Havent posted one of these in a while, so i thought it was about time:P

Anyway, its been slow time of the year in terms of gaming releases. The only notable game for me coming out in the past month or two being GTAIV, which is awesome btw. (I havent finished it yet, but im getting there. I just get so easily side-tracked in the game.) And in the near future, with the only notable releases being Race Driver: GRID (loved the demo), Battlefield: Bad Company and thats it...oh, and MGS4!, I thought i'd catch up on some gaming i missed out on last-gen.

In terms of the Gamecube, i think ive experienced all the great games. The only games i can think of that i still want to play being Fire Emblem and Tales of Symphonia. I cant find these games anywhere:x

Onto the Xbox, and there are a few i still want to play which have been brought to my attention through the Xbox Originals feature in Xbox Live. Games like Black, Sid Meier's Pirates, Farenheit and Psychonauts spring to mind. If i cant find any of these in stores, ill updrage the HDD in my 360 to 120GB (damn M$ and their overpriced HDDs:x) and just download them there.

Now the PS2 i think is were ive missed out on the most. Could be because it had the largest and biggest library of all three. Could also be because i was a bit late to the Playstation scene, and when i did finally purchase one all i played was Vice City. Also could've been because i was addicted to Halo 2 multiplayer pretty much the whole time from the games launch in 2004 until the 360 launch in 2005. In fact, i was still playing Halo 2 well into the 360's life, and still do to this day (not a big fan of what they've done to Halo 3 multiplayer).

Anyway, i thought id go out and search the bargain bins, preowned baskets and sale....racks to try and find some hidden gems, and i think ive found a few . Ill list my purchases here:

I have played God of War, and thought it was a great game even though im not a big fan of the genre. I do like the whole greek mythology scene going on, which is why i thought i'd get the sequel. Especially since there's a third installment heading for the PS3.

Metal Gear Solid 2 had to be bought! Ive never went near the MGS games until recently. Ill admit i have owned MGS3: Snake Eater for a few months now, and i did attempt at playing it once, but couldnt get into it really. I was foolish. With all this talk going on about the near release of the big MGS4, i thought i'd go hunt for Twin Snakes. I knew my chances of finding the original MGS game for the PS1 were next to nothing unless i resorted to the internet and ebay, so i thought i go for an easier buy. I only finished Twin Snakes yesterday, and my god the game is epic. I was hitting myself knowing that ive missed out on MGS for all these years!! Im am hooked on the story, and as soon as a finish writing this blog, ill be off to start on MGS2. My goal is to finish MGS2 and MGS3 and possibly Portable Ops before the 4th is released. Cant wait!

Shadow of the Colossus was another must have. Ive seen it mentioned all the time on forums, with nothing but good things to say about it. In fact the store assistant who was selling me the game even complemented me on my purchase, telling me it was his favouite PS2 game of all time. This can only mean good things. I was also on the lookout for Ico (the original version) but that game is incredibly rare, i didnt get my hopes up.

Beyond Good and Evil, again ive heard so much about on forums. Same goes for Valkyrie Profile 2. If anyone knows of any other hidden gems out there, let me know!

All in all, i can say im going to have a few great gaming sessions these coming weeks. First priority is to play MGS2 and 3 for two reasons really. First, im hooked on the story, i want to delve deeper into the MGS world, and secondly i want to be able to play MGS4 on launch and know whats going to story-wise.

Ive compiled this list based on my own opinion obviously. Some shows are British, so im not sure if they're brodcast in America or not.

Number 5
David Brent

"There are limits to my comedy. There are things that I'll never laugh at. The handicapped. Because there's nothing funny about them. Or any deformity. It's like when you see someone look at a little handicapped and go 'ooh, look at him, he's not able-bodied. I am, I'm prejudiced.' Yeah, well, at least the little handicapped fella is able-minded. Unless he's not, it's difficult to tell with the wheelchair ones. Just give generously to them all."

Number 4
Homer Simpson

"I'm normally not a praying man, but if you're up there, please save me Superman.

"Getting out of jury duty is easy. The trick is to say you're prejudiced against all races."

"Operator! Give me the number for 911!"

Number 3
Peter Griffin

"Chris, everything I say is a lie. Except that. And that. And that. And that. And that. And that. And that. And that."

