Looking for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D walkthroughs? How about some unlimited DP tips for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance? No worries, Brandon Guerrie’s got you covered!
This week we introduce you to super talented community member Brandon Guerrie. Brandon, a New York native, has been gaming for years and loves sharing his passion for games. After becoming a member of the PrimaGames.com community recently, he immediately began to contribute with several exceptionally thorough The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D walkthroughs and, most recently, a Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance tip for unlimited DP.
Brandon has broken down his Zelda walkthroughs into 5 separate sections for ease of use:
Main Quest Walkthrough
Master Quest Walkthrough
Pieces of Heart Guide
Side Quests Guide
Gold Skulltula Guide
We got a few minutes to pick Brandon’s brain about his love of games, his process, and some of his most anticipated titles. This is what he had to say.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I was born and raised in a small town in Upstate NY. Besides games, I enjoy the outdoors, camping, wildlife, and a little exercise here and there. And, dare I say, I’m a “closet” wrestling fan. I laugh at the smallest, littlest jokes, and my nickname in high school — no lie — was “Snake.”
Q. What motivates you to create FAQs?
A. I always adored storytelling, and I like to share my own unique story/experience in writing a walkthrough. It’s neat to enter yourself into a world with a bunch of other gamers who share the same passion as you.
Also, I think you get the most out of a game by composing a guide for it. It’s not necessarily “getting your money’s worth,” but you get to play the way the game was meant to be played. Every nook and cranny at its best. I do think it improves and changes your perception the way you play any title, for that matter. I’ve become more than just an “Achievement Junky,” as people call it.
Additionally, I like to construct a massive project for myself, especially if it pertains to games. Even better, if it’s something that can help someone, it’s heart-rewarding. All gamers need help sometimes — even guide authors — to get through games. For me, we’re all in this escapade of gaming; we can all contribute to it and enjoy it together.
Q. What’s your process for writing?
A. For my style, I tend to play the game quite a bit before actually writing. This is because I don’t have a deadline. Many people rush their guides out to be the first ones out there, but I like to take my time, and, depending on the game, beat it multiple times. It’s then and there that you familiarize yourself with the game, knowing it almost by heart, and makes it easier to compose a guide.
When I’m ready, I get a fresh, new notebook and begin the bulk of the guide: the walkthrough. Every step is written in basic notes, and when it’s finished on the paper, I hop on my laptop and begin writing it thoroughly. When that’s done, I replay the game for any side quests/miscellaneous stuff, and write them out in the notebook again. The rest, well, is history.
Q. How long have you been writing about games?
A. Hmm… I’d have to say, since 2001. I was in high school when I wrote my first FAQ for Resident Evil 2. Unfortunately, my writing was pretty bad (it actually sucked big-time). I didn’t even have spell check. But looking back — after going to college and taking writing courses — I can look at it now as a big improvement when compared to today.
I also began writing on Dan “Shoe” Hsu’s Bitmob (now GamesBeat) in 2009. Their focus is more of the “games journalism” side, but I have to thank them too for helping me improve my writing as well (and I’m still improving everyday).
Q. Favorite game(s). Go!
A. With a NES Zapper to my head, number one would be Metal Gear Solid on PlayStation 1. In no order, my other favorites are:
– The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
– Mega Man X2
– Resident Evil (GameCube)
– Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
– The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
– Resident Evil 2
– Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Q. Why are those your favorites?
A. One person: Hideo Kojima. The guy has a brilliant mind, and has showcased another world that I delved into. Not only did MGS changed the cinematic approach to games, but he created a vulnerable, realistic hero we can all relate to. He has problems, he ages (in MGS 4); just like us. We feel his pain. We feel his emotions. He’s not super-human — he’s a person. And whenever there’s a “twist” in a story, I drool.
As far as the other games, Mega Man X2, simply because of the Dragon Punch from Street Fighter.
The Resident Evil remake really scared the hell out of me — I wish they’d go back and remake more.
Super Mario RPG, because of its hilarious characters and dialogue.
The Wind Waker, because it finally gave me an understanding of the whole Zelda-timeline formula.
Resident Evil 2, because of its immense, split-scenario ventures and numerous bosses.
Zelda II, because it was a “different” and added RPG elements.
And finally, Ocarina of Time, because it paved the way for all 3D platformers.
Q. Most anticipated title this year?
A. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. I was one of the few who actually liked Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2; it was if we were the rookie “spy,” and the legendary Solid Snake was coaching us from the shadows. And now that he’s a “ninja,” well, ninjas are just plain cool.
Q. Favorite title of last year?
A. Mark of the Ninja. Not only for its hand-drawn graphics, but the adventure consists of classic old-school side-scrolling and stealth performance.
Q. Biggest gaming accomplishment?
A. Finding all 120 Stars in Mario 64, without any guide/help. I remember a kid in high school didn’t believe I had collected them all, since the game was released recently at the time when I told him. I played the hell out of that game, especially because it was my first title for the Nintendo 64. I wanted to invite him over to show him, but I don’t think he liked me.
Q. What was the first game you became obsessed with?
A. Man, I’d have to say GoldenEye. I wanted to unlock every cheat, and after quite some time, I finally did. The Facility level (where you had to complete in under two minutes or so) was a thorn in the leg. After school, I would try and try again. One simple mistake and you were screwed. Not counting the broken N64 controllers, I was happily satisfied when unlocking it. That, and every Friday night my friends and I would play the multiplayer until 2 a.m.
Thank you, Brandon. We appreciate your FAQs and contributions and look forward to many more! You can follow Brandon on Twitter at @RatedB2G.
Are you ready to submit your own walkthrough, tips, or strategy? Post it here. Maybe we’ll see you in an upcoming Prima Community Spotlight.
Published: Mar 4, 2013 08:22 am