Wow... Today is the 1 year anniversary of me at gamespot. The year seems to fly by. I mean, I was a lowly level 1 and now I am at level 28. Quite allot of memories are flooding back... Some good and some, well, not so good.

During the course of my year at gamespot... I've made quite few friends. I have joined allot of unions but only active in a few (sorry about the others).

Anyway... Here's to more good years to come at gamespot. :D

A fan of the series since MGS1... It was the original MGS on the PS1 that turned me into a serious gamer and that was a long time ago.I got to the MGS series pretty late, by the time I was playing MGS1, MGS2 and the PS2 was already on its way to the stores... Back then, I couldn't care for the PS2 (due to the cost) but when I heard about MGS2 will only appear on the PS2, I jumped at the chance of getting the PS2 (thanks granddad R.I.P). Anyway, I wasn't too satisfied due to the inclusion of Raiden but eventually, I came to like Raiden.

The era of MGS3 began shortly after MGS2... It was rumoured many times that MGS3 will be Kojima's final MGS game (proved wrong with MGS4) but it was quite scary back then.:P I tracked MGS3 from start to finish... a task which almost drove me nuts because of my Internet speed back then (no broadband :P) and school/exams time. But it was fun and come to think of it, it got me a taste on how to manage fun and work at the same time (which what i do nowadays with work). And they say video game don't teach you anything... lol. :P

Now, with the explosion of MGS4 game-play vids from TGS and the new mind-provoking trailer, I am even more excited about getting the game. Like what i did with MGS3, I track this game from the very beginning and it has been a wonderful journey. Not long to go till the release of one of the biggest game in the gaming industry. Watching the game from just a pre-render CGI vid to now, all real-time and game-plays vids was quite emotional for me (I have no idea why, so don't ask :P).

If, in fact, this is Kojima's last MGS game (somehow, I doubt it), it has been a wonderful and emotional rollercoaster ride of a journey. With ups (Solid Snake) and down (Raiden :P) in the process.Well, time to take a breath now. Later.

Almost done with Heavenly Sword... At the final fight, at least I think it is the final fight with King Bohan. He is awesome. I think this is the first time I said a (true) villain is cool or that I like a villain in a game. Not that I agree with what he does in the game nor his actions in the game are acceptable, no.But what I meant is the acting is great and emotions the actor puts in the character are amazing. He really took the role seriously which makes an over-the-top villain believable. For a second, I almost end up cheering Bohan on. Hey, I said for a second. :P

Got Heavenly Sword yesterday and so far the game has been impressive.

The opening was rather interesting.... Giving you a taste on what to expect as a finale and a taste of the destructive power of Heavenly Sword before throwing you back to a first level. One the word to described the opening, amazing.

Many who had played Heavenly Sword either the demo or the final version will say the visual is stunning. The attention to details is Incredible. This is where the early power of the PS3 is shown, just imagine what games will be like in the futrue. Of course, visual or graphic isn't everything... What about the game-play?Well, so far the game-play is fun and challenging. It is definitely not a button masher, although in some cases or situation, I did button mashed a little because I was panicking. :P

The combat system at the beginning isn't all that special because you haven't obtain the Heavenly Sword, yet. However, the game-play without the use of the heavenly Sword was still solid and engaging. But ocne you have obtained the Heavenly Sword, the game-play will reach to another level of Brilliant.

When in possession of the Heavenly Sword, you are allow up to three different stances and by either holding down L1 or R1 or not, you will change the stance on the fly (all in real-time) with no lag to engage the enemies. By changing and mixing the stances, you can really chain up some long and spectacular combos to dispatch the foes.

Changing the stances isn't just for show either, no, there is deeper meaning to it. You see, the enemies have different classes... In order to kill or simply to block certain class, you have to be in the right stance. Sounds complicate when there's so many enemies trying to kill you at once? Well, yes, it is but the game will let you know which class the enemies is in when they attack by different colours so you can switch accordingly and defeat them accordingly. Fantastic.

