I've been making the most of the 360 since I've been home. I've done everything in AC: Brotherhood, bar the multiplayer achievements, and my wireless at home isn't good enough to play any matches properly, so I won't be getting them any time soon.
Instead I've been putting some time into Fable 3. I spoke about it last year giving my general impressions. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, it's just not a great deal different to its predecessors.
There's some interesting ideas in there though. The story is dark at times. The Fable series has often walked that line between "childish humour" and "balverines eating people" but when the final boss fight (oh right, MASSIVE SPOILER) forces you to kill your mentor, it's pretty heavy stuff. The final scene where he dies isn't going to make anyone cry, but it's pretty sad nonetheless.
Showing posts with label xbox 360. Show all posts
Showing posts with label xbox 360. Show all posts
29 Apr 2011
The System Is Down; Why "PSNgate" could be bad for the whole industry
Something that really winds me up is when technology goes wrong and somebody will say they hate technology. People don't hate technology, they hate when it goes wrong. I get the feeling a lot of people will be hating technology right now.
The Playstation Network has been down for a week today. Yesterday the news came that the reason for this extended interlude in service was that Sony had been hacked, and the personal data, which potentially included credit card information, of around 70 million people was now in the hands of said hackers.
At this stage it's still undetermined who actually hacked the PSN. Many are laying the blame at Internet hacktivist group Anonymous' door. The group recently declared an attack on Sony, in response to Sony's during of George Hotz, who provided the key to unlocking the console for unlicensed software.
The Playstation Network has been down for a week today. Yesterday the news came that the reason for this extended interlude in service was that Sony had been hacked, and the personal data, which potentially included credit card information, of around 70 million people was now in the hands of said hackers.
At this stage it's still undetermined who actually hacked the PSN. Many are laying the blame at Internet hacktivist group Anonymous' door. The group recently declared an attack on Sony, in response to Sony's during of George Hotz, who provided the key to unlocking the console for unlicensed software.
9 Feb 2010
On the M2 to Hell
Back from the depths of Hell, and my hometown, I have returned, truimphant and bloodied, to type into a keyboard about Dante's Inferno. Hooray! Relevant gaming news!
I've got a copy of the real Dante's Inferno and I've tried to read it a few times, but unfortunately it's a poem translated from Italian, and a lot of the flow is lost in translation. I sort of get what's going on, but when Virgil is chatting for a page about something, and I realise I haven't got a clue what he's talking about.
However, Dante's Inferno THE VIDEO GAME forgos all that talky talky crap and just throws you into Hell, with the SCYTHE of DEATH and a MAGICALLY HOLY CROSS and says "Kill the crap outta everything and save yo lady" which is a lot simpler than a page full of text talking about sinners.
I picked up the Death Edition of the game, which, amongst other things, contains a code to download a Dead Space costume for Dante. Although it doesn't add anything major to the gameplay, it's quite fun to see Isaac waving a scythe around and blabbering about honour and God.
Dante's Inferno is a good game. It's not great and it's not revolutionising any genres. My major issue with it is that it isn't just similar to God of War; it IS God of War. Visceral Games haven't just taken inspiration from GoW, they've used some of the same ideas. I won't go into too much detail, cause I've thrown in my two cents to a review Crofterz over at the Newb Review wrote, so go and have a look when it goes up. Possibly today. I am not sure of these things.
I've actually completed DI, and in one weekend, which for me, is generally unheard of. I've also got quite a few of the achievements (side note; Dante's Inferno is a great achievement game). I thinking about taking it back to GAME and returning it to get all my money back, as opposed to a trade in, and then use the money to buy Bioshock 2 (and I'll still have some left over. Maybe I'll get this)
Well. I'm hungry so... Yeah, it's about lunch time. See y'all in Purgatorio!
