tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79033562555772826992024-03-13T11:36:27.205-04:00Alex Nigro's BlogRandom thoughts, video game opinions, ins, outs, and what-have-yous.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-41059794612035080912014-01-09T21:15:00.001-05:002014-01-09T21:15:42.943-05:00Warning: System Warrior Rant IncomingPicking up this blog thing again, I may start doing weekly reviews of tables on The Pinball Arcade and/or Pinball FX 2 if anyone's interested. <div><br></div><div>Anyways, I want to vent a little bit on the whole Xbox One/PS4 system wars thing going on. To the guy on twitter going by the alias ManaByte, this is for you. </div><div><br></div><div>I just seem annoyed by a couple of themes from PS4 fanboys. The big one is resolution, and honestly, I don't see the big deal. Yes, 1080p is nice, but you know what? It's early. Developers are still getting the hang of the new hardware. If this is still an issue a year from now, then it may be a concern, but for the love of all that is holy, it's still early in the game, so to speak. I remember ManaByte mocking the Xbox One over the newly announced Alien Isolation game, but Creative Assembly confirmed that the Xbox One version runs at 1080p. It's going to improve over time. And frankly, I prioritize higher frame rate over a higher resolution, but that's another story. </div><div><br></div><div>And the sales? Again, it's early. The consoles launched in November. They have been on the market for a little over a month and a half. Declaring the PS4 the winner because of a 900,000 console sales lead during that time is stupid. Sony will probably get more sales once Japan gets it and constraints are dealth with, but Microsoft will get more sales once they rollout sales to mainland Europe and Asia. Let's see the sales for all of 2014, then we can draw some conclusions. </div><div><br></div><div>I guess I wouldn't be so annoyed if there were some more games that interested me, but I don't see much. Killzone and Knack don't set my hearts on fire. MLB 14 is the only baseball game coming out this year, but I can get that on my PS3. DriveClub is going to live or die by the online community, and I fear that Sony isn't marketing it enough and is sending it out to die. Infamous has what looks like the most unlikeable protagonist in a game this year. Watch Dogs isn't exclusive, most of the indie games Sony is touting can probably be found on Steam, and so on. </div><div><br></div><div>That's just my opinion. I could be wrong. </div><div><br></div><div>And you know what? That's okay. I won't judge anyone if they buy a PS4 over an Xbox One. I just wish that other people would do the same. But asking for civility on the Internet is asking for peace in the Middle East, it's not going to happen. </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe the Xbox One's price will go down. Maybe the PS4 has a breakthrough hit that I need to play. But they both just launched. Can't we have some level headed conversations?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-81907030304095241962013-07-31T00:26:00.002-04:002013-07-31T00:26:22.941-04:00It's been a while, I know (or: Going Fishing)It's been a year ago last April since I posted here. I had a lot of things go on in the meantime, and I totally forgot about blogging. So, what made me restart my blog? It was some drama over the weekend involving Phil Fish, Montreal native and the creator of the Xbox Live Arcade/Steam platform puzzler Fez.<br />
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Long story short, he has a habit of being a jerk on the internet. Someone was an even bigger jerk to him. After a heated back and forth, he decides to cancel a planned sequel to Fez and gives up on game development. <a href="http://kotaku.com/twitter-blowup-leads-to-sudden-cancellation-of-fez-ii-934548588" target="_blank">Kotaku has the details.</a><br />
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So, this is getting me thinking. I've seen internet meltdowns before. I've been at the center of them on occasion. But I've never seen one explode as badly as it did last Saturday. Marcus got things heated by calling Phil an asshole, and Phil replied that Marcus should go kill himself. He tried to backtrack on the suicide request, saying that it was a Futurama reference, but still, it got out of hand on both sides, and I'm certain that both sides want to take back the things they said.<br />
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But this isn't the first time it has happened. <a href="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18v71b05xucdwjpg/ku-xlarge.jpg" target="_blank">Phil has a history of being belligerent on the internet.</a> And he's taken a lot of grief, too. <a href="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18v73ttkahwlmpng/ku-medium.png" target="_blank">Just take a look at the comments here.</a> Would you blame him, especially after all the snide remarks and whatnot he's taken? (And I'm guilty of throwing a snide remark his way, and I didn't feel good about it, even before all this went down.)<br />
