I just got this game from Gamefly last weekend and although I was apprehensive at first, I'm really warming up to this title. For all those who complain that this is not a Banjo Kazooie game, they are wrong. This game features all the collecting fun of the first two, but is actually more cohesive because all the things your collecting are working toward building better vehicles to complete challanges to unlock the ultimate goal (more jiggies). It is really deep and it has me totally drawn in.

Now because I don't want to be totally biased, although I'm having so much fun right now that I would like to be, the game does have some problems. There is an occasional framerate problem. Also, since you have to unlock vehicle parts as you go the game is extremely limited at the begining and might feel a little slow to start. The final complaint might be that the multiplayer isn't all that great, but I'm pretty sure that is not what people are buying this title for.

That said, I can't express enough that the mild problems that people have with this title are totally insignificant compared to the quality and depth of this game. The landscape is beautiful and big. The music is enjoyable and similar to the original titles. One thing, that I totally love the devs for, is that you can just build a vehicle from anywhere. There is no need to arbitraily travel to the "build shop", you can just work in the stages. That saves so much time that other titles are happy to waste. Any exploring that you do is either just for the enjoyment of piloting your new creation or searching for more vehicle parts.

Overall, I love the game. Despite the fact that it might take longer than my typical shooter campaign I have the full intention of completing it. That said, this isn't a review, because as much as I've been able to do there is plenty more. Still, I doubt the quality is suddenly going to drop and am very excited for the next second I get free so I can spend it playing this game.

It seems that I've had some bad luck with PSN, and it is really frustrating but also partially my own fault. The only title I had previously paid for was Warhawk, which is somewhat likeable, but not worth $30 (to me). I also got Pain for free, and although there is a little fun to be had in that game too, its mostly just bad. Those experiences are still better than the Wii's extremely horrible download service, but that is really another blog. Anyway, some of my problems I cause myself by refusing to download anything I could also get on the 360. Some might play just as well or better on the PS3, but the 360 version has achievements (and all my friends have 360s). That limits things a bit, but there are still some interresting titles.

The problem with PSN, that really isn't excusable, is that not all games have a demo. Also, to check if it has a demo you have to look in a completely different place in the store. Its ridiculous. Still, I'm a sucker for downloadable games and have tried out a few that there are demos for. So far, I didn't like Echochrome or Pixel Junk Eden, but I did like Pixel Junk Mosters. I was considering buying that title, but I didn't. Nope, instead I plop down $10 on a game I hadn't tried called Flow and its expansion, they were bundeled together. After booting it up it only took a couple seconds to realise I wasted my money and I have no way of getting it back.

Flow has been praised in forums and blogs quite often and that was all I had heard about it. What those blogs and forums failed to warn me is that Flow is a form of interactive art that does very little from a gameplay perspective. Now, don't get me wrong, I love artistic games, but they have to be GAMES too. Flow is a brainless waste of time where you can't lose and you can't win. All you do in Flow is tilt your controller around and guide your little bug on screen to eat everything around and then watch and see what happens. If you play for a few minutes you'll find some other creatures floating around. Although they may try to eat you they can't, the game will move you out of their way even if you are trying to get eaten. If you do keep playing though eventually the game "rewards" you by making you start all over again. Thats the game in its entirety. When you add the game's mellow music, you have PSN's best cure for insomnia.

Now, I don't want to be too negative so I will explain, Flow would make a great iPhone title. If I had literally nothing to do, and was looking for some way to kill 5-15 minutes, Flow would do alright. I could boot it up and occasionally think, "oh that looks neat," then shut it off soon after and not care about it beyond that. If the mobile version had custom soundtracks that would make it even better. The problem is that I didn't buy a mobile title, I bought it on the PS3.

