The Intellectual has 7 chronicles

1. A Smashing Good Time
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Mar 10 2008

   Well Folks, after a much longer than anticipated delay, I have returned, sorry to dissapoint, but I seem to have the best timing do I not?
   
   Anywho, onto what we're here for...
   
   Super Smash Bros. Brawl
   
   Before I begin my review, I'd like reminisce for a bit. SSBB was a highly anticipated release for the Nintendo Wiii since its launch date. American gamers have waited some of the most anxious four months ever, at least for us Nintendo fans.
   
   I reserved my copy in December about to weeks before the original release date. After so many push-backs I waited with my fellow gamers, fans, and onlookers at the local Gamestop(only two blocks away, SHAZAAM!). So as the doors opened midnight after the local tournament, I finally got my copy and went home to enjoy it. Now It's been 8 years since the last Smash Bros game, Melee, so great expectations are about.
   
   I'll break it down through my experience of playing it, feel free to aggree, disagree, comment, criticize, whatever it's all good.
   
   First off, there are tons upon tons of great modes to choose from. Classic, Events, Stadium(Home Run Contest, Multi Man Brawl, etc.), it's all here. In addition, for those who have not played Melee, there was a gambling feature where the coins you accumulated could be spent on trying to unlock new trophies, well that has been restyled into a mini game, similar to Galaga or Heli-Attack in order to get all those delicious prizes.
   
   Collecting has been "simplified" into a system, much like the achievements in XBOX games to help you keep track of your unlocking progress. The items have been updated, either cosmetically, scaled down, or made bigger. We all know the Smash Ball is where it's at though. The Smash Ball can cause a bitter rivalry as you and your friends attempt crack it open to get the power to unleash the Final Smash Attack, which in some cases can be quite the sight, but it can get old.
   
   Some graphical aspects of the game are disappointing. While the multiplayer levels can be quite beautiful, the adventure mode is quite bland. The character models are impressive when compared to predecessors, but they're not THAT impressive. It's Nintendo, we're not here for the graphics, it's the gameplay, but seeing as how this IS the Wii it would have been nice to see something better. Although, cut scenes in Adventure Mode are very well done.
   
   The Adventure Mode, or as it is known in the game, "The Subspace Emissary" puts an actual storyline on the SSBB events. What's great is that Co-op is available on this for two players, although the full on four would have been great considering the latter stages, especially those at the end of it. It kind of plays out a little TOO much like the Kirby games, Aventure here, boss battle there, cut scene, fight a character, etc.,of course seeing as how the same people who worked on them worked on SSBB. Some of the controls take some getting used to because it feels a bit odd at times in the adventure part where platforming is required, but are great in the straight up fights. A problem I ran into would be in co-op. If you are player 1 and your friend is player two, then the camera would focus on you so your partner can't must wait for you if your stuck. Although if your partner is left behind, he would instantly be teleported back to your position. Sometimes you use the same character, with a color swapped, and others you use a completely different character depending on what the current point of the story is. This mode is great for unlocking characters, stages, and all those goodies. Stickers can be collected here for your treasure hoarde, but aren't very important except with those that cause more items to drop, but you can go the whole game without them. They serve the purpose of boosting stats of a character much like equipment in an RPG.This mode can get VERY repetitive, a few times you need to fight enemies to progress, but most of the time you can scurry on by without getting touched.
   
   Multiplayer is great. Sitting around with my friends brawling, launching, and smashing is a great experience. Match customization has been broadened by allowing to let players choose how the fighters states will be(i.e. metal figters, fire breathing, giant, etc.), in assition to a variety of stages to choose from plus the Custom Stage Builder where YOU THE PLAYER can design your own battlefield.
   
   With all that said, Nintendo Wi-Fi + Multiplayer = Fun. Now a thing with the online Wi-Fi that was a bit of let down was the the Brawl " With Anyone" or "With Friends". All the customization I mentioned is present when you're with friends, but unfortunately you cannot do anything when you brawl with anyone. It's limited to "Team Battle" or "Free for All" and even then computer opponents might take over in the team battles. With friends is great, though you do need the friend code in order to do so, so send me your friend codes please.
   
   New characters are a very big plus. Meta Knight, Diddy Kong, Olimar, are awesome additions to the frenzy. Though the biggest anticipated additions are probably the third party characters, Sonic and Solid Snake. Sure, not everyone got who they wanted *cough*Megaman*cough* oh excuse, I've been sick, but everyone will be partying on SSBB for a good while.
   
   Tweaks, hmm let's see. Well, since Melee, some characters have been altered in terms of power and ability. For example, no longer is Link's shield impenetrable and he cannot to the rapid fire stabby stab stab move. Other characters have gone through this change is well. Controls of the ever so useful air dodge has been changed as well. Now, remember when you could dodge in a direction? Yeah that 's gone, but you still dodge, it's just that the laws of gravity apply to you now. A good thing is you can shoot AND walk while carrying the shooting items(i.e. Zapper, Super Scope, etc.) which always kinda got me in Melee when I'd blast the hell out of someone only to run out of ammo and get K-O'd. I personally prefer to use the Gamecube control because of familiarity, but Wii-mote, Nunchuk, and Classic control all work, it's just a bit odd to use in my opinion.
   
   Now, I didn't cover EVERY aspect of Brawl, but you got the gist of it. Basically, it's great game with a few minor flaws, but nothing serious. It's got hours of replay value waiting. If you have a Wii, but no Smash, stop reading and go buy it. If you don't have a Wii...well you know where I'm going with this. It's a fun game, and that's what matters.
   
   -The Intellectual

   
   

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The Intellectual has 1 comment on this chronicle.

1. Pwner101
   Posted On Jul 12 2008

   I liked the story! I'm crazy about Brawl as well! We should play together! I'm pretty good! Actually I PWN on Wi-Fi! My friend code is 0087-2711-2790!