I've got a copy of the real Dante's Inferno and I've tried to read it a few times, but unfortunately it's a poem translated from Italian, and a lot of the flow is lost in translation. I sort of get what's going on, but when Virgil is chatting for a page about something, and I realise I haven't got a clue what he's talking about.
However, Dante's Inferno THE VIDEO GAME forgos all that talky talky crap and just throws you into Hell, with the SCYTHE of DEATH and a MAGICALLY HOLY CROSS and says "Kill the crap outta everything and save yo lady" which is a lot simpler than a page full of text talking about sinners.
I picked up the Death Edition of the game, which, amongst other things, contains a code to download a Dead Space costume for Dante. Although it doesn't add anything major to the gameplay, it's quite fun to see Isaac waving a scythe around and blabbering about honour and God.
Dante's Inferno is a good game. It's not great and it's not revolutionising any genres. My major issue with it is that it isn't just similar to God of War; it IS God of War. Visceral Games haven't just taken inspiration from GoW, they've used some of the same ideas. I won't go into too much detail, cause I've thrown in my two cents to a review Crofterz over at the Newb Review wrote, so go and have a look when it goes up. Possibly today. I am not sure of these things.
I've actually completed DI, and in one weekend, which for me, is generally unheard of. I've also got quite a few of the achievements (side note; Dante's Inferno is a great achievement game). I thinking about taking it back to GAME and returning it to get all my money back, as opposed to a trade in, and then use the money to buy Bioshock 2 (and I'll still have some left over. Maybe I'll get this)
Well. I'm hungry so... Yeah, it's about lunch time. See y'all in Purgatorio!
21 Jan 2010
There Is Nothing for Me To Talk About...
...so this is a non-blog post.
What am I meant to say? That I'm still really excited for Mass Effect 2, and I have preordered it? That I really want my Xbox? That I want a new laptop so I can play Team Fortress 2 which I bought but haven't played yet?
Until something exciting happens to me (don't hold your breath) just stick at the Newb Review. There should be a podcast featuring me going up at some point, and I've got a couple of reviews there as well.
Till then... Yeah, I got nout.
What am I meant to say? That I'm still really excited for Mass Effect 2, and I have preordered it? That I really want my Xbox? That I want a new laptop so I can play Team Fortress 2 which I bought but haven't played yet?
Until something exciting happens to me (don't hold your breath) just stick at the Newb Review. There should be a podcast featuring me going up at some point, and I've got a couple of reviews there as well.
Till then... Yeah, I got nout.
11 Dec 2009
Stocking Up Shop
Tis the season to be gaming! That's right, I'm going HOME!... next weekend. BUT I'M STILL EXCITED!
In preperation for getting back on the Xbox, I am getting in a load of cheap old games to play until Christmas, which should both pass the time and boost my pitiful gamer score. So, in the fashion, let's run those games down together, shall we?
BIOSHOCK! Partially inspired by the recent coverage of Bioshock 2 (which looks very good) and also by the fact I've played it on a mate's console and it was pretty awesome. I like the idea of being able to upgrade a shotgun, and the fact I can combine that with telekinesis is basically my idea of some bizarre FPS-RPG nirvana. However, Bioshock is slightly scary and I haven't had a great history with scary things in the past. HOW WILL I MANAGE?!??
PRINCE OF PERSIA! (THE NEW ONE!) I liked the look of this game the moment I set eyes on it. I'm not entirely sure what you would call the art style (cell-shaded realism, perhaps?) but it looks beautiful. As far as I know the game got fair to good reviews, although apparently it's quite easy. For me this is a good thing. Easier games = faster gamerscore. I'm a wannabe achievement whore!
WARIO LAND 3! I am well aware this is not a 360 game, or infact a current generation game, but I was thinking about it the other day and remembering how brilliant it was. I have to say, maybe apart from Rayman and the original Super Mario Bros., it's probably the best platformer I've ever played. It's got non-linear level choices, multiple level endings, a wide range of enemies and power-ups, mashes platforming and puzzling brilliantly and has lovely visuals considering when it was released. I'm may even dig out my Game Boy Colour to play it as God intended. Although if I can't use it I'll use the SP.
