The typical formula for a great game is to fill it with as much great content, visuals, and story as possible in order to create an experience that blows us away with its amazing sensory overload.  Limbo is a game that does just the opposite, proving that sometimes less really is more.  Without any text or dialogue, and only a handful of characters along the way, Limbo manages to create an atmosphere that is incredibly visually and audibly powerful.  It’s striking art style, haunting scenes, and brilliant puzzle gameplay makes it one of the most unique and captivating games of 2010.

In Limbo, you control a nameless young boy who awakens in a mysterious forest.  You set off into this strange land, only to discover it to be filled with deadly traps and creatures.  Limbo can be best described as a puzzle game.  As you proceed through the game, you will encounter various enemies and devices that can instantly kill you, often in brutal and shocking ways.  You will often find yourself being slaughtered by the same puzzle several times in a row before finding the solution.  Fortunately, this “trial and death” gameplay is rarely frustrating, as the game is liberally sprinkled with checkpoints, and you won’t have to stare at long loading screens each time you’re decapitated by an unexpected bear trap or saw blade.  The puzzles of Limbo are constantly shifting, using various elements introduced throughout the game in different combinations, meaning that you’ll need to be creative in order to survive increasingly nefarious situations.  Limbo isn’t a long game; most players will be able to complete it in 5 hours or so.  However, its short length is more than made up for by its amazing gameplay and presentation.

The addicting puzzle gameplay of Limbo is supplemented by a unique art style, featuring grainy black-and-white graphics reminiscent of film noir.  The striking landscapes are both dreary and beautiful.  Supplementing the excellent graphics is the powerful use of both sound and silence.  Limbo rarely features actual music, but the silence is punctuated by subtle ambient sound effects, such as the rustling of leaves in the wind, the soft footsteps of your characters feet in the grass, and the occasional drips of water.  The tastefully minimalistic style of Limbo creates a world that immediately draws in the player with its blend of mystery, wonder, and horror.  The bare minimum of context given in Limbo means that the player is given a large amount of freedom to muse about the various details of the story, characters, and locations, almost as if interpreting poetry or abstract artwork.  The few encounters with people along the way are often short and rarely provide explanation for their motivations, enhancing on the sense of mystery.  The final scene of the game is one the most astonishing in video game history, and leaves you with a sense of awe.  Limbo’s ambiance and atmosphere will draw the player in to the game world in a way that few games can.

Limbo is not just a video game; it’s a work of art.  It’s amazing gameplay and unique experience makes it one of a kind and a must play for anyone.

]]> http://genericgrasslands.mariopartylegacy.com/2012/02/16/limbo-review/feed/ 0 http://genericgrasslands.mariopartylegacy.com/2012/02/15/top-5-super-mario-sunshine-worlds/ http://genericgrasslands.mariopartylegacy.com/2012/02/15/top-5-super-mario-sunshine-worlds/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 23:26:38 +0000 Michael Koczwara http://genericgrasslands.com/?p=1365   [ Read More ]]]>

One might argue that the worlds of Super Mario Sunshine are one in the same and while there is merit to that argument, the worlds include a variety of different ideas that creatively mesh into some really unique worlds. Tucked away in the hub world of Isle Delfino are nine different locales that Mario can traverse to. While each world has unique properties special only to that world, five worlds stand among them all as the best in the game.

5. Gelato Beach

Super Mario Sunshine dealt with a heavy island and beach theme, and that is no secret at Gelato Beach. With all the exotic and hectic locations that Isle Delfino offers, Gelato Beach is that one spot of peace that exits on the island. Our favorite Cataquacks make their first appearance, and the beautiful outlook onto the ocean atop the hill also makes for an enjoyable experience. The story of the egg over the episodes worked well, as did the Secret of the Sand Bird level.

4. Noki Bay

This one screams Mario platformer. Off the side of a secret cliff resides the world of Noki Bay. Giant shells are suspended over spiraling needles that can only be accessed through timed jumps and patience. Ancient tunnels run through the cliffside, with secret pathways hidden within the walls. An underwater chamber is home to a giant eel, and a secret cave holds a well deserved Shine Sprite.

3. Pianta Village

Tired of all the sunshine? Pianta Village is active at night, and this is precisely when Mario is called to do his job. The episodes here are great, and offer some of the more challenging levels in the game. Cleaning the village of all its goop and calming the enraged Chain Chomps is one of the more rewarding Shine Sprites in the game. Add in some more scavenger hunts and cleaning missions and you have yourself a great and interesting world.

2. Sirena Beach

Every vacation island has a fancy hotel and Isle Delfino is no exception. The pristine and relaxing environment was enough to make this world place a spot so high on the list, but the interior of the hotel is where the real action can be found. Hotel Delfino is haunted and plagued by ghosts, making for plenty of diverse levels and interesting quests. An underground casino and a roulette based boss fight with King Boo is icing on the cake.

