added more lost content from 2007

content/articles/gba-rpgs.md

@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ date: "2006-11-15"
 title: "Impressive GBA RPGs"
 game_platform: gba
 aliases: ['/articles/features/gba-rpgs']
-tags: ['rpg concepts', 'Final Fantasy', 'Yggdra Union', 'Fire Emblem', 'Golden Sun', 'Tactics Ogre', 'Final Fantasy Tactics', 'Riviera']
+tags: ['rpg concepts', 'Final Fantasy', 'Yggdra Union', 'Fire Emblem', 'Golden Sun', 'Tactics Ogre', 'jrpg', 'strategy', 'Final Fantasy Tactics', 'Riviera']
 ---
 
 ![impressive GBA RPGs](/img/articles/GBARPGs.jpg)
 
-Since the Nintendo DS has been released a couple of years ago, many game related websites predicted a quick and painful death for the Gameboy Advance. Thankfully, none of those predictions made it into reality since the GBA library is still steadily growing, although a whole lot slower than in 2002. Nintendo's smart marketing ideas enabled the DS to play GBA cartridges which indirectly prolongs the overall GBA's life. Therefore, a lot of potentially great games have been released but mainly ignored in favor of less entertaining DS games. So let's take a look at the most impressive GBA Roleplaying or Strategy games!
+Since the [Nintendo DS](/platforms/ds) has been released a couple of years ago, many game related websites predicted a quick and painful death for the [Game Boy Advance](/platforms/gba). Thankfully, none of those predictions made it into reality since the GBA library is still steadily growing, although a whole lot slower than in 2002. Nintendo's smart marketing ideas enabled the DS to play GBA cartridges which indirectly prolongs the overall GBA's life. Therefore, a lot of potentially great games have been released but mainly ignored in favor of less entertaining DS games. So let's take a look at the most impressive GBA [Roleplaying](/tags/jrpg) or [Strategy](/tags/strategy) games!
 
 Of course no console or handheld's RPG collection is truly complete without any [Final Fantasy](/tags/final-fantasy) spin-off or port. The Japanese GBA library today includes FF I and II: Dawn of Souls, FF IV, FF V and FF VI. The last one will be released within a few months in the USA. The only missing Final Fantasy number is III, which is ported and recreated to the DS. I and II are bundled together in a complete package. But this package is mostly for FF lovers out there, because the game lacks pacing and the battle sequences are ridiculously easy compared to other Squaresoft games. IV suffers from little annoying glitches, the port is not so well-polished as we had hoped. 
 