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It has me conflicted. Do I feel sorry for Phil, even if he's a jerk? My gut feeling says yes. I mean, he spent five years of his life making Fez, having to go through those trials and tribulations, and I can certainly feel like he reserves the right to defend his work. On the other hand, he doesn't have to be a jerk about it, throw temper tantrums, and burn bridges. Actually, Phil brings to mind a quote from a former ESPN exec about Keith Olbermann: he doesn't just burn bridges, he napalms them.<br />
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But my gut feeling is telling me, hey, everyone likes a story of redemption. Much like the ballplayer who has one last run in him, gets his team to the World Series, and goes out on top, or that band who you haven't heard from in 15 years and comes back and makes a great album and surprises everyone. I'm convinced that when things cool down, he'll be back, wiser and more mature, and make peace with the leper colonies of the internet.<br />
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Phil, if you're reading this, do us all a favor and breathe. Inhale, exhale. Go take some time off from the internet. Recharge your creative batteries. Go see the world. And realize that not everything's worth taking offense to. Don't give up on your dreams because of all the jerks on the internet.<br />
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And you might want to apologize to Marcus for your comments. He probably feels sorry for instigating this whole thing. But that's just my Monday morning (or early Wednesday morning) quarterbacking talking. Sometimes, being a man means knowing that you're wrong, and this is probably one of those times. Make peace with Marcus, and realize that the world isn't out to get you. The world wants a reason to love and respect you and your game.<br />
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Now I'm just being all mushy, but that's the truth. And that's my two cents on the whole matter. Thanks for reading.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1Jupiter, FL, USA26.9342246 -80.09420869999996726.8209671 -80.255570199999966 27.0474821 -79.932847199999969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-22636100080659523012012-04-17T20:42:00.000-04:002012-04-17T20:42:46.476-04:00Viva la VitaHey there. It's been a while, but I wanted some more hands on time for my PlayStation Vita. There's a lot to like, and a little to loathe. <br />
<br />
First, the stuff that I like. I didn't like the size of the buttons at first since I have big fingers, but, pardon the pun, they grew on me. I think I figured out how to do a two-finger tap on it, so a Tekken title shouldn't be an issue. Th D-Pad is great, and so are the dual analog sticks. Everything just falls into place and feels great. I don't feel like my hands are cramped and I can concentrate on the OLED screen pumping out good graphics. <br />
<br />
The thing that annoys me, though, is the interface. Why Sony went with something other than than the XMB interface that I'm familiar with is a mystery. I would like to, at least, organize things in folders, like my iPhone. One folder for Vita games, one for PSP and mini titles, one for apps, and one for settings. <br />
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The other thing that annoys me is the charging. Is it me, or do I need the official power adapter to charge this thing? I can't charge from USB. Do I need to change a setting or something? I need to find out. <br />
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Otherwise, I can't complain about my Vita purchase. I'm very happy with it, and I'll keep it for the long run.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-24441558171302459742012-03-26T19:43:00.001-04:002012-03-26T19:43:52.847-04:00Long time, no speak!I've been real busy over the past two months. I'm sorry for not keeping a regular post schedule. <br />
<br />
Anyways, I got sucked into the Hunger games hype. I finished the book last week and I'm going to see the movie tomorrow. I also started on the second book. I'm already through the first four chapters. Boy, this is an easy read. <br />
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Aside from that, I got a PlayStation Vita. I have a few thoughts on it, that'll come in a future blog. Hopefully I can bang one out this week. <br />
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Stay tuned...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-71460952134266932632012-01-17T11:22:00.000-05:002012-01-17T11:22:08.967-05:00Things I'm looking forward to this yearHey guys, me again. I guess we're all settled into the new year now. Things have been crazy for me over the past few months, and so I really haven't had the time to post stuff here. Now that things have died down a bit, I do plan on posting a little more regularly again.<br />
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Now, there are a few things I'm looking forward to in this new year on the video game front. In particular, there are three games I have my eyes on.<br />
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Xenoblade Chronicles- I've been following the Operation Rainfall campaign with great interest, if only to see if they were going to be successful. They were partially successful and this game is going to come out in April. I've never gotten into a JRPG before, but I might as well try this one out and see if it's worth the hype.<br />
