Our viewer count has just passed 9000. It might be a little late but I've been playing Psychonauts! It is epic in so many ways. That is all for now.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Kid Icarus: Uprising Review! (Finally!)
Okay, so, it's taken awhile, but here's my review of Kid Icarus: Uprising! Just scroll to the bottom to get the final verdict if thee dost not desire to read mine words of knowledge.
It's been ages since the last Kid Icarus game. More than a decade, in fact. So you can imagine that many, many people were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kid Icarus: Uprising this year. Indeed, I was one of those people. But did it let us down? No. No it did not.
To start off, let's talk about gameplay. The original Kid Icarus is famous for being notoriously difficult. Sakurai has found a great way of dealing with that pedigree when it comes to newbie players for this game. It's called the "intensity system". If you've been keeping up with the news, you'll know that this is a pretty damn cool system. You'll bet "hearts", the in-game currency, that you can complete courses at higher difficulties. When playing on these higher difficulties, you'll gain more hearts by killing enemies than you would on the default difficulty, and the treasures you get (powers, weapons, etc.) will be much more worth your while (that pathetic "Royal Blade" with no attributes and one star in ranged that you got on intensity 2.0? Yeah, that could've been a badass "Royal Blade" with poison damage, increased speed, better dodging, more firepower, and six stars in both ranged and melee slots on intensity 9.0!). Once you're in a level however, how does it play? While at first you'll be cursing the clunky aiming mechanics and the cramps you may be getting in your hand, you'll eventually get used to how the game controls. While it may take awhile, it's not a huge problem. The bigger problem here is the game's focus on ground levels as opposed to the aerial levels. Each level follows the same basic format; an aerial level and a ground level. About 90% of the time, the ground levels take much longer to complete. The problem? They're not as fun as the aerial levels. Sure, they're still a blast, they're just not as much of a blast. All in all, though, the game is entertaining through and through on the solo mission, and you'll definitely want to get into the multiplayer, but more on that later.
The game has some pretty nice graphics going for it. Character models look nice, there's quite a large variety of monsters, environments have a nice "sheen" to them, water refracts lights as it should. Everything looks nice, but it could look better. The big thing I noticed when travelling through some of the environments is the lack of filtering on any of the textures. This makes the lower resolution of certain texture much more apparent. While generally I like having a sharper image, when the textures don't boast ultra-high resolutions, it's just too noticeable. That being said, however, the game still looks pretty good. It's no Resident Evil: Revelations, but you know... it's "nice".
The sound is pretty good all in all. The sound effects are nice and can make it feel really satisfying when coupled with the shaking effect of the screen on melee hits, and the heart collection sound makes you feel like you're always getting somewhere. The voice acting is always good. There wasn't a single moment where I cringed and said "This is awful!", which, believe it or not, is something I say at least once when playing almost any game. Sure, it can be pretty cheesy sometimes, and characters seem to yammer on forever, but the comedy is generally pretty good, and there are some especially nice fourth-wall-breaking moments. Once again, it's very good, better than the efforts made on the graphics, but it's still nothing absolutely amazing.
Let's talk replayability, and believe me when I say there is a lot of it. There are hundreds and hundreds of unlockables, and I simply cannot tell you how awesome it feels to overcome a particularly nasty level on a high intensity, only to see those unlock screens bursting open to reveal the content you just won. It's so great, and there's so much to do. While it's a blast replaying old SOLO levels for more items, hearts, and unlocks, it's much more fun to jump online with a few friends and just start beating the shit out of each other. It's also fun when teaming up with random opponents, although I unfortunately found a lack of challenge as most people are not very good it seems. You'll quickly start racking up kills and unlocking even more goodies and maps as you play online, as well, so that's another plus. Weapons and hearts can also be won online, so look forward to that. All in all, there's a ton of content for you to sink your teeth into here, and you'll want to experience every bit of it.
In conclusion, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a great game with it's own fair share of annoying little problems. But the gameplay and unlockables definitely counter any problems one may experience here. This is a must-have game for anyone with a Nintendo 3DS.
