When to Flex Your Muscle?

Everyone is an expert at something. Personally I pride myself in following the video game industry. I try to play everything that I can, I visit message boards, and I wear t-shirts with Mario and Link on them. When I need medical advice, I ask my wife . We have the unofficial King of Useless Information right here on this blog, so whenever I need useless information, I go to him.

Are you the kind of person that feels compelled to correct someone? I mean, if you know something and someone doesn't know something or states something incorrectly, do you feel like it's your duty to correct them? I experienced a situation like this today at school. Someone mentioned Modern Warfare 2 today and of course, I became the center of attention because I am the gamer of the group. I didn't have much to say about the game because I haven't played it yet, but I mentioned that MW2 now featured customizable kill streaks and that you could drop a nuke during a multiplayer match if you could get a 25 kill streak which is insane. Then one of my classmates said that he got a 55 kill streak in COD4 so getting 25 should be a breeze.

I don't play the Call of Duty games that much or that well for that matter. The highest kill streak I've ever reached was 17. I really found it hard to believe that someone could get a 55 kill streak in any kind of multiplayer match(public or ranked). Maybe they happen all the time, I don't know. My point is I really just wanted to call bullshit and say, "You probably confused multiplayer with single player" or something like that. I didn't say anything though because in situations like this, where I just want to teach and nerd out about something, the first thing I think is:

"DUDE NO ONE CARES!"

No one will give a shit whether or not I correct this guy. They obviously enjoy video games, but not to the point where they follow the industry. What's the point in correcting someone if it doesn't matter to them? Also, I didn't want to shit on this guy because he was so enthusiastic talking about COD that it put a smile on my face and I wanted him to keep talking about gaming. I don't really get to nerd out about games that much in real life so I welcome any opportunity someone wants to talk games with me. I feel like my case is unique in that playing video games is such a niche thing. I'm sure that people are more keen to learn about law, or medicine, or literature, or some other more socially accepted activity. Talking about eating candy would draw more interest than me talk about games.

Anyway I was just curious to hear how people react in situations like this. Are you more inclined to teach, or correct? If not, why?

SALLY SHAPIRO/MEGA MAN WHAAAA

Dead Space(The Real Game of 2008?)

Summer is the finest time to catch up on games that you might have missed last year, and I have been playing a lot of great stuff this summer. I cannot remember the last time I've wanted, and yearned to keep playing a game as much as I did while playing Dead Space. Usually when I receive a game from Gamefly it takes me a week or two to get bored, but I played through Dead Space in three days, and have already started a second play through. It's really not that long, but it takes me forever to finish games, so I was completely shocked to have finished it so quickly. I try to avoid scary games because I don't like to get scared, but it's not really that scary. There are just a lot of cheap scares, but Dead Space is a fresh, and engrossing experience that I would love to relive again. I don't have to say that the game looks amazing, but the things that really stuck out were the sound effects, the combat, and the interface of the game.

Most people tend to forget about how important sound is in a game, but in Dead Space it is very difficult not to notice it. Faint whispers coming out of the distance, the creaks of a spaceship, the sound of shooting a pistol in the vacuum of space. At times I stopped depending on my eyes, and I would try to just listen to anything I could hear to help me determine if there was an alien mutant around the corner, but even my ears deceived me, so I ended up just being on edge the entire time.

The combat is a little different from most conventional third person shooters. Instead of just pumping enemies full of lead, or focusing on head shots, the game actually punishes you for doing those things by releasing many tinier alien enemies that get all over the place, and are really fast, hence making them really tough to kill. The fastest way to kill enemies is by dismemberment. Careful aiming is critical to survival, so that's a nice little mechanic that the developers came up with. Things got really bad when like 5 enemies would surround me because I would just scream, and shoot my pistol almost in a blind mess, but using your Stasis power, which slows down enemies, and objects, really helps you focus on shooting limbs off.

The way the developers integrated all of the menu's, life bars, and weapon meters into the environment of the game was so sick. Once you start your game, the only noticeable loading time is in-between levels, so you are in this gargantuan abandoned space ship the entire time. There is no pausing to go into and out of menus. Your inventory menu, and map are all on a "Minority Report" style interactive touch screen that pops up in front of your character. The fact that the game never pauses also works to your detriment because you can be attacked while looking at your map, or your items so I was annoyed at times because I would try to heal while fighting enemies. I didn't know until after I finished the game that there are hot keys for healing, and refilling your Stasis meter, so I guess I was making it harder than it should have been. Anyway I just really liked that the developers really focused on not taking you out of the experience.

