July 2009 Archives

Using the Freedom map, Andrew managed to create a city with a population of 675,000. He was never able to build a city of this size before, though there are probably people who have. Check out the video below to see how he did it.

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew discusses his ambition to create the biggest city he could using the Freedom map. Having done pretty much everything else, this was a new challenge for him.
• Andrew's city reaches population 600,000.
• Andrew showcases the city's stats and overviews.
• Andrew discusses filling in all the green space on the map, and giving the citizens tax breaks in order to reach the highest population possible.
• Andrew revisits the city's stats and overviews.
• Andrew discusses how maps with any bodies of water don't allow you to build up as big.

Building a Megalopolis is not as hard as it seems. In this video, Adorable Andrew demonstrates how to take it one step at a time!

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew briefly touches on his previous video in which he demonstrated how NOT to build a city and contrasts this idea with the scenarios.
• Andrew jokes that the first step in building a Megalopolis is to give the city a good name.
• Andrew suggests that step 1 in creating a Megalopolis is selecting a good map. Andrew suggests using 137.
• Andrew suggests that step 2 is choosing Nuclear Power over Coal Power.
• Andrew suggests that step 3 is taking loans when you need them.
• Andrew suggests that step 4 is demolishing schools and hospitals.
• Andrew suggests that step 5 is using parks to your advantage.
• Andrew suggests that step 6 is dealing with crime as early as possible.
• Andrew suggests that step 7 is using rails instead of roads.
• Andrew suggests that step 8 is to obey the "2-1-1" rule.
• Andrew discusses what a healthy city should look like.
• Andrew discusses the importance of the layout of the city.

I know that I've threatened to quit a few times (oops!) but as you can see, I've started making video reviews as of late. This is something both new and exciting for me, and I definitely want to continue down this road. It seems all the more important now that I'm getting into game development. I might even be going to school!

That said I don't expect to be able to pump out videos at the rate I had been earlier this month. Although I have all the footage recorded for the next video, it may take another week or two before it is completed. The end result should justify the means, however.

Thanks for stopping in!

Adorable Andrew demonstrates how NOT to build a city in SimCity. Admittedly, you could do a lot worse than he did here.

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew introduces the idea that there is a particular way of building a thriving city in SimCity. Although SimCity does enable you to build your city your way, it may not lead to favorable results.
• Andrew spends his budget on zoning instead of dealing with the brownout problems inherent in his city.
• The citizens continue to demand a power plant, so Andrew reluctantly decides to save up.
• Andrew finally builds another power plant only to be asked to build another one.
• Andrew saves up for another power plant, but this time the citizens demand a sea port. A sea port, naturally, costs as much as a power plant.
• Andrew reluctantly builds a sea port and the city continues to grow. Only this time, the citizens demand an airport.
• Andrew somehow manages to build up to a Metropolis, in 125 game years.

Adorable Andrew reviews the 1997 Sci-Fi Drama, Gattaca. The movie starred Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law.

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew establishes that this movie is more of a Drama or a Thriller as opposed to an Action flick.
• Andrew suggests that the movie isn't fast-paced, but is still engaging.
• Andrew suggests that the acting could be characterized as stoic, but is still quite good.
• Andrew discusses the basic plot line of the movie.
• Andrew suggests that the storyline is intriguing because it seems plausible.
• Andrew suggests that the movie is about a man who overcame the odds.
• Andrew suggests that there may not be much joy in being pre-selected for a lifestyle or career even before birth.
• Andrew recommends checking out this movie.

I just wanted to let you know that the video content may go down for a bit. But don't worry; it will be back soon.

Adorable Andrew discusses the latest and greatest in his life: gigging, gaming, and global warning. OK, not the last one, but we couldn't think of anything else that started with the letter G.

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew discusses the weather (Why? Because he was tired).
• Andrew discusses gigging as a musician.
• Andrew talks about Final Fantasy XII and Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2.
• Andrew claims that FFXII is addicting more than it is fun.
• Andrew suggests that FFXII is a big game.
• Andrew contrasts FFXII with Final Fantasy X.
• Andrew discusses FFXII in more depth; mark hunts, the combat system, and the license system.
• Andrew references Final Fantasy XI and how much of a grind it was.
• Andrew discusses his first impressions of FFXII: a mixture of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.
• Andrew suggests that FFXII is the best game he's played in the series recently.
• Andrew briefly discusses Final Fantasy I and II (Final Fantasy Origins).
• Andrew discusses the music of FFXII.
• Andrew discusses the storyline of FFXII. He claims that it doesn't move very fast.
• Andrew references his review of Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2.
• Andrew ponders what his next game review will be.

In his first ever video review, Adorable Andrew discusses Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2. The game was released by Human Entertainment in 1992 for the Super Famicom platform. The game was a Japan only release.

A brief rundown of things discussed by Adorable Andrew:

• Andrew points out the vast selection of wrestlers you can play as.
• Andrew shows his appreciation for the game's music.
• Andrew briefly touches on the graphics of the game.
• Andrew discusses how there are no status bars in the game, and you have to rely on visual cues to determine when to pin your opponent.
• Andrew suggests that one of the playable wrestlers bares resemblance to Hulk Hogan.
• Andrew demonstrates a tag team match-up.
• Andrew suggests that there isn't that much of a difference between the wrestlers, although they do have different moves.
• Andrew pokes fun at the sound effects.
• Andrew discusses the origins of video game music.
• Andrew demonstrates his favorite move in the game by throwing his opponent into the turnbuckle repeatedly.
• Andrew plays as Mad Tiger, whose special techniques include breathing fire and kicking his opponents in the crotch.