Graphics: 80/100
Sound: 83/100
Gameplay: 90/100
Replayability: 95/100
Overall: 91/100
Oh, yeah, and happy 200th post everyone! Go out and celebrate. :)
It's been ages since the last Kid Icarus game. More than a decade, in fact. So you can imagine that many, many people were anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kid Icarus: Uprising this year. Indeed, I was one of those people. But did it let us down? No. No it did not.
To start off, let's talk about gameplay. The original Kid Icarus is famous for being notoriously difficult. Sakurai has found a great way of dealing with that pedigree when it comes to newbie players for this game. It's called the "intensity system". If you've been keeping up with the news, you'll know that this is a pretty damn cool system. You'll bet "hearts", the in-game currency, that you can complete courses at higher difficulties. When playing on these higher difficulties, you'll gain more hearts by killing enemies than you would on the default difficulty, and the treasures you get (powers, weapons, etc.) will be much more worth your while (that pathetic "Royal Blade" with no attributes and one star in ranged that you got on intensity 2.0? Yeah, that could've been a badass "Royal Blade" with poison damage, increased speed, better dodging, more firepower, and six stars in both ranged and melee slots on intensity 9.0!). Once you're in a level however, how does it play? While at first you'll be cursing the clunky aiming mechanics and the cramps you may be getting in your hand, you'll eventually get used to how the game controls. While it may take awhile, it's not a huge problem. The bigger problem here is the game's focus on ground levels as opposed to the aerial levels. Each level follows the same basic format; an aerial level and a ground level. About 90% of the time, the ground levels take much longer to complete. The problem? They're not as fun as the aerial levels. Sure, they're still a blast, they're just not as much of a blast. All in all, though, the game is entertaining through and through on the solo mission, and you'll definitely want to get into the multiplayer, but more on that later.
The game has some pretty nice graphics going for it. Character models look nice, there's quite a large variety of monsters, environments have a nice "sheen" to them, water refracts lights as it should. Everything looks nice, but it could look better. The big thing I noticed when travelling through some of the environments is the lack of filtering on any of the textures. This makes the lower resolution of certain texture much more apparent. While generally I like having a sharper image, when the textures don't boast ultra-high resolutions, it's just too noticeable. That being said, however, the game still looks pretty good. It's no Resident Evil: Revelations, but you know... it's "nice".
The sound is pretty good all in all. The sound effects are nice and can make it feel really satisfying when coupled with the shaking effect of the screen on melee hits, and the heart collection sound makes you feel like you're always getting somewhere. The voice acting is always good. There wasn't a single moment where I cringed and said "This is awful!", which, believe it or not, is something I say at least once when playing almost any game. Sure, it can be pretty cheesy sometimes, and characters seem to yammer on forever, but the comedy is generally pretty good, and there are some especially nice fourth-wall-breaking moments. Once again, it's very good, better than the efforts made on the graphics, but it's still nothing absolutely amazing.
Let's talk replayability, and believe me when I say there is a lot of it. There are hundreds and hundreds of unlockables, and I simply cannot tell you how awesome it feels to overcome a particularly nasty level on a high intensity, only to see those unlock screens bursting open to reveal the content you just won. It's so great, and there's so much to do. While it's a blast replaying old SOLO levels for more items, hearts, and unlocks, it's much more fun to jump online with a few friends and just start beating the shit out of each other. It's also fun when teaming up with random opponents, although I unfortunately found a lack of challenge as most people are not very good it seems. You'll quickly start racking up kills and unlocking even more goodies and maps as you play online, as well, so that's another plus. Weapons and hearts can also be won online, so look forward to that. All in all, there's a ton of content for you to sink your teeth into here, and you'll want to experience every bit of it.
In conclusion, Kid Icarus: Uprising is a great game with it's own fair share of annoying little problems. But the gameplay and unlockables definitely counter any problems one may experience here. This is a must-have game for anyone with a Nintendo 3DS.