So anyway, that is my impression of Flow for PS3. I guess this just serves as a lesson to check the reviews on some title like this before downloading. Still, PSN needs to get a standard policy requiring all games on its service to have demos and make them easier to access by putting them on the same page as the full version. Experiences like this are a big turnoff, and make me less likely to use their service in the future. Like I said in the introduction, a lot of the fault is mine, but not all of it. I'm now resolved to now only download titles where I have tried the Demos and liked them.

-Happy New Year!

For years, I've been a console gamer. In both the current and previous generation I owned every console put on the market, even the Dreamcast, and I have been playing games since my parents, for whatever reason, decided to get me a Super Nintendo in 1991 (I was six). Though I always had a computer growing up, and we did occasionally play a game on it, it was primarily for my Dad's work which meant that not only was it often not available, but it was also woefully underpowered from a gaming standpoint. Still, we had internet, the most powerful tool in the world, and when I moved out from my parents house in 2006 the first thing I needed to do was get the internet going at my new place (running water could wait).

That actually introduced an interesting situation for me. To get the internet I need a computer, but I am a gamer after all. Why not have a gaming PC? Well, there actually are a couple reasons why not. At the point of moving into my new place I didn't have any money to speak of, in fact if I wasn't buying any games at all at that point. I also had never even installed RAM before. Heck, I had never even opened a PC case before! Luckily, information is cheap, often free, and that was all I could afford at the time. I began absorbing all the information I could on computer hardware.

Fast forward to today. I'm on the precipice of building my first gaming. In the meantime I've been using a Compaq computer which I've upgraded several times. Despite all I've learned I am still having problems. Though I'm sure I'll work through them and get this going I'm very frustrated in the meantime. Also, having purchased all the components myself, as I try to install them I am constantly facing the realistic possibility that, in my inexperience, I might break them and be out all the money. It is a frightening possibility. Still, as a learning experience this invaluable. It feels somewhat like the final exam I've been studying for and building towards for the past 2 years. At this point I fully expect to pass, and when I do I'll have living proof that I am a complete nerd, just in case anyone ever questions it.

That brings me to the point of this editorial. Over the course of working with my new PC, I've learned a lot about the PC side of gaming, and I believe I've indentified several factors contributing to its decline. Of course I've also found some very enjoyable aspects and would like to point out a few things contributing to its success.

First the problems:

PC gaming is prohibitively expensive.

I've seen arguments from PC gamers stating otherwise, but the common held belief that gaming computers are expensive is true. If you want to get going with a console you can get into today's gaming with a $200 Xbox 360. To get started with a gaming PC you could pick one up from a manufacturer for over $1000, or you could try building one, which (if you're starting from nothing) is likely going to run upwards of $700. A lot of times, computer enthusiast will forget that newbies don't have an old computer to strip parts from and will have to buy everything. A new PC requires a case, a motherboard, a power supply, RAM, a Hard Drive, a Disc Drive, a graphics card, a processor, and an operating system. These all must be purchased and although you can find some great deals online, no one is giving these away for free. That brings us to the second problem.

PC building is extremely confusing.

With consoles the hardest question you're going to have is "Xbox 360 or PS3?", but it isn't that simple with a computer. You'll need to have a basic understanding before you even get started. Still, even after working considerably with computer components, putting together a new PC isn't always straight forward. Finding a processor and motherboard combination can be hard enough, but that isn't the end of the problems. You could get everything all together only to find your graphics card won't fit in your case, or that your power supply is quite powerful enough. It is also possible that some hardware might not work right with your operating system. There are also a lot of questions that need to be asked while purchasing components. Which processor is best? Why the difference in price? What motherboard should I get? These questions aren't always easy to answer and almost always take a lot of dedicated research.

Then there is the greater difficulty of once you get everything how do you put it all together? Well... that's a good question. You could always pay someone to do it, but that costs money. If you're going to be using the computer for a long time, then it is something you'll need to know for future upgrades anyway. While some things are simple, like putting in RAM, some things are more complicated. If you've got it all together and you push the magic button and it doesn't work, what do you do? That is often a really hard question to answer.

