Fear the Crab

Plagued by stomach cramps throughout the night. I must have eaten something bad. As a result I am very tired at work, and have resorted to catnapping inbetween webcomics and email.

Happy news is that I got paid again today. This happiness is tempered by the fact that I need to replenish the accounts I tapped to make the holiday presents happen. I should be thankful that a full-time job leaves me less time for spontaneous spendage.

My xmas loot consisted of money, clothes, and video games. Time to make merry! I got the Zelda for the GameCube and Dawn of War: Dark Crusades for the PC. They be orgasmic! Except I found out the Zelda for the GC is mirror-imaged from the Wii version. Everything, including the map, is swapped. Only the text remains the same, but it’s got me wondering if Link was a lefty to begin with. Who got the switch?

Do not take my ponderings to be an indication of dislike. I love the new Zelda game. I love the puzzle-solving (however simple it might appear to be) and I love the story. I also love the fact that I spend every minute of gameplay wondering if Midna is going to betray me. I have not beaten the game yet, so spare me the gory details until I discover the evisceral truth for myself.

I don’t know. There’s just something about the way Midna treats you that makes you think there’s a knife ready for the space between your C-4 and C-5. The little fairy from before would just annoy you, but you knew it wouldn’t lead you into the lava pits.

Dawn of War: Dark Crusades is turning out to be a fun game. I didn’t like the single-player campaigns from the first two (starting out with less than the full complement of units was rather unappealing), especially since they forced you to play as a particular army. I spent more time playing the 1-time skirmishes, which while fulfilling the instant gratification category, never really gave a sense of accomplishment.

Thankfully DoW:DC satisfies my lust for achievement with its campaign mode. Now I can choose any of the selectable armies, start with the full complement of troops and buildings available, and can determine my own course of success. Plus, earning wargear for my leader and an honor guard of veteran units gives a sense of progression, a reward beyond the increased landgrab. I’ve already taken over the planet with the Necrons, and have started a new campaign with the Space Marines.

My brother stopped by to spend a couple of weeks with the family. He returns to California today.