Graphics: 80/100
Sound: 83/100
Gameplay: 90/100
Replayability: 95/100
Overall: 91/100
Oh, yeah, and happy 200th post everyone! Go out and celebrate. :)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
You Are Minecraft! (And An Apology)
Let's start with that apology... I'm sorry, internets, for blatantly lying to you about posting a Kid Icarus: Uprising review soon. I will stop making promises and will only say "it will come when it comes" to avoid looking like any more of an ass. :D
As I'm sure many of you know, there's something very awesome happening. It's been going on for a while now, in fact. And yes, I did indeed participate in it. I'm talking about "You Are Minecraft", the absolutely gigantic Minecraft server in which you build a huge model of your skin to forever be basked in. And admired. And appreciated. And enjoyed. All of those things are happening to mine right now, I tell you.
If you want to enjoy some "You Are Minecraft" good times, simply go to youareminecraft.com to offer support (and maybe donate if you're a good person!), and connect to server.YouAreMinecraft.com in your Minecraft multiplayer menu to make your own avatar. Once you're in, just type /start in the chat and the game will give you your model building area.
Just thought I'd share a few screenies with you guys, while I'm here. There were quite a few awesome statues near where I built mine, and I felt quite inferior in comparison. I didn't get screenies of them all (as most were only half done but coming very close to being totally amazing), but anyways, here the shots I took of the ones that were actually done! (Remember, you can right click on a picture and select the "open in new tab" feature to view it's full size...)
As I'm sure many of you know, there's something very awesome happening. It's been going on for a while now, in fact. And yes, I did indeed participate in it. I'm talking about "You Are Minecraft", the absolutely gigantic Minecraft server in which you build a huge model of your skin to forever be basked in. And admired. And appreciated. And enjoyed. All of those things are happening to mine right now, I tell you.
If you want to enjoy some "You Are Minecraft" good times, simply go to youareminecraft.com to offer support (and maybe donate if you're a good person!), and connect to server.YouAreMinecraft.com in your Minecraft multiplayer menu to make your own avatar. Once you're in, just type /start in the chat and the game will give you your model building area.
Just thought I'd share a few screenies with you guys, while I'm here. There were quite a few awesome statues near where I built mine, and I felt quite inferior in comparison. I didn't get screenies of them all (as most were only half done but coming very close to being totally amazing), but anyways, here the shots I took of the ones that were actually done! (Remember, you can right click on a picture and select the "open in new tab" feature to view it's full size...)
This one is my Minecraft Avatar Statue, from an angle that's to the right.
This is also my Minecraft Avatar Statue, next to my actual Minecraft Guy.
And this one's Portal, which was made by kajen1. This is totally badass.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Minecraft Giant Creeper Head with a Sword
So, this is part of my minecraft city in the ocean. Sorry about the vines but yes, this is a giant creeper head with a diamond sword in it. I couldn't think of any other way to hate creepers by building their head and a sword stabbing it in a enormous scale.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Left 4 Dead 2 Review
Left 4 Dead 2 is made by valve, an independent gaming company. The genre is the first person zombie shooter which may not seem very original but it is to me. I want to keep this short so, the graphics are good but not too good but that may be from my computer (neon zombies don't scare me). The special zombies, especially the tanks, put in a good fight so that it's challenging but not dangerous since there are multiple every where. The gameplay is smooth and fluent with classic fps controls for the computer. The sound track matches the environment and the scene very well and the environments are never the same from campaign to campaign. The enemies, like the witch, add a sense of horror since you know there is one around and you just know you will bump into because you are in the dark. The zombies also spawn randomly thanks to the AI director so every play through is different. The weapons are various and has the valve charm for the melee weapons. The gamemodes are entertaining and for-filling for example, mutation, the gamemode this changes every week so you have something to do when it updates. It also supports user data so there are more hours of fun.
In short, the environment differs from everywhere, enemies add a sense of suspense, every play through is different, gamemodes are amazing and there are a lot of weapons. This is totally worth the $19.99 if you have 3 friends who have or will have that game, willing to play with you.
80/100 pain pills (just because I can't find people to play with for expert.)
By the way, 200th post coming soon...
In short, the environment differs from everywhere, enemies add a sense of suspense, every play through is different, gamemodes are amazing and there are a lot of weapons. This is totally worth the $19.99 if you have 3 friends who have or will have that game, willing to play with you.