All in all, Heavenly Sword is a fantastic game and regardless to how long the game actually is, shouldn't be an issue. The game look and plays well. I can't see why people wouldn't restart the game as soon as they finish it to relive the experience again. Anyway... Since I haven't complete the game I can't really give it a final score but so far, I will give an 9 as a provisional score. :D

I am a great fan of Aaron Sorkin's works. Ever since I watched the first season of the West Wing, I fell in love with his style of screenplay/teleplay. I went back to watch some of his earlier works. Such as A Few Good Men, Malice, The American President and first season of Sports Night. They were all great. Now I am proud to say I own the entire collection of The West Wing. All 7 seasons on a DVD box set.

I always want it to get the box set but it cost quite allot of money and since I have seen most of them on TV already, so, it doesn't seems to be value for money. It all end it when my girlfriend didn't know what to get me for my Birthday... She already got me something on my actual Birthday date (the 6th) but I wasn't very happy and she knew it. :P So, she set out to get something for me which I would have a huge smile on my face once I've opened it up. And that is The West Wing box set. :D

Well... Off to watch The West Wing now. No idea how long it will take me to watch all 7 seasons with at least 21-22 episodes in each season.:shock:

Is my birthday today... What does this mean? Well, I am year older than I was the last. Still, even though my age has matured another step, the excitement of a birthday never goes away. Friends and family are coming over to my place to celebrate me being older which isn't really a nice thought since I won't get any younger. :P

However I will look at it... I will enjoy today to the fullest. Meaning I will drink till I can no longer stand or walk. :P

Heavenly Sword is about to come out in a week's time. There has be many debate in the forums about this game... Many have tried the demo while some like it and some don't.

Many reviews has point it out Heavenly Sword is a solid game with a few reviews which, gave Heavenly Sword a rather low scores. Expectable since you can't please everyone.

Regardless to what the review says or my fellow forum users says... I find the demo to be fun and no doubt, i will find the full version the same way. Game-play is deep and challenging. From the trailers and a few animated series that I've seen, Heavenly Sword's story seems to be interesting and engaging. At a glance, it certainly does look like it is living up to the hype. Of course, that is my opinion and I am sure you have your own but no opinion matters to me most than my own. :P

I will no doubt get the game once it is out. Not long to go now. Later.

Wow.... It doesn't seem very long since my last blog about my level up to 26 and now I am level 27. Time flys. :P

That is all. Another short blog.

It has been quite awhile since my last blog... Being kinda lazy and since I haven't got any exciting thing to say so I left it alone. However, I have two great news to announce:

1: I've reached level 26 and my rank is Cyber-Lip. Sounds kinda cool. When reaching a new level, I always look back on the amount of time I've spend on gamespot's forums. Don't know why but I enjoy staying and posting in the GS forum than in any other Internet site's forums.

2: One of my close friend had recently brought a PS3... Under the influence from me. :P It was kinda a good deal as well, 2 games, one blu-ray film, extra controller and the console itself for £425 plus 10% student discount (not really a student but hey, they don't know that). :P Now me and my close bud can get online and play beyond. :D

Anyway, this will be yet another short blog from me. Later.

Just brought the Darkness today... Got off work early and play it for a few hours and so far, I am enjoying it.

First thing I have to say is, the graphics is really good. Great details throughout and animation is not bad either. The lighting is pretty much spot on and the developer did a really good job to make the city and characters look real. Nothing to complain about here. :D

Okay, lets talk about Game-play. If the Darkness is just a stand alone FPS, the game would fail however, with the introduction of the Darkness power and the mix of gun-play makes the game pretty fun and engaging. The enemy A.I. need a bit of work because most of the time, they will just stand there and let you shoot them and that's why if the Darkness is a stand alone FPS, the game will fail. Having said that though, if the enemies were like in Rainbow Six or Resistance, you will have no chance to use your Darkness power at all and you will definitely won't use your Darkness power and just rely on your guns. Anyway, IMO, The mix of gun-play, the darkness power and pretty stupid enemies works really well in this game. :P

The bit which I am really exciting about the game is the roaming part. So far, it hasn't disappoint. The loading is quite frequent when you want to roam which can deter you from doing it. However, it is quite worth it since there are collectible throughout the the city which allows you to unlock many different stuff. The area which you are allowed to roam is pretty decent and since the areas are so well lighted and detailed, you really want to linger around just to sightsee.

The strongest point in The Darkness is the story. Is very well written and really drags you into 'Jackie' the main character's world... You simply want to keep going because you want to find out what happens next.

Anyway... Back to playing the game.