The Top Ten Ways to Quickly Lose Your Social Life

 Sometimes there are games that you pick up, and you just cannot put them down. It doesn't matter if you have midterms the next day, or work that needs to be done, all you can seem to think about is playing that game. Usually you think you can surpass these debilitating urges to game, but the truth of the matter is, this game has got you in its clutches, and you're helpless to resist. Believe me when I say that Player One and I understand your pain. Over the past few weeks, we've gotten ourselves hooked on some pretty outstanding games, and in honoring our lost gaming initiative, we've decided to compile our list of the top ten most addictive games.

Ten Games that Will (Perhaps Literally) Suck Away Your Soul

...in no particular order

1.) Harvest Moon

The hardcore gamer's Farmville, this game fulfills your primeval urge to water crops, feed animals, talk to townspeople, go to bed, and repeat. Although this might sound like the most boring game ever created, there is just something oddly compelling about creating and maintaining your own farm. I mean, do I like doing my chores daily? No. Do I enjoy doing my chores daily on Harvest Moon? Yes. Why is this? I have no idea, but it's an oddly compelling formula that works. If you've always harbored some yearning to be a farmer (or if you're descended from farmers, or if you've been to a farm) you should definitely give Harvest Moon a try.

2.) Minecraft


While we're on this agricultural kick, I think this game deserves a mention. Seriously, you guys, it should have been called Minecrack. You guys... seriously. This is what I find myself playing despite the fact that I have essays to write and Japanese tests breathing down my neck. There is just so much to this game that makes it so unique in its entertainment value. You can build an underwater home, a sky home, a war base, a farm; the possibilities are literally endless. I mean, think about it. You could build a casino, populate it with farm animals, proceed to blow all your hard earned diamonds in said casino, and then get blown up by a creeper. Minecraft equals, without a doubt, times of the sexy variety.

3.) Pokemon

If you were a kid growing up in the 90's and you didn't know what Pokemon was, you were probably living under a rock. I (Player Two) have been addicted to Pokemon ever since I was in first grade. It didn't matter that the only Pokemon I raised up was my starter and that I never actually fully beat the game, I was hooked. Countless hours were spent battling my way through the gyms, beating the snot out of Youngsters, and telling Joey that I didn't give a damn about his Rattata being in the top percentile of Rattata. The Pokemon series still remains addicting to this day. Whenever a new title comes out, you'll usually find me for the next month or so chilling in a corner, contently playing my DS.

4.) Okami


Who knew Japanese mythology could be so much fun? This game had me hooked for the longest time. It was only on my new game plus that I finally was able to put it down long enough to play something else. There really is no other game out there quite like Okami. From its unique battle system to its gorgeous (if a bit trippy) water colored graphics (not to mention the 100+ hours of gameplay), the sheer novelty of this game is enough to keep you entertained for a good six months or so. Yes, its a long game (and the battles can be a little tedious at times) but the hours of fun this game offers far outweighs its shortcomings.

5.) The Legend of Zelda

Okay guys, I (Player Two) love this series. All of the games combine excellent storytelling with great gameplay, and there's nothing quite like the thrill of axing down Ganon again and again and again. Like any series, there are a few duds (I'm looking at you, Four Swords), but overall these games always get me hooked. I never say no to playing Ocarina of Time, Twilight Princess had me hooked for a solid three weeks, and Majora's Mask is one of the most compelling games that I've played to date. No matter how many times you have to go rescue yet another incarnation of Zelda, this series never gets old, and I think that is one of it's most enduring qualities. There is always enough variation between the titles that it feels like a fresh experience every time you pick up the controller.

6.) Persona 3


Okay, anyone who has played this game knows that its powers of addiction are rivaled by few. The characters are easy to fall in love with and the plot has just enough twists to leave you guessing without losing you along the way. It's different from most other games and definitely has its quirks but, like most other Shin Megami Tensei games, the overall atmosphere created by this game had me hooked from the start. It's a weird combination of laid back and bad ass with just the right amount of humor thrown in. Despite the fact that even used versions of this game are still relatively expensive, I can assure you that it's well worth the price.

