So this was a surprise. In several ways. Firstly, I’m amazed my wife managed to get hold of a copy of this for me for Christmas. Then there’s the fact she thought to buy it in the first place (as it’s been on my Amazon wishlist for years). Then, and most amazingly, there’s the number of things that made me think about Super Mario Galaxy. It doesn’t lessen Mario, it just made me re-evaluate some of the “new-ness” of it. …
It was only fairly recently that I completed this for the Wii. So why get it for the 360 as well? Because it’s Sonic, of course! (NB: Rule of “It’s Sonic, of course!” does not apply to Sonic Heroes, Sonic and the Secret Rings or Sonic the Hedgehog 3D) So I’ve managed to complete Chemical Plant Zone, having nabbed all the Chaos Emeralds before the end of Chemical Plant 1. It really helps not having picked Tails to accompany me. …
Didn’t play this for very long today, just to get some more treasure chests and to try and find the three secret levels I’m missing. Managed to find one secret level, and a few chests, taking my total to about 86/120.
I think, but I’m not sure, that the “xx/120” counter is in fact number of chests found, not number of levels completed. You see, I went back and unlocked another secret level, and completed that, and the counter went up from 76 to 81. I still have a ? for part of the collection screen too. I assume I get something there for getting all of the treasure chests or something. Or maybe it’s to do with that yellow Kirby …
Spent ages trying to get through the moths-and-triffids area, and found it pretty hard going. Retreated instead, and worked my way around areas of the castle trying to find new areas (which I didn’t really manage), and secret rooms leading to power-ups (of which I found loads). My heart, HP and MP maximum levels were then somewhat higher than previously, allowing me to get through the moths to another save point. I then wandered around to bump my level up …
Another extensive play session today, as shown by my game save’s time of over 64 hours. Again, I did far too much to go into everything, but I managed to gain three ranks in the Mage’s Guild (I’m now a Conjurer), and another rank in the Thieves’ Guild. The Thieves’ Guild task was pretty simple, involving taking a secret passage from Bravil Castle to a tower, to obtain a special arrowhead for the Grey Fox. The passage was partly flooded …
Had myself a merry old thieving time today, with some very bizarre events. Opened up the next Thieves’ Guild quest, which was to steal a ring from the Countess of Leyawiin. After chatting with some beggars and her handmaiden, it seemed there was a secret entrance into Her Lady’s private quarters from the basement of Castle Leyawiin. I was also told she goes to bed at 11pm. So I found the secret passage, and came upon the final door before …
Still on Manaan. I went round doing the Gumshoe routine around Ahto City, and amongst other things, found out that the guy I need to defend did actually kill the Sith woman he’s being tried for. So I’m not actually sure what it is I now need to do as far as that’s concerned. If I wasn’t so fussed about Light and Dark side points, I’d just go ahead, but I don’t know what will result from it. Anyway, I …
Finally finished the Burnside competition level, but it was pretty difficult and a close-run thing in the end. Then it was onto “The Streets”, which I’m assuming is a section of San Francisco. Or something. And it’s hard again. Getting points is really difficult if you can’t chain combos together (no manuals or reverts, remember), and the camera angle when you get vert air makes orientating yourself for the landing a bit difficult. Anyway, managed to get the High Score, …
I moved onto the next few levels instead of struggling with the few remaining goals at Vans. The next level was pretty hard too, and there’s no way in hell I can get the COMBO letters, nor any of the higher scores. And I can’t even see the Secret Tape, let alone collect it. There’s another goal where I have to do tricks through some signs. Two of the signs say “GRIND”, so I grind through and get them, no …
Finished off all the challenges in Hollywood on Classic Mode, and had a bit of a skate around there before moving on to the next level – Broadway. I really can’t get the land-revert-manual controls working reliably, which made the 300,000 point Sick Score on Broadway a bit difficult. I’m sure it’s harder to time than on the console versions of Tony Hawk’s. Anyway, I managed to do all the scores, and the other challenges bar the secret tape (which …
Yes, again. I’ve decided to try and finish off Insane mode. I’d already done two of the songs, and have just managed to finish two more – Horse and Horny Secretary. The latter was really difficult, even though I knew the patterns and stuff. I just really struggled with it. Anyway, 4 down, 11 to go. Or something…
About another 20 tries this morning, and a few near misses, and I finally, finally, finished Normal Mode. Finally. Finished. Gibber. I only had ONE miss in the end, and only just managed to spin the final wheel before dying. My arm hurts. My index finger has a stylus-end shape gouged into it. My DS is relieved it hasn’t been snapped in half. And now, Hard mode with Impressive Chin and Hat Man has been unlocked. And oh, it’s hard …