This is all still a week away. I'm killing myself writing this.
Until then, this is me, a guy who HATED Wario Land 4, signing off until I make it back home y'all!
In preperation for getting back on the Xbox, I am getting in a load of cheap old games to play until Christmas, which should both pass the time and boost my pitiful gamer score. So, in the fashion, let's run those games down together, shall we?
BIOSHOCK! Partially inspired by the recent coverage of Bioshock 2 (which looks very good) and also by the fact I've played it on a mate's console and it was pretty awesome. I like the idea of being able to upgrade a shotgun, and the fact I can combine that with telekinesis is basically my idea of some bizarre FPS-RPG nirvana. However, Bioshock is slightly scary and I haven't had a great history with scary things in the past. HOW WILL I MANAGE?!??
PRINCE OF PERSIA! (THE NEW ONE!) I liked the look of this game the moment I set eyes on it. I'm not entirely sure what you would call the art style (cell-shaded realism, perhaps?) but it looks beautiful. As far as I know the game got fair to good reviews, although apparently it's quite easy. For me this is a good thing. Easier games = faster gamerscore. I'm a wannabe achievement whore!
WARIO LAND 3! I am well aware this is not a 360 game, or infact a current generation game, but I was thinking about it the other day and remembering how brilliant it was. I have to say, maybe apart from Rayman and the original Super Mario Bros., it's probably the best platformer I've ever played. It's got non-linear level choices, multiple level endings, a wide range of enemies and power-ups, mashes platforming and puzzling brilliantly and has lovely visuals considering when it was released. I'm may even dig out my Game Boy Colour to play it as God intended. Although if I can't use it I'll use the SP.
This is all still a week away. I'm killing myself writing this.
Until then, this is me, a guy who HATED Wario Land 4, signing off until I make it back home y'all!
20 Nov 2009
Wicky-Wicky-Wickah
I think my DJ name would either be DJ Tongue Skills, or DJ Improbability. Both of these would look pretty good on a flyer.
I've been mucking around with this interesting little distraction a bit recently. I've always liked the idea of being able to make my own music but unfortunately I have never the cognitive cpacity or the intiative to actually get into. "DJ Sheepwolf" is good for a laugh, but I'd like something like that with more samples, and maybe if I could get a keyboard set-up with it... Here I go off on my wild fantasies of creating crazy rock-electro fusion bands... You'll know if I've made it cause the band will be called "GoneFission".
Mixing up some "phat beats" on the web inspired me to have a look at DJ Hero. Although it has a hefty price tag, it's something I'd love to play. I may even consider buying it at some point in the future, although not until I've tried it first. Despite looking at numerous videos and reading several descriptions, I can't understand how you carry out the on-screen instructions.
The price point is way too high though. The basic pack is almost 100 quid, and the Renegade edition, despite having an AWESOME name, just isn't worth the 170 pound outlay.
Well, that's all for now, but you can find me, DJ Mousemat, at the venue, y'all!
Oh, and by the way, if you wanna find out more about Dj Hero, check out this rather nifty site; http://djhero.org.uk, it's pretty good on info about the game.
I've been mucking around with this interesting little distraction a bit recently. I've always liked the idea of being able to make my own music but unfortunately I have never the cognitive cpacity or the intiative to actually get into. "DJ Sheepwolf" is good for a laugh, but I'd like something like that with more samples, and maybe if I could get a keyboard set-up with it... Here I go off on my wild fantasies of creating crazy rock-electro fusion bands... You'll know if I've made it cause the band will be called "GoneFission".
Mixing up some "phat beats" on the web inspired me to have a look at DJ Hero. Although it has a hefty price tag, it's something I'd love to play. I may even consider buying it at some point in the future, although not until I've tried it first. Despite looking at numerous videos and reading several descriptions, I can't understand how you carry out the on-screen instructions.
