It was with high hopes that I bought BlazBlu Calamity Trigger a few weeks ago, doing so at the immaculate praising from a couple of prominent Gamespot posters on the PS3 forum. Now Japanese fighting games are not my forte, but the unique character designs and skills put alongside a trippy, bright artstyle belonged in a title that would be my ideal regardless of genre.

And I really wish I could have let these things make the game fun for me, but they couldn't. At it's centre I'm only finding BlazBlue to be difficult, not something i mind, but when the game is so confusing when it ditches the standard lingo I'm familiar with to phrases only put to making the game unique I get bugged. There's no good tutorial mode so I have no way of learning how to play it. This sucks, I love the background art and a few of the moves that I have been able to pull off in the training section of the game are neat, all the characters are quite unique. But I can't enjoy it, I can't get around the difficulty.

Another example was Spore. I hyped that game up so well in my mind, convinced it would be revolutionary. When it came out I was incredibly disappointed but because of the hype in my mind I still wanted to love it but couldn't get over the flaws.

Snowblind, Indigo Prophecy, Punch-Out, and a few Prince of Persia titles. I can see where people say those are great and fun games but there's always a flaw I can't get over. Maybe it's the derivitation, or a certain gameplay bug or a wierd control scheme. When this happens with a title it only makes you want to like it more but you can't. Like when you would get a crappy birthday present from an older relative as a kid, but a dear older relative. You loved them and wanted to like what they gave you.

I guess I'll try with BlazBlue for another few days, I want to get into the game. But I've done this time and time again over the past little while and I fear it's going to get returned soon.

Power Gig: Rise of the Six Stringis an not likely to be on the wishlists of most this year, or even have taken any interest in. With heavily anticipated titles already being released in autumn of this year (when Power Gig is scheduled to ship out).

That could be for a couple of reasons, it was somewhat overshadowed at GDC last week due to the premiere of the Playstation Move and the release of big budget games like FFXIII or GoWIII.

Maybe it's due to the fact that this is a rythm game, many say that once you've played one Guitar Hero or Rock Band, you've played them all and having to spend quite a bit of money to buy another one of those is less than worth it, especially when all it features is a new tracklist such as Guitar Hero Aerosmith boasted. While I admit this is true, and that I'm not fond of having so many plastic guitars lying around my house when I have been playing my real ones far more often, Power Gig deserves some attention for some unique features.

It sounds like a basic music game with a catch in that the guitar peripheral itself is slightly more genuine than that of Guitar Hero. A real functioning six string model is the tool that is used to shred out solos onto your PS3 or X360 this fall when the game is released. While this is a new twist and should make for some extra fun I normally wouldn't get from oither music games, it has it's issues. I can't see people without prior guitar experience wanting to buy into this as it's a vastly steep learning curve for one game although guitar players such as myself are thrilled.

Anyways, just thought I'd raise some awareness for Power Gig, hoping it isn't prematurely forgotten.

The book Alice in Wonderland was originally authored and published by Lewis Carrol way back in 1865, and the surreal story makes it one of the most beloved children's stories in history. It was popularized back in the 50's when Disney created the animated film. Due to the bizzarre nature of the setting and characters, the book has often been linked to a variety of narcotics and hallucinogencis, notably opium and LSD.

Back in 2010: This is Tim Burton's most recent film, and following modern trends, makes heavy use of CGI and is meant for viewing through 3D technology. The movie is a sequel to the old Alice in Wonderland stories we are familiar with, she is twenty years old and can't remember her excursions into Wonderland that she undertook as a child. When a snooty British lordling proposes to her, Alice runs into the nearby woods, falls down a rabbit hole, and enters Wonderland. The beauty of the falling scene carries on well into every other part of the film, just like Avatar, this movie is fun to just look at. The majority of characters are fully or partially CGI developed, so this opens doors for stellar voice acting. Alan Rickmanvoices the Caterpillar, Christopher Lee voices the Jabberwocky, and the Cheshire Cat is voiced by my favourite, Steven Fry. For those CGI characters, the design is generally good, especially with Cheshire.

There's some pretty good performances acting wise with the human characters. Mia Wasikowski is Alice; I wasn't too fond of her at first but she fills out the role okay by the end. Johnny Depp, who possibly attracted the most attention for his performance in the movie, is the Mad Hatter. While he wasn't terrible I felt that his acting in this was too similarily evoking Willy Wonka at most parts, another role he did in a Tim Burton movie. Anne Hathaway makes an appearance and although I think she's a good actress and pretty damn hot, she did not get much to work with. The real star of the movie is Helena Carter who plays the Red Queen. She is supposed to be a kind of grown up spoiled brat and managed to handle the role well without it getting annoying.