7.) Kingdom Hearts

Kingdom Hearts, like most games on this list, has a great storyline and amazing gameplay. Perhaps what is the most standout about this title is the unique combination of Disney characters, anime, and the Final Fantasy series. Before Kingdom Hearts came out, any serious gamer would laugh themselves silly over this seemingly ludicrous formula, but Kingdom Hearts makes it work. The second game in the series is by far the more addicting of the two, and once you start it, it's hard to put the controller down (well, except for those Little Mermaid segments, I think I could have done without those just fine.)

8.) Tales of the Abyss


Oh goodness, I adore this game. The characters are great (especially Jade... mmmmm (and Asch... ohohohohoho! (minus Anise... ew!))) and the storyline is every bit as addicting as the awesome gameplay. It's easy to quickly become invested in the conflicts and the Mystic Artes make you feel like an unrivaled BAMF. I suppose the fact that Player 2 and I have the most ridiculous fanon in the history of gaming helps in making this game doubly entertaining but even if you play alone, you're sure to have a hard time putting the game down for breaks (like for sleeping).

9.) Final Fantasy

The Final Fantasy series are some of the most famous RPGs, and for very good reason. Not only do they all have involving gameplay (even the earlier, turn-based games), but the story is always entertaining to play through. I think one of the best things about playing the Final Fantasy series is the characters. No matter what game you play, there will always be that one character that captures your attention, and forces you to play through all the way to the end, even if in some parts you do so kicking and screaming (I'm looking at you, Midgar.) Final Fantasy VII is definitely a standout in the series, and is the most enjoyable Final Fantasy game that I've played to date. Needless to say, all of the hype about it is certainly well-deserved, and if that won't convince you, just play the game for the climatic last battle. There is nothing quite like the feeling of finally beating Sephiroth.

10.) The Sims

Yeah, admit it. Deep down, you knew this was coming. Who could forget the borderline obsession induced by this game? It kind of makes you want to question humanity, doesn't it? Maybe it's like a high-tech, glorified version of paper dolls and gamers really haven't lost that part of themselves that likes to play pretend. Or maybe it's something much darker. Perhaps this game is the gamer's way of playing god, something I'm sure everyone in the world has desired from time to time. Either way, this game can be pretty dangerous if you go into it with the wrong mindset. Caveat lector.

Do you guys have a top ten list? Be sure to let us know!

To Do: Write Wednesday's Blog Post

I love lists. They are incredibly portable, convenient, and mostly help me concentrate on what I need to get done during the day. I have lists of books I need to read, homework to do, and TV to watch, but perhaps one of the most important lists I have is of my video games I need to play. Let's face it folks, sometimes it's hard to remember what games you have on your shelf that you haven't touched in ages. Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg? Chibi Robo? I actually owned those at some point? If you're like me and tend to have a rather one-track mind when it comes to playing games (Persona 3, I'm looking at you), then keeping an effective "Games to Play" list is essential in keeping your progress on track.

How to Keep Track of Your Gaming

One of the easiest ways to start this process is to list all of the games you own. I know, I know, doing that is a pain in the ass, but I've found when you start to pay attention to the neglected corners of you gaming shelf, you find amazing games that you've forgotten about. In my case, I found my old copy of Banjo-Tooie, remembered how much I loved the game, and then embarked on a grand quest to find my Nintendo 64...But that's a story for another day. Alright, do you have your list? I'll share with you an excerpt of mine here:

1. Resident Evil (GCN)
2. Metal Gear Solid (PS)
3. Animal Crossing (GCN)
4. Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3)
5. Sly 2: Band of Thieves (PS2)
6. Shadow the Hedgehog (PS2)
7. Okami (PS2)
8. Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN)
9. Chibi Robo (GCN)
10. Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Wii)
11. Pokemon SoulSilver (DS)
12. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)
13. Banjo-Tooie (N64)
14. Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)
15. Naruto: Clash of Ninja (GCN)

Did you finish your list? I'm sure that upon looking through it, you realized that there were many games on there that you don't play anymore/would rather you didn't own. Don't fear! Our next task in the journey of making our list is to par it down. Any games on there that you don't want your friends finding out about, cross them off (for me, that would have to be Billy Hatcher, Naruto, and Shadow). Cross off any games that you know you're not going to play again (Animal Crossing, Sly 2). And finally, to make yourself feel better, take off all of the games that you've completed. Once you're done with this process, your list should look nice and sleek, much like this:

