Small Worlds

There was a contest or something to make a game based on casual gameplay and a keyword or something to which there was zero digging little bother with beyond the fact to recognize it exists, you want something serious go read a "serious" blog, but what is found is a beautiful game. Explore is taken to such a level with Small Worlds that I hope they won. If they didn't, who cares this game was freaking awesome!

If you like beauty in your time consuming adventures, if you like simplicity in complexity, if you just like something not to hard but still lots of fun and not to much of a time killer than Small Worlds is very much for you.

Controls are simple, use the arrow keys. Up is jump, left is left and right is right. Gravity is down, you'll figure that one out very quickly.

Explore Small Worlds and make sure to play a second time just so you can re-witness the pure beauty of it.

Small Worlds

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Rules to Z Sci-Fi

Alright folks, here it is that time again to know your rules and how to survive when shit hits the fan and there are very specific set of places. For here, we talk the very generalized group one might know as "Grade Z Science Fiction" which is mostly made-for-tv type of movies on the new SyFy channel or those shows that are only called "Movie" on the TV Guide.

So let us begin then, shall we?

Would You Like To Know More?

Phantasy Star Online (PSO)

Sorta kinda an MMO but not really, Phantasy Star Online (PSO from here on out) is technically only "multilayer". There is a lobby section where characters/players may interact but the game itself is only 1-4 players.

Solve Unamusement finds this game a bit difficult to classify, though it is mostly Sci-Fi and Fantasy mixed. Dragons, wizards, giant mole... things but there are lasers, "credits/messta" and space ships! The game is a spin off, one would suppose, of the original Phantasy Star for the original Sega Systems. Mostly for the Genesis, however (Where Phantasy Star mostly got its popularity). Seems they were redone for the GBA, as well, if one wishes to check those out.

But back to the game at hand. Released on multiple consoles, the Sega Saturn at first as two different games (A version 1 and a version 2), and later on the Gamecube and Xbox.

Personally, this blogger/gamer started with the Xbox version and until recently didn't even know there was a PC version of the game.

PSO: Blue Burst (PSO:BB from here on) is a direct Xbox port with the addition of an adidtional episode and can be obtained for free with acess to a free, and very dedicated, server. That server and download will be provided a little further down the list. However before that is listed a few things must be let known. The game's install is slightly faulty and requires anyone who can't "fix their own problems" either have a guiding hand (Sorry, no help from Solve Unamusement) learn by trial and error or not play.

The main problem for a majority of installs is that the icon which is created both on the desktop as well in the startmenu does not have the correct target rout. This can be fixed by selecting the icon, right clicking then going to properties. There the "target box" can be found and if install was done with all default settings...

"C:\Program Files\Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst\online.exe"

That may be pasted in the box and everything should work.

• PSO:BB Server Site - SCTHACK
• SCTHACK's PSO:BB Download page
• SCTHACK Forum - Solve Unamusement writter is not a forum goer
• PSO:BB Free Server Drop List

That being that, the game is brilliantly fun (if not having a bit of a learning curve). Unlike other online games, PSO doesn't require a heavy commitment either. Simply need to play the game once every 90 days to keep your characters active on the server.

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TARBOY (Animated Film)

A not an aniBOOM film, this is done by someone independent of that. Originally found on newgrounds after a random bout of amusement search which was loosely suggested.

TARBOY - Original Film


The most amusing part, in personal opinion, is how one suggestion which is only mildly amusing can lead to something like this. It's well done be it drawn by hand or not (It's a flash animation for those who could not tell.) and has an interesting story. Bet that if there is a two Solve Unamusement will find it, maybe.

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Robots Are Assholes

Found, rather literally, just a few moments ago this blog was a brilliant read. Normally blogs don't get specific posts as blogging about someone else's blog seems rather stupid but this was hilarious.

The title of the blog says it all, right there. Robots Are Assholes takes the thing so many of us should hate and makes a point as to why.

While some of the obvious evils are missing

• The Matrix
• I Robot
• Tron
• Traffic Cameras
• Google

The blog was just so funny and informative. If anyone thinks that robots are not assholes then they should read this blog extra closely and then look at their toaster and wonder what evil thoughts of world domination it might hold. That's if anyone this day and age still has a toaster.

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Replay (Short Film)

A short aniBOOm film, that was just amazing. It's French, I believe, but the visuals of the animation and the story are just wonderful. I believe the set up is Chernobyl or something post apocalyptic where the air isn't good to breath, etc. Last few people on the planet and other things of that nature.

Replay - aniBOOM French Film


Yes the story is very simple and the "film" shorter then one might think a short film might be. It was an amusing little film, even if in French, and thought it deserved to be shared to those of Solve Unamusement.

Don't forget to check out other aniBOOM stuff on their main channel or others on Solve Unamusement.

On another only slightly related note, if a "Keyword-Tag" is used on one post and not another and you, as a reader, feel that they should I would like to hear. Not always do I remember or bother with them.

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Experiment No. 6

Here is something absolutely odd that I fell in love with the very second it was heard. Not sure why this "song" is so high on the personal amusement list or even why it would be amusing to anyone, but it is. Lemon Jelly's Experiment No.6 is in the list of "odd techno" that I've recently been enjoying.

Basically the song is light techno that tells the story of an experiment which can be assumed is being done on some form of living creature or even a human. Actually, the song is more like the actual audio from a recorder then set with music. This song reminds me of some of the very old science fiction and horror movies that were done back in the seventies around government experiments to create super soldiers.

While the end of the song has the "experiment" being exterminated due to apparent doctor error, the whole process that is brought forth is just astounding. It really does feel like you are sitting there watching a mad doctor making his notes to the almost creepy music.