content/articles/infinity-engine-mods.md

@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+---
+title: Infinity Engine Mods
+date: 2007-01-18
+---
+
+A few days ago, [Obsidian's](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.obsidianent.com/) modular Roleplaying game Neverwinter Nights 2 was released. NWN is well-known for its overwhelming amounth of fan-made modules and even whole [Community Packs](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://nwn.bioware.com/players/cep.html). This is the result of BioWare's powerful Aurora Engine toolkit, which came packaged with the game. So actually it's not that strange the game gets so much attention - take a look at UT2004's numberous modifications or Total Conversions: with UnrealEd this is all possible.
+
+BioWare's previous critically acclaimed Roleplaying game, [Baldur's Gate II](/tags/baldurs-gate-2), did not feature any toolkits when it was released in 2000. BG2 used Planescape Torment's and Icewind Dale's [Infinity Engine](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinity_Engine) to render scenes. (Acutally the Infinity Engine was first used in BG1, released in 1998. Black Isle did Planescape in 1999) Thanks to BG's widely accepted "Best RPG Game ever" state, fans started engineering tools to hack the file system used by this engine. Various File extractors and speech decompilers started showing up and before you know it, complete Conversions for Baldur's Gate became available! Let's dig really deep and list a (short, can't possibly list everything) couple of popular modifications for Baldur's Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, and for the expansion pack, Throne of Bhaal. 
+
+## Part 1 - Joinable Characters
+
+### Kelsey ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=81&Itemid=66))
+
+The Kelsey NPC Project is probably one of the most complete BG2 modifications to date. You'll not only be able to recruit a new joinable character, but he's also as good as fully voiced and has many bants with all your favourite BG2 NPCs. Kelsey comes with some custom made items (don't worry, nothing overpowering here) and has quests throughout Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal. Want something more? No problem, you can even romance with Kelsey! As a Neutral Good Sorcerer, he dislikes most chaotic Evil characters - especially Korgan. Kelsey does not have amazing stats but works surprisingly well as a spellcaster cannon. Be sure to try him out. 
+
+### Saerileth ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.gilalion.com/saerilethmod.htm))
+
+Saerileth is a bit an unusual NPC modification. As most other characters, Saerileth comes with voice acting, many many banter interactions between other NPCs and her own quest. The quest is not very balanced though and her voice might get very annoying after a while. Nonetheless, this powerful Paladin of Tyr might be a good addition to your team. Be warned she stronly dislikes a bad reputation and will eventually leave if you break her hart. Yes, a romance is possible. 
+
+### Solafein/Valen ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.weidu.org/main.html))
+
+These two NPCs made by Weimer might be worth checking out since they have been created with something completely different in mind. Solafein is a Chaotic (Good/Neutral) Drow Fighter/mage who will banter twice with each other party member. You can pick him up in Ust Natha and he plays a big role in the Underworld - most BG2 players are already familiar with this chapter. If you'd like something completely differnet, there's Valen, a Chaotic Evil Vampire Fighter/Thief who accompanies Bodhi in her hold at the Graveyard. As you know she also plays a (less important) role in the main story but both characters were not able to join your party before. 
+
+### Xar/Yoshimo ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=164&Itemid=113))
+
+Nope, Yoshimo is not new. But everyone who misses this talkative Bounty Hunter can always use a little trick to keep him from dying in the main plot. There are also some modifications available which weave Yoshimo's revival into the game, instead of ruthlessly hacking him back in as he won't have any further dialogs in Throne of Bhaal for instance.
+Xar is also not entirely new: evil parties could already hire this mad Necromancer in Baldur's Gate I and now he's back. After the Xar quest in the Docks District you are given the option to recruit him. Xan has an extensive friendship path with the PC, banters with every Bioware NPC, a vast amount of interjections, character reactions and other scenery dialogue. His soundset and banters are fully voiced. He can also fall in love with you as long as your protagonist is female (I hope...) 
+
+### Other characters
+
+(Download links broken, you'll find these using your favorite search engine)
+
+- Kindrek - Berserker
+- Keto - Bard (SOA Only)
+- One-Day NPCs - Various small packs
+- Amber - Fighter/Thief
+- Auren Aseph - Fighter
+- Mur'Neth - Thief
+- Kivan and Deheriana
+- Edwin Romance
+- Tashia - Sorcererss
+- Yikari - Monk
+- Hubelpot - Druid
+- Chloe - Kensai/Mage 
+
+## Part 2 - Additional Quest Content
+
+### Unfinished Business ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=101&Itemid=80))