1. Okami (PS2)
2. Pokemon SoulSilver (DS)
3. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (DS)
4. Banjo-Tooie (N64)
5. Super Mario Sunshine (GCN)

Now doesn't that seem a bit more manageable than that list you had beforehand? I'm sure there are several games on here that you forgot you hadn't beaten. For me, I still forget that I haven't actually completed Super Mario Sunshine, and sometimes I entirely forget that I have Okami lying around on my shelves. Gaming lists are how I keep track of my gaming history, and my gaming future, and I definitely recommend them to those of you who, like me, tend to be a bit scatterbrained about the little things.

Do you guys have any strategies to keep yourself on track when gaming? Let me know!

Really, Nintendo? Really?!

One in a million... mistakes.

Alright, so by now it's pretty old news. In early 2009, it was confirmed that  Nintendo of America wouldn't been releasing the fourth installment of the hit Fatal Frame franchise in the states. When Tecmo was interviewed, they released a statement explicitly noting that they had no  part in the decision, which had been made entirely by NOA. What happened next is my personal favorite part of the story. Rather than launching useless petitions, fans carried out their battle in a far more productive way. A (brilliant, beautiful, genius) programmer created a patch, which would be downloaded to and run from  the Wii's SD card, that translated a Japanese distributed copy of the game into English. Thus, the fans were pleased.  

However, while fans in the states got a happy ending, the same can't be said about Nintendo of America. I can't help but think about all the money they must have lost because of this misjudgment. Mask of the Lunar Eclipse was the first and only of the Fatal Frame series to  be released for the Wii. What made it an even better catch for NOA was that it was exclusive to that system. A game from a hit franchise to be released for only one system? It's every gaming corporation's wet dream. Yet, Nintendo refused to distribute. Um... I'm sorry... what?

Fast forward to today. The Wii is, quite frankly, the joke of the gaming world. Any decent games it has can either be found for another (less frustrating) system or have a control system that becomes tedious after awhile. Honestly, it's my personal belief that  this is the result of NOA focusing on such a narrow audience. They aim their products primarily at children and casual gamers, with a disturbingly large portion of their selection being party games. Let's be honest, while these games are fun at times, most gamers want a game that they can have just as much fun playing on their own as well as in a group. Trust me, if you try playing Just Dance 2 on your own, you're going to feel like an idiot. The point is that, for a long time, Nintendo has ostracized the majority of their audience.

When I was a kid, one of my first gaming systems was the PS2. What makes this system so brilliant (and my favorite to this day) is the fact that I could grow up with it. It had great games that I loved when I was a kid, like the Spyro series and Crash Bandicoot, as well as games I enjoyed when I got older. (Oh, Castlevania, teehee.) Sony and Microsoft have always been great about  having a great selection of games for all audiences. Yes, the Wii has a couple of games for older gamers but it is easy to find these games on other systems. Fatal Frame IV is just another example of the way NOA continues to screw itself over. Basically, Nintendo, you dun goofed. 

Nomnomnom

Gaming has never tasted so good...

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but we here at 8-Bit Apples and Tea like eating. "Victoria," you ask dubiously, "doesn't everyone?" Thank you, belligerent gamer, for that profound input. Yes, most people enjoy food (unless they suffer from eating disorders/body image issues/illnesses that allow them only to eat through feeding tubes). What I meant was that we also enjoy eating while gaming. Snackage is an important variable during gaming nights. However, that doesn't mean you can just go out and grab anything of the shelf to munch on.  There are a few rules that are important to follow when picking out your food. Trust me, you and your controllers will be happier for it. 

Rule One - Avoid Foods with Powder

Now, I (Player Two) don't know about you readers, but I personally like keeping my controllers relatively clean. That means I want my Wii Remotes to stay white, and my GameCube controller's analogue stick to remain gray. However, there is always the chance that the food you eat while gaming will discolor whatever controller you're using. Usually these foods are powdery (most infamously flavor-blasted goldfish, or Cheetos), and that powder will not hesitate to get all over your pristine new controller. Believe me, there is nothing worse than binging on Cheetos white gaming, and then realizing the next day that your Wii Remote is now a sickly orange. At the very least, if you feel compelled to have snacks with powder, wipe your hands on your jeans/couch/sibling before you touch your controller. No one wants to look like a slob, so be sure that your controller stays relatively clean the next time you have the munchies.