I would easily put Dead Space into my top 5 of 2008, but I struggle with the idea that it was the best game of last year. I'm stupid because I think more is better. I know that more is not always better. Can I really say that Dead Space was better than Fallout 3? Left 4 Dead had probably the least content of all the games in my top 10, and it took the number one spot. Well, Dead Space was easily better than GTA IV. It was stupid to put that game at number two, but like I was saying, at the time I thought, "Ehh, it was alright, but there was so much content, I put in so many hours, yadda yadda yadda." Yeah, the game took me 9 hours to beat, but there was so much there in terms of gameplay, and experience. Definitely Dead Space is in the conversation for best game of last year, and everyone should play it. Especially now that it's almost a year old, and you can pick it up for $20 at most stores.

Wii Sports Resort

I have been looking forward to this sequel since it was announced. I shelled out the money to buy that game and an extra accelerometer dildo attachment for my wife in case she wanted to get in on the wiggle waggle fest that is Wii Sports Resort. Even though this sequel gives you even more addicting mini-games to play with, I do not think it has revitalized my interests in anything Wii. I will say that I have been playing this game alone, and that is probably why I've gotten bored of the game so quickly. This game was meant to be played at a party, and there is no such thing as a one man party. I do not care how fun you are as a person. I'm a fucking blast, and I could not keep the party going so I do not know what to tell you.

Let's talk about what I like about the game. Adding the Wii Motion Plus really works. All of your motions match up to what's happening on screen. Finally you can sword fight with Wii Remotes, and it actually works. You slash from right to left, up and down, diagonally, any which way, and it works great. In the first Wii Sports, no matter how you swung the remote, your character on-screen did the exact same motion every time. Although Baseball was not included in Resort, I imagine the possibilities of adding much more swing depth to baseball games. You could swing for the opposite field, pull the ball, etc. In short, Wii Motion Plus is a great addition to the controller. Too bad it was not there to begin with, but whatever. I'm sure they will start bundling it with the system. I hope.

In terms of game selection, it's hit and miss, but I do appreciate the fact that they gave you 12 games from the start which is a huge increase from the first game's 5 games. Bowling and golf make a return, and I'm really glad they did decide to bring those games again. The WMP really helps fix some of the problems that I had with golf and bowling. For example, Bowling offered little challenge to me because I could just hold the Wii remote palms inward, and with proper timing, I could unrealistically hook the ball well enough to hit strikes every time. Now, because your control is 1 to 1, throwing the ball like that will create free eats for the gutter. You really have to focus on technique.

Some of the new games I enjoyed are Frisbee, Basketball, and everyone's darling, Swordplay. I forgot to mention that each game has 2 or 3 sub games. In Frisbee, you can play the regular mode where you have to accurately throw frisbee's to your dog that chases after them. There is also a Frisbee Golf Mode where you can play a full 18 holes. It's nice that Nintendo tried to flush out the experience. Basketball is my guilty pleasure. There isn't much to it. You're shooting in a three point contest, but I really enjoy the feeling of getting into a rhythm, sinking basket after basket. It's rough when you miss a few, and you frantically try to scramble, and fix your technique. Swordplay will be the game that everyone will get into at a party though. Who can't into frantically swinging plastic remotes? I can do without some games though, like Wakeboarding where all you do is hold the remote as if you were holding onto the rope when you're wakeboarding, and all you do is flick your hands upward and then keep them straight for the landing. Not really much to it. Biking was not that fun either as you are basically doing pedaling motions with your hands. They should have made it hand biking or something. I don't hate it just because of that. The bikes aren't that great to control, so that's not really fun.

Overall I'm pleased with the game, but Nintendo could have given us so much more. Nintendo fans constantly complain about the lack of online play, but honestly we shouldn't be surprised that it was left out of another first party title. The least they could have done was online leaderboards, but oh well. I would suggest if you own a Wii, or if you loved the first game that you should definitely buy it, but if you're a lone gamer I wouldn't recommend it. The remotes are packed away where they always are collecting dust, but hopefully I can invite some people over to shake some plastic.

The BIGS 2

I have not been doing much other than: freaking out while looking for schools/work and playing The BIGS 2. Cooking...I've been cooking also. Yeah. Anyway, I don't know if it's because I haven't played a baseball video game since MVP Baseball 2004, or if it's really this fun of a game, but I can't stop playing The BIGS 2. I'm even considering keeping it from Gamefly which I shouldn't do because I have no job, but I can see myself playing this all summer.

I'm mostly playing the "Become a Legend" mode. You can make a character, and you take them up through the minors back to the bigs. It's pretty standard to have a create a player feature in sports games I guess, but I just like the variety of the mode. There are in-game challenges in every town you go to, with most cities ending with a game where if you win, you can take any of the players off the opposing team. I'm playing as the Cubs and it was phenomenal to see Rich Harden throw a perfect game. In a perfect world, sigh. So far I took Troy Tulowitzki off the Rockies(for defensive purposes) and Jake Peavy from the Padres(because he has a sick fastball). I got Lastings Milledge too, but I don't really use him. He's my only pinch runner. I need to pick up some relievers though.

