Well let's see. Oh right. About a year ago (September of 2010) I bought a new iPod Touch because I needed a music type of device and I had a lot of extra money. Well I just recently sold it and I am glad to say that I will never, ever buy an Apple product again. Why?

-First and foremost, the prices of the products are absurd. Anyone who is willing to shovel out three to four-hundred dollars for an iPod, kudos to you. You either have a lot of money or wealthy grandparents who spoil you. I just don't see the value there. Limited memory, planned obsolescence date, (because it is Apple) an aging and unimpressive operating system, and more. Some have called iOS "magical". Okay well yeah, in 2007 when the iPhone was first released. But now, it's just another operating system out there trying to compete with others and personally, I would not say that it is winning.

-If you know Apple, you know well enough that they replace their products nearly a year after they have been shelved. You buy a new iWhatever the day it comes out, expect it to be outdated in two years TOPS. That means more money for something that barely improves. I don't think adding a camera is revolutionary nor is adding a second or third or fourth camera. You improved the thinness and the screen resolution? Oh well let me just pull out my wallet and give you $300 for that.

-Apple products do work as advertised and they do their job fine, but what they do isn't impressive by today's standards. They run apps. Oh you can bank online on your phone? Okay well so can I. Go online and go to http://www.mybankaccount.com. Oh you have games? Okay so do I. Just because I don't have to desire to play Angry Birds whenever I want doesn't make me inferior to you or your iPhone. To me, Apple products are nothing special. People just like the idea of having Apple on their laps or in their pockets. Not I.

That's just a few reasons why I don't like Apple products. Apple Inc.? I don't have beef with them. They've never done anything to wrong me personally. Their products work and they make money. That's what companies do. I just don't like the stuff they make. It's unimpressive. For all you Apple lovers out there, I'll stick to Oranges, thanks.

• Absolutely miserable interface
• Does a poor job of communicating important information
• Limited questing means you're always looking for something fun to do
• Everything about the economy stinks
• Every aspect of the game is filled with dumb obstacles.

Well I recently reviewed Mass Effect 2 and I must say it is almost as good as the first one. I say almost because, well, it's not as good. But only by a little bit is it so. I found it pretty linear (compared to the first game that rewarded more exploration) and the story was un-exciting. I did like the relationships you formed throughout the game, however. Each one felt meaningful and could go so many different ways that you wanted to be careful about who you pissed off or who you consoled when they needed someone to hear them out. That part of the game was great, making it almost like a good stage production. But as far as gameplay goes, it was slightly worse than the first for its lack of variety and exploration. Still, I very much enjoyed the game and gave it a score equal to that of the first game (although somebody down thumbed the review. I don't know why, but whatever. Trolls will be trolls).

Moving on, I bought a few new games after that one was completed. First off was DJ Hero. I sort of bought this one on impulse, seeing as how it was only 40 bucks, but I already explained in my last post. The game is flat out fun. Scratching, mixing, cross-fading and rewinding all blends together with an awesome soundtrack that makes you want to just break out and dance or go to a rave or something. It's nothing like Guitar Hero (except for the crazy amount of in game advertising) and is a totally awesome game experience. I hate that Gamespot gave it an 8/10 for its price. That has nothing to do with the game. I mean yes, value does play a role in whether the game should purchased or not, but still. I think if they reviewed the game with value in mind, but have it not directly affect the score of the game, then that would be better. What do you think? Would this be better? Or should it affect how "good" a game is considered? Well when I review it, I'll review it with the fact that it was cheap for me, but try not to let it control the score too much.

Soup has just been so great. I thank Aberinkulas for making it aware to me and everyone else. It's just fun sifting through endless content and finding stuff that makes you laugh or think or is just plain odd. Awesome site. A thousand gold stars.

Oh I also got Dead Rising: Case Zero. Fun zombie killing game. $5 on XBL. Haven't played it too much though because if it wasn't already obvious, I'm balancing a crap load of games (plus school and work and other stuff) right now so I can't always make time for everything on my plate. Still though. After a brief amount of time with this game I can surely say that it is good, simple fun. I'll have a review for that later on as well (after DJ Hero).