80/100 pain pills (just because I can't find people to play with for expert.)
By the way, 200th post coming soon...
Friday, April 13, 2012
Toronto Comic Con
Why hello there.
It's Archaen here, I know it's still been a while since I posted, but whatever. Just posting to let you know I'll be at Toronto Comic Con with Rinzler both tomorrow and Sunday... and I'll be dressed as The Doctor. So... yeah, I'll post some nerdy pictures and stuff, some awesome cosplaying, and maybe even some pre-release game footage (Please don't shoot me copyright-type people)! Also, I might play a fighting game tournament, just to annoy people, 'cause I don't know how, so I spam the buttons and some how manage to win. So, yeah, that's a thing.
It's Archaen here, I know it's still been a while since I posted, but whatever. Just posting to let you know I'll be at Toronto Comic Con with Rinzler both tomorrow and Sunday... and I'll be dressed as The Doctor. So... yeah, I'll post some nerdy pictures and stuff, some awesome cosplaying, and maybe even some pre-release game footage (Please don't shoot me copyright-type people)! Also, I might play a fighting game tournament, just to annoy people, 'cause I don't know how, so I spam the buttons and some how manage to win. So, yeah, that's a thing.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Kid Icarus: Uprising Review Imminent!
It's been a while since the game's release, but believe me, I have definitely been working my way through Kid Icarus: Uprising's vast amount of content in my spare time. The review should be up in the next few days (maybe even today! Woo!), so just be patient and believe me, it's coming!
We're not dead!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Early Look at Kid Icarus: Uprising AR Cards!
I recently placed a pre-order at EB Games for the upcoming 3DS game Kid Icarus: Uprising, and the person at the store gave me something extra for pre-ordering, that I wasn't actually supposed to get...
You see, those cards in the video I made below are supposed to be distributed to people who participate in Kid Icarus gameplay at GameStop and EB Games stores in early April, but I got them now, before the game has even been released, instead. So yeah, that's a good thing. :D
As mentioned above, this is a quick video about the cards that has been posted to YouTube! Enjoy the early look at these cards in their physical form!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Left 4 Dead 2
I just got Left 4 Dead 2 a week or so ago. I'm planning on beating the whole game in the March Break. The only thing standing between me and victory is my game crashing. It shall be my new nemesis, OS paged pool memory low or whatever you are called. The review may come in the near future but don't have your hopes up.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Whoah! We're on Bloglovin!
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Whoah! So crazy!
We're now on Bloglovin! Basically, what that website does is start tracking our blog, put it onto the website, and allow you people (and other people) to follow it and track our statistics!
If you want to see for yourself, just click the link above!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Star Trek Online: Uniforms
In Star Trek Online, if you haven't guessed already, it is possible to edit your uniform by visiting a tailor. The tailor allows you to edit the uniform of you and your crew. This is accomplished by picking a template, choosing a colour palette, and swapping the palette, in some cases. Every week, I will post a new canon uniform guide. The uniform guide this week is from the episode All Good Things and Endgame, the last episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager, respectively. That's all for now, folks.
Command Uniform:
Sciences Uniform:
Operations Uniform:
MotorStorm Artic Edge
MotorStorm is a series of aggressive racing games. Since I never played any of the other games for more than an hour this will not be judged against any of the other games. Likely for all you folk, I have played it on PSP andPS2 so I know both sides of the game. The game is like a see saw. The gameplay is great since all vehicles are fun to play and have different attributes. The small vehicles are fast but crash easily. Trucks and snowplows are slow but can run over the small vehicles.
The maps are fairly large but not too large that you drive for minutes before you actually reach the finish. Even if that happens (which it shouldn't) the boost makes forward driving faster. The AI makes the difficulty slope quick for finishing minutes before everyone to finish with nanoseconds ahead. Even the easy AI is hard since you can still crash from the maps. They have cliffs, mud slides, avalanches, ice, random pieces of metal and really bad respawn points. An example of that is I was doing a speed race. I didn't make a turn quick enough and they threw me in front of a jump, I couldn't get enough speed to jump so I hit the edge of the jump, killing my car and I fell into an abyss. This made me rage quit. Back to the subject, there is enough to keep you winning in the maps.