+
+The Unfinished Business modification lets you play quests which were initially present in the game but were thrown out during the final release. There are over 20 components available (all of them can be installed separately), such as the kidnapping of Boo, the Suna Seni/Valygar Relationship, the restoration of the Crooked Crane Inn, many left-out encounters and items, restored original portraits, you name it. Read the full overview here. 
+
+### Quest Pack ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.pocketplane.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=128&Itemid=100))
+
+As the orignal mod description says: The Quest Pack contains a number of components designed to add additional adventures throughout Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn and Throne of Bhaal. These components include general AI fixing, creature & area improvements (Beholder Lair, Tiwsted Rune e.a.), and some minor fixes and tweaks regarding encounters and spells. Be warned though: Installing quest pack together with Unfinished Business may result in unwanted compatibility problems. Read the manual to install every module in the correct order and you're fine. 
+
+### Baldur's Gate Trilogy ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.spellholdstudios.net/mods/bgt-weidu/))
+
+Since Baldur's Gate II is a direct sequel to Baldur's Gate: Tales of the Sword Coast ant its expansion, some players might as well wish to play everything in order. The sad part about manual installing all games is BG1 utilizes the older version of the Infinity Engine: you won't be able to play on higher resolutions. Instead, try this modification: it allows players to go from BG1 all the way through Throne of Bhaal using the BG2 Infinity Engine. There are even some special modifications available only for BG:T such as the BG1Tutu Enhancements. Do not forget to consult the mod manual this time since many modifications do not like one big Baldur's Gate install, although it is perfectly possible to for instance install Kelsey (once you've reached Athkatla that is) 
+
+### Other additions
+
+- Mod Ressurections - Reviving old mods
+- Epic Endeavours Total Conversion
+- Redemption - alternate ending
+- Region of Terror Drizz't Partial Conversion
+- Return to Trademeet Total Conversion
+- Shadows over Soubar
+- The Big Picture component intersection 
+
+## Part 3 - Existing Feature Enhancements
+
+### Refinements ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.spellholdstudios.net/mods/refinements/))
+
+The Refinements modification aims to correct several "mistakes" made by the BioWare development team. It improves many BG2 (ToB) features such as completely new High Level Abilities Tables (HLA), fixes the shapeshifting nerf and adds a new kit into the game: the Sword Angel, a noble fighter which focuses on spiritual abilities. There's also an option available to turn Imoen into a Swashbuckler/Mage instead of the regular Thief/Mage thing - she'll get a bit tougher but less rogue skill points. 
+
+### Divine Remix ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.gibberlings3.net/cleric/index.php))
+
+The Divine Remix aims to rebalance and change several aspects of divine-magic-using classes (clerics, paladins, druids, and rangers) in Baldur's Gate (via Baldur's Gate Tutu) and Baldur's Gate II. The mod originally began as Cleric Remix. The most notable change to the spell system is the proper implementation of spheres. Like arcane magic and its school system, divine magic can be broken into spheres such as animal, necromancy, protection, etc. And finally, druids are able to pick another alignment than True Neutral, as long as it has the keyword neutral in it. Clerics can pick special kits which gain innate abilities relevant to their chosen deity. 
+
+### The Tactics Mod ([download](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.weidu.org/tactics.html))
+
+Tired of playing Baldur's Gate II? You know all possible ways to defeat enemies and bosses? Well install this great modification and be prepared to get kicked in the ass bigtime again! Tactics does what the title says: it adds some serious tactics to most encounters. The enemy AI has been greatly improved, enemy spellcasters now act just like you: buffing, protection seeking, and then firing away. Bodhi, Irenicus, Bhaal, the Sahuagin City, Torgal, Golems (auch!), the Undead, ... - you name it, they've improved it. There have even been added some very challenging encounters such as the Acid Kensai "Kuroisan". 
+
+### Other fixes
+
+- BG2 Fixpack
+- 1Pixel Productions paperdoll changes
+- Dungeon be Gone!
+- Virtue: Repuation fixes 
+
+## Part A: References
+
+The Toolkits
+
+- Infinity Explorer
+- IESDP 2DA File Browser
+- Engine File Format Hacking Project
+- WeiDU Dialog Compiler 
+
+The Related Websites
+
+- Baldurdash.org: Baldur's Gate II Fixes
+- BG2 Portrait Portal
+- BG2 Portrait Gallery with importable NWN Portraits
+- PocketPlane Modding Group
+- Spellhold Studios
+- The Black Wyrm Lair
+- The Chosen of Mystra
+- The Gibberlings 3 Modding community 
+
+(Originally written [in 2007 at Jefklak.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20070514103406/http://www.jefklak.com/Articles/InfinityEngineMods)).