I thought Prototype was my game of the summer, but it will probably get dethroned by The BIGS 2. It's great arcade style baseball which goes well with summer. I don't have to feel intimidated by the whole "simulation" of playing baseball. I seriously groan at the thought of trying to play a real sports game ever again. I feel like I've been left behind because I've been away from sports games for so long. All of them, particularly Madden, looks so complex now. It's good that someone is making simple and good sports games.

One last thing, the music is TERRIBLE. It's like 2K has no connections in the music scene or something. The first song that plays is "Boom" by P.O.D. That song came out in freaking 2002! Disturbed? Pass. Daughtry? Well, at least they got a band that was big within the last 2 years, but I pass them too. Soul Coughing? Really, they're still a band? Pass. The only song I like is "Oh Yeah" by The Subways I don't even like it that much, but it's like The Beatles, or Beethoven, or in my case Broken Social Scene, when compared to the rest of the soundtrack.

[PROTOTYPE] Review

Oh man. Guys and girls. This game is so fun. Forget the story, just mash on A and the start button. Well, if you need a little bit of story then here you go. You wake up and you've been genetically modified. You can jump real high, your appendages can morph into claws or whips or sharp blades, and you can absorb, or consume people and take their form and their memories. You don't know why or how this has happened to you. So you go on a killing spree through Manhattan to find the truth. It's you against the army and eventually the people because they're mutating as well.

So who cares about that. Your character seems to complain too much, at least in my opinion. Why are you complaining? Dude, you can leap off the tallest buildings in New York, glide down to the street, start chucking cars at tanks, use your arms to stretch out to the helicopter that's now attacking you(a la Dhalsim), hijack the helicopter, and by that point there will be nothing but a fiery mess in front of you. That's the fun I got out of Prototype. I spent most of my time doing the side missions where I would have to sneak into bases by absorbing soldiers. Then I would have to consume the commander to gain more abilities. Everything you do in the game earns you experience(in the game they are called Evolution Points) and you can spend those points to add more abilities. Jump higher, consume faster, new combat moves, and my personal favorite which is the devastator attacks that cover the entire screen. They are indeed devastating.

The combat can be hectic at times. I think they throw too much at you at the end of the game, but I was playing on Normal when I should have been playing on Easy I guess. I should not be surprised about the difficulty spike because you feel so powerful in the game. I mean, what else is the enemies going to do besides throw more challenging enemies at you. Like I said I got more enjoyment out of just blowing up bases, killing as many people as I could, and running and skipping through Manhattan as fast as I could. I think so far Prototype is my favorite game of the summer, but I haven't played much. I played Resident Evil 5 but I don't think I enjoyed it as much as Prototype. I'm not saying you should buy it because a lot of people are tired of these open world/sandbox games, but I think that the addition of these crazy ass killing powers should warrant at least a rental.

Thoughts on Fallout 3 and What I Plan To Do With My Time

So I finally finished Fallout 3 and I have to say that it would have given Left 4 Dead some competition for "Best Game Evar 2008" had I played it last year but I didn't really pick it up until Christmas and by then I was already stuck on playing Left 4 Dead so I didn't give Fallout 3 much time. I played it for a few hours but found myself getting really annoyed with the game because I felt like my character was so weak that getting into combat was not fun. Fighting mutated moles was too challenging and usually left me with an smidgen of HP. I used to think, "How can anyone think this is fun?"

A couple of weeks ago I gave the game another shot. I didn't try to do quests right away, rather, I just kept fighting Mole Rats and whatever little creatures I could. I just wanted to level up a little and find more guns and ammo. Once I built up a nice collection of weapons, I played some quests and it just became more and more interesting. My character got stronger and the perks were really interesting. I chose to have a Cannibal perk which allowed me to eat humans to gain HP back but every time you ate someone's butt you would lose karma. Also I felt punished every time I ate someone because the camera angle would switch from first person to third person. You have to watch your character eat someone, sound effects included. I thought that was interesting to show that. It's like the game developers wanted you(the player) to see what a fucking asshole you are. I sort of regretting choosing that perk but I never gave it a second thought if I was close to death. "Do what you gotta do." That's what I kept saying all throughout the game.

Some of the scenarios the game put you in really made me think differently, in terms of gaming. I won't spoil things because you should experience the game for yourself. When I play RPG's, usually I try to play the good role; I try to answer politely and I didn't kill if I didn't have to. However, I slowly found myself playing more evil because that would get me the most stuff. I needed to kill because I needed food, money, or guns. After one quest where I reluctantly chose the evil route, I got so mad at myself that I went on a killing spree. I killed a roaming salesman because I wanted blueprints for a weapon and they were ridiculously expensive. I thought, "Shit, what's stopping me from just killing this guy and taking his stuff? I'm going to do that."

