Today's the 40th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act receiving the President's signature and becoming law, which reminded me (when I read about that in the Old Farmer's Almanac's entry for today) about a discussion I'd seen in "Gargoyles" circles years ago, about what if the gargoyles were recognized as an endangered species under the law. The discussion revolved around the mixed blessing it would be for them; it would make it harder for people like Castaway to hunt them (since Castaway - in Greg Weisman's vision - is clearly concerned about public perception), but could result in the public seeing the gargoyles as simply animals rather than intelligent beings. (Not to mention that they could still be removed from Manhattan on the grounds of needing to be returned to their natural habitat in the wild - wherever that might be from the perspective of whoever would be doing that.)
Todd Jensen
Hufflepuffs are really good finders
posted @ Sat, Dec 28, 2013 6:11:16 pm EST from 108.226.1.5

Pretty much agree with Masterdramon about the story and dialogue. I'm perfectly happy that we got a new story that filled in some gaps in our knowledge, even if I would have preferred it as an episode.

With regards to the gameplay... well, I played the 3DS version. I can't comment on the other versions, but if I had to choose one word to describe the 3DS gameplay, it would be: BORING. Excruciatingly, mind-numbingly BORING. The characters move slowly, the animation on the attacks is minimal and uninteresting, the turn-based system really doesn't work for these characters whose combat should be quick and dynamic. Also, the fighting is all there is, with no exploring or finding Red Arrow's journals. I found myself with barely any motivation to continue after only the first battle, and only forced myself to play it through to get the story (I didn't want to cheat and watch it online until afterwards). But because of the poor animation even the cutscenes tended to suffer, with a lot of the action just being described by text boxes. If there's anyone who hasn't bought the game yet and is wondering which version to get, I cannot say "do not buy the 3DS version" strongly enough.

I'm still definitely hoping for more games in the future. I'll just be sure to avoid the handheld version next time.

Oh, and a late merry Christmas and happy holidays to the comment room!
Ross
"The future is in the past! Onwards, Aoshima!"
posted @ Thu, Dec 26, 2013 11:29:27 pm EST from 71.82.155.103

Algernon> Perhaps, but it's not like there's ambiguity about what Ocean Master is aiming for, right?
ESG
posted @ Thu, Dec 26, 2013 8:06:53 pm EST from 50.52.8.11

Algernon: Indeed...though if the Light [SPOILER] wanted Aquaman alive, Black Manta is probably the worst person they could have POSSIBLY left to watch him. It's like leaving the Sworn-Enemy-of-All-That-is-Chickenz to guard the henhouse. [/SPOILER]

Generally, I agree with ESG on most aspects. The tentpoles of the story are good, but it's paced awkwardly at best; villains appear, do cool stuff, then disappear immediately afterward with little effect on the overall narrative.

Still, all the dialogue was perfectly in-character, so it's quite enjoyable as an extended piece of fanservice if nothing else. I wish some of the actors (Mark Rolston's Lex Luthor and Thom Adcox's Klarion in particular) had been given more screentime to work with, but I liked what we got.

Gameplay-wise...well, as far as licensed games go, I've played much better and I've played much worse. Hopefully, if the sales wind up good enough to warrant another effort by Little Orbit, they'll be able to learn from their mistakes and improve accordingly.

And as for the gameplay...
Masterdramon - [kmc12009 at mymail dot pomona dot edu]
"But back home he'll always run...to sweet Melissa..." - The Allman Brothers Band
posted @ Thu, Dec 26, 2013 8:06:21 pm EST from 50.148.163.45

ESG> It's never wise to assume what The Light TELLS you their evil plan is, and what their evil plan ACTUALLY is are the same things.
Algernon
And it was then that Nyarlathotep came out of Egypt. Who he was, none could tell, but he was of the old native blood and looked like a Pharaoh. He said he had risen up out of the blackness of twenty-seven centuries, and that he had heard messages from places not on this planet.
posted @ Thu, Dec 26, 2013 6:54:14 pm EST from 109.79.69.223

So,Young Justice Legacy. Personally, I thought the game was...decent. I appreciated the variety of player characters, but that was pretty much the only thing stopping things from getting extremely repetitive. Even the bosses weren't particularly interesting. As for the story, it was good. It's also the worst story Young Justice has had, I think. There were several things that didn't make sense, though I'd attribute most of that to gameplay-story segregation. One thing that bugged the heck out of me though was this question: [SPOILER] why in the world didn't Black Manta kill Aquaman when he was bound up? What was the point of keeping him alive any longer if his death is crucial to your plans? [/SPOILER]
ESG
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 4:55:34 pm EST from 50.52.8.11

And got it wrong again! Sorry and Merry Christmas one more time!
Melissa
Re-watching Gargoyles and blogging about it -http://ramblingsofpicturebox.blogspot.com
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 4:44:07 pm EST from 184.6.111.72

Ugh! Apologies all, I got the URL wrong in my signature on the previous comment.
Melissa
Re-watching Gargoyles and blogging about it -http://ramblingsofpicturebox.blogspot
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 4:41:02 pm EST from 184.6.111.72

