Yes, it is that time again where you ponder into the dark realms of Superironic's hypothetical fantasy and discover that the slightest bit of hope is crushed by misfortune, betrayal or even greed. This is Choose Your Destiny.

---

It is a Friday night and you are home alone. Suddenly you hear a loud knocking on the door. Startled, you wonder if you should open the door, but the knocking gets louder and louder. Before you decide what to do, the door barges open and men (looking like special op agents) all geared up, with halo-like helmets and heavily armed weaponry enter the house. They spot you and before you decide to run or surrender, one of the guys shoots you in the shoulder. You feel a piercing pain however it isn't a bullet, it is more like a syringe or needle. The room starts to darken and you collapse on the floor.

Vision starts to return and you find yourself on a bed, with a white gown on. You hear gunfire coming from outside. Suddenly the door explodes and with it a corpse.. but it isn't human. The body you see has dark blue scaly skin, and bright white eyes. He looks at you and he hands you his gun, and straight after you receive it, he falls back and dies. You peak out the door and you see that the room is filled with a gunfight between the blue creatures and the special ops. What do you do?

Side with the Special Ops

[spoiler] You decide to side with the Special Ops, and start shooting the blue creatures. The Special Ops notice your cooperation and aides you to cover. You and the agents shoot them down, one by one, until finally they are all dead. Wondering what will happen now, one of the Special Ops walks up to you and snatches the weapon from your hand. He then takes his helmet off to reveal that he isn't human at all, but a reptilian like creature with dark red eyes. Before you have a chance to react, he takes a syringe out and pierces you straight into the chest. The room starts to darken again but this time, you never wake up [/spoiler]

Side with the Blue Creatures

[spoiler] You decide to side with the Blue creatures, and start shooting the Special Op agents. The blue creatures notice that you are on their side and aide you to their cover. You take down the agents one by one until they are all dead and victory is theirs. When one of the creatures walks towards you to thank you that you have helped them, you feel a bullet pierce your lungs. You turn to get a glimpse of a wounded agent firing his last bullet before he collapses to his death. You fall to the ground and the last image you see before you inhale your last breath is one of the blue creatures desperately trying to save your life [/spoiler]

Try to Escape

[spoiler] You pass by the opposing forces battling undetected. You start to run, your heart pounding, not knowing whether you will escape or not. What seems like an eternity, you have been pondering the corridors, hoping that you would find something that may help you escape. But you don't. Eventually, to your relief, you open a door and the sun shines bright on your eyes and you breathe in the fresh air. You witness that the facility that you were being kept is in the middle of the forest. You start to run, away from this freakish nightmare, until you hear a beeping noise from behind you. You look behind, and to your horror, you notice a sentry gun, positioned just outside the facility. Before you have time to react, you see a rocket, swooping towards you. You feel your body being pulled apart as the rocket explodes right in front of you. [/spoiler]

TROPHY/ACHIEVEMENT UPDATE

Blue and Light Green means they have been completed ;)

Superironic 2010 (Platinum)
Successfully earn every trophy in 2010 (6/19)

Money Spender (Gold)
Spend a total of $210 on the PS3 (115/210)

Early Bird (Gold)
Play a total of 5 PS3 exclusive games released in 2010 (0/5)

Gamer Blogger (Gold)
Post a total of 20 blog posts on Gamespot (5/20)

PSN Collector (Silver)
Buy 5 PSN games off of the PSN store (0/5)

True Friend (Silver)
Comment a total of 3 times on someones blog, in the same blog post

Journey Man (Silver)
Post in 5 different unions (1/5)

Off Topic (Silver)
Post in the Off Topic forum 10 times in the same day

Impulse (Silver)
Play 3 different PS3 games in the same day

Virtual Prankster (Silver)
Wish 3 different people 'Happy Birthday' over the PS3, without actually knowing their birthday. (0/3)