content/articles/legend-of-wii.md

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+---
+title: The Legend of the Wii
+date: 2007-04-20
+---
+
+ I give in already! Four months too late, but whatever: the Wii is mine. The most important question arises: is the Nintendo Wii Wii? If you're too lazy to read the rest: yes it is. The TV remote shaped controller even calls himself Wiimote, controllers are a mechanic of the past. Thanks to this convenient shape, people who have never played a game before are able to pull off quite impressive moves. In the end, all that is needed is pointing at the screen and sometimes pressing a few buttons - just like a remote. Bad part #1 discovered: the thing requires 2 AA batteries and burns through those quite fast. Combining the Wiimote with the Nunchuck attachment gives most newcomers to gaming a bit of trouble, as the attachment is essentially just an analog stick and two buttons. But wait! The Nunchuck has a built-in separate motion sensor, neat. It takes some time to get used to the separate parts, espacially since in the past two hands hold only one controller. 
+
+ Me and others have had a lot of fun, tinkering with the console itself, without playing any real games yet. There is a built-in communication system present which enables you to send and receive messages once you've added the contact's friend code to your list and vice versa. You can even send edited pictures made by the Picture Channel, and receive e-mails from other systems. Bad part #2 discovered: oh no, more friends codes! Luckily, there's only one present per system. For now, since there are no real online play games on the market yet (25 may, Mario Football charged). 
+
+The Wii console comes with a "free" game called Wii Sports. This package lets you play different sports games with the Wiimote (and boxing with the nunchuck) for up to 4 players. It's ideal to start out, fumbling with the motion sensors and trying to get things right. Tennis, bowling and sometimes even golf are popular choices here. The boxing game mostly results in "bash the Wiimote and nunchuck like crazy until you've landed a hit". Even with tactics, most matches end up swining the controller parts (Am I even permitted to still call it a controller?) like mad, although you can evade enemy hits with careful movement. Most players love to mimick baseball or tennis swings, standing up from their comfy chair and throwing the Wiimote at the screen (thank god for those wrist straps). Even a small wrist flick does the trick, but what's the fun in doing that when you can take the whole swing? Anyway, there's one thing certain: Wii Sports is a success. 
+
+![](/img/articles/wii_channels.jpg " The Wii is divided into different Channels. Again just like on TV, strange! ")
+
+The Wii Play package features an extra Wiimote, and some minigames playable with up to (only) 2 players. Those games mostly last a few minutes and are much les entertaining than the sports variant, sadly. The only game worth playing would be pooling or maybe the fishing game. Tanks is fun, but there are not many levels and it never takes more than 3-5 minutes. Well, don't expect much from it, at least you've got another Wiimote! There also isn't a training or fitness option present like in Wii Sports. 
+
+Without a doubt the most entertaining part of the Wii, at least for the first couple of weeks, is the Mii Channel. As a player, you can create your own cartoony "avatar". The avatar is used in different games, like in Wii Sports and Play. You can store your created Mii onto the Wiimote (up to 4, I believe) and take them to your friends. You won't need to recreate yourself then. Of course, you can also send your newly created Mii to your friends! (Not in the Pinboard channel, but directly in the Mii channel). After you've created a couple of funny looking guys and girls, the real fun starts. You can send up to 20 Miis per day to friends, and besides explicitly sending and receiving, you can also go to the "public" Mii area. Every now and then, when players enabled Mii Migration, they pass by on your console. You can pick them up and add them to your main area, which enables you to play as one of them. Or even funnier, as you are bowling, you can see your friends Mii bowling in the same area in the background!
+
+The Mii and pinboard system does have it's share of problems, though. As you can organize all Mii's based on the alphabet, color and gender, there is no option to sort your incoming messages. When you receive over x messages at one day, a separate screen pops up where you can scroll to, but that solution is far from elegant. Messages can be ordered manually by picking them up with the A+B button, but it would have been nice to be able to quickly sort on sender or time. You can only send pictures too other Wii's, and not e-mail addresses. Strange decision. There is no option to attach something else besides pictures (wouldn't it be awesome to be able to send savegames?). You can only see a portion of the message title, and there's no option to set the label to the date or sender.
+
+![](/img/articles/wii_pinboard.jpg " Look at all my awesome messages, ma! ")
+
