Cara King - Journal Entries

[CKing]

Name of Game: Speed
Game Author: Unknown
Game Studio: N/A

Original Platform & Control Mechanism

A deck of cards is the original platform/control mechanism

Describe gameplay and mechanics

Speed is a card game based on timing, speed and counting and which opponent can get rid of their cards the fastest. Hence it being called Speed. A normal game consists of two players, but there can be more. Both players at the beginning will have 5 cards for a hand that will be used at the beginning and duration of the game. About 15-20 cards are then dealt face down as a draw pile for the players. Another stack of 5 is placed down between both players to use as a replacement pile. Lastly two cards are placed face down in the middle of the replacement piles. To start both players must flip the middle cards and place the correct card in descending or ascending order (Ace-King or King-Ace). Joker cards at times are also used as a wild card. The goal is to be as fast as possible with the placement in order to lose the draw pile.

Describe strengths & weaknesses of art & design

A strength of the game is it’s very easy and straightforward on the objective. In a nutshell it is just counting up or down and recognizing the order as fast as possible. The game is also a very quick one and allows for multiple rounds. It honestly could be a fun game to help kids with counting. A weakness could be knowing how to set up the game as the more people there are the closer one has to pay attention to how cards are dealt. Another weakness is the game can get very messy and disorderly easily making it hard to play. The draw pile also hinders gameplay as well. The issue being those cards are face down, leaving players to get stuck on being able to place down cards due to uncertainty of draws. As a result the game may have to be restarted and cards reshuffled for a proper game.

What made it fun?

What made the game fun was the uncertainty and speed. Not knowing what cards there are adds to the game, the anticipation makes it fun. It is all about fast recognition, it being fast pace also makes it exciting as you’re trying to be faster than your opponent. Although challenging with more than one other person it is also entertaining as the game can continue on even after the first person wins. Not to mention trying to set up the game with more than one person can be a bit funny as you’re trying to think what is the best way. Which can result in some odd formations. Even the multiple times of getting stuck we're fun as you’re trying to think what is the best option in order to advance. The competitiveness of the game as well helps. The game also never seems to drag due to its fast nature. This allowed for the game to be stimulating, as there it isn’t a long process to get to the end result. The winner is a surprise within itself even when it’s over. The amount of times I was shocked at my opponent winning was actually very funny as I didn’t realize how little cards they had left.

Why would this game be considered influential? How does it fit into the evolution of games?

The game could be influential because it is one of the simplest card games to follow. Anyone of any age could play this as there is little to none complication. As I stated before, this could even be a useful and fun tool to help children with counting up and down. It’s engaging and stimulating. There is little breakdown or explanation for the game as with other card games they must be through is explanation. It fits into the evolution of gaming could be for how fast paced it is and timing as one must have a quick reaction time. Another factor for its influence could be how fast one could get something done or achieve a goal. This game could also be easy to set up for a video game and could make playing with multiple people easier rather than in person. Although it may not be a big factor the game itself is easily accessible as a pack of cards cost about 90 cents to a dollar making it easy for anyone to do. Also cards are very versatile in their gameplay. So no matter what anyone can play the game without needing a console or platform or anything electronic.

How Would you rate the game?

I would rate the game 4.5 out of 5 stars, 4.5 because it can get a bit messy.

[Professor Watkins]

Graded to here.

[CKing]

Favorite Game Soundtrack

My favorite game soundtrack has to be from a collection of Final Fantasy series. I couldn’t pick one because they all have something unique and special to them. I really enjoy more of their somber and peaceful selections, that is where I feel they shine the most. I haven’t really played any of the games. I've only seen bits and pieces but their discography was actually how I was even introduced to its existence. Somnus, specifically the instrumental, is one of my favorite pieces. There's something so mournful to the piece when it starts off slow and somber but gets nearly desperate and the crescendo of it getting louder and faster when the big hit comes around. Also I adore how the song is very much the opposite of its meaning when looking at the game. The word Somnus being sleep in Latin, but the song in its original is rumored to be about how the ignorance and power of the two main characters has led to damage that is nearly beyond irreversible. Not even God can help and everyone can only watch. I also adore how the violin from this piece is layered with the game's soundtrack and gets multiple call backs. Another favorite of mine is Aerith’s theme from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. It seems so hopeful but also like a form of grief knowing what happens to her specifically within that game. It feels so heartfelt and gives a sense there is more to come. Final Fantasy also surprisingly has a good amount of flute solos or moments within their music, which I have a personal bias to since I played the flute. However if there is one piece I’d have to recommend or listen to on repeat it is Memories of Lightwaves from FFX-2. This is one of my all time favorites and number one pick. It’s particularly ethereal and so calming and I have fallen asleep to it multiple times. The game may have not been the greatest but the music truly carries it and this piece is an underrated gem. This was actually the very first piece I heard from Final Fantasy and I was immediately enthralled with their music. So it has a very special place in my heart. Overall I truly enjoy the discography of Final Fantasy and find myself coming back to it multiple times. I even use it to help me study or do school work at times because it feels so grounded, and if I had the chance I’d go see any of the games played by a live orchestra.

