reviewing. I take the time to give the author some feedback and get heckled by people. I really don't care about that anymore, but when I first signed up on NG it did bother me.

That may be why at level 42 I don't have as many reviews as someone else with the same level might have. I'm working on it though, I am glad to be part of NG so I am willing to do my part and participate in what goes on.

I don't like poetry.

Figuring out what words go where.

Straining to find a purpose or method

all while resisting the urge to be cliché

I don't like poetry

Difficult is what I find it to be. A pain in the rear.

Attempting to understand what others write is also a test

especially when they have no idea what they are talking about

I don't like poetry.

It's not that I don't like the idea of it really

I can grasp the art and skill it takes.

But really it boils down to it being boring.

I don't like poetry.

.
/* */

I had a very vivid dream the other night, which is normal for me, but this was the first one that I could actually analyze and get a message out of it. And what I got was something kind of depressing.

It starts out with me in ragged clothes walking down a busy freeway. I have my thumb out but no one will give me a ride. I remember that it was hot and I looked terrible. As I kept walking I came to a curve in the road. I followed it and came to where I grew up in Florida. I had just walked to my street and my best friend and his brother are outside my house. Except they are how I remember them when we were children. I go into my garage and see my Dad, and even he's how I remembered him when I was a kid. Myself however had not changed. I was my current self still in ragged clothes and looking worse for wear. I woke up around this point.

What did I get from this? It seems to me like it was saying that the road of life is one that I can never get a free ride from, no matter how desperate I may be. It also feels as though I want to walk backwards into my childhood where there were simpler and happier times. A part of me that clings to the past and fears the future.

I'll admit that I've had some rough times here and there, but I am not going to give up anytime soon. And it is just a dream, but it does have some truth to it. I have thought of my childhood more than once, and I have often wondered what the future might hold for me, and how uncertain everything is.

Have any of you ever had dreams that you could analyze? Any that made you think on what they meant?

And Just for the hell of it, one of my favorite NOFX songs:

.
/* */

I'm going on a road trip to Washington DC with a friend, and am leaving today. I've never been there so I'm looking forward to going to all the monuments and museums that are there. We are staying at my friends grandmothers house which is very awesome of her. That will help us big time in saving a little bit since the car situation is going to hurt our wallets the most.

Even though we both have cars we decided to rent one. This is mainly due to the fact that our cars are due for some work and we don't entirely trust them with this long trip from Gerorgia to DC and back. And also because I'm under the age of 25, I have to pay an additional fee. So the car rental is going to come out to almost $400 since we are staying for a week. Good thing my friend is 25 or it would have been far far worse. If we didn't need a car to drive to places in DC we probably would have flown. Oh well..

I know for a fact that we are going to a spy museum. When I heard about that I was like hell yeah! All we need now is a pirate and ninja museum. Then have them all come out fight.

I know I'm going to have a lot of fun on this trip, lets just hope its a safe one.

*Update*
I'm using my friends grandmothers computer.. Dial up sucks.. But anyway I'm having a great time. It started off good too as teh car rental guy put my birthday a year early so that I didn't have to pay the extra 25 a day! So very awesome!!!! Going to the air and space museum today, as well as some monuments. WOOOOOO!

I couldn't get this damn song out of my head. I used to watch this show a lot, and I still find it funny.

.
/* */