Computers aren't invincible.

If you're buying a computer from a manufacturer this doesn't really apply, however if you're building it yourself your responsible for keeping it working. While all the components have their own warranties, you still need to have the skill to figure out what is broken if anything happens. That is true on the software side too. So, if you haven't been able to keep your antivirus up to date in the past, PC building probably isn't for you.

Now the Rewards:

So, getting into PC gaming is both expensive and complicated. The question then would be why do people get into it? Considering that I'm jumping in myself, I know of a few reasons. Others might add more.

Upgrades are easy.

Unlike consoles, where you're forced to buy a new unit every few years to keep up, computers can be upgraded a piece at a time. If a new game comes out that your card can't handle then just upgrade the card. The same applies to any other piece in the computer. They're all pretty much interchangeable, and you personally installed them all, so you're very familiar with how the computer works. This usually works out to be cheaper too, unless you always want to stay on the cutting edge of technology.

It does more than play games.

Consoles are trying hard to be more versatile machines then they've been in the past. While I might now be able to watch movies, play music, and chat with my friends, these functions don't even compare to the capabilities of the PC. With a powerful computer you can do ANYTHING! Well, maybe not anything. I'll let you use your imagination, but seriously you can do a whole lot.

Computer knowledge is useful outside of games.

Knowing how to use an Xbox 360 isn't going to land a better job. Though a degree might be more helpful for your profession it is very likely that a practical working knowledge of computers is going to come in handy from time to time, both at work and at home. All I would need for proof on this is to list all the times I've been ask to fix someone else's computer. I'm sure there are plenty of other people who can relate to that. With the amount of devices that keep finding their way into our daily lives the more one can know about computers, the better.

The games are great too.

I would think that this one goes without saying, but the real reason why anyone would get into PC gaming is because of the games. A lot of titles have PC exclusive features and there are almost always mods. There are plenty of PC only titles that are worth a look too.

Conclusion:

I'm not going to say PC gaming is for everyone. In fact, I would say that is for a much smaller group than console gaming. Only people who want to invest the time and/or money into a powerful computer system should apply. That is not to say that PC gaming isn't worthwhile, in fact most people who do get into it will find that it is well worth the effort. With more time invested in it you might find you can jump in with less money, but you'll still need a good amount of both. The PC is more powerful and more versatile than consoles, but also more complicated and more expensive. Each individual will have to choose what is best for them.

Yesterday, being Christmas and all, I got some new games. I also gave out presents, and most were met with excitment/joy, but who cares about that? Well, I guess the people who got them... but that isn't who is reading this blog. Anyway, I got Lost Planet Colonies PC in my christmas stocking, but I haven't got to play it yet (although I did instal it). I also got Lips for Xbox 360.

I didn't get to play Lost Planet colonies because it has suprisingly HIGH system requirements. This would have been a problem if I didn't also recieve a new processor and motherboard also. I went to put in the new board and after gutting my whole computer and spreading its internals all about and then realise the case is too small!:o I had to put it all back to the old configuration and find a new case somewhere. Thankfully, being a nerdy individual who thinks the most fun thing to do on christmas is to mess around with computer parts, I have some nerdy friends. I called one of them up and asked if they had a case they would sell for cheap, and sure enough they did.8) I'll be finishing up with the computer moving today and be playing Lost Planet Colonies this evening.

As I mentioned, I also got Lips, the game, from my wife's sister (actually she got it for my whole family). It is a pretty competent game with an equally competent set list to start. You can add your own song too, which is good, but they don't have all the features of the built in song. The people at Microsoft knew they were making a party game when they were putting it together because it really works well in that sense. Of course it isn't on the same level as guitar hero, in that it promotes sharing and fun over competition. Really, all the game does is turn your 360, and your music collection, into a special karaoke machiene that gives you a score at the end. If you like that idea you'll love the game. If you don't really care to ever have a group of friends over singing, then you'll hate it. I'm sure the game has found a happy spot in my family's home though.