The price point is way too high though. The basic pack is almost 100 quid, and the Renegade edition, despite having an AWESOME name, just isn't worth the 170 pound outlay.
Well, that's all for now, but you can find me, DJ Mousemat, at the venue, y'all!
Oh, and by the way, if you wanna find out more about Dj Hero, check out this rather nifty site; http://djhero.org.uk, it's pretty good on info about the game.
19 Oct 2009
Ich bin ein PSP owner
Well sort of. I have one on me. It's just not technically mine.
But first to business! This late blog comes to you courtesy of a shoddy internet connection and several coughing fits. And also my lectures. Those take up lots of time.
Went home at the weekend, on a rather long train journey. I started to fall asleep towards the end, so I played a little CivRev on my iPod. Nothing makes a train journey more exciting than dropping a nuclear ICMB on Paris. Except nachos. Nachos make anything more exciting.
At home, I actually ended up playing no Fallout 3, a fact that surprised me most of all. Instead I recompleted Shadow Complex with all of the items collected (for no real reason) and also played a little bit of Halo 3. Halo 3 is okay, but a tad dull at times. I really should have adjusted the controls because they felt way too sensitive.
I also watched a lot of The Simpsons Season 11, because my parents gave it to me as sort of a well-done-for-surviving-one-month-at-uni-without-resorting-to-theft. I think I deserved that one. I haven't stolen anyone's milk. Yet.
I also missed out on the oppotunity to get StarCraft for £10. This is because I am an idiot. Learn from my mistake, children.
But to the crux of the matter ; das PSP. Although I've yet to take the plunge and actually buy one (with all that money I don't have) I have borrowed one off of my neighbour, who got it a few years ago but never played it.
I've been playing a bit of God of War; Chains Of Olympus, which is fun but fairly tedious. Although I got to fight the bastard offspring of the Cloverfield monster and a dragon. Can't complain...
Right, gotta sleep. Oh an speaking of Shadow Complex... GO!
But first to business! This late blog comes to you courtesy of a shoddy internet connection and several coughing fits. And also my lectures. Those take up lots of time.
Went home at the weekend, on a rather long train journey. I started to fall asleep towards the end, so I played a little CivRev on my iPod. Nothing makes a train journey more exciting than dropping a nuclear ICMB on Paris. Except nachos. Nachos make anything more exciting.
At home, I actually ended up playing no Fallout 3, a fact that surprised me most of all. Instead I recompleted Shadow Complex with all of the items collected (for no real reason) and also played a little bit of Halo 3. Halo 3 is okay, but a tad dull at times. I really should have adjusted the controls because they felt way too sensitive.
I also watched a lot of The Simpsons Season 11, because my parents gave it to me as sort of a well-done-for-surviving-one-month-at-uni-without-resorting-to-theft. I think I deserved that one. I haven't stolen anyone's milk. Yet.
I also missed out on the oppotunity to get StarCraft for £10. This is because I am an idiot. Learn from my mistake, children.
But to the crux of the matter ; das PSP. Although I've yet to take the plunge and actually buy one (with all that money I don't have) I have borrowed one off of my neighbour, who got it a few years ago but never played it.
I've been playing a bit of God of War; Chains Of Olympus, which is fun but fairly tedious. Although I got to fight the bastard offspring of the Cloverfield monster and a dragon. Can't complain...
Right, gotta sleep. Oh an speaking of Shadow Complex... GO!
25 Jul 2009
eXtreme game-fest
Several things have happened over the past week. For one I am no longer a Wii owner (technically). I am however, now an XBox 360 owner, which explains the lack of updates.
Fable 2 came with the console, and I've been playing that quite a lot. First impressions are good, but it's a little repetative and doesn't know where its head is at most of the time. I also got given Web of Shadows by a friend as a birthday present, which is also good, if not a little dull at times.