Rule Two - Avoid Sticky Foods

Believe me (Player 1), it gets everywhere and then all of your equipment is sticky. (That's what she said... Don't look at me like that, like you didn't know it was coming!) Seriously, though, there is nothing worse than that tacky feeling that sugar leaves on electronics. Generally, I'd keep away from Honey Bun's (gaming night isn't the time to reenact the Telephone music video anyway) and anything else that leaves a syrupy residue. Also, if you have to drink sugary drinks, just keep them far away from your controllers. I don't know how many sad cases I've seen of joysticks ruined by a spilled soda. Then all the dust and dirt starts getting stuck to the controller, making it  look something like a large rat. It's gross, really. Just, for the love of cleanliness, stay away from gooey, sugary snacks while gaming. Besides, you don't want your friends coming over to play only to get the wrong idea about what you do with your controller when you're alone.

Rule Three - Move Your Beverages

As Player One mentioned above, soda is one of the worst things to have around when you're intensely playing video games. I (Player Two) tend to be a bit of a flailer when something I like happens in a game, and there have been several times that I've accidentally spilled something because of my waving limbs. If you or your loved one is a flailer, then make sure to keep the drinks far away from your controllers and consoles. Watching the soda bottle careen in slow motion toward your brand new Xbox 360 is not something that you want to happen. Take it from me folks, the best policy is to keep the dirnks far away from the playing area.

Rule Four - Snacks = Great; Five Course Meal = Not So Much

So, as a general rule, if your food requires that you use a knife and fork to eat it, chances are it's not the best gaming food. Relinquishing one hand to grab a chip or take a sip of your drink during the loading screens is fine. Actually setting down the controller so that you can cut yourself a piece of steak is not. Gaming time and dinner should never coincide  with each other. I mean, can you imagine playing through that escape scene at the begginning of Silent Hill: Shattered Memories while trying to dip fondue? Not okay.

What about you guys? Have a favorite video game snack? Let us know!

How to Avoid Buying the Next Barbie's Make Over Salon

As Player One well knows, I cannot resist a bargain. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of getting a great game used for only five dollars, while in most other places it's still twenty dollars new. Personally, I just love saving money (especially now that my budget's tight due to college expenses.) However, sometimes the appeal of saving money overshadows the real value of the game that you're purchasing. There is a delicate balance in determining whether the game that you're buying is an outstanding game that just happens to be in the five dollar bin, or whether the game actually should be in the one dollar bin. Worry not, concerned reader, for I will soon set your mind at ease with a few easy tips to keep in mind while shopping for used games.

Player Two's Guide on When to Open Your Wallet

Does it look like a good game?

Now, normally people tell you not to judge a book by it's cover, but I say judge away! If a game looks horrible on the case, there is a significant chance that the game actually sucks, especially if it's in the five dollar bin. Just think about it this way: every single JRPG looks the same, and almost none of them are good. The same is true of every other genre. There are thousands of racing/action/fighting games that are in the bargain bin, and for good reason. If you feel no particular attachement to the game after reading the case, then just put it down. Chances are, it's not worth your hard-earned five dollars. "Now Rachel," you reprimand, "I just got this really awesome game last week, and the cover for it is awful." Yes, yes belligerent gamer, I know. Sometimes the old saying is true, and you should take a chance on a game, I just wouldn't recommend it if you're on a tight budget. However, if you're really interested in owning this game, then you could always try the next step...

Ask a friend.

A good friend (or sibling) is invaluable when shopping for video games. Nine times out of ten, they have at least heard of the game in question and can give you advice on it. There have been numerous times that I've been tempted to buy a horrendous game (Rugby 08), and on the advice of my friend, I've put it down. Conversely, there have been numerous times that I've been pleasantly surprised by a game my friend advised me to purchase (Sly Cooper). Listen to your friends, they're an important financial asset, especially when they own the game in question, thereby allowing you to borrow it and not waste your precious cash (Persona 3 FES, I'm looking at you.)

