Blog Herding – The Best Blogs Of The Community (April 9, 2015)

This week's collection of blogs leans heavily on Nintendo's latest announcements concerning new games and Super Smash Bros. DLC. Plus, we have some great reviews and blogs focused on our community writing challenge. I even got in on this week's challenge and wrote a post about the wonderful world of Monster Hunter.

Enjoy this roundup of blogs, and as always, I look forward to reading everyone's work!

Community Blogs For April 2 – April 8:

Need Recommendations for PS Vita
This isn't a typical blog, but TonberryKing128 needs the community's help with PlayStation Vita recommendations! I don't own the handheld, but I did try out Gravity Rush at the Consumers Electronics Show and dug it.

My Love for Mortal Kombat
Irwin529 loves Mortal Kombat. He says it's accessible without being too simple, and full of great lore while not being bogged down by it. Simply put, it's a fun fighting game for those looking for a round of fisticuffs. It's fun to see how Irwin's skill and appreciation has evolved with the series.

Amiibogedon Has Broken Me
General Mills44 has a problem: He can't find any of Nintendo's amiibos. He really wants to give his cash away for the figures instead of paying for his university bill, but is really just too tired of all the searching, luck, and stress involved in the hunt. I once held a Villager amiibo in my hand, set it down, and walked away. I knew this was one collectible craze I didn't want a part of, for if I had one super rare amiibo, I would need all of them. 

Vote for Wonder Red!
In a blog centered on Super Smash Bros., Tstitan, the man in Tetsucabra armor, makes the case for Wonder Red from The Wonderful 101 (a fantastic game you should play). I've already cast my vote for a Monster Hunter 4 hunter. Each special move for the hunter is tied to a particular armor set and represents that monster's traits (speed and evasion for Barioth, fire strike for Ratholos). Now I cross my fingers with Tstitan and hope that both of our dreams come true...

Thoughts on Fire Emblem If
Will Watson gives us his opinion on Fire Emblem If, specifically on the different versions of the game having to do with which kingdom the main character sides with. He isn't too bothered by the prospect of multiple versions, and sets up an articulate post about why it makes sense. Then again, the North American version hasn't been fully detailed, so it will be interesting to keep an eye on how things proceed. 

Three Nintendo Games That Drastically Changed After Their Initial Reveals
Anime & Game Fan writes about how Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem has changed quite a bit since its initial reveal. It's the precursor to his list of three other games to have changed drastically during development: Star Fox Adventures, Kirby's Return to Dream Land, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Another great one to include is Rare's Conker's Bad Fur Day. From cutesty animals to cigar-smokin' critters and poop monsters, that game's development saw some big changes...for better or worse (I'm going with better).

Vote for Shovel Knight! (Update: Potential Move Set Included)
If this week's blogs teach you anything, it should be this: People are excited about new Super Smash Bros. characters. In this blog, Alto1st makes the case for Shovel Knight, one of the recent indie darlings to impress gamers. There's even an included move set that proves the blue knight would really bury the competition (pun stolen from Alto1st).

Writing Challenge Responses:

Community Writing Challenge: The Wondrous World Of Rapture
Rebekah writes about her time in BioShock's Rapture, and like many a gamer, the world sunk its teeth into her imagination from the very beginning and never let go. A Game Informer article featuring concept images is actually what whet her appetite for the genuine classic – and she wasn't disappointed.  

Getting Lost in Los Santos
Los Santos doesn't have any aliens in it, or boast any fantasy-inpsired geographical features, but it feels alive, according to blogger Cru Hunter. It's a city that has more character than some JRPG characters, and it's filled to the brim with activity.

Glorious Worlds: Twisted Metal Universe
Boxcar182 really loves the Twisted Metal world. From constantly-on-fire-psycho-clown Sweet Tooth, to the absolutely joyful carnage, I have to agree; this is one fun world to lose a weekend or two to. Hopefully we'll see some more car combat in the future!

Wondrous Worlds: A Journey Through History in Assassin's Creed
Adamholb2 writes about the Assassin's Creed games for this week's challenge, complimenting the beautiful cities found in the series. While many parts of Creed wow him, it's the world he gets to play around in that takes the cake – a world he's seen in person. Just don't try to climb any of these historical buildings in real life; it won't end too well.

Community Reviews:

Assassin's Creed Rogue Review
Blogger Whirz makes a claim for Rogue's story being the best the Assassin series has offered in this review. I've only played one title in this series, but wouldn't mind jumping back in after reading about the tale centered on switching factions. And how cool is it to sail a ship? Answer: it's awesome.

Far Cry 4 Review – Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
Raging Searchers describes "being chased by a honey badger," as his first Far Cry 4 memory, and I have to say that is both terrifying and exciting. While flawed – and maybe a bit too similar to the third iteration for Raging Searchers – he ultimately gives the latest game in the series a wholehearted two thumps up.

Bloodborne Review: Borne For Greatness
Another week, another Bloodborne review. It's clear this game has taken the community by storm, and Refle gives the game yet another rousing review as to why everyone should be playing it. The intro paragraph about the speed of the main character and a particular boss has me interested in seeing what this game is all about.

Community Writing Challenge:

Let's talk bosses. The end-level giant, the final, multiple-form badass, or the tear-jerkers like The Boss. These all-powerful characters have been a staple of gaming for years, and over that time we've had some fantastic encounters with them. I want you to share your favorites with the community. Immortalize Bowser in a poem; serenade me with a melodic ode to Sephiroth; or just write us all a blog about how good it felt to take down Handsome Jack. That guy was a jerk.

I hope you enjoy the blogs! Please contact me via my Game Informer page or on Twitter at @LouisGarcia12 with any blog news or playdate suggestions.