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2014 Gaming Update

Long time no blog, eh? I know. I had hoped they’d fix this site, but more than anything, I need a place to post some reviews

From last year:

From this year:

I’d written some of those reviews some time ago, and I have to say, of the three, I was really impressed by Dishonored and the scare in Silent Hill wasn’t something to scoff at. It was pretty scary and worth the money…though, I never did find my nail gun I’d had DLC for…stupid pre-orders. I am expecting Thief to come in soon and yes, I have a PS4, it is still in the box. For those of you who are/were loyal readers, that should come as no surprise. Is this site still all wonky, or is it worth another shot? My patience is thin.

First Impressions: Undead Nightmare

It's almost October and it feels like a fun, scaryish game might be just what the doctor ordered.  It was this or Silent Hill and I thought this might be more amusing.  I have fond, fond memories of Red Dead Redemption.  This is a fun take on an age-old idea, one that has been more prevalent over the last few years.  Take a popular game, pick it up in the middle of the story and turn the story on its head with zombies.  Repeat as needed.  It is a great idea and the mystique of the original game is maintained.

The story picks up before the finale of the original game.  John Marston is at home with his family when Uncle comes through the door, raving and rabid, needing to be put down.  John is forced to leave his family and begin to investigate what is going on.  The rest of the world is infused with the undead and John comes upon all the locations he's known are overrun and he must intervene to save people.

This game came out on the heels of the original and I should have played it then, but I didn't, so here we are.  It is very amusing and the only thing I'm kind of ignoring is the fact that I have to go back and save places after saving them the first time.  The controls are very similar, though, after this many years of playing the original, I can't be sure.  I don't like that I don't have the unlimited ammo or weapons I'd unlocked before, so that makes it a very tighter game.  I prefer being over-powering to the enemies, but this is probably better.

I can't make any honest complaints on this game, but it is the only Rockstar game I plan on playing this month.  Keep Calm and Game On.

2013 Gaming Update 20

I didn't think that I'd need less than a week, but I think I may have had the game set to easy. In a shooter, without auto-lock, I'd be dying every 12 seconds. I just saw that GS gave this game a 9 in 2010. I gave Vanquish a 6.5. It was decent, but it felt very samey to Gears and Bulletstorm. The price was right though.

List of Completed Games for 2013

Ah, the queue - one more down and no additions!

  • Fallout: New Vegas GotY
  • Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year Edition
  • Uncharted 3
  • Mass Effect 2
  • Demon's Souls
  • Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
  • Dragon Age II
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
  • Dance Central 2
  • Just Dance 3
  • Driver San Francisco
  • Dark Souls
  • Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters
  • Transformers: Dark of the Moon
  • Catherine
  • Binary Domain
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Ninja Gaiden 3
  • Resident Evil Racoon City
  • Silent Hill Downpour
  • Red Faction Armegeddon
  • Spiderman Edge of Time
  • Need for Speed: The Run
  • Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
  • Darksiders 2
  • Sleeping Dogs
  • Super Mario 2 (3DS)
  • Borderlands 2
  • Dishonoured
  • Rocksmith
  • Phineus and Ferb
  • Paper Mario Sticker Star
  • Phineus and Ferb Ride Again
  • Phineus and Ferb in the 2nd Dimension
  • XCOM Enemy Unknown
  • Virtue's Last Reward
  • Dead Space Ignition

Big decision now. I kinda miss Fallout right now, but Ninja Gaiden is taking up some valuable floor space in my room and could be another quick game. There are a lot of choices. I will say this, October is coming and that might be a good month to get scared!

First Impressions: Vanquish

I have been in quite a gaming slump, but now that my hometown Washington Nationals got knocked out of the playoff race last night, I am sure to have more free time.  Although, the Capitals start playing next week, and I am planning on going to opening night, they're giving away a magnet!

I started Vanquish last night and I can't say it is challenging me too much.  The game reminds me a lot of Bulletstorm and the controls are easy to pick up.  There doesnt seem to be much story, which, at this point, is probably a good thing.  I'm storied out between mine own writing and heavy games like Fallout 3 and Last of Us, not to mention Splintercell Blacklist, which was decent.

Vanquish

I'm hoping to get through this game soonish, but we shall see.  My attention span is all over the place and I have been spending far too much time daydreaming.  Those self-help books and pundits say you should visualise your new life, but I don't think this is exactly what they mean.

Keep Calm and Game On.

2013 Gaming Update 19

It took me over a month, but I finally finished Splinter Cell, yes, the new one.  Also, huge apology to johnsteed for not getting to play with you online.  Since my sister had a baby, our entire house has been turned upside down.  I gave it a 7.5 out of 10.  The game is fun, good, but it didnt blow me away at any point.  Worse yet, the story seemed really forced.  You can read my full review if you feel like it.  Im almost glad to start a new game, something mindless after all these heavy story games.

Completed Games:

the beloved queue

  • Fallout: New Vegas GotY
  • Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year Edition
  • Uncharted 3
  • Mass Effect 2
  • Demon's Souls
  • Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
  • Dragon Age II
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
  • Dance Central 2
  • Just Dance 3
  • Driver San Francisco
  • Dark Souls
  • Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters
  • Transformers: Dark of the Moon
  • Catherine
  • Binary Domain
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Ninja Gaiden 3
  • Resident Evil Racoon City
  • Silent Hill Downpour
  • Red Faction Armegeddon
  • Spiderman Edge of Time
  • Need for Speed: The Run
  • Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
  • Darksiders 2
  • Sleeping Dogs
  • Super Mario 2 (3DS)
  • Borderlands 2
  • Dishonoured
  • Rocksmith
  • Phineus and Ferb
  • Paper Mario Sticker Star
  • Phineus and Ferb Ride Again
  • Phineus and Ferb in the 2nd Dimension
  • Vanquish
  • XCOM Enemy Unknown
  • Virtue's Last Reward
  • Dead Space Ignition

Up next, probably Vanquish since I need to clear it off of my PS3.  Im running out of time before the PS4 comes out too where did the time go?