1. Delfino Plaza

What better world than the hub itself? Delfino Plaza brought life to the game, something Peach’s Castle from Super Mario 64 lacked. The town is full of bright colors and vibrant characters that populate the square and surrounding buildings, adding some responsibility to your troubles, as well as giving a sense of accomplishment to your work. Some major story elements happen in the plaza, as well as some interesting Star Sprites. Delfino Plaza is the best world and highlight of Super Mario Sunshine.

Banjo Tooie took everything we knew and loved about the original Banjo Kazooie and expanded it to include new moves, new items, and many new additions. Eggs, one of the basic functions from the first game, received a major upgrade in the way that they are used, and more importantly, a new variation of different types of eggs.

Blue Eggs

The original eggs from Banjo Kazooie return in their usual fashion. These eggs are used to hurt enemies, but they don’t have any special properties. Now these eggs, along with all the other eggs, can now be used while flying for airborne battles. Kazooie can shoot three at a time.

Fire Eggs

The first set of new eggs are the Fire Eggs. As the name suggests, these eggs are used to ignite the target. This causes the enemies to flee as they are set ablaze. Fire Eggs can be used to melt ice as well as light up dark areas. Fire Eggs can first be found at the entrance of Glitter Gulch Mine and Kazooie can only shoot two of these eggs at a time

Grenade Eggs

Grenade Eggs are the most powerful eggs in the game, allowing Kazooie to shoot one at a time. The explosive blast from the eggs deal more damage than any item in the game. Aside from fighting enemies, these eggs can also break through rocks and breakable walls. You can find the Grenade Eggs for the first time near the entrance to Witchyworld.

Ice Eggs

If you got Fire Eggs, you might as well get Ice Eggs. These eggs are the least powerful eggs in the game. Instead of dealing damage, Ice Eggs will freeze enemies and allow the player some time to make the next move. Freezing different objects and fighting fire based enemies can also be done with the eggs. Kazooie can only shoot two at a time and they can be found for the first time in the Cliff Top region of Isle o’ Hags.

Clockwork Kazooie Eggs

The most radical egg of them all. Instead of firing these at enemies in anticipation of some kind of new effect, the Clockwork Kazooie Egg hatches a tiny robot Kazooie that can be maneuvered and detonated. The little robot has 20 seconds to fit through small holes and passageways and can detonate at any time. Kazooie can only use one at a time and the egg can be found before the entrance of Terrydactyland.

Multiplayer Eggs

The new eggs were not exclusive to the single player portion of the game. The multiplayer has two different eggs in addition to the previous five.

Golden Eggs

These eggs have the same effect as the normal blue eggs, but activating the Golden Eggs will grant you 20 seconds with unlimited fire power of these eggs!

Proximity Eggs

Plant these eggs on floors and walls and wait for your opponent to pass over them. Getting to close to one of these will result in an explosion.

Annoying. Useless. Completely unnecessary. These are the words many fans are using to describe one of the characters showcased in the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Like Navi from Ocarina of Time, Fi is Link’s companion and guide throughout the game, giving Link tips, hints, and plenty of analysis throughout the different scenarios they encounter. A common complaint is thrown at these guides, mainly for the fact that they ironically create more frustration than any kind of help. Fi is no exception. While Fi is able to blatantly state the obvious time after time, she is one of the most emotion provoking characters in the entire game.

Read the Article here!

SPOILERS for Skyward Sword ahead! 

Annoying. Useless. Completely unnecessary. These are the words many fans are using to describe one of the characters showcased in the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Like Navi from Ocarina of Time, Fi is Link’s companion and guide throughout the game, giving Link tips, hints, and plenty of analysis throughout the different scenarios they encounter. A common complaint is thrown at these guides, mainly for the fact that they ironically create more frustration than any kind of help. Fi is no exception. While Fi is able to blatantly state the obvious time after time, she is one of the most emotion provoking characters in the entire game.

Fi was created for a single purpose, to guide the servant of the goddess to destiny. She appeared showing no emotions or thought, just going straight to business. All she ever did was state the facts and give some predictions on much of the obvious. By the end of the game, players were fed up with the stone faced character that could have easily been taken out of the story. With all this in mind, how did Fi become such an important character?

It was all in the ending. Fi never showed emotion. She never forgot her purpose in which she was designed. She never addressed Link without the complimentary “Master” title. But in the end, after all is done and saved, Fi breaks her mold to utter these last words, “Thank you, Link. May we meet again in another life…”.

At this moment, it all began to make sense. Her personality, her purpose, it was all coming together. Any Zelda fan knows how important the Master Sword is and how vital it was in the development of other Zelda tales. The realization that Fi was at our side in Link’s past adventures was mind numbing and shocking.

Fi, or the Master Sword, did not have any kind of personality and this perfectly reflects her appearances as the Master Sword in games like Ocarina of Time and the Wind Waker. She was nonexistent. Had it not been for Skyward Sword, the legend of Fi would have never been known. Her portrayal in Skyward Sword is the same as in other games; emotionless, unimpassioned, and again, nonexistent.