The controls are good. The only problem is looking around, since you can't look back and steer since you either use your steering thumb to look back or your boosting hand which slows you down. This results in them passing you or you crashing. I hope you are too distracted to turn back and look at the on coming wave of things trying to A) run you over B) kick you C) push you to your doom or D) win the race. One problem I noticed on PS2 and not on PSP is the screen shots. I used to get pictures of random things but the PS2 can't do that.
The graphics aren't half bad. Remember, you'll be comparing this to the PS3 if you seen one. This is the PS2 the slower older brother of the PS3. The music is catchy and never gets old. I'll just let it stop there.
I give this game 90/100 flying cyclist
The maps are fairly large but not too large that you drive for minutes before you actually reach the finish. Even if that happens (which it shouldn't) the boost makes forward driving faster. The AI makes the difficulty slope quick for finishing minutes before everyone to finish with nanoseconds ahead. Even the easy AI is hard since you can still crash from the maps. They have cliffs, mud slides, avalanches, ice, random pieces of metal and really bad respawn points. An example of that is I was doing a speed race. I didn't make a turn quick enough and they threw me in front of a jump, I couldn't get enough speed to jump so I hit the edge of the jump, killing my car and I fell into an abyss. This made me rage quit. Back to the subject, there is enough to keep you winning in the maps.
The controls are good. The only problem is looking around, since you can't look back and steer since you either use your steering thumb to look back or your boosting hand which slows you down. This results in them passing you or you crashing. I hope you are too distracted to turn back and look at the on coming wave of things trying to A) run you over B) kick you C) push you to your doom or D) win the race. One problem I noticed on PS2 and not on PSP is the screen shots. I used to get pictures of random things but the PS2 can't do that.
The graphics aren't half bad. Remember, you'll be comparing this to the PS3 if you seen one. This is the PS2 the slower older brother of the PS3. The music is catchy and never gets old. I'll just let it stop there.
I give this game 90/100 flying cyclist
Friday, January 27, 2012
Star Trek Online Review: Part II
The types of ships available through the C-Store are mostly redresses and refits, but some features are exclusive and cannot be obtained in any other way, such as the ability to replace "NCC" with "NX" on your ship's hull. Another interesting feature I noticed is the ability to change the ship's pattern (the design that is visible from the bird's eye view, on the saucer section). It is also possible to use parts from other ships in the same category, such as using a Constitution-class hull, but Vesper-class nacelles and Excalibur-class struts.
Star Trek Online uses multiple types of currency, but the most widely used are Energy Credits. The other types are: Dilithium Crystals, Gold Pressed Latinum and Cryptic Points. Cryptic Points aren't required, but they do make things easier on you. In order to obtain Cryptic Points, you either need to trade for them using Dilithium Crystals, or purchase them with a credit card. From what I've found out through the game's forum, things aren't terribly expensive. Many things in the game that are purchasable with Cryptic Points (CP) are 400-600 points, which is roughly 2-4 dollars, depending on your currency. Energy Credits (EC), are what you get when you sell weapons/equipment. You can also use your replicator to recycle items to free up inventory space or earn EC. Dilithium Crystals (DC) are refined from Dilithium Ore, obtainable through some missions. You are limited to refining 8,000 DC per day (24hrs), which sucks, but the DC you are allowed to refine can be exchanged for CP, which are roughly 250-60 DC.
Overall, the game is worth it, if you are willing to invest a lot of time (I mean, A LOT) into it.
Graphics - 90/100 (on max. setting)
Story - 85/100
Personality (custom settings, ships, characteres) - 100/100
Overall - 92/100
*Download link is here*
Star Trek Online uses multiple types of currency, but the most widely used are Energy Credits. The other types are: Dilithium Crystals, Gold Pressed Latinum and Cryptic Points. Cryptic Points aren't required, but they do make things easier on you. In order to obtain Cryptic Points, you either need to trade for them using Dilithium Crystals, or purchase them with a credit card. From what I've found out through the game's forum, things aren't terribly expensive. Many things in the game that are purchasable with Cryptic Points (CP) are 400-600 points, which is roughly 2-4 dollars, depending on your currency. Energy Credits (EC), are what you get when you sell weapons/equipment. You can also use your replicator to recycle items to free up inventory space or earn EC. Dilithium Crystals (DC) are refined from Dilithium Ore, obtainable through some missions. You are limited to refining 8,000 DC per day (24hrs), which sucks, but the DC you are allowed to refine can be exchanged for CP, which are roughly 250-60 DC.