Fallout 3 questions your morals. You might do the right thing now, but what if you woke up and actually saw the world and there was nothing but destruction. Would you act the same way? I sure wouldn't have I guess. It was a very thought provoking experience and you can't help but enjoy that feeling. One complaint(besides what I said earlier about being a weak ass at the beginning)is that the ending came out of nowhere. It was very abrupt and that made me really angry, but Bethesda just released some DLC that supposedly changes the ending, as well as increases the level cap from 20 to 30 so I'll be definitely picking that up so I can play some more in The Capital Wasteland. Do some quests, shoot some mutants in the face, get radiated, etc.

***********

Now that I'm jobless, I celebrated today by going to my local library to borrow the first three volumes of The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore. It's a comic series that the former fucktards behind GFW Radio and the current fucktards of the Out of the Game podcast champion as a must read series. I was there at the library with the wife and it just crossed my mind to see if they had it and they did so I picked them up. I'm still reading Murakami but I'm flying though this first volume of Walking Dead so I can read both. Someone read Walking Dead with me so we can talk about it on teh podcast.

Not only did I get Resident Evil 5 in the mail, I also picked up Raiden Fighter Aces. It's a compilation of all the Raiden games. You remember those games. It was all the thugs were playing at TV Arcade when they weren't playing Street Fighter II. It's a shmup and that's one of my favorite genres. It was only $20 bucks so it was an automatic purchase. I'm sorta debating whether or not to get the new Punch Out Wiimake. I wasn't planning on getting it, but Amazon has it for $40 bucks and that might be the sweet spot in terms of price. I've played Punch Out so many times and they didn't change much(so I've heard) but it got a decent make over and Punch Out is still fun. I just lost my job but I signed up for unemployment and I got some pension monies coming so of course I'm going to get some games. Plus I still need to pack up. Lots to do I guess.

The GAF Collection

I was reading Joystiq which I usually do everyday and I saw this. I don't read NeoGAF that often but I found myself going through every single page of this particular thread called "The GAF Collection." Basically all of the GAF members decided to create Criterion Collection style box art for all of the classics. Some of them are so amazing. I wish I had a means to print some of these. I even buy some of these games just so I could print out the covers. Really impressive stuff.

More Videos at IGN.com

The 25 Day Challenge

Before I get married, I need to finish some games. Here are my goals in order of importance:

Finish Fallout 3

I have only logged in about 8 hours into the game. Other than escaping the vault, I haven't finished a single quest. It's so flippin' hard living in a post apocalyptic world. All the nuclear bombs kinda destroyed everything and I need to find more bullets to kill things. This is my biggest goal out of them all and I probably won't really tackle it until Andrea goes home to do last minute wedding preparations. The idea of playing this super depressing game right before I get married is sorta pleasant.

Unlock all characters in Street Fighter IV

I can't stand the fact that there are still games where you have to unlock playable characters. I completely lost interest in unlocking everyone in Super Smash Bros Brawl because it just became so damned tedious. Play 500 matches? No, fuck you give me my characters. Anyway I've unlocked everyone except Seth but in order to get him, you have to beat the game with everyone. Not that bad when you play one round matches on the easiest setting, but again it becomes so tedious when you have to repeat the process 15 more times with characters you have little experience with. I just want the achievement so that makes the entire task even more pathetic and shallow, but eh.

In Peggle, score 20 million in Adventure Mode and Finish all the Challenges

The closest I have gotten is 17 million in Adventure Mode and that was a struggle. There's no way I'm finishing all of the Challenges either, but I'm supposed to be challenging myself.

*Goddamn it, I just realized I have less than 25 days to do this because I'm flying into the Bay a week early before the wedding. I could bring my 360...*

Finish Mega Man 9

Talk about skeletons in the closet. I have gotten to the Wily stages, but there is this one jump in the second stage that has infuriated me to the point of quitting. Since I haven't played the game in months I'm going to need to practice a little before I make any serious attempts. I am least likely to do this challenge though, but I'm just throwing it out there. If I can finish all those other things then I might as well try because I'll feel like hot shit.

Get all the Achievements in "Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection"

Pretty straightforward, just need some time.


Finish Braid

Wow, this list is becoming unrealistic. I'll stop now.

Before Mardi Gras

-My Gamerscore is over 9000.

Finally, check out these amazing wallpapers. I put the Street Fighter one on my desktop, but those Sonic and Zelda ones are just beautiful.

I'd beat ums: Feburary edition

I'm counting down the top things that will make February sweet.

5. More Podcasting

It brings me so much joy knowing that we are on iTunes with all the other internet celebrities. I think about our show everyday, thinking about how we can do better and get our show out to more people.