"I've got an idea - an idea so smart that my head would explode if I even began to know what I'm talking about."

Number 2
Hyacinth Bucket

"It's my sister Violet, the one with the Mercedes, sauna and a musical bidet. c l a ss ical, of course."

"I do apologise, Vicar, I must answer my white, slimline telephone with last number redial facilities, it's bound to be someone important."

"It's my sister Daisy. She's not the one with the gold taps, sauna and room for a pony."

Number 1
Jim Royle

"I paid a quid for these underpants and I've got about 50 pence worth stuck up me arse."

"Anthony, if that's the invisible man, tell him I can't see him."

"You can't get as rich as he is without being as tight as a cammel's arse in a sandstorm, can you? He wouldn't give you the steam off his piss, that fella!"

"Thinks the bloody world of me? Today she had a family size bag of bloody Revels, and did she offer me one? Did she *****. She sat on her fat arse, announcing everyone as she put it in her big fat gob. Oooh, Coconut, Ooooh Orange, Ooooo Malt-bloody-Teasers."

"Elton john had a bloody wife, and he still dropped anchor in poo bay"

A list of my 10 favourite movies. Please note that there are some random ones in here that i know the majority of the population arent the biggest fans of, but i have weird tastes:P

Number 10
Rush Hour 2


Number 9
The Matrix


Number 8
Mr and Mrs Smith


Number 7
Finding Nemo


Number 6
Pirates of the Caribbean: The curse of the Black Pearl

Number 5
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Number 4
The Departed

Number 3
Goldeneye

Number 2
Casino Royale

Number 1
Fight Club

My top 10 most anticipated games this holiday season, 2007!

Number 10
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Visually, this game looks stunning. More importantly, it looks like a load of fun. From climbing around ledges, to shooting up bad guys, to beating the crap out of them up close, i cant wait to get my hands on this game.

Number 9
Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

The only Ratchet and Clank game ive played through is the very first one, and i loved it. Since then, i havent really been interested enough to buy the sequels, but Ratchet's first adventure on the PS3 has reeled me back in. The game looks stunning, and looks to have captured that 'fun factor' that attracted me to the first game.

Number 8
Half Life 2: Orange Box

This game screams out value. I already beat Half Life 2 back in 2004, but im looking forward to beating it again on my preferred FPS platform, the 360. This also comes with Episode 1 and 2 which im really looking forward to playing, and Team Fortress 2 which looks to be a blast online. And how could i almost forget about Portal, a game that looks confusing and amazing at the same time.

Number 7
Project Gotham Racing 4

Every PGR game to date has fulfilled my racing needs, and im sure PGR4 will be no different. The weather effects in this game look astounding, and the inclusion of bikes will sure make for some interesting races. I cant wait to jump online with this game.

Number 6
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Never would i have thought a Call of Duty game would be making my top 10 most anticipated games list, but this one is different. Gone are the boring weapons and locations of WWII, and hello modern warfare. Ive been taking part in the multiplayer beta, and wow is it fun. That alone makes this a must have game for me, but i know for sure that it will deliver in the single player compartment too.

Number 5
Assassins Creed

As soon as this game was shown, it immediately caught my attention. Not much is known about the games story, but the gameplay has been shown and it looks very fun. Running around rooftops, blending into crowds, escaping from pursuing guards all sounds and looks very exciting. I cant wait to get my hands on this.

Number 4
Eternal Sonata

This games visuals are striking. I absolutely love the art s t y l e to the game, and technically the graphics look superb. Ive been craving for a next gen RPG for a while now, and this looks to be a must have for me. The story seems interesting, which is very important for an RPG in my opinion, and the gameplay is there with a very fun looking battle system. Overall this seems like a superb RPG game.

Number 3
The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass

Windwaker is my favourite Zelda game, and im glad this game is keeping on the art **** The gameplay videos ive seen for this game have been jaw-dropping. Not only is the game pretty, but the gameplay is so original. It makes great use of the DS stylus, and i personally cant wait to get my hands on this.

Number 2
Mass Effect

Ive been following this game for a while now, and every new video i see, the more hyped i get for it. Graphically, the game looks excellent. But its the story that really has me interested. Conversations in the game seem real, and the fact that you have an influence on what your character says really makes you feel involved in the story. The combat looks great too, this is another top notch RPG that i cant wait for.