It seems I'm piling on praise but this isn't true. The story is really unimpressive and only follows Tim Burton's descending quality of films he has released in the past few years. It jumps around too much, not allowing you to feel attatched to any characters. Fluditiy is bad and you'll find yourself not really caring, or even noticing, when a big plot change takes place.

This is also advertised asa pretty dark film but I didn't find it so. I would have appreciated a few more scares thrown out there, and have some of the characters more menacing, maybe include some blood and gore instead of conforming to the wider appealing PG rating they were trying to hit.

The movie is good, but nothing great. I'd reccomend seeing it in movie theatres (preferrably 3D) just because of the enchanting visuals. Otherwise dimming the lights, muting it, and playing some Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin in the background would be a great way to compliment these visuals. Overall I give the movie a 3/5, see it for the eye candy but don't expect much from the story or depth of most characters.

...it's very good.

Never having played a Battlefield game besides the free PC title (Battlefield Heroes) I wasn't so sure what to expect. In fact, I was expecting to play it a couple of times, hate it, and delete it, as shooters are one of my least favourite gaming genres of today.

Geez was I wrong, I've probably clocked nearly ten hours of the demo over the past week or so and aside from myself screaming "WHAT?? I Shot You First!!!" at the very beginning of my BF:BC2 demo career, I can't seem to stop playing.

The demo features a map (Port Valdez)coupled with the Rush game mode, muiltiplayer of course. If you can get into a squad this is likely some of the most fun you'll have in any shooter today. Teamwork is highly encouraged in the game, and rewarded, unlike other noteworthy titles of the genre. The four classes are each unique and are capable of contributing a handful of useful tools to maximize the efficieny of a team. Environments are very destructible, aside from the framework or buildings there is little that you can't blow up with your Apache helicopter or mow down with a mounted machinegun.

Graphics seem fine enough, framerate runs smoothly, and there are only several minor bugs I've run into. I'd encourage anyone who hasn't downloaded the demo off PSN or XBL to get off your computer and do that right now! I'll see you in game.

The PS One classics series is to be put simpy, one of the best, if not the best part of PSN. And while we've had some great titles released as ps1 classics in the past (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and some Castlevania titles) there is so much more that Sony can bring up from their first console to release over the PlayStation Network, many of which will be surefire sellers that I and plenty of other gamers will gobble up like flapjacks.

The Japanese PSN store already has over twice the titles that of the North American (which already has more than the European) versions. I believe that several of these (Bushido Blade for sure) have already been released in Japan as PSone classics.

1. Bushido Blade and it's sequel.

Bushido Blade is one of the most highly regarded, strategic fighting games released onto the original Playstation. Rather than being a clone of many button mashing titles of that genre during the time period, this game featured a system in which striking a certain area of an opponent's body created a chance of that limb of being put out of use. Eight weapons were avaliable to choose from, each being put into the game with careful emphasis on the speed, weight, and striking reach. These factors (LightWeight Studios even left out any sort of a health bar) helped to create one of the most strategic and rewarding fighting games of all time!

2. Spider-Man

A very fun game released well before the creation of the Spider Man movies were even common knowledge to most people. Much better than any of the move tie-ins, too. Despite lacking in the graphical technicality of other super hero games, it was fun to websling in (linear) New York and battle the likes of Venom, Carnage, and Mysterio.

3. Gran Turismo

The series is going strong still even after the release of the original back in 1997. GT5 is one of the games I am looking forward to the most this year, in my opinion no other racing game on any Sony system has ever come close. Even Forza can't answer to it! Sony should release this to show gamers the roots of where the series all began.

4. Vandal Hearts

A Vandal Hearts game was very recently released onto the PSN, but didn't quite garner what can be called "amazing" review scores from the critics. For a while it looked as if Vandal Hearts could compete with other big tactical rpg's as the pantheon of the genre, despite that not being the case this is not one to pass up on. Join Ash (not Ketchum) througha spectacularly crafted story of friendships and betrayal, war and hope. Vandal Hearts is not one for any TRPG fan to miss.

A couple of years ago I was your typical insecure kid, just starting out in high school. I was having basic self-esteem issues as well as just trying to balance my life in a time of pretty big change. For a few months things were pretty bad and I adopted an extremely negative outlook on anything and everything, little was I aware that this would start to change due to a very unexpected gift.

When most people think of gamers, it's the stereotype of an anti-social slob living in his parents basement. Many look at video games and see them as something that will pull you into a state of isolation, choosing to sit inside and play an online shooter rather than go out with your buddies, for me this couldn't have been more incorrect.