Nostalgia Gamer (Bronze)
Complete a game you have already completed in the past

Better in Blu-ray (Bronze)
Buy a blu-ray movie

Imported (Bronze)
Import 2 music CD's onto the PS3 HDD

Noticed (Bronze)
Get quoted by another GS user

Smile (Bronze)
Use 3 emoticons in the same post

Hypernator (Bronze)
Post on a game specific forum before the game is released

Traveler (Bronze)
Visit 5 different gaming sites other than Gamespot

Opinionated (Bronze)
Write and construct a review on Gamespot

Camera-man (Bronze)
Upload a gaming video to Gamespot or any other video uploading site

Sony Fan (Bronze)
Post on the PS3 forum on Gamespot


ACHIEVEMENT LIST

Superironic 2010 (150G)
Successfully earn every achievement in 2010 (6/19)

Money Spender (100G)
Spend a total of $210 on the 360 (33/210)

Early Bird (100G)
Play a total of 5 360 exclusive games released in 2010 (0/5)

Gamer Blogger (100G)
Post a total of 20 blog posts on Gamespot (5/20)

XBLA Collector (50G)
Buy 5 XBLA games off of the XBL Marketplace (0/5)

True Friend (50G)
Comment a total of 3 times on someones blog, in the same blog post

Journey Man (50G)
Post in 5 different unions (1/5)

Off Topic (50G)
Post in the Off Topic forum 10 times in the same day

Impulse (50G)
Play 3 different 360 games in the same day

Virtual Prankster (50G)
Wish 3 different people 'Happy Birthday' over the 360, without actually knowing their birthday. (0/3)

Nostalgia Gamer (25G)
Complete a game you have already completed in the past

Who Needs Blu-ray? (25G)
Buy a DVD movie

Imported (25G)
Import 2 music CD's onto the 360 HDD (0/2)

Noticed (25G)
Get quoted by another GS user

Smile (25G)
Use 3 emoticons in the same post

Hypernator (25G)
Post on a game specific forum before the game is released

Traveler (25G)
Visit 5 different gaming sites other than Gamespot

Opinionated (25G)
Write and construct a review on Gamespot

Camera-man (25G)
Upload a gaming video to Gamespot or any other video uploading site

Microsoft Fan (25G)
Post on the 360 forum on Gamespot

#10: Mario Theme

Yeah, a cheap choice to start of the list. But seriously, I am sure this theme makes it to most of the lists anyway. Hardcore gamers know it, casual gamers know it, non-gamers know it, everyone knows it which is why I place it on the list

#9: Morrowind Theme

I must admit, if there is anything that sums up the game, it is that theme. All the time I spent, all the quests I have done, everything that has happened... this piece of music really hit the spot and demonstrates my emotion for this game.

#8: Sonic Adventure 2 Battle Theme

This game has one of the best soundtracks in videogames. The main theme, however, is probably one of my favourite songs and that is including songs from radio, movies and videogames. Great game as well.

#7: Little Big Planet (Get it Together)

Although LBP doesn't really have a theme, and it's theme is still debatable today. The piece of music, constructed by 'The Go! Team' is what I consider the LBP and is really a unique song... just like LBP :)

#6: Infamous (Silent Melody)

This was played during the end credits, so not sure whether you could really count this as a theme. However this song really evokes the emotional side of the inFamous story, and fell in love with this song first time hearing it.

#5: Halo Theme

The Halo theme really hit the spot with this one. Not only is it an emotional song, but the song itself tells a story and really fits the Halo Universe.

#4: Castle Crashers Theme

This game is epic, the characters are epic and this theme is most definitely epic. Listening to this song really puts me in the mood to play this game, worth the Microsoft Points!

#3: Maximum Carnage Theme

I am a huge marvel fan, and a huge spidey fan, and a gamer of course. The reason I am a huge spiderman fan is because of this game, and if you are up to challenges, try completing this game, I still haven't. I am also a huge fan of this theme. :P

#2: Donkey Kong Country Theme

I could have easily filled this list with SNES titles... however if there is any theme that is from the SNES era that deserves a place on this list, it would be the DKC theme. It is the first thing you hear when you place the cartridge in the console, and tells you that this soundtrack will be epic. Heck, I could of filled this list with just music from the DKC series.