Blog Issues

I'm not ignoring all of you, but the site keeps asking me to sign in to leave comments, even though I can clearly see I'm logged in.  I don't even have a log-out button...I'm assuming this is related to the site changes...I'll figure it out at some point!

First Impressions: Tom Clancys Splintercell Blacklist

I have only ever played one Tom Clancy game before and got so thoroughly stuck that I gave up. After watching some of the footage for this one and seeing that the CE came with a remote control plane, I was sold. I've played a few hours in, and while I am sure veterans of the Tom Clancy games will complain or lament, I am finding it fun and challenging.

I'm a fan of stealth. While playing Metal Gear Solid 2, I was introduced to the concept of hiding in plain sight or just silently killing foes and throwing them overboard. As I've progressed as a gamer, I've found stealth to be a lot of fun and a challenge if the AI is either too aware or not aware enough of your presence. The story of this game is based on terrorists threatening to killing US targets if the US doesnt do something or another. It isn't the most affecting of stories just for the remoteness of the action. You play as Sam Fisher, returning as a covert operative to thwart these people by any means necessary. The game sometimes punishes you for being too brash and rewards you for being stealthy.

I won't lie, the game is kicking my butt right now. I know.  I'm playing it on moderate difficulty, but still, I'm having a heck of a time getting through missions. It's hard to just guess what you're supposed to do or what missions are best to do in the progression of the game, so I'm just kind of randomly choosing and that might be part of the problem.

The visuals, as you would expect from an Ubisoft game, are quite good. The cut-scenes are fantastic and the actual game play is pretty seamless. I have had the occasional glitch, but nothing like Fallout or even Last of Us. I am really glad I got this on release and I'm hoping to slog through it if I can over the next few weeks.

The only detraction to that is my sister is a) staying with us (as are her in-laws) and b) she's prego and ready to pop. When baby 2 comes, I expect the wheels to come off. I also kind of got stuck in a spot in Virtues last reward, it kicked me back to the beginning of the game and I'm not sure why. While I'm in the hospital, I might think about bringing my 3DS. Keep Calm and Game On.

2013 Gaming Update 18

Well, that took a while, but I finished Fallout 3. I got through all the DLC and was able to do so before the new Tom Clancy game came out (on my birthday no less!). I gave the game a 9, but the DLC ranged from 5 to 7.5 some of it was drivel, some could have been better. I won't say I had my life changed by any of it, but it was good, worth playing.

If you want to see any of the separate reviews

The queue...ah, she grows...

  • Fallout: New Vegas GotY
  • Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack
  • Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year Edition
  • Uncharted 3
  • Mass Effect 2
  • Demon's Souls
  • Dragon Age: Origins - Ultimate Edition
  • Dragon Age II
  • Mortal Kombat
  • Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
  • Dance Central 2
  • Just Dance 3
  • Driver San Francisco
  • Dark Souls
  • Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters
  • Transformers: Dark of the Moon
  • Catherine
  • Binary Domain
  • Mass Effect 3
  • Ninja Gaiden 3
  • Resident Evil Racoon City
  • Silent Hill Downpour
  • Red Faction Armegeddon
  • Spiderman Edge of Time
  • Need for Speed: The Run
  • Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
  • Darksiders 2
  • Sleeping Dogs
  • Super Mario 2 (3DS)
  • Borderlands 2
  • Dishonoured
  • Rocksmith
  • Phineus and Ferb
  • Paper Mario Sticker Star
  • Phineus and Ferb Ride Again
  • Phineus and Ferb in the 2nd Dimension
  • Vanquish
  • XCOM Enemy Unknown
  • Virtue's Last Reward
  • Dead Space Ignition

I am going to maybe play my Vita while I wait to get my hands on the new Tom Clancy game. I realise it comes out tomorrow, but the Gamestop I go to is on the other side of the County, so getting there is a bit if a hike. Hope you're all doing well and watching as my Nationals implode!

Fallout 3 Update Question #3

I'm about 80 hours into Fallout 3 and at level 22, so I can say that I'm firmly addicted to this game and can't stop playing to the point that this weekend I didnt even turn my laptop on. All this fasting is really helping me to get chunks of hours to play. Plus, if the Nationals keep losing, it isn't like I need to watch those games, right?

So, question here are there like major glitches in this game? I have positive Karma and I am trying to turn in these fingers, but the woman I keep looking for at the Regulator HQ is never there. She ran off one time and I haven't been able to see her since, what's up with that?

With the DLC, I've been doing my best to play it as I go, the advice in the guide is do play it about halfway through your play-through, which is where I am. Should I jump into Mothership Zeta now or wait? Ive done Operation Anchorage, The Pitt and Point Lookout, reviews posted for each as well, so I'm not sure if the DLC is sapping the energy out of me or what. I was really bored with Anchorage, but the other two kept me somewhat engaged. Thoughts?

bobble-heads...

I may be getting Fallout overload, but I feel like I'm so close to the end. I have all but one bobble-head and am levelling pretty fast. I didn't think I'd be this engaged, but now I'm debating swapping my New Vegas for the GotY version, thoughts on that? Don't think I can play another game like this for at least a few months!

PS4 and Movie Reviews

I know I said I was standing firm, but I didn't pay the pre-order off, but I did make one at Gamestop.  I know, I know.

Also, I have seen a bunch of movies recently:

 

Linked to the reviews above, should be seeing Despicable 2 sometime soon and Wolverine, of course.  I do enjoy going to the movies!