Lemon Jelly - Experiment No. 6


One really does hope that was amusing for othes as it was for myself. The song can't help but remind you of itself on other occasions. It's horrible, almost, how this song gets into your brain while not being one of those that actually "gets stuck".

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Small BIG GAMEs (NetHack, Transcendence, Anacreon)

This post was originally only going to contain one game until yesterday at about 3:00 AM. At that time I finally played a couple of games that were suggested by a reader, Lur. Both are good in their own rights but out of the two, I am of his opinion. Each of these games are great for some quick and (optionally) time consuming fun. Let us start with the game this post was originally intended, NetHack.

NetHack

A fantasy game old school dungeon crawler just begging to be explored.

This a game that is asking you to have fun at not "being good". This I happy to say is a good thing. I am sure NetHack gets a lot of noise and conflict from "haters" for some of its ways but roguelikes are generally supposed to play as NetHack does. One of my personal favorite parts about NetHack is how I've yet to go very far or even accomplish more then die within the game and yet still have managed to find, learn, discover and do "new things" within each play.

While it is almost impossible to proceed in the game without "cheating", at least from what I have heard, I do feel that would void the point of playing. As I said, NetHack's point of being played is to find these things yourself.

One problem with NetHack will be my problems with all three games so I shall say it here and now. The controls are annoying and/or confusing and the graphics are poor. The latter can be given pass but a small bit of explanation while playing would have benefited each game. Actually, one of the games does do this but its controls are still rather "wonky".

Another problem which two of the games share, NetHack and Anacreon, is lacking in customization of interface. I believe NeckHack's core file can be altered to store and change such settings but, in general, the interface on these two is ugly. They are not difficult, with being somewhat similar to either an emulator program or simple DOS command menu, but still ugly and not fun to deal with.

Anacreon

The only thing I have to say about this is that I hope those who play enjoy chess on a galactic scale. My first impression of this game was "RTS" but there is no "RT" about it. The game allows for a lot of "options for win", provided you can actually win or know what you are doing. Without reading instructions, as I'm an American and that's how we do things, it took about forty minutes to fully figure out the game.

Personally, I am no fan of menu diving and this one is moderately guilty of that. In my honest opinion, there isn't much to this game unless you are in love with chess and the thought of conquering the galaxy with an iron... trade route.

Transcendence

Agreeing with the suggester, this game is rather awesome. Flying a ship of your choice, you are on a fantasy like quest to get a artifact, or something, to please your deity/god and get into this games version of "heaven". You destroy enemy ships, when/if you find them, and loot the remains. Basically its NetHack except a lot prettier while not "sharing the difficulty". It does describe it self as half NetHack so if you like that game you will at least half like this one.

This is a game that would be great if not for the fact that it is, basically, a demo. As the game stands there is not much to do, only one level, and the world is rather empty. Its a lot of fun but more needs to be there before it can really be played.


All of these games are freeware.
Links in sidebar

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Imagine Grater (SyFy vs SciFi)

Despite its recent and possibly dumb name change, the SyFy (Know previously as SciFi) channel has some of the best programming on TV. Ranging from original movies and series to reruns of older shows that "fit the theme", the SyFy channel is an avid watch for myself. Some of the regular programs watched in this home range from newer and older shows, along with movies a mini series or two and some of the staples that come with the SyFy channel like Ghost Hunters.

A favorite for myself is EUReKA, a show that describes itself as "about the smartest little town in America". Basically its a futuristic like town that is within our own time frame which is sanctioned by the government to house the greatest minds in one place. This creates great accomplishments and problems. The problems are "fixed", usually, by someone of a more "normal" mental status. That guy being Jack Carter, the town sheriff.

Really, he's not a dumb guy by the average standards but the town he's in makes him come across as rather stupid. The funniest thing, however, is that his solutions to the problems that are caused not only make perfect sense to the viewer but also to the other characters around him. Something I enjoy the simplest answer. I enjoy it more when it was also the idea that popped into my head.

The whole town is filled with some eccentric masterminds and grands of intelligence but I think one of my favorite characters has to be Douglas Fargo. Fargo, as most of the town mostly calls him, is basically a screw up. No one overly special among the rest but generally knows enough to get himself into and, sometimes, out of trouble. The main problem that Fargo has is his general overall quirkiness among those around him, that and he's not one for keeping his mouth shut. Personally, Douglas Fargo has to have one of the crappiest roles among those in the city (town gopher) while retaining his general comedic appeal.

Main point: Eureka's third season is not keeping up to tabs with its other two. It has some major goods but its current negatives are slowly driving me, and a few other viewers I know, away from the show. For one thing, its driving a few romances a bit to hard. The romances are good, in total, but one in particular is getting a bit to much "face time" for my liking. That being the one of Jo Lupo (Deputy Sheriff) and Zane Donovan (One of the main researchers at Global Dynamics). The main reason is that Zane is difficult to tolerate as a character. It was much better when the guy only appeared when he was needed but now the on screen time is just... intolerable.

I understand that the point of the constantly "new" budding romances are to make you grow more attached to characters and possibly identify but Zane comes across more of a loner even when with Jo. The whole relationship seems a bit forced within the series. I think this is because that outside of the show they might be dating. I'm not certain but from their appearance in Warehouse 13 the two were also a couple, the actors not the characters.

Overall, I guess I'm just not fully pleased with the new season. The show still has its charm and I do catch it when I can but that feeling that I just had to see it every Friday or Thursday or Wednesday or whatever day it was on in the past, just isn't there anymore. Although, three seasons is better then the average life span for most shows.

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