#1: Battlefield Theme

An obvious Superironic choice, but I just couldn't resist. Whether it is the 1942 version, or the Bad Company version, this theme sounds good in every BF game. Simple, epic and will be stuck in your head for months!

---

Hope you enjoyed the list :) Definitely worth a listen, really great tracks! ;)

Yes, as the blog title suggests, I am going to do a blog dedicated to Halo. Now you probably thinking one of two things:

1) Oh yeah, Halo is awesome, it owns!!!!

or alternatively

2) Halo!? Doesn't that series get enough praise already!

Both of these responses, are correct, the series is overrated and praised way too much. However this blog isn't for Halo as a franchise, this is dedicated to the game that started it all, Halo Combat Evolved. Halo is one of my top favourite games of all time, and I am here to explain why, and how it differs from the rest of the games.



Please be warned though this blog does contain spoilers, so:
***READ AT YOUR OWN RISK***
[spoiler] Final [/spoiler]
[spoiler] Warning [/spoiler]
[spoiler] Spoilers Ahead :P [/spoiler]

Despite how generic Halo is these days, Halo back then was pretty original and really amazed me. Well maybe not exactly original, but it did amaze me. Shield generation was new to me, it had massive levels and loads of enemies. The gameplay is pretty simple, and not too difficult to figure out, in which shoot as many enemies as possible and move on. Although it may seem dull, it is pretty fun with someone else, which is what I did.

The music is amazing, it really worked well with the atmosphere of the game and I have to hand it to the Halo games for keeping up with this great soundtrack. The halo theme is one of the most epic themes I have ever heard.

Now the storyline, this is where it differs from the other Halo's. From the moment you wake up, you engage right into the storyline, you discover that the humans are at war against an alien civilization (the convenant) and smack in the middle of an attack. Throughout the game, you discover many plotlines and really engage in what is happening in the Halo universe. The build up to the flood and the halo being a super weapon are my personal favourites. In the midst of all of this, you have the humans fighting a war, but appear to be losing as well and even kill the captain. This makes the role of Master Chief more valuable, and really feels as though you (the Spartan) are changing the tides of the battle one step at the time, and stand in the hopes of all of humanity.

But is he really? In the Halo campaign, the flood is released, and the humans are introduced to an even powerful enemy despite losing the war to the convenant. They learn what the true nature of a halo is, and Keys (the leader you are introduced to at the start of the game) dies right in front of you. But, as dark as that may be, this is just the build up to the most epic endings of a video game I have ever witnessed. You are in the warthog, you have stopped the halo from being activated, your main goal is simple, escape. While escaping, you have the convenant and the flood at war with each other. To make things worse, the ship (your ride) gets blown down midway through the level, when you thought it was all over.

The humans didn't get their way, but neither did the convenant or the flood. It was a stale mate. A twist, which was a bit depressing, but really epic, if you look back. The humans were losing, the flood acted as a catalyst and this Spartan, only one Spartan changed the odds and single handedly defeated the convenant and the flood but at a loss of many lives.

Halo 2 and 3 didn't do this. Halo 2 felt as though the humans seemed more powerful, and felt as though Master Chiefs power wasn't as meaningful as it was in the first, and mainly just another soldier in the fight. Halo 2 didn't really have many twists. It was basically the humans slowly, but surely gaining power. Halo 3 felt really distant. Halo 3 did try to reenact the final scene in the original Halo, but failed to have the same effect. Halo ODST was very distant, and actually was pretty mediocre. It had a lot of interesting concepts, but it wasn't Halo. I have yet to play Halo Wars and still waiting for what Halo Reach has to offer.