I received Guitar Hero III in Christmas of 2007. I was originally skeptical (hating my outdated PS2, as was apt for me to find only the worst in things). After having it sit untouched under the tree for a couple of days, my mom finally managed to encourage me to take it down into my room and try it out. I was hooked. Not only was I captivated by the colourful note hitting, but the music itself.

Over the next couple of months I began to get really good at GH3. I was able to play the entire setlist on Hard, play the guitar on both righty and lefty modes, I could even play it behind my head!

You're probably thinking that this doesn't sound like anything life changing, and I guess it wasn't. It was a gateway, however. After a bit of time I began to tire of GH3, so I decided to pick up a real guitar. Saving a bit of money I managed to go out and buy a John Denver acoustic and began the long road of self-teaching. Guitar gave me a healthy and relaxing release from the stress of adolescent life, I can look back and say that it has helped me more than anything else. I've played at several live shows with a couple of local bands, and can perform fast licks just as well as campfire songs. Looking back on it I can attribute this interest and possible new career to rythm games.

Rythm games get a lot of flack these days, they're repetitive and unoriginal, deriative and shallow. And maybe these critics have a point. There's little room for innovation when all the genre consists of is pushing a button while corresponding with a circle running down the screen. Despite the criticisms I can honestly say that I still enjoy playing ryhm music games, after all, they've changed my outlook on life.

I'd had my Wii collecting dust in my living room for nearly four months now before I decided to put in some Mario Kart Wii to play online with a friend. As I booted the console up everything was going smoothly despite a long and drawn out system update. It finished, I played some Mario Kart for a couple of hours, had a good time.

I was planning on playing the newly rediscovered gem again, starting to think that keeping my Wii wasn't such a bad idea, however I'm encountering some big problems now. The Wii turns on as I can hear the sounds on the main menu and such, but my tv screen remains black. Something is up with the video and the research I've done points it at the 4.2 system update. If anybody has any information on what might be up, it would be highly appreciated.

Ah...2009 has come to pass and what a year it was. From the favourites winning the Superbowl (again) to a spoiled celeberity doing something stupid (mhm) this could go down as the most memorable, influential year in the history of mankind. And hey, gaming wasn't bad either. So, what will stay and change in the way of video games and the industry in general next year? Here's my predictions:

1. Nintendo announces the Wii HD at the TGS in mid-September: It will be a 2011 product, a technical upgrade to the existing hardware (like the move from Game Boy to GBA), the Wii HD will support 360/PS3 level graphics as well as wexpanded storage for the use of downloads. Look for the default control interface to be the WiiMotion Plus, and don't be surprised if someone from Ninentdo hints at something camera based. Wii HD will be fully backwards compatible, along with the product we'll receive a sneak-peek at the next Legend of Zelda game. Nintendo also announces a virtual console for the DSi. Afterwards we will receive news that the DS Lite is being discontinued.

2. Au Revoir, PSP Go: In the spring of 2010 Sony realizes that the PSP Go was a bad idea in the first place, in an attempt to get the product out there one more time, a massive price drop is announced. My bet, the Go still doesn't sell and in a foolish move Sony abandons the product only to announce another download based handheld. This time it features always-on 3G connection and better security, less piracy means their partners actually stick with them this year.

3. New Xbox 360 bundle, Natal is everywhere: Microsoft announces that the X360 will be bundled with Natal for $289.99. They'll announce that all first-party titles starting in 2011 will support the device (these will turn out to be only casual games). Camera-integration will become the next big thing to the chagrin of core gamers everywhere, in time we will see every platform supporting it.

4. The Rise of the Mega-Studio: Don't be surprised to see id Software shock the gaming world by conducting one of the biggest studio purchasesd of all time when they buy Valve in Q3. Rockstar is bought out by an already struggling Take Two.

As I'm set to buy a PS3 in the next coming months I've compiled a short list of what I want to get.

Hardware

-HDmi Cable

-Bluetooth Headset

-Wireless Adaptor or Ethernet Cable

Software

- Metal Gear Solid 4

- Fallout 3 GOTY (upon release)

- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (will be getting for sure as it is packaged with 80gb console)

- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (upon release)

- Ratchet &Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

- Killzone 2

- LittleBigPlanet

- Resistance 2

- inFamous

- Burnout Paradise

Looks like I might be buying a PS3....I was hoping that the MGS4/Killzone 2 bundle would be avaliable at the local BestBuy, unfortunately this isn't being offered in Canada at the moment. However, in about two months or so I should be a Playstation 3 owner. I need to get some extra money for a couple games (MGS4, Killzone 2, Uncharted and Uncharted 2 when the latter is released, LittleBigPlanet, Warhawk etc.) Plus some accessories (HD cable, Bluetooth headset).