I've become a real achievement junkie, fufilling certain criteria just to get them. I like the ahievements system it's a good little meta-aspect to the games which makes it feel more connected to the console. I like the dashboard as well, which is a lot friendly than the Wii menu screen. The avatars aren't too bad either. They have arms. Go them.
I have yet to get online because the wireless router costs an absolute fortune, so that's a bit of a kick in the dental region, but I'll be getting one soon enough. I'm not so much looking forward to the multiplayer as I am to getting DLC, demos, and other such things.
I've also played a bit of GTA4, which is fun, although turning a corner at speed usually results in me slamming into garbage truck, then getting jammed in an alley way. Joy. But overall, it's a laugh. Although I can't understand a word Little Jacob is saying...
Right. I've already wasted valuable gaming time, so I'll see y'all mid-week some time, when I'll be speaking about Fable 2 some more, and the problems I'm having with Portal. Oh and one last thing, thank you to Richard from PC Zone magazine for the kind words and so forth. I WILL be getting the next issue via the internet =)
Stay frosty y'all.
Fable 2 came with the console, and I've been playing that quite a lot. First impressions are good, but it's a little repetative and doesn't know where its head is at most of the time. I also got given Web of Shadows by a friend as a birthday present, which is also good, if not a little dull at times.
I've become a real achievement junkie, fufilling certain criteria just to get them. I like the ahievements system it's a good little meta-aspect to the games which makes it feel more connected to the console. I like the dashboard as well, which is a lot friendly than the Wii menu screen. The avatars aren't too bad either. They have arms. Go them.
I have yet to get online because the wireless router costs an absolute fortune, so that's a bit of a kick in the dental region, but I'll be getting one soon enough. I'm not so much looking forward to the multiplayer as I am to getting DLC, demos, and other such things.
I've also played a bit of GTA4, which is fun, although turning a corner at speed usually results in me slamming into garbage truck, then getting jammed in an alley way. Joy. But overall, it's a laugh. Although I can't understand a word Little Jacob is saying...
Right. I've already wasted valuable gaming time, so I'll see y'all mid-week some time, when I'll be speaking about Fable 2 some more, and the problems I'm having with Portal. Oh and one last thing, thank you to Richard from PC Zone magazine for the kind words and so forth. I WILL be getting the next issue via the internet =)
Stay frosty y'all.
14 Jun 2009
Hardware Heartache
It has NOT been my weekend...
Apart from feeling physically lousy from hayfever, and mind numbingly bored from revision, all my tech stuff has been going to pieces recently.
My iPod was crapping out on me all over the places yesterday evening. I couldn't establish a connection at all, although it turned out that the wireless router wasn't working, so I reset that. Then Twitterrific stopped working, which sucked, so I deleted it and reinstalled it, and it kept telling me I was entering it wrong... *breath in* Then I uninstalled it again, and went to reinstall it, and I saw it had caught something called the Twitpocalypse bug, which I assumed was bad, so I got annoyed and put my iPod away.
Today, perusing the Interweb, I found this article on engadget, rumouring the "new" Xbox, with Natal being the corner stone of its tech. I was in response to an article from 1UP, who seemed pretty damn confident, despite not actually citing any sources. This gives me mixed views. As is probably clear now, I am in the (long, drawn-out) process of buying an Xbox 360, and I don't want it to become last generation a year after I get it. Recently, I read somewhere that Xbox was going for a 10-year life cycle, which is neat, but it would really annoy me if it did become slightly outdated... Some how, I think this isn't the case. It doesn't seem like Microsoft's style...
Wii HD may be a reality in 2010, according to this pre-E3 news article on Gamespot. Again, mixed feelings. It links into a What They Play article from last year, which suggests Wii HD is a brand new console. That'd really piss me off. I've had a Wii from the very start... I'd prefer it if the Wii HD was some kind of add-on to the existing console... I don't see Nintendo killing off their golden goose though. According to the Gamespot article, there won't be any new consoles till around 2013. Works for me.