+Ah yes, Virtual Console, the ability to play all previous Nintendo Consoles, going back to the NES. Personally, before I owned the Wii my number one to get it - sounds stupid with emulation possibilities these days, but still. I'm personally rather disappointed in the VC service, mostly because of two reasons: the price and the quality. The price is set on €5 NES, €8 SNES/MegaDrive, €10 N64. That's right, in EURO'S. $10 isn't even €7 but we PAL gamers are used to being treated like garbage, aren't we. Well okay, I had to try the service, so I bought some virutal points. Oh wait, you can only pay €10, €30 or €50 in advance! So one has to pay at least €10 to enjoy one NES game... Sounds very marketing-ish. But still, come on, €5 for a game from 1985? If the price had been equally balanced (let's say €2,5 / €5 / €7,5) I'd buy even more VC games and Nintendo made more profit out of me than now with the higher price...
+
+The Nintendo Entertainment System Quality isn't that great either. I've only tried Castlevania and Kirby's Adventure until now, but both games "feature" sound volume loss and a lot of color drab. The color problem is understandable, but the sound volume adjustments could've been easily avoided. Sometimes, the screen flickers a bit when scrolling between them, but I can live with that. The online game manual contents and visual representation on the other hand is very well done! Thanks to the new "Home" menu, you can pause and quit any VC (generally any channel, even Wii games, except Gamecube) game at any given time. When you return to the VC channel afterwards, the game picks up where you left it at. And that's a good thing. The VC library is huge and growing with 3 items every week. But again, i'd rather pay less per game and more in quantity because the quality isn't that great. On top of that, PAL VC games suffer from 50Hz and black border problems. Argh. 
+
+![](/img/articles/wii_vc.jpg " The Wii can handle all previous Nintendo consoles. At a (very high) price, of course. ")
+
+Gamecube playback compatibility is excellent, every game works as expected, thanks to the not-so-different hardware (kind words, those!). No software emulation troubles like the PAL Playstation 3, ha. But when the Wii is positioned in the vertical stand, you'll have to open two flaps on top of the console to be able to plug in the GC controllers and memory cards. That completely destroys the otherwise beautiful Wii appeal. Nintendo tought Gamecube lovers would prefer their Wii horizontally, I guess. It would have been great to see the GC memory card replaced by (a portion of) the 512MB internal Wii memory, but alas... Another marketing decision? There is also no option to navigate the Wii Channels in the startup screen with your WaveBird or other 'cube controller. Starting a gamecube game requires users to first pick up the Wiimote, select the disc channel, press start and then pick up the GC controller. That's a bit too awkward.
+
+As said before, some little changes could have made the Nintendo Wii console so much more attractive. Like savegame exchanges, copying edited photos to your SD card (yes you can load pictures, edit them, copy to the board and send them to friends) instead of vice versa, posting high scores, etc... Here's a small list of little things I'd love to see in the near future concerning the Wii base software: 
+
+- Take screenshots in the Home menu and exchange those? It's possible!
+- Navigate menu's with GC controller
+- Implement the Home menu with gamecube games (where is it, anyway?)
+- Copy and send savegame data to friends
+- Receive very short demo's of 5 minutes from the VC shopping channel to test the game.
+- Possibility to order channels into subchannels (it could become a mess now!)
+- Exchange high scores, playtime, RPG statistics, ... between friends
+- There's no DS and Wii connectivity yet, but I'm sure it will come at some point.
+- Be able to play some VC games on your DS? Woah! 
+
+![](/img/articles/wii_home.jpg " The Wii Home menu is only one button away. ")
+
+All in all, the Nintendo Wii really is a revolutionar piece of hardware. Not really because of it's raw power, but because of it's capability to let those so-called "non-gamers" enjoy a game using the Wiimote and the Mii/Channel system. It's clear that Nintendo designed it for people who don't have many experience with previous generation consoles. And for those who do, there is Virtual Console, the pinboard, gamecube playback, Zelda Twilight Princess and other great (non-non-gamer) games. Although as a gamer, I'd like to see a little more simple functionality. Like the possibility to order channels into subchannels. What happens when you buy over 42 VC games (the maximum number of available channels)? You'll have to copy them to your SD card, and copy it back when you want to play one of them. Not that great. So here's the (temporary, of course!) conclusion: 
+
+**Positive**:
+
+- Non gamers, family, friends, ... - they all fall for it! The big N power really works! Heh.
+- Holding the Wiimote vertical is very cool as a race game and it responds well
+- Extremely nice exteriour console design (and size!)
+- WiiConnect24 enables message exchange, fun.
+- Creating and sending (or spamming) different Mii avatars is addictive.
+- The new Everybody Votes Channel is original and good desinged.
+- Very quiet except the DVD who loads now and then. Blue light is nice! 
+
+**Negative**:
+
+- Virtual Console offer is gigantic, but quality (NES only?) and price could be much better
+- Gamecube ports aren't exactly placed strategicly
+- Channel interface sometimes too limited (see above)
+- No built-in ethernet connection, only Wireless. The WFC USB Stick sometimes behaves strange.
+- Not really fair, but still: I hate you, PAL! 
+
+![](/img/articles/wii_zelda.jpg " Here is your proof, chickens can talk. Find someone else to fool. ")
+