4. Valentine's Day

Kinda doing V-day very low key this year because fiancee is going to Canada(always in Canada, why don't you move there! And take me with you! Montreal is ahhh-some). We're going to our favorite all you can eat sushi place which I've been craving Japanese food since the year started.

The neighborhood Japanese restaurant shut down for some reason. Probably because I've only had worse service at only one other place(Olive Garden on Hesperian Blvd, Hayward). The food wasn't too bad. Good spicy salmon rolls, teriyaki chicken, but they always fucked up orders. We never wanted ginger dressing on the salad and almost 8 out of 10 times they would bring our salads in orange ginger goo. The point is I have gone too long without Japanese food.

3. Mario Kart Wii Game night

We're going to do exactly what Nintendo wants us to do. They want us to play their best game, using their archaic online system where we can't talk except through premade text bubbles. Screw the man. We're gonna use the great Skype. To talk mad profanely and to pick up friends of Chris Hansen.

Prediction: I will plug in AND turn on my Wii at least once a season. So far this winter. Nothing but MK Game Night will change that.

2. Street Fighter IV

Can't say much. I just know I really want it. I really want to make an excuse to buy a fighting stick. I am not playing IV with that shit controller. C'mon taxes. I need to beat CJ and Jay's asses. Maybe Dibs if he buys it.

1. I'm getting laid off

Nothing has been confirmed but my place of employment has informed me that after February my department will not exist. There are opportunities to move to other areas, but I just want to stop working there. Give me my free money, let me go home to drink tequila, and I'll do a solo podcast hammered.

(edit)

I just overheard someone get fired today. Another co-worker got "escorted" to the elevator. It's happeneing.

Re: Achievements

Dear CJ,

Did you really earn that Completely Unstoppable achievement in Bomberman Live? You must have been practicing because when we played you barely won any matches. You're becoming an achievement whore aren't you? It's okay, I understand.

PS

That header is freaking rad. Good job whoever did it.

Peace out 1UP

I find it so ironic that the day after I post the first episode of my very own podcast, the reason and the inspiration for my love of podcasts has bid farewell. 1UP was bought today buy UGO, and pretty much almost all of 1UP's staff was laid off. All UGO wanted, at least this is everyone's interpretation of the situation, was the name. The problem is gaming enthusiasts went to 1UP for the people who wrote and did podcasts for the site. Now, almost half of the podcasts I listen to are gone, and podcasting will never be the same for me.

I didn't think 1UP's demise would bother me so much. At the same time, I didn't think it would be this bad. I constantly heard about EGM getting shut down because print media is dying, but I really didn't think they would get rid of almost the whole staff and kill the podcasts at the same time. Hopefully all of those people that I enjoy reading and listening to find jobs somewhere else in the video game media. I just hope they find any job really. Thanks for everything 1UP crew. Simply the best.



I like this intro better.

Games of the Year

TOP 10 GAMES

I had two criteria(if criteria is plural, is it criterias? That doesn't sound right. Great, my lack of grammar knowledge really reinforces my credibility/rant) for this list. One, the game was released in 2008. Two, I had finished the game. I did make one exception for that last rule, but I'll explain when I get there.

Honorable Mention: Professor Layon and the Curious Village

Level 5, the developer of this game, is poised for a big year whenever they release the PS3 exclusive White Knight Chronicles, but meanwhile they fucking killed with this puzzle, point and click adventure. The art is wonderful, with drawing obvious references to Miyazaki. I haven't had that much experience with brain teasers so I could really feel the IQ points going into my head after I would successfully solve a puzzle. I can't wait for the sequels.


Honorable Mention: Castle Crashers

We all played those quarter munching beat-em-up's back when we were kids. Final Fight, The Simpsons, TMNT Arcade. This is what Castle Crashers is. Move through levels, punch people in the face, eat food for health, but the game has added RPG elements like leveling up, magic spells, and collecting gear. Very good, very funny, but damn I wish the multiplayer wasn't broken at launch. I would have played it a lot more(They recently fixed multiplayer last week). If you don't enjoy beating numerous enemies senseless...you're wrong.

10: Space Invaders Extreme

What the hell...it's just Space Invaders...with fluorescent colors, multiple enemy types that require strategy to defeat,techno beats that react to your shooting, upgradable weapons, stage bosses, multiplayer(that no one really played), and online leaderboards. It's just Space Invaders...but EXTREME!

9: Mirror's Edge

Oh, how I wanted to love you Faith. And I do. Enough to put you in my Top 10. I don't mind the abuse. It's okay. Maybe I just like being frustrated because I died 20 times on the same jump, and then another 30 times during some stupid combat scenario. Man, you...I mean the game is just so beautiful and the world is interesting to look at. DICE did a good job of capturing the feeling of movement, sliding and flying through levels. I just wish you could fucking run away from cops.