Use that phone/iPod of yours and check online reviews.

Online reviews are an easy way to judge the quality of the game you're about to purchase. Did it get only 1.0 on IGN.com? Did GameInformer give it a 2.5 and a scathing review? Reading the reactions of other people is a great way to get a feel for the audience the game is intended for, and it's relative value. If you're looking at a ten dollar two star game, then it would be appropriate to feel hesitant about forking over the cash. Meanwhile, if it's a 10.0 game and thirty-five dollars, then there might be a reason why the game's not in the bargain bin, even if it is several years old (oh Persona 3, why must you be so good?Why are you still priced at thirty dollars?)

Look at the people around you.

Do they look disgusted when you pick up the game? Are the sales clerks snickering behind the desk? Usually when these things happen, it's a sign that the game that you're about to buy is horrible. As a female gamer, I can confidently say that I get judged rather harshly on the material that I bring to the checkout. Recently, when I purchased used copies of God of War and Viewtiful Joe, the clerk was shocked at my choices. Why? Simple, he never expected a female gamer to buy these sort of games. Does that mean that they're bad games? Of course not. When you're looking at the people around you, it is important to keep their expressions in context. The look that the clerk gave me was a mix of shock/appreciation/respect not of mild disgust/bewilderment. Now, if I'd instead brought up Barbie's Make Over Salon (is that a game? I hope to God it isn't) the latter look would have been more appropriate. I would advise to use this method only as a last resort (especially if the only person around you is a parent, since most of them give horrible gaming advice.)

How do you guys determine which games to buy with your hard earned cash? Do you have a tired and true system? Be sure to let me know!

College and Games: A Delicate Balance

Wild homework appeared! It used confuse ray... It's super effective!

You know, college is really a fabulous place. You set your own rules, go where you want, do what you like. It's all very liberating and it's probably this chill atmosphere that allows me and Player Two to play video games as much as we do and write these blogs. 

"Victoria!" you admonish, "What about your schoolwork?"

Okay, reader, now you just sound like my mom. I won't lie to you. It's hard, especially with our intensive course loads, and sometimes (like everyday) we find ourselves studying into the wee hours of the morning to get it all done. Yet, as ill advised and unhealthy as this sounds, (and I can't speak for Player Two here, though I assume she feels the same way (otherwise she may have already suffered a mental breakdown by now)) I personally believe that it's something that I can handle and that I'm probably happier this way. With that said,  it certainly isn't easy. The truth is that balancing life and gaming is a delicate art that should be undertaken with the greatest of caution. Otherwise, you might just end up 40 years old and still living in mom's basement. Trust me, you don't want that. 

Now, while Player Two and I haven't absolutely perfected this art, we have found a satisfactory pattern that hasn't killed us yet. Yes, sometimes I'm exhausted enough to entertain the notion of selling my soul for a few hours of sleep but, hey, that's what class is for! ...Just kidding, seriously, stay awake in class guys! (Though a tiny nap during a really boring lecture never hurts...)  

Also, if you have to nap during a class, fine, but for the love of all that is good, don't skip! Especially if you're in college, that's money thrown away. Remember, you're paying for that class (and, if you're like me, will be paying for it for the rest of your life) so don't miss it! 

The secret to balancing college and gaming (or any leisurely activity, really)  is to follow one simple rule. Are you ready for this?

Schoolwork should come before all else.

It's as simple as that. If you have a test, study for it. Is an essay due soon? Write it. It isn't really a difficult notion. Now I'm not saying to dedicate yourself entirely to school and never see the light of day. I'm telling you that you'll be a lot less stressed if you can knock out some homework before taking a break to immolate some zombies. Even if you just take care of what's due the very next day, you'll still feel a lot less guilty about picking up that controller. Player Two and I have a great system that works by us setting specific gaming nights for ourselves and taking care of everything we need to do before hand. It also helps if you study with friends, as you can better keep from goofing off by reminding each other that gaming night will be a lot less stressful if you get more studying done beforehand.