content/games/super-metroid.md

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-title: Super Metroid
+title: "Super Metroid: the Granddaddy of Metroidvania's"
 date: 2021-07-02
 howlongtobeat_id: 9390
 howlongtobeat_hrs: 7.5
@@ -15,11 +15,11 @@ tags:
 
 After finishing [Hollow Knight](/games/hollow-knight), I rather fancied playing another [metroidvania](/tags/metroidvania)---one I actually, to my big shame, never really touched: the granddaddy of 'vanias, _Super Metroid_. Released in 1994, twenty-seven full years ago, it still looks and plays remarkably well, and it has the enticing atmosphere to thank for it. I lamented on Hollow Knights' mesmerizing world before, but this is one of the games that it owes its legacy to, so it would only be showing some decency to take a good look at Super Metroid.
 
-After playing Super Metroid for about an hour, one thing becomes immediately apparent: it plays _quick_. I'm not sure if that is the right word for it, but the rate of upgrades that I stumble upon in my path towards the core of the planet Zebes is staggering. Compared to other [castlevania](/tags/castlevania)-likes, the pace here is higher. Even though in [Aria of Sorrow](/games/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow), I had the feeling I was progressing more slowly, according to Howlongtobeat, they're both done in under seven hours. Of course, Soma does not need missile upgrades. 
+After playing Super Metroid for about an hour, one thing becomes immediately apparent: it plays _quick_. I'm not sure if that is the right word for it, but the rate of upgrades that I stumble upon in my path towards the core of the planet Zebes is staggering. Compared to other [castlevania](/tags/castlevania)-likes, the pace here is higher. Even though in [Aria of Sorrow](/games/castlevania-aria-of-sorrow) (AoS), I had the feeling I was progressing more slowly, according to Howlongtobeat, they're both done in under seven hours. Of course, Soma does not need missile upgrades. In AoS, as you make your way through the castle, you regularly spot shiny looking swords you cannot access yet. A typical metroidvania puzzle: come back later when you have the sliding/double jump/whatever ability. The difference is that these items are usually visible. Yes, there are exceptions: Claim Solais, the best weapon in the game, is well-hidden behind a not-so-visible breakable wall.
 