Number 1
Halo 3

Well, what can i say. Saying this game is the biggest, most important game to me ever is probably an understatement. Finally, i will get to finish the fight. Ive been through some great times with Master Chief, from driving around the beaches of The Silent Cartographer, to battling a Covenant Scarab on Earth. And now i will finally teach those covenant bastards who's boss, and end this war once and for all. Multiplayer will also be amazing. I still play Halo 2 regularly to this date, and Halo 3 looks to be so much bigger and better. New maps, guns, weapons etc are the norm for a sequel. But Bungie have gone further with Halo 3. Great features like Forge and Saved films are now present in the game, something that not alot, if any, console FPS games have. And other great things like increased customisation, extremely detailed stat tracking at Bungie.net etc will help make this the best game ever. This game will last me until the end of the 360's life...and then some. It will be truly epic.

Ive been taking part in the COD4 beta for a few days now, and i have to say im loving it so far. Ive always been a fan of the Call of Duty games and their campaigns, but this is the first one to capture me with its multiplayer.

First things first, check out these two screens:

(Halo 3 custom game lobby from the Halo 3 beta)

(COD4 pregame lobby (excuse the bad quality, had to take a photo of my TV))

Now this was the first thing to strike me when i started up the COD4 beta. Now i do remember reading articles on sites such as CVG where Infinity Ward were saying that they're goal was to take on Halo 3, king of multiplayer on XBL. But i didnt think that meant they would be copying them to this extent:P But hey, im not complaining. Im glad a game has finally adapted the matchmaking system (have no idea what took so long) that made Halo 2 so god damn fun.

Anyway, onto the Pros and Cons

Pros

-------This game has adapted the matchmaking system that has helped make Halo 2 so popular online. With a few clicks of the 'a' button, the system automatically search's for opponents based on rank for you, so that you are put up againt people of similar skill. This makes entering games very easy, and keeps the matches fair, meaning more fun for everyone.The party system also present in Halo 2 is here, meaning its very easy to play games with your best friends on XBL.
-------Weapons can be upgraded which adds depth to the game. Upgrades such as silencers, Scopes, grenade attachments can be placed on weapons once unlocked.
-------Perks are also a great feature, You can have up to 3 perks for your soldier. Perks include things such as have extra health, firing bullets that do more damage, have 3 special grenades rather than one and firing bullets that can penetrate thinker obstacles.
The levels in the beta (There are three: Overgrown, Crash and Vacant) are very fun to play on. Crash is my personal favourite, with Vacant being my least favourite.
-------If you get a streak of 3 kills in the beta, you can call in a UAV which exposes the positions of enemy soilders on the battlefield. If you get a 5 killing streak, you can call in an airstike to any position of the battlefield, and if you get a 7 kill streak, you can call in a helicopter that will fly around the battlefield shooting down your enemies until shot down. This is a very rewarding system, and makes tha game alot more fun. Far better than just getting a medal or something.
-------Gone are the boring weapons of WWII, which imo make this game so much better. The weapons are exciting and fun to use.

Cons

-------Whoever is first into the room is automatically host. So if they have a terrible connection, then the game starts and everyone bar them lags. This has happened a few times to me, and is very frustrating. Especially when im used to Halo 2 where the system picks the person best suited to host rather than the first person to enter the room.
-------Another problem is that if the host leaves the game, the match ends. Again, this is frustrating, especially when Halo 2 automatically finds another person suitable to host if the original host leaves.

Thats all i can think of at the minute, but if you have anything to add, please comment. Also, sorry for having so many comparisons to Halo, but its just i play the damn game so much that i cant help it:P

Dont ask about the blog title, because i dont know...Anyway, i thought i'd just post an update on life really since ive never really done one before.