[CKing]

Name of Game: Cookie Run Kingdom (CRK)
Game Author: Unknown
Game Studio: Devsisters

Platform: Touchscreen/Phone


Gameplay:
The gameplay for Cookie Run Kingdom or CRK is quite simple being a role-playing and city-building battle simulator wrapped in one. However, the game is more known for being considered a gacha game. You have an amount of pulls you can do for cookies, treasures, and costumes all to make the game more fun and keep you coming back. There are numerous goals and objectives within the game from the story mode, PVP, and PvE challenges. Story mode is where you go through chapters to follow the story unfold within the game by going level by level battling enemies and bosses. Story mode also has different levels of difficulty being default, dark, and master mode. PvP and PvE are self-explanatory. There are also guilds as well and those consist of two game types of how long you can last in an endless enemy raid and your guild beating three major bosses all at different levels of power. However, they all still have the same objective: collect cookies, level them up, and beat levels or beat other players.

Strengths & weaknesses:
The biggest strength of the game is being free to play and like other mobile games you buy currency, upgrades, or more via cash. There are always multiple updates every month keeping the game refreshing and fun for everyone. They also continue to bring out new or interesting game modes with those updates so the gameplay doesn’t get interesting although it is still using that same mechanic of battling enemies or bosses. The studio is also really open with their consumers and changes aspects of the game for it to be more fun and not entirely feel like pay-to-win. They make it easy for you to gain resources within the game to build up your kingdom, treasures, cookies, and more by completing quests and missions. I think the weaknesses would be once you’re at higher levels as far as characters and powers it can be a bit stagnant at times. Although there are constant updates if you’re at a high enough level getting through the level is extremely easy and partaking in the story is faster. However, once that story has concluded some players may be like now what. It truly depends on the player though and how they play the game. Some are there to watch the story unfold while some want to do PvP. In a nutshell, the weaknesses may vary per player. For me, it is sometimes stagnant because the update may not be major and it is more calm or “filler.” Also, the idea of gacha is a weakness for many players as there is that idea to get players to spend real money to advance within the game. As a result, whaling happens and gacha is known for that. Even that frustration of not getting them makes you want to spend even more of your in-game currency and then you’re left with nothing. So as a result you make real money purchases.

What made it fun:
I think what makes this game so fun is the story and how this simple idea of a cookie has been expanded to much more. The gut reaction is this is a cute little game but there is a lot of dark imagery and plot the deeper you go. It’s bizarre but an interesting concept when you’re into the story rather than just taking the game at face value of being a gacha or battle game. It is the idea that these are cookies and they surprisingly have complex personalities and stories which makes it so fun. I also feel it is different from other Gacha games as it actively tries to listen to its audience and does not feel as if the main goal is money. It is to create a story that grasps the viewer and the characters and gameplay are just an added bonus. Being a player who doesn’t spend money on the game still has a lot to do with the game and having played it for over a couple of years I still haven’t made a purchase. Again, even the constant updates each month have me coming back because there has been a change or added a new style of game. The game is also artistically stunning from the designs to the music within the game and even that tells a story. It can sometimes be a challenge beating levels within the game, where I have to research strategies to advance.