8: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

I fucking hate you so much Nintendo. This should have been number one. Really. You had me in the palm of your hand, but you had to fuck up the online play. Here's a tip: People don't want to play two minute matches when looking for random matches. I can't deny that this is a really fun game, but I don't have game friends here. I can only imagine the sick matches we would have everyone still lived near Don's. I can't really say anything else. It's Smash Bros. With new characters and new maps. It's slower, not as frantic as Melee. It's really good, but fuck Nintendo. They don't need more smoke blown up their ass.

7: Audiosurf

YOU DIDN'T BUY THIS WHEN IT WAS TWO BUCKS FOOL. I CAN PLAY TO BARRY MANILOW SON

No, wait I will say that this game is great if you want to interact with your music collection. You can use any song that you have, so the replayability is endless. That is, until you get sick of it, which so far I am not.

6: Mario Kart Wii

I was sort of surprised that I put Mario Kart here. To be honest it's just feels like a mash up of all the Mario Kart games with few additions. I couldn't stop playing it though, and it was a godsend when my 360 broke. This is the only game on Wii that maintains an online community because the online play/matchmaking actually works. I can play a full race with strangers on my Wii. What a crazy thought.

PS - Fuck Nintendo.

5: Gears of War 2

There are so many ridiculous choice lines in this game. "Eat shit and die." "More like ten shitloads." My personal favorite is "THEY'RE SINKING CITIES WITH A GIIIIANT WORM!" They tried to make the story serious, but it was laughable, but I got some entertainment out of how bad it was, so that was good. The most fun you'll have is playing Horde mode though, but everyone knows/says that. Perhaps I should have ranked it lower because the multiplayer sorta broken at the moment, like Smash Bros. The difference is this isn't a Nintendo game, so obviously I love it. I really need to stop Nintendo bashing. Anyway, play this game.


4: Geometry Wars 2

This game fills my need to score big points. Online leaderboards kept me hungry to play. I think that this game caused me to lose the most sleep because it's so easy to just spam the start button every time you die and boom you're back to shooting those fucking Six different ways to play, pretty shiny 80's style vector graphics, it's the best arcade style game right now.

3: Rock Band 2

I can't stop messing with the plastic instruments. It's a serious problem. It's the same game with new songs, but I still close my eyes and lose myself in the moment when I'm banging on the plastic toy drums. It also doesn't help that Harmonix releases new songs every week. My most recent addition to my library has fulfilled my fantasy of being Gwen Stefani. I have a problem.

2: Grand Theft Auto IV

Ooooh man. If there was a hardcore gamer base reading this blog I would get so much shit from them right now. Blah blah blah overrated blah blah blah. I have to put it up here though because I spent the most time this year playing this game. I don't care what people say, but Rockstar fucking killed it. Liberty City hasn't looked this good, and there's so much to do. For the most part the story was an intriguing crime story, but honestly it really fell flat at the end. It just started feeling like every other GTA game, but the first half was awesome. This is the one game that I still have not finished though. I still feel like it's okay to put it on my list because I just need to do the last mission, but I don't think I'll ever do it because I just got too frustrated. I've been around town enough though to say that this game is worthy of Games of the Year lists.

1: Left 4 Dead

I don't feel right having this at the top of my list. I mean it just came out, and I might be blinded by that fact. It's so shiny. I already knew this was going to be my most favorite game this year after I played the demo and I team killed someone, then pretended to help them up like 6 times, and then finally ending their lives with a couple of shotgun rounds to the face. That's what it's about. You share these unique experiences with people that you enjoy playing with, and because of that sole reason I feel that you can't get any better than that. People who don't want to buy it because there isn't enough content, I can understand that. It's hard to really justify 60 bucks for only four maps, but if you're like me and you just make fun with what you got, then you'll think that this is a really good fucking game. This will be like my Team Fortress 2 of 2007, which is to say I'm going to be playing this well into 2009, every weekend, with the same people, until the next big profile game comes out.

Off the meds

I have too many games to play. I don't understand why game developers won't fucking release games during the summer when there's nothing to play. I'm trying to finish Mirror's Edge, Gears of War 2, and Chrono Trigger while trying to fit in some Left 4 Dead sessions, and I just got Prince of Persia in the mail. I really don't have time to cram all of these games before the year's over, and I really want to make an informed Top 10 list before the years over. I won't even try to play Fable II or Fallout 3. It's just not possible. Oh yeah, I just bought a whole lot of No Doubt songs for Rock Band 2. Kinda stupid considering what's on my plate, but Andie will be on call tomorrow, so hopefully I can finish Mirror's Edge and put a big dent in Gears and Prince. That's my plan anyway. I might just go watch Milk because I don't want to stay home alone all day. Who knows.