 ![](/img/games/supermetroid/enemies.jpg "The four main bosses you have to challenge in order to unlock the last section.")
 
-Speaking of upgrades, most of them are well-hidden: after finishing it, the game told me I only found `66%` of the items (and that was _with_ the occasional peek at a guide). Super bomb upgrades are stashed away in breakable walls, except that no single pixel reveals that the wall can be broken in the first place. In the first part of the game, it feels a bit ridiculous, randombly bombing stuff up or having to shoot at each block in each room---just in case. Later on, you're awarded an X-Ray (provided you can find it), but to my horror, even that trinket does not find everything. The quality of life upgrades more contemporary metroidvanias have (slight visible cues, thank you) are sorely missed here. 
+Speaking of upgrades, most of them are well-hidden: after finishing it, the game told me I only found `66%` of the items (and that was _with_ the occasional peek at a guide). Super bomb upgrades are stashed away in breakable walls, except that no single pixel reveals that the wall can be broken in the first place. The "wall" is a tile here, `16x16`pixels, not a whole wall, resulting in a lot of tedious bombing for a sinle "wall". In the first part of the game, it feels a bit ridiculous, randombly bombing stuff up or having to shoot at each block in each room---just in case. Later on, you're awarded an X-Ray (provided you can find it), but to my horror, even that trinket does not find everything. The quality of life upgrades more contemporary metroidvanias have (slight visible cues, thank you) are sorely missed here. 
 
 Samus' gun is effective, and enemies never pose a real threat, not even the bosses. Super Metroid is quite easy. The real difficulty lies in the getting-lost-where-to-go-ness part of the game that can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, considering there is no fast travel included. That was something introduced in Symphony of the Night. Backtracking is of course a big part of the game, as it should be. However, some parts did leave me confused and demotivated. I had no idea you could break the glass tube, for instance. Or, arguably the worst part of the game: wall/space jumping controls. Pressing the opposite direction on the D-pad, what the hell Nintendo?
 
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ Samus' gun is effective, and enemies never pose a real threat, not even the boss
 
 The atmosphere is indeed fantastic. Every section of the planet, separated by lift shafts, is its own micro-cosmos, inhabited by different creatures, with different music and different present tiles and vibes. There's an underwater section, a volcanic part, a lush green part, and so on. The sometimes rightfully so creepy music perfectly accommodates Samus' careful but thoughtful exploration mission to track Ridley and the stolen Metroid. Too bad that even Ridley does not pose a real threat. I had to stock up on energy and missiles, but after two attempts, The Cunning God Of Death died himself. Or herself? Who knows. I like the fact that some bosses get angry if you use super missiles, forcing the player to rethink the attacking strategy. 
 
-Well, after more or less seven hours of blasting my way through Zebes, I killed Mother Brain (again) and the planet exploded (again). Good riddance! Super Metroid is still very much worth your time and has aged quite well, especially in contrast to Metroid on NES or Metroid II on Game Boy. It is a classic game full of memorable moments. Completionists might find the hidden missile collect-a-thon enticing. I was content enough to make it to the finish line. 
+After more or less seven hours of blasting my way through Zebes, I killed Mother Brain (again) and the planet exploded (again). Good riddance! Super Metroid is still very much worth your time and has aged quite well, especially in contrast to Metroid on NES or Metroid II on Game Boy. It is a classic game full of memorable moments. Completionists might find the hidden missile collect-a-thon enticing. I was content enough to make it to the finish line. Super Metroid clearly is designed to be replayed. Also, speed runners love it: [the record is 40m46s](https://www.speedrun.com/supermetroid)! Aria of Sorrow requires even less time once you know the hacks, [clocking in](https://www.speedrun.com/aos) about 13 minutes.
+
+I'd rather take a stroll to soak up the atmosphere. 
 
 ![](/img/games/supermetroid/motherbrain.jpg "Taking on Mother Brain, with some help...")