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Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown- With Namco fumbling the ball on their fighting franchises (Soulcalibur V does nothing for me, and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is a late 2012 release), Sega looks to get the upper hand in the 3D fighting game competition this year with their latest Virtua Fighter title. This game has had two years in Japanese arcades to be fine-tuned for good balance and great competition, and with online play, it could be pretty much the only fighter I need this year.<br />
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The next Need for Speed title- All I know about this one is that Criterion Games is doing this one, and if Hot Pursuit is any indication, this one should be awesome. The Run was pretty decent, but I think that everyone's anticipating what Criterion does next.<br />
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There's probably a bazillion other games that I'm looking forward to, and I'll probably get to those in a future post. Stay tuned...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-25883821186466079262011-12-28T21:23:00.000-05:002011-12-28T21:23:37.882-05:00I've been slacking off, I know.I have just been real busy over the past two and a half months. I started a second holiday job at Best Buy, played some more video games, got an iPhone 4S on order, got another A in my paralegal studies, and ended the year on a high note.<br />
<br />
I promise to get back to posting stuff once a week in 2012. I'll have a few more thoughts on what's going on in the next few days.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-39662877979093935572011-10-11T08:51:00.000-04:002011-10-11T08:51:14.883-04:00Things are looking great...I'm still here, I'm just busy at the moment with other things. I've got a second job at Best Buy, my car's running great, and I have no complaints whatsoever.<br />
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I'll post something later in the week, promise!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-45082453150304394202011-08-16T21:06:00.000-04:002011-08-16T21:06:43.657-04:00Finally, it's arrived, Tony!As I mentioned earlier, I got a Fiat 500 last month. So far, so good. I'll have a detailed writeup soon-ish, but in the meantime, here's a Flickr gallery of my baby.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrarimanf355/sets/72157626994515551/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/ferrarimanf355/sets/72157626994515551/</a><br />
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Some pics came before I got the racing stripes installed, some pics came after that. I love my baby, and the stares I get are worth it!<br />
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More to come...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-50401185470177892532011-08-16T21:03:00.000-04:002011-08-16T21:03:09.079-04:00This is the best thing you'll see all week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nRfroCeDk2E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Scantily-clad cheerleader, appropriate song, rainbows... shut up and take my money, WB.<br />
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I'll pre-order this and pick it up at the store. Honey badger don't give a fuck, I'm not paying for shipping.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-18972189611626071842011-08-15T13:24:00.000-04:002011-08-15T13:24:59.664-04:00Lots of stuff happeningHey guys, I'm sorry that I didn't post anything in a month and a half. I was super busy with other stuff I was doing. I've applied for a new job at the local clerk of the courts, I should hear back from them soon. I also got a Fiat 500 last month and am putting some serious miles on it. I'll talk a bit about that tomorrow.<br />
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I also have a couple of things I want to put up here, now that I think of it. I was going to do it earlier, but I had some writers block and things on my to-do list that were popping up on me.Stay tuned, I'll get back to blogging on a regular basis soon enough.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-47949758960068164812011-07-01T21:13:00.000-04:002011-07-01T21:13:00.136-04:00Getting a new car...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/jQbPFhwb2Do?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>I think I may be getting a Fiat 500 next week. I managed to convince my mom to look into getting the Sport model for me, and we're preparing to go on Monday, July 4th.<br />
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It's an appropriate date. July 4th, 1957 was when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500">the original Cinqueciento</a> was unveiled, and it was July 4th, 2007 when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_500_(2007)">the Nuova 500</a> made its debut. And July 4th, 2011 could be the day when I park one in my driveway.<br />