But the biggest annoyance for me was finally learning about what the iPhone 3GS was/is. I don't have an iPhone and I particularly wan one. I don't understand what tethering is. I do, however, have an iPod Touch, which is essentially an iPhone without a phone and a camera. And mobile internet. This latest development means something quite important. Because this new iPhone has a better processor (insert long string of numbers and letters as appropriate) it means it can handle better games, in terms of visuals and gameplay. I'm really tired of the iPod Touch playing second fiddle to the iPhone. Okay so it's not as good, I get that. But Apple need to give it some love. The new software is out on the 17th of June, and I'm probably gonna buy it. Don't know what it will do though. I'll check before hand to see if it's worth it.
If Apple released a new iPod Touch with, for example, a camera and a better processor I might buy it. My iPod Touch has had a pretty good run of it... Meh. I'll play it as it comes.
This is me signing off. I won't be doing a blog on Wednesday, because I have three exams this week, and I'd like to ace them, please. I'm not sure I'll manage one on Saturday either, since I'm at a wedding, but it's worth a try.
This has been the blog post that I've done the most research for. Good for me.
Peace out y'all.
Apart from feeling physically lousy from hayfever, and mind numbingly bored from revision, all my tech stuff has been going to pieces recently.
My iPod was crapping out on me all over the places yesterday evening. I couldn't establish a connection at all, although it turned out that the wireless router wasn't working, so I reset that. Then Twitterrific stopped working, which sucked, so I deleted it and reinstalled it, and it kept telling me I was entering it wrong... *breath in* Then I uninstalled it again, and went to reinstall it, and I saw it had caught something called the Twitpocalypse bug, which I assumed was bad, so I got annoyed and put my iPod away.
Today, perusing the Interweb, I found this article on engadget, rumouring the "new" Xbox, with Natal being the corner stone of its tech. I was in response to an article from 1UP, who seemed pretty damn confident, despite not actually citing any sources. This gives me mixed views. As is probably clear now, I am in the (long, drawn-out) process of buying an Xbox 360, and I don't want it to become last generation a year after I get it. Recently, I read somewhere that Xbox was going for a 10-year life cycle, which is neat, but it would really annoy me if it did become slightly outdated... Some how, I think this isn't the case. It doesn't seem like Microsoft's style...
Wii HD may be a reality in 2010, according to this pre-E3 news article on Gamespot. Again, mixed feelings. It links into a What They Play article from last year, which suggests Wii HD is a brand new console. That'd really piss me off. I've had a Wii from the very start... I'd prefer it if the Wii HD was some kind of add-on to the existing console... I don't see Nintendo killing off their golden goose though. According to the Gamespot article, there won't be any new consoles till around 2013. Works for me.
But the biggest annoyance for me was finally learning about what the iPhone 3GS was/is. I don't have an iPhone and I particularly wan one. I don't understand what tethering is. I do, however, have an iPod Touch, which is essentially an iPhone without a phone and a camera. And mobile internet. This latest development means something quite important. Because this new iPhone has a better processor (insert long string of numbers and letters as appropriate) it means it can handle better games, in terms of visuals and gameplay. I'm really tired of the iPod Touch playing second fiddle to the iPhone. Okay so it's not as good, I get that. But Apple need to give it some love. The new software is out on the 17th of June, and I'm probably gonna buy it. Don't know what it will do though. I'll check before hand to see if it's worth it.
If Apple released a new iPod Touch with, for example, a camera and a better processor I might buy it. My iPod Touch has had a pretty good run of it... Meh. I'll play it as it comes.
This is me signing off. I won't be doing a blog on Wednesday, because I have three exams this week, and I'd like to ace them, please. I'm not sure I'll manage one on Saturday either, since I'm at a wedding, but it's worth a try.
This has been the blog post that I've done the most research for. Good for me.
Peace out y'all.
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