To round out my christmas I also got an external hard drive from my father-in-law. I actually really wanted one and didn't even ask him for it, so I'm pretty pleased. It will be put to good use as a backup for my computers and also holding all my son's recorded TV shows (Super Why! and Viva Pinata which he watches over and over).

So, thats my Christmas in gifts. It was a pretty good, and not just in gifts. Everything turned out well this year. Chelsea and I didn't feel rushed around the whole time and there were no big fights between extended family members. Honestly this is the type of Christmas I could get used to.

Ummm... No Gears 2 for the Xbox award. I love Braid and am happy to see it in the running for game of the year, but seriously its a puzzle game (not a platformer). Also, NHL 09? WTF. Also Burnout Paradise was great, but why? Game of the year? Left for dead best shooter? I'm so confused.

Now a flash game:

http://armorgames.com/play/2893/achievement-unlocked

I don't think it will suprise anyone that I really enjoyed this. Although I was really slow to complete it since I was playing in between working.

1095 Seconds on the first try. What did you get?

On Friday I downloaded and installed the Home beta on the PS3. Unlike some people, I was able to log in without much trouble, but that isn't to say that it "worked". Really I could go on about how the service is missing any features that make it worthwhile, but why? The thing is empty and an obvious waste of Sony's money. If they were smart they'd stop supporting it right now and put the money elsewhere, but they're not going to do that.

Now, I'll admit, I was wrong when I said Home would never come out. It did come out. Still that doesn't make it worthwhile. Maybe if there was something there it would be fine, but I still think not. Home is never going to succeded in building the online community Sony hoped it would.

The Gamespot Review for Sonic Unleashed is up.

I can save you the trouble of checking, they gave it a 3.5. The problems they sighted were, mostly, repetitive combat and a bad camera. Though these are both true, there is more to the game. One obvious one is how beautiful everything looks, but there is more beyond that.

The biggest plus which is overlooked is how fun and fast the regular sonic stages are. They feel like they're pulled out of the 16 bit sonics, but updated for today. The Gamespot review says that poor level design makes for cheap deaths on these stages, and that it is not true, or at least no more true than it was on the Genesis. The stages fly by so fast it is difficult to see what is coming up, but that is what makes the stages fun and exciting.

Another thing I enjoyed was actually the Warehog in limited doses. Sure his combat is repetitive, but not anymore than Spider-Man FoF (which gamespot gave a 7.0). When the werehog stages were split between platforming sections and combat they're just fine. When they combine the 2 in the same spot it gets extremely annoying, because your attacks will sned you off the stage. Still that doesn't happen too often. The game makes up for it too with some pretty enjoyable boss battles as Warehog.

The main thing that I didn't like isn't even mentioned. To access the later stages you'll need to collect Sun and Moon tokens. These are scattered in the stages and in the world map. The real problem with them is that you'll have to stop your blitzkreig to wander around stages you've already completed and try to find these stupid tokens. You'll spend a lot of time slowing down and searching every corner of every stage. Personally, I prefer the way it was in the orginals, complete Green Hill Zone 1 and then you play Zone 2. As sonic you'll often fly right past a token and have no way of going back to obtain it and the Warehog is slow enough already. Why do you have to make things so frustrating Sonic Team?

The other problem I had were the challenges. After completing a stage you can play it challenges which are as straigtforward as completing it within a certain time, or as complicated as beating a werehog stage without being able to regain health.The problem is that the objective is always secondary to the REAL objective of getting through the stage without dieing. Unfortunatly in challenge modes, your checkpoints don't count, so if you die you'll have to start over... sorry. The only reason this isn't a big issue for me is because you are never required to do any of these, so if that gets too annoying, you can just do something else.