Well to start, ill just say that im still off school and dont start till the 23rd September. HaHa:P Ive found myself for the past month or two playing alot of Halo 2. And i mean alot, like to the same caliber as when it was released and i played online like crazy. Ive got a few very good friends on Xbox Live who exclusively play Halo 2, so what choice do i have:P

I have been getting a little annoyed though. It may be because of old age (im 18:P) or because i played the far superior Halo 3 beta, but for the past month or so i havent been playing as good as i used to be. Now back in 2004/2005 at Halo 2's prime, i would go into matchmaking alone alot of the time, and easily get into the 30's (ranks), but now im finding it difficult to get past 28 (my current rank). Im not sure what it is, but its annoying. Back in my prime, i would carry my team most of the time, finishing first and getting most kills. Now, i just seem to be average:( I rarely go negative, but im not "owning" as much as i used to, and it is frustrating. I just pray that this bad streak ends once Halo 3 comes out and im back to my normal self. I dont want to suck at online, or just be some average player. I want to dish out the ownage, and have loads of fun.

Anyway, speaking of Halo 3, it couldnt have picked a better time to release.....NOT! As i said previously, i start university on the 23rd September. Now this is my first year at uni, so the whole thing is new, and to make matters worse, im going to a university in England (i currently live in Ireland). So basically, i get a flight to Chester, England on the Sunday and register at the uni and get my house key etc. Then i find the house im staying it, meet the people im staying with, settle in etc etc. The whole week is a induction week, with loads of stuff going on. So while im getting used to uni, Halo 3 will release on the Tuesday in America. OK, so that doesnt really effect me unless i read something on the internet that spoils the whole story (im warning you guys!). On the Wednesday, it apparently releases here in the UK/Ireland. Now ive had the Legendary edition preordered since April off www.game.co.uk, so that will arrive at my house (in Ireland) on the Wednesday. Only problem is, ill be over in another country:( Whats going to happen is on the Friday of that week when all the induction crap is over, im getting a flight back to Ireland, where ill have the weekend to play Halo 3 on my HDTV. Then on that Sunday, i get a flight back to Chester, but ill take my 360, Halo 3 game and some other stuff as well since i wont be back home until Halloween probably. But i cant take my TV because its too big, so ill have to buy one there in Chester which will make a considerable dent in my £2000 loan. Anyway, hectic week education-wise, and to make matters worse, only the biggest game is releasing too. Oh well:P

Anyway, im really looking forward to uni. It is a little scary just thinking that ill be in another country on my own basically, new friends to meet, new courses to get used to etc etc. But it'll be good for me. A good wake-up call having to manage my finances so i dont starve to death etc:P

But thats not all! Another scare is that in my residence in Chester, i may not be able to get Xbox Live due to the internet setup. Its seems to have restricted internet or something, and knowing my luck, XBL probably wont work on it. But i dont really want to think about that now. Too big of a scare.

Anyway, im tired now, and im pretty sure ive wrote 'Anyway' like 5 time already. AAAAnyway, im off, l8rs.

 

Ive literally just finished putting it together about 10 minutes ago. I have the 360, Wii and PS2 all hooked up (guess which one i play the least:P ), and i have surround sound. Im not sure of all the terminology, but it has 5 speakers. Ive actually had all this stuff for quite a while, its just the black glass stand arrived today, and i really think it finishes it off.

Overall, not bad for an 18 year old with no job, eh? :P

Im about to play some Halo 3 on it now. Cant wait to try it with surround sound, because thats one of the best improvements in Halo 3 - the sound, well in my opinion anyway.

Later people, and thanks for checking out my blog!

 

Ive just searched my house from bottom to top, and gathered together every console i have currently. Now there is a Sega Megadrive (Genesis to you americans) missing, and i cant find either one of my two Gameboy Advances', but everything else is there.
Altogether there is :
3 xbox's
2 gamecube's
2 dreamcast's
2 Xbox 360's
PsOne
2 playstation 2's (one PsTwo)
N64
Wii
GBA SP
DS
PSP
Just though i'd share that withs ya's.

Awesomeness! Ive never experienced a TV this big, and now i have one!!!

Its a 46" Samsung LCD HDTV, and the 360 looks awesome on it! Luckily we dont have Sky+ for it at the minute, so i have it all to myself for gaming! Playing Gears on it is............like.....awesome! (>.>) Oh, and that little thing to the left is my 360 with my new Halo faceplate!

Just got my new PSTwo, and damn is it lookin hot!:P

I got two pink dualshocks as well as a pink memory card. And I even got Singstar along with two microphones with it!!

Awesomeness.

This little thing deserves a spot beside my 360. Lets just hope it doesnt take too much of my time away from Gears of War.

Anyway im away to start playing some Dragon Quest on it now! L8rs peoples