Other minor notes: I have to write an interest piece for my school's paper and I'm not sure what to write about. I was going to make it about technology and how after my generation, things will be a whole lot different. Touch and motion based gaming with emphasis on downloadable content and exclusive opportunities tied in with advertising and such. Basically a massive blitz of technology, both in the form of pocket based devices and home computers (which are likely slowly being pushed out in favor of portable entertainment). It will be a lot different and how it will affect generations to come, both positively and negatively, was something I was considering. Not totally sure yet however. I'm open to ideas if you have them.

I also bought some more stuff from Threadless. I bought some shirts and the two hoodies named 'My Other Ride is a Light Cycle'. I got both designs (the asphalt grey and mermaid green). Basically, they glow in the dark. Like in Tron. Hell yes. I approve.

Hello all. I recently started up Mass Effect 2. I'm not sure if I like it better than the first one yet though. The story is pretty linear and you essentially know the ending shortly after you begin, so the story is not that great so far. The loyalty missions do add some variety and let you into the lives of your crew, which is a nice addition. I don't miss Mass Effect 1's long and boring planet exploration via the Mako, but planet scanning isn't that great either. What I do like is all the tie in's with Mass Effect 1's stories. Everything you've done or said in Mass Effect 1 carries some sort of importance in this game, which is awesome. Also, the characters have more feeling and emotion in the way the speak and act, which makes it a lot better in that way. I'm not sure. I like a lot so far, but i'll have to finish it to know how I really feel about it.

Also I got a free 1600 Microsoft Points card and seeing as there is not many good stuff out there on the Marketplace (Limbo is cool, but too pricy, Monday Night Combat is too annoying and one-sided, Modern Warfare 2 map packs...) I just decided to go with BF: 1943. I loved the demo and even if not that many people play it, it's still better than COD all the time (Plus it was free!)

I also got DJ Hero for $40 brand new yesterday. It was on Amazon and originally, that thing was going for a whopping $120. But now it was 1/3 of that, so I nabbed it after seeing some gameplay, loving the soundtrack, and reading some reviews. That should be here sometime next week.

Well the good news is, I have a lot of new games to play around with, but the bad news is is that school starts on Wednesday, sooo... that sucks. Anyways, thanks for reading. Enjoy your week!

Hey everybody. I don't have to go to work till 4 PM today, so i'm taking some time to catch up on a few blogs. Anyways, do any of you know that I don't read your blogs on Gamespot? I use an RSS feed to do that. Quicker and easier. Oh I also completed and reviewed Mass Effect 1. Great game. Going to play through it again though. I don't want to romance anyone. :P I also plan to buy the Hardened edition of Black Ops. The Prestige is a waste. I don't even like RC cars. Anyways, enjoy the rest of your weeks and I will see you all later on.

-Setsuka13

Sorry for the lack of commenting on blogs that I actually enjoy reading. I've been working full shifts at work, my parents are getting married in a few days, (Which is why my house is filled with guests at the moment) and it is HOT outside, which makes me just want to just sloth around all day long. But luckily after that, my parents and everyone else will be gone for a whole week (A week that I am taking off from work by the way) and I will be doing NOTHING. Just eating crap, giving up sleep, and catching up on games with some friends of mine, which will give me time to catch up with your guys' lives. So with all that said, I suppose I will tell you of some new purchases. I bought Mass Effect 1 (360), Left 4 Dead 2 (360), Modern Warfare 2 Prestige Edition Strategy Guide, Stratego (The board game), and some other minor things that I don't need to share, really. Mass Effect is really fun and has an excellent story, sometimes it is even overwhelming. I know that everything I do in this very long game will carry over to the other games, so i'm always careful about what (Or who) I do. Haha. Wow. Anyways, it is a great game and I am not fully into because of the other game I bought, Left 4 Dead 2, which is also great. Probably not as good, but still a heck of a lot of fun. I like the first one more (Better maps and survivors, although I am liking the new ones the more I play through it), but this one is still a fantastic game and should not be so easily passed up. Only $30 on Amazon right now. I got it for $40, but whatev. I don't like to wait a week for it. :P The last two things are the strategy guide and the board game. The guide is great and the holographic cover art as well as the hardcovering is fantastic and the guide looks great. It barely serves me any use considering I have nearly beaten the game front to back, online and offline, but it is still a gem to look at and goes nicely along with my other guides, such as my hardcover Fallout 3 GOTY edition limited edition book. (Those bad boys are selling for A LOT because they are such limited in print) Stratego is just a board game classic and you really have to be strategic! It's sort of like chess, but with special powers, secret tactics, and a capture the flag goal. Well that is all for now. I'm not sure what my next review shall be, but it will be either mass effect or Left 4 Dead 2, so if you are watching, check for one of those in the next month or two. Have a great week everyone and peace.