Overall, the game is worth it, if you are willing to invest a lot of time (I mean, A LOT) into it.
Graphics - 90/100 (on max. setting)
Story - 85/100
Personality (custom settings, ships, characteres) - 100/100
Overall - 92/100
*Download link is here*
Star Trek Online Review: Part I
Last week (1/18/12) was, as you should know, the Wikipedia blackout. However, a lesser known fact is that Star Trek Online went free-to-play the day before. Although STO is nothing new, (their 2-year anniversary is next month) I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. So I downloaded it, hoping it would provide me some entertainment to make up for the time I would usually spend looking up random astronomical phenomena on Wikipedia. Little did I know, it was going to be more than just a little entertainment...
The graphics are dependent on your hardware, but other than that, you are able to run free. You can choose your character's appearance, gender (I would hope so...) and career (Tactical/Command, Sciences/Medical, and Operations/Engineering), and later on in the game, you are able to choose to be a Klingon character. The game's leveling system is fairly simple. There are 7/8 ranks (I'm not quite sure how many Admiral ranks there are), and you gain skill points by completing missions. Each rank has 10 grades, and each rank grants you an additional ship, and a new officer. Your ship is set by default to a Centaur-class, a Miranda-class or a Shi'Kar-class vessel. After advancing to the rank of Lt. Commander, you are able to switch to a Light Escort, Cruiser or Light Science Vessel, and are able to choose between:
Cruisers:
Constitution refit-class (like the movie version of the Enterprise)
Constitution-class (like the Original Series, but this requires Cryptic Points, but I'll get to that later)
Excalibur-class (viewable in the background on the main STO website)
Vesper-class (like a mix between Excelsior and Constitution-refit)
Exeter-class (requires Cryptic Points, a refit of the refit Constitution)
Light Science:
Nova-class (like the USS Equinox, for those who watch Star Trek: Voyager)
Nova refit-class (essentially the same, except for a bit of added armour)
That's pretty much it for Part I, I'll either get Archaen to do Part II, or finish it when I don't have to leave for exams.
The graphics are dependent on your hardware, but other than that, you are able to run free. You can choose your character's appearance, gender (I would hope so...) and career (Tactical/Command, Sciences/Medical, and Operations/Engineering), and later on in the game, you are able to choose to be a Klingon character. The game's leveling system is fairly simple. There are 7/8 ranks (I'm not quite sure how many Admiral ranks there are), and you gain skill points by completing missions. Each rank has 10 grades, and each rank grants you an additional ship, and a new officer. Your ship is set by default to a Centaur-class, a Miranda-class or a Shi'Kar-class vessel. After advancing to the rank of Lt. Commander, you are able to switch to a Light Escort, Cruiser or Light Science Vessel, and are able to choose between:
Cruisers:
Constitution refit-class (like the movie version of the Enterprise)
Constitution-class (like the Original Series, but this requires Cryptic Points, but I'll get to that later)
Excalibur-class (viewable in the background on the main STO website)
Vesper-class (like a mix between Excelsior and Constitution-refit)
Exeter-class (requires Cryptic Points, a refit of the refit Constitution)
Light Science:
Nova-class (like the USS Equinox, for those who watch Star Trek: Voyager)
Nova refit-class (essentially the same, except for a bit of added armour)
That's pretty much it for Part I, I'll either get Archaen to do Part II, or finish it when I don't have to leave for exams.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Australia Day
Today is Australia day or something along the lines. It is a little know holiday so I thought I'll give a shout out to all the Australians that visit our site. You guys are our third country with the most views. Also, the sniper in Team Fortress Two is from Australia. Sorry for that somewhat random fact.
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