Influence:
I think the game has had a significant influence on mobile games per se or the way gacha works. Since this franchise has over maybe 4 games all still being gacha but being different in gameplay with each. They grasp that their audience loves to gather these characters and level up which is gacha's whole point, but they add story into it to keep you interested and to keep you coming back. It doesn’t entirely feel like I’m just playing a mobile game or one of the cheesy ads for a mobile game. I even think that because they have multiple games but are all very different adds to the success of this franchise and company which has been around since 2010. Seeing that growth being a long-time fan has been astonishing to see as such a silly concept of sentient cookies has grabbed the attention of so many people.

Rating:
I rate it a 4.7 out of 5 if I gave it a 5 that would be cheesy but also gacha can be frustrating trying to get a particular character or getting the same character multiple times.

[CKing]

Game: Wii Sports Resort
Game Author: Nintendo
Game Studio: Nintendo

Controls
Wii Remote and Wii Nunchuck
Game
Wii Sports Resort is a game featuring the Mii's you have created playing multiple sports. The game can be played with up to 4 players. The main objective of the game is to either beat your opponent or gain as many points. Another goal could also be which of the players can get the highest score on some select game options.

Strengths and Weakness:
The strength of the game is how many selections you can make on what to play. With there being over 12 sports and versions like vs, relay or point. It gives you plenty of things to do compared to it's older counterpart. The simplicity in the gameplay as well also helps especially for the average person who doesn't play video games that much. It's a game where I can actually get my sister to play and she enjoyed it. The environment is also extremely enjoyable as some of the game options you are going around the while island. The only weakness is mainly in the controller and having to use the Wii Motionplus. You're moving a lot in this game and have the Wii remote on your wrist. When attaching it to the motion plus the band for your wrist gets in the way and sticks out. As a result the motionplus came lose and basically paused the game and you would have to recalibrate the remote. It was also occasionally a hassle to get it on, as it is entirely encased in a rubber silicon cover that you have to fight to put the Wii remote in.

Fun Factor:
I think the fun factor is on those you play with. It's fun getting your family to play and see how they do when you know more about the game. Also seeing just all the Mii's you may have created and one of yourself is funny. Especially if time has passed and you're looking at the character and it feels off. The music and sound effects are also really addicting. I haven't played the Wii in years and forgot there was a little speaker on the remote. So whenever I would do a server, hit pins or hit the ball a sound would be emulated. Just hearing the "swoosh" or "pop" from me hitting the ball in table tennis was incredible and nostalgic. Hearing the crowd cheer gave me a rush as well. What I also did with not having played the game for a while went in blind so it was very funny with me and my family trying to figure out how to play again. Although with some they do start you off with a practice before the main event is a nice touch. Even all the movement helps as well it gives an adrenaline rush and you can very much get lost in it. I found that happening to me and I did even try sitting for some of the games. However, it wasn't as fun and a bit difficult at times so this game forces you to move. Nevertheless, I believe that adds to the fun as if I'm some pro athlete in some Olympic event.

Influence:
I believe the game's influence is definitely with how the game was marketed. With the game and the Wii console itself this didn't feel marketed just for boys. This game was marketed for the whole family to play. It was to make the average person enjoy a game and realize just how addictive and fun games can be. I believe what also added to it was the creation of the Mii. it is a silly version of you and just seeing it within the game playing these various sports is so enjoyable. The game, although not the original, was so popular it got a sequel for its innovation, and has been a classic. I think it really changed how games are marketed as we sometimes see more of a familial touch. They want you to be able to connect and just not let it be for your dad, brother or older siblings. It was designed for everyone to play and grasp a market that was a bit tricky (parents).

Overall:
I genuinely love this game and of course nostalgia comes into play. There is something so nice and inviting with this game. I'm a person who loves a calm and sit down game, but this one I truly enjoyed. Me being forced to get up and move around added to my joy factor. Just playing it again for what has maybe been over 7-10 years made me play more of the games we had on the Wii. When looking at the new consoles, sure they're pretty visually and have major upgrades. However, again it is something about hearing that intro music or hearing that sound effect or people cheering is cathartic. Not to mention it was addictive and I was only supposed to play like 1 hour to just get a feel. However, when I may have lost or didn't get the points I wanted I'd start again. In reality I had played maybe over 4 hours of it. In all I would give this game a 4.5 out of 5. 4.5 just because using the Wii motion plus was so annoying. It would come loose every time I was in the zone so I would have to reattach it then wait for it to calibrate.