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you're all having a great holiday,
Melissa
Re-watching Gargoyles and blogging about it -http://ramblingsofpicturebox.blogger.com
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 4:35:12 pm EST from 184.6.111.72

Merry Christmas to all!
Matthew
I have nothing more to say...So why am I still talking?
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 3:59:39 pm EST from 64.85.229.140

Merry Christmas, everyone!
Todd Jensen
Hufflepuffs are really good finders
posted @ Wed, Dec 25, 2013 7:08:59 am EST from 108.226.1.5

Did Greg W. ever say what type of Santa Claus he was using in Gargoyles? Down through the centuries Santa has had many interpretations.
Vinnie - [tpeano29 at hotmail dot com]
Mark Twain: "Don't argue with stupid people. They'll take you down to their level and beat you with experience."
posted @ Tue, Dec 24, 2013 7:07:22 pm EST from 108.238.86.94

Some scholars believe that Odin might have influenced the concept of Santa Claus. Though if Odin (or any other member of the Third Race) is Santa, let's hope Oberon's willing to grant him a temporary leave of absence from Avalon on Christmas Eve.
Todd Jensen
Hufflepuffs are really good finders
posted @ Tue, Dec 24, 2013 7:12:53 am EST from 108.226.1.5

And he's just an angry polar bear Hyena put a Christmas hat on.
Harlan Phoenix
The enemy is clever. We're smaller but whatever. When we put it together, I'll form the head.
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 2:20:30 pm EST from 76.2.67.11

Santa "Claws" will be the next member of the Pack.
Anthony Tini
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 1:23:08 pm EST from 159.240.11.178

I like the Dresden Files' interpretation of Santa Claus: That he's actually Odin.

Which wouldn't work with the Gargoyles universe's version of Odin, I'm sure. Santa Claus wouldn't have done what Odin did in "Eye of the Storm," would he?
Paul - [nampahcfluap at yahoo dot com]
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 11:10:07 am EST from 71.57.109.177

FIRST!
Brainiac - [OSUBrainiac at gmail dot com]
There is balance in all things. Live in symmetry with the world around you. If you must blow things up and steal from those around you, THAT'S WHAT RPGS ARE FOR!
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 8:22:24 am EST from 137.183.232.23

Two!
Anthony Tini
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 8:01:45 am EST from 159.240.11.178

Three.

This is the time of year when many "Gargoyles" fans recall (at least, this one does) Greg Weisman's mention that he had an idea for a "Gargoyles" story featuring Santa Claus, and wondering what that would have been like. While the contents remain a mystery, I recently recalled that Santa does have ties to New York, thanks to his developing out of the Christmas folklore of the Dutch colonists who founded New Amsterdam ("Santa Claus" is the Dutch adaptation of "Saint Nicholas"). Washington Irving's "Deidrich Knickerbocker's History of New York" (a mock-epic history of New York under the Dutch) gives St. Nicholas and his Christmas activities some attention, in particular a scene where he helps ensure New York being founded at Manhattan.

In Irving's history, a group of Dutch explorers under the leadership of Oloffe Von Kortlandt set out from the original Dutch settlement of Communipaw to find new lands to settle in, and after a couple of hazardous adventures, come to Manhattan. There, Oloffe has a dream in which "the good St. Nicholas came riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children", lands by the Dutch camp, pulls out his pipe and smokes it. The smoke from his pipe floats over the island, taking the shape of a mighty city with "palaces and domes and lofty spires" (Irving himself couldn't have expected, though, just how many "lofty spires" would be rising there). The smoke then disperses, and St. Nicholas "laying his finger beside his nose" (a line that must have inspired Clement Moore when he wrote "A Visit From St. Nicholas" many years later) and giving Oloffe "a very significant look" flies off in his wagon.

I don't know, of course, if Greg's read Irving's "History of New York". But it indicates that Santa has old roots indeed in the gargoyles' home city.
Todd Jensen
Hufflepuffs are really good finders
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 6:55:11 am EST from 108.226.1.5

Four
ESG
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 5:37:32 am EST from 50.52.29.1

FIVE!!
Phoenician
"The suspense is terrible, I hope it lasts" -- Willy Wonka
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 4:33:39 am EST from 68.231.123.116

(666) Sixth!!!!!!
Vinnie - [tpeano29 at hotmail dot com]
Mark Twain: "Don't argue with stupid people. They'll take you down to their level and beat you with experience."
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 2:23:53 am EST from 108.238.86.94

Seven!
Masterdramon - [kmc12009 at mymail dot pomona dot edu]
"But back home he'll always run...to sweet Melissa..." - The Allman Brothers Band
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 1:10:26 am EST from 50.148.163.45

Eight!
Ross
"The future is in the past! Onwards, Aoshima!"
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 12:51:31 am EST from 50.148.97.169

Count Down to New Years
Nine!
Wingless
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 12:43:11 am EST from 173.34.147.46

Tenth!!!
Matt - [Saint Louis, Missouri, USA]
"For science, which, as my associate Fang indicated, must move ever forward. Plus there's the money... and I do love the drama!" - Sevarius, "Louse"
posted @ Mon, Dec 23, 2013 12:27:12 am EST from 99.92.109.252