(Repost of older Journal on Live spaces)

Take that RAAM!!!

Ahh such a good feeling.

I've played lots of games in my 19 years or so of gaming since I first started back on the NES. (I had played games before but only when I went to friends.) But anyways as I was saying. I've played lots of games in those years and many different kinds. Everything from Side-scrollers and beat em' ups to Arcade oldies and Platformers. From shooters to RPG's to Racers and Puzzle games. So many types, heck even the occasional sports game. And most times I usually tend to find something about a game that I enjoy. Granted there have been some games that I didn't really like much at all. But for the most part there are way more that I did enjoy then didn't. Even if they weren't the best games I still liked them enough to enjoy playing them. But then of course there are the Jewels of the games. The top of the pile. The favored and remembered. Ahh there are those great titles. When you just have such a good time enjoying the game. Playing it... no not just playing it. Experiencing it. Living it. whether it's a single player game your going through enjoying the most or a multiplayer game that you enjoy a lot playing with a friend. Those games that are the best.

Well I just recently beat one of these so called Gems. And as I've said I've played a lot of games over the years, and I've beat a fair share of games as well. And you know when it's one of those Gem games usually you feel good completing it... but then might feel that sad feeling knowing it's over. That the experience is over. No it's not like you can't go back and play it again. You can of course. But that freshness.. that newness... it's gone. Next time you play it... you'll know what happens. (At least Story wise anyways) This of course only applies to the games that have a mission or a story. Obviously this doesn't apply to multiplayer gaming where it's just about competition and anything can happen. But for the singleplayer game when you defeat it. That part of it... that new feeling is gone. Now that doesn't mean at all that you can't go back and play it and still have a very enjoyable time. You can. And indeed I've done it many times. You can even go back in some games and find new things out like secrets or try to get better times. Or have special rewards like better guns or extra costumes. But regardless something is not the same. Because you've played it and you know about some things that are going to happen. You can expect it. So some of that element is gone. Well anyways I'm rambling on about it and this isn't the main point of this journal. (Though I suppose it kind of is now... heh.)

Anyways about how I started. Like I've said I've played many games and beaten many games. And usually when you beat a game you've been playing for awhile there is that good feeling of accomplishment. Of finally beating it. Of finally finishing it. Completing it. Maybe not 100% completion but still finishing the game. Beating that last boss. Seeing the ending. Saving the World or Princess. Whatever the case may be. Point is usually you feel good. Then probably feel that feeling of a bit of sadness knowing you've completed it and it's over. But this isn't about that sadness. This is about that Good feeling, that feeling of "YES! I did it!" And you know that feeling is even better when your going up against a particularly challenging end boss. The harder the boss... the more good you feel when you finally topple it. When you finally shoot that last bullet into it, plunge that sword into it. Ahh yes. So why am I going on exactly? Well I just wanted to get this out. Get this in writing. Just felt so good I wanted to say something about it. Even though the chances are very good no one will read this. So indeed what AM I rambling on about? Well let me get to it.

Well this particular Boss was hard. I've had hard bosses in my experiences. Bosses in RPG's that can kill you in one move. Bosses that take a long time to beat. Bosses that seem invincible until you use a certain item or weapon on them. I've seen a lot and fought a lot. But this... this was different. First of all with RPG's it's not so hard. You getting beaten by the last boss? Just go level up max, equip some rare powerful items that will help you and chances are you'll win in time. Or as in other games where you need that special weapon or item and you can easily win just by attacking the boss with that weapon/item. But in games like First Person shooters or shooters in general. It's not about a special item... it's not about a special weapon that will kill the boss in one shot. Sometimes it is... but usually in a FPS or a Shooter you have to actually beat the boss with basically any other weapon in the game just like you've always been doing with any other enemy. It just takes longer and more skill/strategy. So this is the case for this Boss... So who is this mysterious boss? This powerful Bad Ass?

Now again I'm going on but it just must be said. I'll say it again. I've played many games, and beaten quite a few. And in all the times of beating a game. Of all the times of that good feeling of beating the last boss. As good as I might have felt beating that hard boss that is keeping you from the end of the game. From saving the world, from rescuing the Princess. I have never felt as good as I have just recently when I beat General RAAM on Insane mode in Gears of War. I have never felt such a sense of overwhelming pride and accomplishment. It felt so good. I've beaten many bosses and felt good about it. But this... this was intense... this was Epic. This... was one of those rare moments that will forever be in my gaming history. A moment I shall not forget. What made it even a more memorable experience and probably another reason why it was so much more enjoyable was that I was gaming with the Love of my Life. Sharing a Wonderful moment I shall cherish forever. We took this boss down together. Working as a team. Being one driving force who brought down the Villain. It is a moment I shall always look back on with pride and fullness. A Moment that is one of my most cherished gaming moments. And that's saying a lot.

So as hard as you were RAAM. As annoying as you where. As frustrating, hair pulling, controller throwing cheap as you where RAAM. I salute you. I salute you in being one of the most challenging and Awesome Bosses ever in a game. Because all that frustration... all that annoyance... all of that struggling. If it wasn't for you... If it wasn't for your toughness... for your bad-assness... even your cheapness... It just wouldn't have been the same when we finally beat you. So I salute you General RAAM. And for this moment in time. You have the honor of being the most bad ass, hardest, toughest, So glad when we Finally took you down, Boss. So congratulations General RAAM, you've earned it.

And special Thanks to Cliffy B and Epic Games for making a Masterpiece. For making such a "EPIC" game. I Salute you too. I thank you for one of the best games ever. Thank you Cliffy B. Thank you Epic. Now Part II please...

Feeling kinda Ansty today. My Girl has done quite a bunch of art lately and of course it's really nice. I kinda feel a bit off though because seeing her do all this wonderful art and I want to be a part of it. I try of course. I offer my suggestions/help and ideas and such. And that does feel good. But sometimes it just doesn't feel like enough. Like I feel like I want to be included more. Course that's kinda selfish. But I can't help but feel how I feel. Sometimes she does pictures for me and when she does I usually end up feeling very included. I guess it's not something easy to explain. I seem to be rambling on here... so I should probably just end this entry. But how I'm feeling like now when I say Antsy is related to this. Like now how I feel antsy because I see all this art and I want to be more included. So then sometimes I feel like asking her to do a picture for me or something which I know if I see her really wanting to do or liking to do it then I feel really good. But it also can make me feel bad for asking. Or make me feel a bit selfish as if I'm wanting or asking for too much. Meh... it's hard to explain these emotions sometimes. Meh...

Was a Good day/evening/night. My Girl did some very cute pictures today and I had a good time. Overall a nice evening/night.