2B - Thursday, September 18, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 'EARTHBOUND' (1995) - SNES 0 The Daily Arts guide to upcoming Ann Arbor events Today 9.18.08 Food Sessions: "Discover the Flavors of Coffee" with Tonya Huffman 7 p.m. At the Whole Foods Cooking and Lifestyles Classroom Free Comedy Jamm: Perfor- mances by 12 Aspiring Area Stand-up Comics 8 p.m. At the VFS Hall (Below Seva Restaurant) $5 Tomorrow 9.19.08 "Revolution Hero": Dance Dance Revolution and Gui- tar Hero Tournaments 6 p.m. At the Ann Arbor District Library Free Corn Maze 6 p.m. At Talladay Farms (6270 Judd Road) $6 Saturday 9.20.08 Mark Morris Dance Group 8 pm. At the Power Center $20-$48 Ann Arbor Film Festival DVD Release Party 9 p.m. At 1131/2 West Liberty $10 Sunday 9.21.08 Infinate Landscape: Master Photographers from the UMMA Collection 3 p.m. At the UMMA Offsite Free Please send all press releases and event information to arts@michigandaily.com. An unforgettable head trip of a game By JAMIE BLOCK For the Daily If you've ever wondered where Ness from Super Smash Bros actually came from, "Earthbound" has the answer. The game stars Ness, the baseball-lov- ingboy wonder who assembles the four "chosen ones" in this delightfully trip- py role-playing game for Super Ninten- do. If there's one game to play on the SNES from creators who were prob- ably on acid at the time - and there are many - make it this one. When I was first introduced to COUESYOFAPESTUDIOS "Earthbound" and saw Ness, I'm not of humor is impressionable. If you do, sure what exactly I expected, but it was nobody will understand a single joke nothing like what I got. Based on my you make for the rest of your life. "Super Smash" experience, I thought it "Earthbound" had a great combat might be the tale of a mild-mannered system for its day. The most notable young schoolboy who goes through life feature is that unlike some RPGs, there launching little lightning balls through are no random battles. (I'm looking the air while screaming. Maybe that at you, "Final Fantasy VII.") You can was just my dream for my own life. Either way, discovering the true nature of "Earthbound" has scarred me for life, but ina goodl way. Ness, Buzz Buzz It's impossible to forget the first time you played "Earthbound," and Giygas are just because the first few minutes are fuck- igweird. When Ness is awoken by so e fth wer meteor strike less than a mile from things on display. his home, he makes the safe choice to investigate it. Upon arriving, he finds a wasp named Buzz Buzz who tells him he's an alien from the future who has come back in time to stop an alien , see your enemies, and if you manage menace called Giygas from conquering to sneak up behind one, a green spiral the planet. After Buzz Buzz defeats an will happily inform you that you've incredibly powerful alien who thwarts earned a surprise first attack. Combat Ness's path home, he is killed by Ness's is turn-based, which means you choose mother with a fly swatter. This is the your attacks and items. Once you've first of many moments where "Earth- chosen, the order of attacks is based bound" basically says, "Yes, that just on each character's speed. Leveling happened." up increases your character's stats Buzz Buzz's death is a prime exam- and unlocks new magic abilities such ple of the humor that makes Earth- as PE fire, which is much more fun to bound so unique compared to other use when you don't have to hear Ness's RPGs, both old and new. Other exam- annoyingly high pitched voice scream ples include the six violent moles Ness it out. This is all pretty standard RPG fights underground, each of whom fare, but "Earthbound" does a particu- claims he is the third strongest, and larly good job while maintaining a plot the fact that the name of one of your that is entertaining, if incredibly odd. party members, unless you choose to Of all the ways to amuse, confuse change it, is Poo. Do not make the same and rot your brain, "Earthbound" is mistake I made by playing this game certainly one of the weirdest and most at a time in your life when your sense entertaining options out there. I. Cordially invites University of Michigan Juniors and Seniors to a presentation and reception On Thursday, September 25th, 2008 Ross School of Business Career Development Center -K1310 7:00 PM Career Analyst Interviews: Thursday, October 16th, 2008 Summer Analyst Interviews: Thursday, January 28th, 2009 Seniors interested in interviewing for Analyst positions in our Investment Banking Group should submit resumes and cover letters through iMpact by September 25th For additional information, please contact: Kristen Holzer: Kristen.Holzer@lazard.com * Positions available in New York, San Francisco, Chicago I