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Stay tuned, if it happens, I'll take pictures and link up with you all.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-62093679939181296512011-07-01T20:59:00.000-04:002011-07-01T20:59:56.313-04:00As a follow up to my last post...Child of Eden was on sale yesterday at $35 on Amazon as part of their deal of the day. I went ahead and ordered it, it's close to what I was willing to pay for it.<br />
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Then I learned that Gamestop.com was selling the game for $30, which was what I was willing to pay for it. Sheesh, just my luck...<br />
<br />
... oh well. If you were waiting until it was $30, <a href="http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/child-of-eden/78235?loc=nowshipping_row3_col3">click here.</a> It's an online-only price, though. And according to <a href="http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435897">this relevant GAF post,</a> you should enter VSHIP at checkout for free shipping.<br />
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I'll get my copy next week and will review it when I get the time to.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-79975426544761716192011-06-17T15:11:00.000-04:002011-06-17T15:11:02.141-04:00Child of Sticker Shock<i>"I'm sure we'll always argue when it's the wrong or right time to criticize a game's length, but Child of Eden's got to be the wrongest."- </i><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/rdb_aaa/status/81088206170361857">Ray Barnholt, probably thinking the opposite of what I'm about to say</a><br />
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Hey guys, what's going on? It's a beautiful day here in Florida, and I'm inside on my computer, blogging. Priorities, people.<br />
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So, a video game came out on Tuesday. No, I'm not talking about Duke Nukem Forever, although I did receive my Xbox 360 Balls of Steel Edition version today and will talk about it in the future. I'm talking about Child of Eden, that Kinect-enhanced rail shooter from Ubisoft and Q Entertainment. If you've played Rez, then you'll recognize the themes coming from the same cloth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bj13Bh9X3cc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
I've been reading the reviews, and a lot of the same words keep coming up. "Beautiful". "Awe-inspiring". "Memorable." "Oh, and each level takes about twenty minutes to complete."<br />
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wat<br />
<br />
::checks Amazon and Gamestop for price::<br />
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$50 for a game that I can beat in an afternoon? Wow, Ubisoft made a dick move that Bobby Kotick thinks is dickish.<br />
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I have no problem with the game itself, mind you, don't get me wrong. I have a problem with the price.<br />
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The thing I have about the price is the relative value in comparison with some other shoot-em-ups I can buy. I look at XBLA, and see plenty of good ones for $10, like CoE's spiritual predecessor, Rez, Ikaruga, and the like. Hell, I still think that the $15 that's going to be charged for Radiant Silvergun is reasonable. Why? I guess it could be the value proposition. It'll take a couple of hours to beat those games, too, but it's easier to rationalize spending $10-15 on something that long compared to $50. $30-40 might be pushing it a little bit, but for a retail title as opposed to an XBLA title, I'd consider it. $50 is right out until I can find a deal where I can go ahead and bite.<br />
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"But wait", you say, "what about the replay value of shoot-em-ups?" That's a good question, but Child of Eden, much like Rez, relies heavily on the audiovisual experience. The first time you see it, it's probably going to be awesome, the second time, you're like "the awesomeness may wear off a bit", and so on. That's just the way video games are built, that's all. Once you memorize all the patterns and unlock all the unlockables and achievements, you're probably just only going to bring it out once in a while to impress friends and show off your AV setup.<br />
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Will I buy Child of Eden? Eventually, but only once the value proposition comes into play. I actually heard that K-Mart is handing out $15 gift cards if you buy this game, I'm going to go see if I can still do that.<br />
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I hope this makes a little sense, I leave the floor open for comments.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-59765413153519412692011-06-08T22:58:00.000-04:002011-06-08T22:58:24.069-04:00More E3 thoughts...- I think the WiiU is a stupid name, but the controller looks cool. How much will it cost?<br />
- The WiiU is getting a Tekken game. Finally, Nintendo nerds can stop pretending that Smash Brothers is a fighting game?<br />
- The WiiU has no GameCube support. Lame.<br />
- Soulcalibur V looks okay, but it's still a year out, so it has time to improve. Hopefully, Seung Mina and Talim return. Shut up.<br />
- Still no word on Porsche's involvement in Forza Motorsport 4. :-(<br />
- <a href="http://www.forzamotorsport.net/en-us/Forza4_Wheels/">The new Fanatec Xbox 360 wheel looks awesome, though. :-)</a><br />