I feel so much better since I stopped taking Paxil. It's been three days now, and I'm starting to get my appetite back, and I haven't worried about anything really. At least more than normal. I've been even sleeping better and at a more consistent time. I'm still taking ambien, but at least I'm not taking it and just staying up all night. I have to appreciate the little victories. Fuck my stupid doctor. Here, just take this and be gone from my sight. How about I switch doctors or something? I know that anti-depressants are trial and error, but I can't help but hate the guy at the moment. I have a follow up appointment on Monday, and I have a feeling he'll just prescribe something else, but I'm going to fight him hard. I don't want to take anything. I won't be surprised if I fucking write here a few days later something like Well that didn't work out so well, and now I'm on this or that. I really need to move back to the Bay. That'll make me feel better. That's probably the only thing that'll make me feel better, but I got to sweat it out(or freeze it out) for a few more months. I'm sorry, I don't want to whine, or complain.

Albums of the year coming.

More Left 4 Dead gushing

Guys, Left 4 Dead is so good. I wish everyone had that game. It's so much fun getting overwhelmed by zombies, getting grabbed from behind, saving your friends, FUCK IT'S AWESOME. I can only imagine the maddness if the Skweeze played that game. We would play that shit for like three weeks before going back to Smash Bros. Maybe. L4D is really good, but I can't say playing it with everyone would top all those Smash sessions. That's all.

from Kotaku

We like chats

thecatsharumph: hey batta batta swing batta
stubborn tenpin: sup
thecatsharumph: nothing
thecatsharumph: i got fruity loops
stubborn tenpin: hah
thecatsharumph: and am making wicked beats
thecatsharumph: very very generic though
stubborn tenpin: not starting favre is gonna jack me
thecatsharumph: who'd you start instead?
stubborn tenpin: romotron
thecatsharumph: oh thats right its ok
thecatsharumph: who're they playing?
thecatsharumph: read the comments man.. the internet is jus thorrible too
thecatsharumph: oh nm wrong article
thecatsharumph: its about obama sending in some hyde park pizza place to cook in DC
stubborn tenpin: the redskins
stubborn tenpin: lol nice
thecatsharumph: who're you playing? i think i want you to lose
stubborn tenpin: hyde park is where U of C is
thecatsharumph: im playing you!
thecatsharumph: lol jk
thecatsharumph: oh reals
thecatsharumph: i saw the jackass workers in hyde park on this american life video
stubborn tenpin: lol really
thecatsharumph: yeah
thecatsharumph: have you seen the christianthe lion video?
stubborn tenpin: nope
thecatsharumph: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc
stubborn tenpin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipv0kCzImZY
thecatsharumph: lol
stubborn tenpin: lick my sack
stubborn tenpin: yesss
thecatsharumph: do you think what i did was stupid,
thecatsharumph: the trade?
stubborn tenpin: uhhh i dont know
thecatsharumph: be honest
thecatsharumph: i didnt wanna trade jacobs but turner's matchups were better
stubborn tenpin: im not big on turner
thecatsharumph: i was trying to trade for jamal charles but tan doesn tlisten
thecatsharumph: yeah the funny thing is me neither
stubborn tenpin: honestly i dont think it changed your team
stubborn tenpin: to me jacobs=turner with jacobs being slightly better
stubborn tenpin: LJ i guess but meh
thecatsharumph: losing jennings and jacobs is tough they're good
stubborn tenpin: dude isnt matt jones going to be suspended
thecatsharumph: he was supposedt o be suspended awhile back
stubborn tenpin: the appeal hasnt gone through yet, but hes going to get suspended eventually
stubborn tenpin: the coke was in his car it was irrefutible(sp)
stubborn tenpin: turner will be good though
stubborn tenpin: atlanta is better than i think
stubborn tenpin: plus they beat my bears so they must be good
thecatsharumph: the falcons are good at home
thecatsharumph: im surprised they beat the bears too
stubborn tenpin: we had that game
stubborn tenpin: gah its not a good time to have an injured jedi
thecatsharumph: you have rexyback (yah)
thecatsharumph: and that one guy caleb
stubborn tenpin: our division is all bunched up
stubborn tenpin: yeah put the rookie in
stubborn tenpin: seriously rex is bad
stubborn tenpin: in the second half he was missing open recievers left and right man
thecatsharumph: i know he's funny though
stubborn tenpin: they couldnt get more open
stubborn tenpin: he missed hester for a long TD
stubborn tenpin: that would have at least tied the game
stubborn tenpin: cant wait till hes gone
thecatsharumph: dont say things you cant take back
stubborn tenpin: lol dont worry
thecatsharumph: did you watch monday night?
thecatsharumph: that was eXTREMELY FRUSTRATING
thecatsharumph: speaking of frustrating
thecatsharumph: i dont think singletary's coming back
stubborn tenpin: yeah i watched it but i shouldnt have because i do better in fantasy when i dont watch the monday game
thecatsharumph: lol
thecatsharumph: ppl are saying matt ryan's an mvp candidate
stubborn tenpin: uhhh...yeah if the falcons make the playoffs you have to consider him
thecatsharumph: to be fair, grossman is playing gb and he played tennessee last week
stubborn tenpin: fine, but dude he missed opportunities, and i really believe if kyle was in there he wouldnt have missed those open recievers
stubborn tenpin: i wont say we would have won, but kyle wouldnt have missed them i know that for sure
thecatsharumph: i like em both
thecatsharumph: word on teh street is orton orders a bottle of jack daniels at bars and drinks out the bottle
stubborn tenpin: haha id believe it
stubborn tenpin: have you seen mirrors edge
stubborn tenpin: do they have commercials for that game over there
thecatsharumph: naw
thecatsharumph: what's mirror's edge?
stubborn tenpin: hold on im almost done posting about it
thecatsharumph: hasha i can read your autosaves
stubborn tenpin: lol
stubborn tenpin: can you see the video though
thecatsharumph: naw
stubborn tenpin: okay i published it
stubborn tenpin: i wish i bought mirrors edge
thecatsharumph: you should buy out of the park baseball 2008
thecatsharumph: haha not your steez i know
stubborn tenpin: its like mario brothers with the jumping mechanic, but all in first person
stubborn tenpin: lol
thecatsharumph: ithat sounds sick
stubborn tenpin: i budgeted myself to three games and that wasnt one of them
stubborn tenpin: i was debating between mirrors edge or left 4 dead which is a 4 person shooter with 28 days later style zombies
stubborn tenpin: i chose left 4 dead and playing the mirrors edge demo is making me regret that, but left 4 dead comes out next week
thecatsharumph: haha you never know you're choice still isnt "left for dead" ah ahha har
stubborn tenpin: rofl
stubborn tenpin: but it is!
stubborn tenpin: i dont think i can switch my preorder money to a game thats been released already
thecatsharumph: left 4 dead might be good
stubborn tenpin: plus my plan was to buy all multiplayer focused games because i know ill play those for a long time
thecatsharumph: does andrea play?
stubborn tenpin: all the single player games im renting because theres no hurry to get those because there isnt a community forming behind that game
thecatsharumph: yeah
stubborn tenpin: she plays rock band which i love doing with her, but she will only sing 4 out of the...i dont know 250 songs that i own so it can be frustrating when you have people over and andrea has the mice
thecatsharumph: haha
stubborn tenpin: shes open to the whole catalogue when shes playing guitar or drums, but when its singing im only singing these 4 songs
stubborn tenpin: and shes very stubborn about it
stubborn tenpin: but i do love the fact that she plays games with me
stubborn tenpin: im posting this chat btw
thecatsharumph: yeah thats always good
stubborn tenpin: im going to save it at least
stubborn tenpin: as a draft