-Setsuka13

Here it is. Hope you like it! (Click on image to read)

Looks Like The Sun Has Set On This One

Despite the fact that I smashed Modern Warfare 2 with a 6.5 rating, you guys still praised it with 12/12 thumbs up. Thank you very much! That's the most positive score i've ever gotten on a game review. I may still be a bit of a hypocrite for still playing it and giving it a low score, but it's not terrible. It's okay. I play okay games and enjoy them too. Anyways, thanks to everyone who liked it and even those who disagreed.

I'm almost done with Red Dead Redemption (The single player) and it is shaping up to be quite the game. After a second analysis, I still say it's 9/10 material. My final review will come in the next two weeks once I get some more comprehensive multiplayer experience and play through of it. Until then, thanks for reading!

-Setsuka13

Modern Warfare 2. Over 160 hours and I reviewed it. Read if you want.

Here

After hearing several positive things about this game, people applauding, universally acclaiming it and such, I simply had to check out what all of the noise was about. I was a big fan of the first game, a game that a lot of RDR fans don't even know exists which kind of peeves me, (The other day, I read a comment from someone stating that 'Well I loved this game. I really hope Rockstar turns it into a series.' That made me a little irritated inside) and the second one looked even better. It was open world, which is always fun, because freedom is fun and the multiplayer features looked interesting to say the least. The Dead-Eye slow motion gameplay shooting mechanic (Or DESMGPSM as I sometimes never call it) had always intrigued me for years. The ability to slow time, lock on to all the body parts you want to, and unleash a flurry of bullets into your opponent instantaneously always made me want to be a cowboy inside a little bit. (Or just a masterful bullet slinging bad @$$ with impeccable aim)

The campaign (Or story mode, for games such as this with an actual plotline) is so far interesting. Okay not interesting, but good. The story has me a little drawn in and I try to get into it, (The characters are good and well voiced) but the general plot is just… not all that engaging. I find it a wee bit sleepy so far. Hopefully it will pick up later down the dusty trail, but for now, it seems just like a reason to justify all the killing that your character, John Marston, does. As for the gameplay, graphics, blah, that's all excellent. I love hunting wolves and horses and such. It's a darn tootin' good time!

The multiplayer aspect (For those who are interested) is fun I suppose. The game throws you into a free mode match where you can do single player activities with your PSN or XBL buddies. You gain XP for these tasks which helps rank up your online character as well as unlock you new items and character models. I find the free mode aspect a bit strange and kind of dumb, because I'd rather just dive into a TDM game, but you have to enter the free-mode multiplayer HUB first. I've never played in free mode, because to me, it seems just like single player, but with other humans to make up for the reduced features and cosmetics of the single player campaign. I always skip over it and have never played it with other friends, so maybe that's why I am not into it, but regardless, the other various game types are fun and plentiful and offer a good time off to all of your story mode antics.

RDR seems good so far and I have yet to see if my $60 has been put to good spending, but so far, I'm sure it has. I don't think it will disappoint in the long run and if you are a fan of action/adventure games (Or just shooting games as well) you may like this. So far it's a 9/10 for me.

-Setsuka13