Playstation

• Connectix Virtual Game Station - Games I've tested on this PSX emulator for the Mac

Here are some random thoughts on various PSX games. I'm not trying to provide complete reviews. If you're looking for those, checkout psx.ign.com. These are just some things that I liked or disliked about the games.

Fear Effect - A fun game that sucks you in with it's cinematic qualities and story. But I found the controls to be very difficult at times (maybe because I was used to the Soul Reaver controls). In the middle of a fire-fight, it was hard to orient Hana the way I wanted. For instance, against the first boss, I knew what I wanted to do, but I just couldn't execute it.

Also, I seem to remember reading somewhere that the puzzles made more sense story-wise (e.g. no batteries hidden in the back of statues). With that thought in mind, the first puzzle (the bomb) totally stumped me. I kept thinking about the wires, how they crossed, trying to figure out logically which was ground, neutral, or hot. Turns out it's not a logic puzzle in that sense. So puzzles are still console-type puzzles.

Final Fantasy VIII - There are a couple things I found distracting about this game. First, for a game that's so linearly plot based, I found it jarring that I could still do whatever I wanted in most cases. Now don't get me wrong, it's no fun if you're forced along a specific path all the time, but it just seems very strange that after Squall gives a rousing speech on going to save Rinoa, I can go fly to some other part of the world without any other character making any comments. Second, while it's great that you can turn off random encounters once you learn the ability with Diablos, it's also very strange that I can run up to the Lunatic Pandora (where a sea of monsters is supposed to be touching down) and not see anything. It would have been nice if you could see monsters hanging back or Squall & Co turn slightly invisible or something.

I know these are kinda silly complaints, but the change from super-deformed characters (as seen in "traditional" console rpg's) to more realistic models helps to pull gamers into the Final Fantasy VIII world, but the above things pull you out.

But I do have to say that some of the CG cinemas are just phenominal (like the one where Squall swings over a battle scene).

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - Graphics and music are cool, but I found the camera to be a pain. Often times, it's pointing the wrong direction. You'll run or phase into a room and POW! some bugger will attack you from off camera. Get to know the R2 and L2 buttons (camera movement), they're you're friends.

Also, I agree with the psx.ign.com review....the game doesn't give you many signposts to where you're supposed to be going. I wandered long and far before figuring out what I was supposed to be doing. Also, defeating the bosses was a huge experiment in trial-and-error. But overall, the games is lots of fun!

Omega Boost - A fun game despite what many reviewers say. Until the new Macross game comes out, this is the closest you're going to get to blasting Zentradi fleets to bits. When an entire fleet warps into view and starts blasting, you'll be struck with a strong feeling of deja vu.