If this has all sounded intimidating to you, don't worry! Gaming, like any recreational activity, is a great stress reliever. Imagine hiding yourself away in your dorm and doing nothing but studying for the rest of the semester. That's a horribly dismal existence! If you can manage to balance all of it out well, you'll be a  much happier person for it. 

What do you guys think? Do you guys have a system that works for you or would you rather just say, "Screw it!" and proceed to outfit your mom's basement for an extended stay? Let me know!

Four Easy Steps to Make the Impossible Possible

When you're choosing between playing a multiplayer game and a single player game, nine times out of ten the single player game will win. Why? Well, let's face the facts: most multiplayer games suck. So when both you and your friend want to play a single player game, how do you avoid fighting to the death over who gets to use the controller? Don't fear troubled gamer, we're here to tell you our method to playing one player games with two players. The first step is to get yourself a second player. Call a friend, ask your brother, capture your cat; just get someone to hold onto that second controller. Here at Apples and Tea, our second player is Player Two (now, now, hold your shocked exclamations; I know you weren't expecting that one.)

Making One-Player Games Two Player

Step One: Don't be a dick.

Right, so, this one's kind of a no brainer. It's cruel and unusual to force hours of gameplay on someone who clearly has no interest in that particular game. I mean, what if someone forced you to sit down and watch Twilight? Yeah, I thought so. Trust me, it will be much more fun if you can find a game you'll both like to play. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should strive to appease your second player's every demand. Don't be scared to suggest a game if you have a pretty good feeling that they'll enjoy it. Also, return the courtesy when the time comes. It isn't a one way street and you should both be open minded and willing to try a new type/genre of game. You might just surprise yourselves!

Step Two: Switch off being player one.

No one likes a controller hog. Be appreciative of your friend's gallant sacrifice in letting you play first, and graciously allow them, after a certain period of time (like an hour or so (since, you know, that's a short period of time in the gaming world (...Right?))), to take command of the central character. Another easy way to do this is to switch off games. For example, I am currently working my way through Persona 3 FES, while Player Two is playing Tales of the Abyss. In a normal evening, I play Persona 3 for an hour (since I'm the impatient gamer, and Victoria is just generally awesome) before we switch over to Tales of the Abyss, where Victoria plays predominantly, and I help out in battles. This system works for many reasons, several of the most important being our mutual love for the games, our willingness to share, and the ridiculous hijinks that we get into every time we play these games.

Step Three: Vic Mignogna, eat your heart out!

A great way to spice up gameplay is to do your own voice acting. If, for whatever reason, the game isn't dubbed in a certain area, it's always fun to voice over the characters yourselves. While it may seem childish, there's a great satisfaction in giving certain characters creeper voices or giving that one girl you hate (I'm looking at you Anise...) the whiniest voices your vocal chords can squeak out. It lightens up the tension after a ridiculously difficult boss battle and keeps you both entertained through overly long cut scenes while ensuring that you don't miss anything important. If you wan't to make it really fun, try making everything the characters say sound like an innuendo. (Jade: *to Luke* "Honestly, you choose to be stubborn about the strangest things...")

Step Four: Where'd the baby come from?!

There is nothing quite like making up your own personal plot points to keep a game amusing. It doesn't get much better than creating sims of your favorite characters in the Sims 3 and seeing what messes they get themselves into. Your reactions to the various ridiculous stunts that happen between the characters will become in-jokes that will never cease to be amusing (Yoko Schmomomo, "Who's Christopher?!", and Rose's infamous baby all come to mind.) Not only that, but speculating about certain events in RPGs can lead to hilarious results. For example, in Tales of the Abyss, there are several running plot points that Victoria and I always have our eyes on. Like the sleeping arrangements of the party, or Guy's continuing struggles with losing both his bro and his woman to Asch ("He's taken everything from me!"), or our constant Anise bashing. In short, if you make the game and the characters your own you'll become much more attached to them, and then pretty soon it won't matter who has the controller, you'll just want to see what happens next.

What strategies do you guys have for playing with friends? Do you alternate after every random battle or cutscene? Do you have one person playing and another watching? Do you weave the plot into the format of a telenovella or Disnify it? Let us know!