Some stuff I've been playing

Mirror's Edge(demo)





I'm sure everyone has seen commercials for this game. I've played the demo twice now and both times I got chills while playing it. It is a truly immersing experience. DICE got the little things right. You hear Faith(the main character)breathe while running, you need to really look at the ground beneath you before you jump off a building onto another rooftop, and the camera shakes when you fiercely open doors. The action is frantic, but most people don't like the combat/gun play because there isn't much to it and I agree with those thoughts, at least from the demo. However, I don't mind that at all because I'm having fun running away. Trying to find open paths, making split second decisions, and just running for your life is what this game is all about. It's also a beautiful game. I mean the demo is covered in white, but just the clean style of the world is interesting to me. I regret not buying this game, but it's on my Gamefly queue so maybe I'll pick it up at a discount.

Gears of War 2




Man CJ, you recently told me that you don't want a 360 because nothing compelled you about the console. I'm about to turn up the testosterone so please excuse me.



THIS FUCKING GAME BETTER FUCKING COMPEL YOU. IT WILL COMPEL YOU, MELT YOUR FACE, AND YOU WILL EAT SHIT AND ASK FOR MORE

Sorry, but if you can block out all of that manliness and the supposed emotional story, this game is so much fun. Shooting enemies while in cover, running into the face of enemy fire, blowing up a group of Locusts with fucking mortars, huge bosses, bleh I can go on and on. It's just fun, I can't really say anything else. Playing alone is fun, playing against people is fun, playing on the same side with people is fun...this is a terrible pitch, but I don't know. I have a hard time playing first person shooters, but I can totally hold my own in this game because it's in third person. I love chainsawing people in the ass too, but I hate getting chainsawed in the ass. That's annoying because it's a surprise. Anyway, this game is great, and you suck because you won't get a 360. Just kidding, money is fucking tight right now, so if you did get a 360 I would feel sort of guilty because you spent a lot of money on something I keep bugging you to buy. Fun fun fun till the wifey takes the Lancer away...