- <a href="http://kotaku.com/5809911/razers-4g-dual-sensor-technology-makes-for-a-ridiculously-precise-gaming-mouse">Want.</a><br />
- If the home version of Tekken Tag 2 won't be coming out for a while, <a href="http://kotaku.com/5809543/tekken-hybrid-is-sexy-playstation-3-exclusive-combo">I'll take this.</a><br />
- Street Fighter X Tekken is a buy now that my main Asuka's in.<br />
- (insert something about Namco fighters here)<br />
- Big Forza 4 blow out tomorrow. Game of the show material there!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-52015728116283172632011-06-06T21:42:00.000-04:002011-06-06T21:42:34.903-04:00Gut feelings: E3, day 1Well, I have a few thoughts on day 1 of E3. Here they are, in no particular order.<br />
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-Forza Motorsport 4 looks great. I need some confirmation that Porsche is back, but so far, I think it's the game of the show so far.<br />
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-I really, really don't know what to think about Need for Speed: The Run having quick-time events. I need to see some more gameplay.<br />
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-More Halo? Why am I not suprised? A remake of the original sounds nice, though.<br />
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-Never played an SSX game before, the new one looks cool. Pun intended.<br />
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-All that new Kinect stuff looks okay. Not my cup of tea, but the Star Wars Kinect title looks interesting.<br />
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-I took the PSP version of ModNation Racers as part of my PSN welcome back goodies... and they're making a PS Vita version? Crap...<br />
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-Speaking of Vita... (Insert I Love Lucy reference here). The new Wipeout game looks great, though, so Sony can shut up and take my money.<br />
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-I never played a Resistance game before, either. That Resistance 3/ PS Move/Sharpshooter bundle looks tempting.<br />
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-Kotaku's liveblogs are the best.<br />
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-The new Giant Bomb E3 quest looks achievable.<br />
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-Bioshock Infinite will have Move controls on the PS3? Damn, gotta get that version now.<br />
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-Speaking of PS Move, I want that Star Trek phaser attachment. And the game, too.<br />
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-Wait, NFS The Run gets PS3 exclusives? But I've been using the Xbox 360 for all my NFS needs... oh screw it, I'm switching my preorder now, I need the Bugatti Veyron.<br />
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-$249 for the Vita? Sounds reasonable.<br />
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Bring on Nintendo, this is going to be epic.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-52492577317876814492011-05-30T16:09:00.000-04:002011-05-30T16:09:02.243-04:00Looking ahead to E3So, the Electronic Entertainment Expo is upon us. What do you want to see? Here's a wishlist of stuff I'd like to see.<br />
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<ul><li>Namco announces that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be released in early 2012, and Soulcalibur V will be released later in the year so the devteam can work on balance a little more.</li>
<li>Nintendo will blow my mind with their Wii successor. </li>
<li>WB Games will release some classic compilations of old Midway titles on XBLA/PSN to make good use of the MWY back catalog they picked up.</li>
<li>Sega announces new Daytona USA game.</li>
<li>Sony will announce a price for the PSP2 that won't be ridiculous. Hopefully, it'll be less than $300.</li>
<li>The PS Store will be back up by Sony's press conference. Hopefully sooner. I need to redeem my Mortal Kombat online pass already!</li>
<li>Big blowout for Forza Motorsport 4. The apparent lack of Porsches thus far worries me, though. Hopefully they're in.</li>
<li>EA impresses me with Need for Speed: The Run, I'll buy it as usual.</li>
<li>Something will surprise me.</li>
</ul><div>So, what say you?</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-57709212155622978982011-05-20T21:31:00.000-04:002011-05-20T21:31:35.483-04:00I've got Italian cars on the brain...I probably have a bunch to write about in the week since I last posted- new Soulcalibur, finally getting to the new Mortal Kombat game, PSN finally getting back up, my parents being on vacation now (yay, ten days of having the house to me!), but I've got Italian cars on the brain. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani... and Fiat.<br />
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One thing on my bucket list is "own an Italian car", and really, the only one I can afford at the moment, with my mom's help, is the Fiat 500. And since I got the okay to start car shopping now, no better time than now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DPX6rd93AmU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>I guess the only thing that may be off putting is the size. I sat in one at Arrigo Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep (the local Fiat shop), and they are tiny. Luckily enough, I can fit, no problem, but I can certainly see my mom balking at the car because of the size. Hopefully, <a href="http://fiat500usa.blogspot.com/search/label/Safety">the car's safety record in Europe</a> is enough to win her over.<br />