Fi is the spirit of the Master Sword. She was made for that role and it was executed just as should. We weren’t treated to some feisty and intriguing character like Midna, and instead we got someone true to their role. Overlooking the blatant statements she advises every couple of minutes, Fi is an incredibly memorable character that not only shaped the story of Skyward Sword, but also changed the way many view the other entries in the Zelda series.

http://genericgrasslands.com/?p=1279   [ Read More ]]]>

After a few months of near silence, Generic Grasslands is back and ready to start up again, this time with a fully registered domain name. Generic Grasslands is no longer a subdomain of Mario Party Legacy and is now a standalone site. We are starting right back up this week and we hope you enjoy what we have planned! Thank you everyone for helping us achieve our goal of 5,000 unique visitors on the site!

Generic Grasslands is at it again. We are looking to expand our current staff to help bring content to the site as well as get some fresh and new perspectives into our content.

My ultimate, personal goal here at Generic Grasslands is to practice my writing, researching, editing and a variety of other useful skills that will help me further my desire of becoming a journalist, more specifically a video game journalist. Having half a year to work on the site by primarily myself, I know it’s time to expand the staff.

I am looking for young, aspiring journalists who wish to someday make it big in the industry. We are by no means a big site and I believe this is a great starting point for anyone interested in entering the field. I would like to make the new staff a close one, working individually but also being active member of the community and working very closely with the rest of the staff. Communication between the staff will be a key factor in our success.

I don’t have anything in mind in terms of numbers and positions. All I ask is that you send me an email letting me know that you are interested. If you have a link or copy of any previous work you have done, please show it in the email. This is by no means a requirement and don’t discouraged to send me an email if you have no previous experience.

sz$genericgrasslands.com

(You’re going to have to take the the “$” and replace it with a “@”. Spammers are all over the place)

Mario Party Legacy, our host site, is also looking into expanding their staff.

With just a few mere days before the release of Skyward Sword, lets take a look at the endings for argueably the two greatest Zelda games to date. In the video, watch as the final boss and ending for both Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask are shown clip by clip, and take note of both the similarities and differences. Which ending or boss fight did you like better? Which ending or boss fight had much more of a meaning or impact on you? Sound off in our comments below!

With less than six days left before the release of Skyward Sword in North America, the hype level for the latest installment of the iconic Zelda series is at its highest and is expected to rise as the release date draws nearer. As we count down the remaining days and hours, let’s see what to look forward to most in Skyward Sword.

The Graphics

Twilight Princess shocked the gaming world when it was shown at E3 2004. The graphical style the game took on was a much more mature and realistic one, but when the game released on Wii in 2006, it left something to be desired when compared to the graphical power of the other consoles. For Skyward Sword, Nintendo choose to pick a graphical style that would fit the systems requirements and take advantage of its limitations. Taking on the impression of a painting, the game will take the series, and video games in general, to new visuals that haven’t seen before.

The Dungeons

Zelda is known for it’s dungeons. While Skyward Sword is beginning to break away for their tried and tired formula, dungeons will still take a major role in the game. This time around dungeons seem to have taken a more unique and different direction. Gone are the generic, standard dungeons featured in each game (forest, fire, then water), and in their places are more unique and varied dungeons, making for a much more streamlined experience. Some of the most interesting dungeons come in the form of the environment changing mining dungeon and the serene water themed dungeon known as the Ancient Cistern.

The Items

Not only will Skyward Sword feature a slew of new and older remastered items, it will also adopt an upgrading system. Throughout the Skyward Sword universe, you’ll be able to collect gems, spoils, and bugs, all for upgrading your various items and gear. Almost all items are upgradable and even gear like your shield and potions can be upgraded. The items themselves are looking better than ever. With Motion Plus enhancing older items and new items like the Beetle making their first appearance, Skyward Sword is in for the greatest lineup of items in a Zelda game.

The Characters/Story

Fans of Majora’s Mask were in love with the breathing, living town of Clock Town. The city of Skyloft is being set up the same way, with plenty of emotions and side quests tucked into each of the characters in the floating town. Main characters like Zelda and Link are also getting a personality check. With both characters interacting with newer characters like Ghirahim and Gaebora, the interactions between the characters may be some of the best the series has ever seen. With that comes a great story, and with the origin of the Master Sword taking a major focus of the plot, Skyword Sword just might be the greatest Zelda tale ever told.

The Experience

The experience of playing a Zelda game may just be the most exciting aspect of the game. Anyone who has ever played a Zelda game, knows what this means, and with Skyward Sword shaping up to be one the greatest Zelda games, this is one game you cannot pass on getting hyped up about. The combination of graphics, dungeons, items, story, and everything else that makes a Zelda game is enough to get any fanboy foaming at the mouth and any newcomer interested at first glance. Skyward Sword us less than a week away and is shaping up to be the best game in the series.

Super Mario 64 brought a plethora of new elements to the platforming genre. Contained inside this little adventure were the slide stars, levels where Mario would slide down a dangerous yet exciting slides where stars awaited at the bottom. Here are all three slides featured in the game.