the-inbetween.com

Don't Call Me An Addict

I'm hesitant to use the word "addiction" as that's been bandied about in regards to many, many articles about "media addiction", and I don't want to associate myself with that bunk. Instead, I think the proper term is "obsession."

Yesterday, I acquired R-Type Final, WipeOut XL (for $9! How could I have possibly passed on that?), Europa Universalis: Crown of the North and Cossacks: European Wars (on clearance, $9). The last two of which were purchased to quell the strategy bug that has bitten me. They're also games that can run on my computer, which is always a plus.

Cossacks, in particular, I find interesting. Set during the game-worthy period between the 17th and 18th centuries, it doesn't forget that Europe extends beyond Germany's eastern border. Most games (and, indeed, media) do forget about that region, which is a shame as there's a lot of intrigue, conflict, alliances, wars, battles, innovation, and culture there. Particularly in the 17th century. Sure, I'm rather biased (being born there); but a very long browse through the Military and European History sections in Chapters reinforces the sense that it's all ignored. It all comes part of living in a Western-European based society, I guess.

Rant aside, it is the first game that I have encountered that lets me control the Hussaria (aka. "Winged Cavalry"). So I look forward to many a speedy attack with those.

Finally, regarding Metroid Zero Mission, the following pretty much says it all:

Three and a half hours!? Yeesh. Luckily, the first three quarters of that were thoroughly enjoyable and nearly flawless. The last quarter, though, was... different. I have some thoughts, but I'm going to replay the game on hard before I divulge them. Besides, anything that could be said about that last section will be unavoidably spoiler-packed.

Yup. Obsessed.