Syndical triggerfish

syndical (adj.): Pertaining to a syndic, one appointed to represent a corporation, university, or other organization in business transactions.

triggerfish (n.): A type of fish with a roundish, laterally flat body with an anterior dorsal fin.


So, as Josh probably made you aware, Super Smash Bros. Brawl came out this Sunday. My verdict so far: it's very, very good.

Gamespy and IGN rated it down a bit (4.5/5 and 9.5/10) - it seems like they did this because: a) the graphics are Wii-ish, and b) they didn't like the Subspace Emissary plot. I'd advise you not to worry too much about these complaints (and actually, in their review, they do too =)). For the first part, although the graphics may be lackluster compared to say, XBOX 360 games, the art and cinematography is still excellent and brilliantly done. Arguably, the fact that the graphics suck doesn't matter in a bunch of cases, since the characters aren't really very graphically complex anyway (I doubt better graphics would make Mr. Game and Watch look more realistic).

Now, the subspace emissary is good. Perhaps it isn't great, because it does get tedious at times, the character moves aren't really meant for sidescrolling, etc. That aside though, it does have some very amusing cutscenes, it lets you get a feel for most of the characters, and it has an interesting albeit very bizarre plot (overall I liked the plot though - it's not easy putting all those different characters into one story and still keep a coherent storyline).

But Super Smash Bros. Brawl is not the Subspace Emissary. The fact that they actually bothered to put in a real single-player mode into a franchise known for its multiplayer is very nice on their part.

The music works really well in the game, even the songs that sounded weird. The main theme is very catchy (especially since you'll be hearing it in different forms a lot), especially in the final destination song. Also, one of the Kirby songs, "Kirby Gourmet Metal Mix" works really well in brawls.

I tried the online out a bit, and it works very well, with barely any lag. I'm guessing that this mode will be a lot more entertaining With Friends - in the anonymous Without Friends, it's more or less like playing computers (some people are even worse than computers).

As for the characters, I've unlocked them all now, and played with each of them (some more than others). My best is either Peach or Diddy Kong (probably Peach now). Samus (my favorite Melee character) has gotten a little less powerful and versatile, so she doesn't seem as good as she was in Melee. The characters are generally balanced, though, which is good (Jigglypuff can actually do stuff!).

Gamespy has 1337 screenshots of Brawl. Given that it's Gamespy, this may be entirely on purpose:

Also, at the end of the Subspace Emissary, you get treated to the actual Latin lyrics of the Brawl theme:

Audi famam illius
Solus in hostes ruit
Et patriam servavit

Audi famam illius
Cucurrit quaeque
Tetigit destruens

Audi famam illius
(...Audi famam illius...)

Spes omnibus
(...Mihi quoque...)

Terrar omnibus mihi quoque

Ille.....
...Iuxta me!
Ille.....

Ille iuxta me
Socil sunt mihi
Qui olim viri fortes
Rivalesque erant

Saeve certando
Pugnandoque
Splendar crescit!

I'm happy because I can actually understand the lyrics with my very rusty Latin. But if you don't like Latin, you can read these lyrics =).

-squidout