If you really want to know where I put the Halo games on the scale, here it is:

Halo >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Halo 3 >>>> Halo 2 >>>>>> >Halo ODST

Now, what do I think of the Halo series overall? Actually I am quite impressed. I liked how they ended the series and I enjoyed a lot of the concepts and ideas provoked in the series. I may think the first Halo had a better story than Halo 2 and 3 but they are, by no means, bad. Halo CE, I guess, just pulled me in more and I was emotionally more sucked into the story. I have already explained (well tried to explain) why that is. :)

Well there you have it, that is my take on Halo, and the Halo series. Some will agree with me, most will not, and even more probably won't even read it considering the comment/no of friends ratio :P

For those who did though, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed my little tribute :)

I would like you to wish you all a happy new year! Hope you had a great 2009, and hopefully 2010 will be even better. Now for new years resolution. Well I don't have one, and I didn't have one last year either.. but what I did have last year was that trophy list I constructed! So now I am at it again, and this time I have an addition achievement list as well, so here I present you, the official Superironic Trophy and Achievement list of 2010:


TROPHY LIST

Superironic 2010 (Platinum)
Successfully earn every trophy in 2010

Money Spender (Gold)
Spend a total of $210 on the PS3

Early Bird (Gold)
Play a total of 5 PS3 exclusive games released in 2010

Gamer Blogger (Gold)
Post a total of 20 blog posts on Gamespot

PSN Collector (Silver)
Buy 5 PSN games off of the PSN store

True Friend (Silver)
Comment a total of 3 times on someones blog, in the same blog post

Journey Man (Silver)
Post in 5 different unions

Off Topic (Silver)
Post in the Off Topic forum 10 times in the same day

Impulse (Silver)
Play 3 different PS3 games in the same day

Virtual Prankster (Silver)
Wish 3 different people 'Happy Birthday' over the PS3, without actually knowing their birthday.

Nostalgia Gamer (Bronze)
Complete a game you have already completed in the past

Better in Blu-ray (Bronze)
Buy a blu-ray movie

Imported (Bronze)
Import 2 music CD's onto the PS3 HDD

Noticed (Bronze)
Get quoted by another GS user

Smile (Bronze)
Use 3 emoticons in the same post

Hypernator (Bronze)
Post on a game specific forum before the game is released

Traveler (Bronze)
Visit 5 different gaming sites other than Gamespot

Opinionated (Bronze)
Write and construct a review on Gamespot

Camera-man (Bronze)
Upload a gaming video to Gamespot or any other video uploading site

Sony Fan (Bronze)
Post on the PS3 forum on Gamespot


ACHIEVEMENT LIST

Superironic 2010 (150G)
Successfully earn every achievement in 2010

Money Spender (100G)
Spend a total of $210 on the 360

Early Bird (100G)
Play a total of 5 360 exclusive games released in 2010

Gamer Blogger (100G)
Post a total of 20 blog posts on Gamespot

XBLA Collector (50G)
Buy 5 XBLA games off of the XBL Marketplace

True Friend (50G)
Comment a total of 3 times on someones blog, in the same blog post

Journey Man (50G)
Post in 5 different unions

Off Topic (50G)
Post in the Off Topic forum 10 times in the same day

Impulse (50G)
Play 3 different 360 games in the same day

Virtual Prankster (50G)
Wish 3 different people 'Happy Birthday' over the 360, without actually knowing their birthday.

Nostalgia Gamer (25G)
Complete a game you have already completed in the past

Who Needs Blu-ray? (25G)
Buy a DVD movie

Imported (25G)
Import 2 music CD's onto the 360 HDD

Noticed (25G)
Get quoted by another GS user

Smile (25G)
Use 3 emoticons in the same post

Hypernator (25G)
Post on a game specific forum before the game is released

Traveler (25G)
Visit 5 different gaming sites other than Gamespot

Opinionated (25G)
Write and construct a review on Gamespot

Camera-man (25G)
Upload a gaming video to Gamespot or any other video uploading site

Microsoft Fan (25G)
Post on the 360 forum on Gamespot


---
Well there it is, I think I went a little easy on the list but I was worried that if I went too hard, I would have trouble earning them like I did last year. :oops:. Feel free to complete some of the tasks I set for myself within the list. Feel free to even make your own trophy or achievement list ;). Well I hope you guys enjoy 2009 of gaming, let's hope 2010 is as good, even better :)

Bit late but been a bit busy lately :) Hope all you guys had a great xmas! I actually got a lot of gifts this year, here is a list of what I got:

Guitar Hero 5
Fuel
Hip Flask + Bottle of Bourbon
Deception Point (Book)
PS3 Blu-Ray Remote
$20 iTunes card
$25 Movie card
Angels and Demons Soundtrack

And that is about it, also you may have probably noticed that I am a fan of Dan Brown, and while that is true however, the Angels and Demons soundtrack is more to do with me being a fan of Han Zimmers work, more than it is being a fan of Dan Browns work. :P

Again, hope you guys enjoyed christmas, would like to know what you got, or what you did? :)

[spoiler] Oh yeah, I am back from my holiday :P [/spoiler]

This is my 200th blog I have posted on GS, and to celebrate, I am leaving GS... Just joking :P But it is actually partially true. Tomorrow, I will be going on a holiday with the family for a week to the Gold Coast, I won't be out of the country but I will be out of my state for the first time :D So I won't be active, but I will be back ;) There is quite a few things I want to share so I will start off by stating what I have been doing on GS :)

Well I have been commenting on blogs, and hopefully continue to do so :)

I did visited some old unions that I haven't posted in awhile, mostly dead, but at least I replied, better late than never :P Just to name the unions I did visit:
The Halo Trilogy Union
The Old School Gamers
Maybe I should visit some more when I get back from my trip :)

Also some of you may have recognised me playing Oblivion on Xbox Live these past couple of days, which may seem odd as I already own Oblivion on the PC. Well I am a really big fan of the series, and always wanted to own the Collectors Edition of Oblivion. The other day I spotted the CE in store for quite a cheap price, and I just couldn't resist :) Oddly enough, I also own Morrowind for both the Xbox and PC :P For those who haven't seen the CE here is what it looks like:


Still a great game :)

Speaking of games I managed to pick up Little Big Planet for the PSP, not as good as the PS3 version but a decent port, I am quite impressed. I downloaded Gravity Crash off of PSN the other day, probably the most underrated game I have played this gen considering there is only 3 critic reviews, and 13 user ratings here on GS :o Well last time I checked, I was ranked 11 in one of the Gravity Crash leaderboards, the less people there is, the higher my rank is :P

Well I better leave it there, see you guys in 7 days :)

Well actually I never left :P However with high school over, and having a full recovery from the operation, I will have a lot more time on my hands and will be more inclined to be a bit more active, maybe as active as I used to be! So expect more blog posts, more blog comments, more forum posts and maybe a review or two... well that is until I start University. :P

Before I actually say what the actual operation was on, I will just give you a bit of back story on what has been happening leading up to the events of the operation. I have been having these 'pains' all year. It all started during class when I felt abdominal pain in my stomach. It was quite odd as 20 minutes later it was gone. A week passes and it comes again, this time a bit more longer, concerned I head to the doctor, no help whatsoever. The next time I have the pain, I notice something unusual which I should have picked up before, even though I did have abdominal pain, it wasn't the source of the pain at all. It was in fact coming from my... right testicle (took a moment to actually type it :().

My right testicle was enlarged and swollen and I have never had any symptom like this in my life. I go back to the doctor, inform him of my observation and he prescribes antibiotics. Also gives my an appointment to get a scan done which helps not one bit. The pain comes and goes and I can't control when it will come, or even how long it stays there. The first scan, by pure luck, I did get the pain that day but it left before they even had a chance to scan it. It did show up with something but assured me it was nothing to worry about. The second scan, I wasn't so lucky (or unlucky) to have it and surprise, nothing.

I finally, after months of going from doctor to doctor, see a specialist to check it out. Of course I didn't have the pain that day but I did describe the symptoms. He too didn't know what it was but gave me an option to have an operation or leave it as he ensured me that it may just fix itself. At this time I haven't had the pain for about a month, and it was in the middle of the term and was too concerned if it would effect my performance at school. So I decided not to have the operation.