Well, given my experience, I think gamespot is being overly hard on Sonic. In this case, while the game isn't a 9.0 or an 8.5 it is still good. I would have expected about a 6.5 or 7.0, but that isn't even close. For me, this is just one more nail in the coffin of what used to be the best review site on the web. Its not that I'm a huge fanboy for Sonic, its just with the time they took to get the review out and then the poor quality, Gamespot's reviews aren't looking too good.

No, I wasn't crazy enough to get up at 4 AM to try and find a $250 laptop. The deal I found was even better for me. I was out by my old office, mostly because it is right next to the grocery store where I do all my shopping, and they've been closed for a while, but I always look back with a little bit of longing. Don't get me wrong, I hated my job there, but there were good people who worked there and it seems like a waste to have a nice office with such potential to go to waste. Anyway, there are people working their now cleaning it out for whoever might be want to buy it.

While I was looking, I noticed they had a "Warehouse Sale" sign up and couldn't pass up the opportunity to walk into the building one more time. Well it was a pretty serious sale, of course a lot of things were gone, but anything that wasn't bolted down, and many things that were could be purchased. I could have bought my old cubicle if I had wanted, but I definitly didn't want to. One thing they did have that I really did want were surge protectors with battery back-ups. I bought 2 for $10 each.

A little cleaner than mine, but otherwise exactly the same.

Normally these things sell for $70 each, so I'm pretty happy. Now I've got my PC and all the connections on it on battery back up. As a bonus, I've also got my 360 on battery back up. So if the power goes out, I'll be able to finish my match on Xbox Live and then quit, or be able to find a save in Tales of Vesperia (I would hate to lose my progress). That is of course in addition to the surge protecting I've always had on my equipment.

And no... I'm not saving these for Christmas. Now if only we could have a power outtage. :lol:

Sonic Unleashed showed up in my mailbox yesterday. I was a little aprehensive about the title after seeing one not so stellar review, but I still wanted to try it. I put it in the 360 and gave it a spin for about 2 hours yesterday. I can say that despite it being a gimicky title with a slow warehog, I still like it.

The first thing you'll see when starting a new game is a fairly lengthy CG cut scene the sets up the story. This sequence looks beautiful! It is amazing the level of detail in the graphics! Its only too bad you can't play it because I thought it might be a cool introductory level, but its not. Still the first level you get to play you play as Sonic and you move FAST! Very very fast... It is pretty cool. I did not think the controls felt too automated either.

Once you finish that first stage you're introduced to the new world you'll be running around in between levels and it is colorful and nice, but not much to speak of. Pretty soon you're starting of your adventures as the warehog and he isn't so bad. His stages play like any generic beat-um-up. I happen to like those types of games, but it definitly isn't the same as the speedy Sonic stages. The big problem I think people will have is that the night stages might end up taking 15 minutes or more when you can burn through sonics stages in about 2 minutes each. If the game does end up having a lot of Sonic stages before the end I'll still be happy, because I don't find the Warehog to be perticularly bad, he just isn't Sonic.

Another thing I noticed about the game in my short time playing is the extensive use of quick time events in the game. As the warehog you'll use them to do critical strikes on enemies and defeat bosses. This feels pretty standard and isn't really something to complain about, but then there is that air stage I played. While riding in Tail's plane to a different location there is a very long feeling stage that consists soley of pressing the correct button in time over and over again. The game tries to make it more interresting with the cool graphics and whatnot, but it doesn't feel like a boss fight. It actually feels more like a segment from a rythm game less the music. I hope that those types of stages are kept to a minimum.

If I had to pick a review schore now I'd probably put it at a 7. So far I've been totally WOWed by the regular Sonic stages and the well done graphics. I still have enjoyed being the Warehog, but that is pretty average and feels like any other kiddy adventure game out there. Then I was annoyed by the plane stage, but only because I felt it to be way too long. So all in all I still like the game. I hate to say this because it is already cliche, but if only Sonic Team could have made the whole thing a running adventure as regular Sonic then this game would have been an awesome must have holiday title. It's too bad they didn't.