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I wanted to hold out for the electric-powered version, due in late 2012, but I'm looking now, the gas-powered versions can get up to 38 MPG with a stick shift, and I might as well strike now so I can be the first guy on the block to have one. Nobody will mistake a Cinqueciento for anything else.<br />
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I hope to win mom over on getting one when the parents come home in ten days. In the meantime, I'm dreaming and looking at accessories.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-41441635681127973842011-05-12T09:16:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:23:20.117-04:00Namco announced a few things this weekSo, Namco had a press conference in Dubai (?) this week and announced some new things. Let me run down a few of 'em.<br />
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<a href="http://www.1up.com/news/soul-calibur-v-first-trailer-details-namco">New Soulcalibur</a>- Don't know how I feel about the timeskip. If Tekken 3 is any indication, they're not going to age the women without some cryosleep trickery. I have no idea how they're going to get around that, do you? New guy looks okay, I just hope this doesn't mean Sophie won't be in. Need to see more info first on any gameplay changes, and hopefully the single player will be as deep as in the new Mortal Kombat game.<br />
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And a 2012 release? If this bumps the home ports of Tekken Tag 2 into 2013, I won't be happy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/soulcaliburv/news.html?sid=6313159&tag=updates%3Beditor%3Ball%3Btitle%3B6">(More info)</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/11/ridge-racer-unbounded-will-be-a-brand-within-a-brand/">New Ridge Racer</a>- I'd really feel better if this wasn't a Ridge Racer game. I always thought that the series should try something different, but this isn't what I was thinking of. At least this is just a side game, and Namco's taking the Need for Speed route with Ridge Racer, so the traditional games will live on. Hopefully, there's a traditional RR game for the new PSP coming out.<br />
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<a href="http://kotaku.com/5800679/why-couldnt-the-tekken-hollywood-movie-be-like-this">New Tekken CG movie</a>- It looks like an extended cutscene. Hopefully, it won't suck.<br />
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<a href="http://kotaku.com/5800063/the-dark-souls-collectors-edition-might-be-for-you-softer-players">Dark Souls CE</a>- Okay, that looks nice. I hope it's good, has anyone played Demon's Souls? If so, how is it?<br />
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More thoughts as I think of 'em.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-55201511139488677942011-05-06T22:11:00.000-04:002011-05-06T22:11:04.993-04:00So, the Gears 3 beta...I've been playing the Gears of War 3 beta on and off for the past week and a half, and it's pretty awesome. I'm actually getting some kills this time around, although that may be because of the matchmaking sticking me with the newbies. Whatever, it's fun to stick a chainsaw in people, I'm loving it and I'm going to get the full game.<br />
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Also, saw Fast Five today. Jesus, the final chase scene pretty much made it for me. It's hilarious, unrealistic, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Needed more Dwayne Johnson acting all serious and shit, but it's worth the $10.<br />
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More to come from me, but in the meantime, check my friend here, he has something cool.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://phantomfullforce.blogspot.com/2011/05/daytona-2-grand-prix-features.html">http://phantomfullforce.blogspot.com/2011/05/daytona-2-grand-prix-features.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-84212286215481731632011-04-28T17:29:00.000-04:002011-04-28T17:29:39.351-04:00New Need for Speed!I was getting ready to post something else, <a href="http://kotaku.com/#!5796785/eas-next-need-for-speed-leaks-early-goes-on-the-run-in-november">then Kotaku broke the news on the next Need for Speed game.</a> The third one in the span of a year. The premise looks interesting, like a Cannonball Run-esque romp across the country. <br />
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I'm probably going to monitor this at E3, provided I can rip myself away from any Nintendo news.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-27771087351299671902011-04-25T17:41:00.000-04:002011-04-25T17:41:18.983-04:00I hate it when a plan doesn't come together...I got the new Mortal Kombat game last week for PS3. I'm loving it so far, but PSN is down, so I can't rip people's heads off. FML.<br />
