So I have been meaning to get my first article into Deke for some time now, several subjects have struck me and then left me a broken heap on the floor wondering what just happened.   I think I have finally settled on something that will be of interest to some and to the others that like to bitch about everything under the sun… I turn to the Baron for inspiration and say, "Fuck Em’". Since I have made the difficult and odd life choice to work in the entertainment industry, and I live out in the fuggin' sticks of La Grande, my column will cover that which I find entertaining. This will range from TV, Video Games, Movies, Music, and the Net.  Yes I know the list is broad but I feel this will give me something to either be pissy about or rave about on a regular basis. First entry… video games, yes it seems lately I have been on a video game kick, mainly I am hungering for a good RPG with a deep story and fun characters, that is not online.   Why? Because I am trying to break the hold that WoW has put on my life. I am not going to go into details at this time for this is not an article on the addiction and vice that is World of Warcraft or how the game and it’s genre tend to ruin relationships and friendships, face it folks MMORPG’s are the legal designer drug of the 21st century. No I am looking for the depth and the struggle that was both Baulder's Gate I and II. Which are by far the best translations of the love of my childhood Advanced Dungeons & Dragons to the PC.  Or the wonder and joy that was my first time through FFIV the best RPG for a console ever.  If you have not played these games, go find them, they are cheap and a lot of fun still.  So for right now I am in a flux, playing several games and I will now let my thoughts flow on them. Robotech Battle Cry:  This is a gem that can be picked up in the under $10 bin at most used game outlets. It was an early offering on the PS2 and for fans of Robotech it is quite fun. I love transforming and blowing the snot out of Zentradi in my cool little Veritech fighter, rockets and gun blast going everywhere. Control is ok and the camera angle can be a bit of the suck at times, but all in all it’s a cool game for fans of the series. Kingdom Hearts:  A PS2 classic.  I am doing my best to get through this before the sequel hits the shelves. A good action RPG and something that the ladies can get into as well, or even tolerate watching you play.  Good story, good characters and a nice blend of hack and slash combined with Square’s classic menu driven system. The Ocarina of Time Master Quest:  Good ole fashion Zelda on the Game Cube. This is an updated version of Ocarina that came if you preordered Windwaker. The only thing different about the master quest is they seem to have made the dungeons harder. Though for a lazy afternoon I love revisiting a classic. World of Warcraft:  Like a junkie I have a love hate with it, does it suck my life? Yes.  Would I love to leave?  Yes.  Do I hate not finishing a game?  Yes. Therein lies the rub with me and the MMO, you never “win”.   There is always more content coming, there is no resolution. Till next time, B BACK