A few months pass, nothing too serious, the pain occasionally coming every now and then, some weeks worse than others. I had another appointment with the specialist so I was hoping that the next appointment I would book the operation (after my exams are over). It was only a few days before my physics exam and then the pain comes again. Severe pain, the most pain I have ever had in my life. I have had severe pain before, but this was just unbearable. I took 2 of the strongest pain killers I had with me but did absolutely nothing. The pain is hard to describe, but there was a throbbing pain in the right testicle (enlarged and swollen of course) and severe abdominal pain. I honestly couldn't sit still, I was even shaking madly although I wasn't sure why.

My mum rushed me to the hospital and the doctor there pumped me with high doses of morphine, it made me light headed and is a weird feeling to go through, but it did the job. I was calmer, in less pain but a little dopey. The nurse recommended me to go to the main hospital, which actually has a specialist in that area. The hospital I was currently in didn't, but it was closer to where I live which was why I got taken there because I was desperate to get help asap. Anyway the next day, it was still swollen, not in that much pain. I was hoping it would go away but it didn't. I sensed something was wrong though because it was a different kind of pain that I haven't experienced before. I went to the main hospital and they scanned it and not very good news came out of it, although I was expecting it was highly probable anyway.

There was no blood flow in the right testicle, and said that it was practically dead. They said they needed to operate on it and remove it as soon as possible. So here I am, in a little bit of pain but still not fit to sit the exams I have been studying for all year. The reason why I am blogging this is because I haven't really had the courage to tell anyone, it is an issue I don't feel comfortable talking about nor mentioning. I really want to tell my friends but just don't know how to, or even if I should? I feel a bit depressed which isn't a feeling I get too often so I guess time is the only factor that can heal me at the moment.

I am also sorry for posting a personal and pretty depressing blog, guess I just felt the need to :)

It has been awhile since I have done a blog, I have had my hands full this year and thought it is time to set aside some time to catch up on Gamespot :) If anyone happens to still be lurking around gamespot, and manages to visit my blog one more time, I thank you for setting some time aside to read this blog, I appreciate it :) So... just a quick update on what has been happening...

I finally have a 360! I got an Elite package with Halo 3, Fable 2 and Terminator Salvation, Terminator however still has the wrapping sealed. :P This was before a price cut was announced from MS, but I still reckon I got a fair deal with it. I also picked up Gears 2 and Scene It (ya.. ;)) and really enjoyed Gears 2. In fact I really enjoyed all 4 games, and can't wait with what is installed in the future for the 360. Also beforehand, I thought it would be fun to play Halo 1, and Halo 2 again to refresh my memory on what is going on before playing Halo 3. If you are bored one day, you too should try it out! :P

But wait, I still haven't forgotten about the PS3! I downloaded Wipeout Fury the other day and I have to say, it is really a nice expansion to the game, and worth every dollar for what it is worth. Wipeout HD has been one of my favourite games for the PS3. I have also gone on a GH rampage lately and already have 3 GH games plus RB. I must be the only person who actually has a RB drum set, GH guitar and Singstar mics as a band set :lol: I also got a 500 GB HDD for the PS3 (the 40 GB was getting a bit full) and really enjoy the extra space :D

Unfortunately, my PC has had less attention lately, gaming wise, but still manages to get some play time, one way or another. I had a craving for playing the Sims 2 for some reason, and Oblivion... so I did :P I also got the Half-Life Anthology from Steam for 66% off, so the PC still is alive and well ;)

And finally, you are probably wondering how I am doing with the Trophy List I released on my blog, earlier this year... well I know Jeff is so here is the remaining 'virtual' trophies I need to earn ;)

Superironic's 2009 Trophy's:

Superironic 2009 Award (Platinum) - Earn all of Superironic's trophies for 2009.

Well Prepared (Silver) - Pre-order at least 2 games in 2009

Dedicated Trophy Collector (Gold) - Earn a platinum trophy in 2009

Elite Gamer (Gold) - Be in the top 5 highest leveled gamers against your friends list


Till Next Time! :)

PS: My Gamertag is Superironic91, I have added a few of you, but feel I have forgotten a few people, if I have, please let me know :)

As always, if you haven't already, add me on PSN: Superironic

Hope to see you online ;)