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I'll have a review when I get some more playing time, but the Gears of War 3 multiplayer beta is going to distract me.<br />
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Oh, and I'll have some more stuff in the coming days, stay tuned.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-15122223061941585232011-04-10T10:45:00.000-04:002011-04-10T10:45:37.142-04:00Auction misadventuresI went to the Barrett-Jackson auction a couple of days ago.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21357300@N06/sets/72157626332590019/">I come bearing pics.</a><br />
<br />
The highlights were seeing the GTO from xXx, plenty of Camaros and Mustangs to go around, and test driving the Chevy Volt.<br />
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Let me explain the latter.<br />
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GM and Ford had a little test track out in the parking lot, and there were two Volts available for test driving. Naturally, I had to get some time in one. Frankly, it's a lot of fun to drive, more than you think. The position of the battery lends itself to good handling, and I had some enjoyment bombing the car through the cones.<br />
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I also got to test drive a Mustang, too. Yeah, that was fun, but I'd rather have a Volt. Real talk. No, there's nothing wrong with me!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-2454814832059360962011-04-04T22:28:00.000-04:002011-04-04T22:28:31.387-04:00Shift HappensSo, I've been putting in some time on Shift 2 Unleashed, and I have come to the conclusion that it isn't a racing sim. Instead, I think of it more in terms of Project Gotham Racing. Is that a bad thing? No. Considering that we've gone so long without a proper PGR title, I consider it to be a major asset.<br />
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I certainly got the PGR vibes while running down London in helmet view, with the useful status bar filling up on top showing me how I'm leveling up in-game. Then the virtual helmet looks to the right as I prepare for a right turn, and I think, "this is awesome". Then the screen starts to blur at 200 MPH, and I think, "this is REALLY awesome!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed/photo/full/27159/x360/shift2pic_27159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cdn.www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed/photo/full/27159/x360/shift2pic_27159.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Thankfully, there's no shitboxes in the car line-up. Every car has a detailed interior, and the only hybrids in the game are Porsches. I think I spent more time gawking at the car models than driving them. The photos here are a little dim, and there are a few graphical details here and there in the game that could be better, but trust me when I say that it looks great in motion.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed/photo/full/17409/x360/shift2pic_17409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://cdn.www.needforspeed.com/shift2unleashed/photo/full/17409/x360/shift2pic_17409.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The only gripe I can really think of at the moment is the drift mode. I've done a couple of drift events, and I can tell that this will be a pain in the ass. With the way leveling up is in the game, though, I should be unlocking events at a quick pace to keep moving on if I get stuck there.<br />
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Overall, I'd give Shift 2 Unleashed an 8/10. It's no Forza, but it carved out its own niche, and I'm fine with that.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-41219377441734193512011-03-25T21:25:00.000-04:002011-03-25T21:25:51.861-04:00Soulcalibur Guest Characters Wish List, Part IIIOkay, as promised, here's my third guest character I'd like to see in the next Soulcalibur game.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vA0ryRXA7eo?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Yeah, LeBron James. I'm such a Heat homer, it's not even funny.<br />
I don't know how he's going to fit in, but you know what? I don't care. It would be awesome. Unless you live in Cleveland. :P<br />
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But yeah, it's one of those ideas that's so dumb on the surface, it would wrap around and be awesome. Plus, it would be cool to have a basketball mini-game or something. Am I dumb for thinking this? Or is it a genius idea in disguise?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7903356255577282699.post-12212707829759051462011-03-24T16:31:00.000-04:002011-03-24T16:31:17.114-04:00The fun starts next week...Well, one of my most anticipated games of the year, Shift 2 Unleashed, comes out next week. I'm going to have a review on that game in the week or so after it comes out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ziRSlmuLfew?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Tomorrow, I'm going to start up again on the Soulcalibur guest characters I really want to see. I think you'll like my next example.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Didja like it?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09312154986253142070noreply@blogger.com0