MW2: Should I "prezdege"?

Wasteful spending

The careless part of my brain tells me I should buy this version of Mass Effect 2 because the cover is way cooler than this one.

Who wins out? Probably the part of the brain that tells me to wait till this game is 20-30 bucks.

Airline restrictions

I know that it is fairly common knowledge that mp3 players do not disrupt airplane navigation systems or communications yet they still require them to be off until 30,000 ft. Gizmodo recently had an article showing that this practice is nonsense. I agree that everyone should pay attention to the safety announcements but then I think I should have every right to listen to music for takeoff (and have done so many times).

In other news Arkham Asylum 2 was announced. Very excited for this. That game is probably tied for Uncharted 2 for my game of the year.

Atlas may have shrugged...

...but Prince and Co. push like mad. Granted, it hasn't been a huge blockbuster like CoD:MW2 or Assassins Creed 2, this slightly overdue review of Katamari Forever is much deserved as the game is equally addicting as those mentioned formerly.
This is the latest installment of the Katamari franchise and is one that, despite the fact it is mostly the same basic game as each of the other releases, this game has kept my interest highly. For those unfamiliar with the franchise, you play as Prince (or as one of his cousins) as you roll your katamari all over the world, picking up things smaller than you as you grow until you can eventually roll up everything. Naturally, Godzilla and other monsters also possible prey for your unstoppable katamari. The point is simple: make the biggest possible Katamari so the King of the Cosmos can remake the stars/planets he knocked out of the heavens accidentally. If that sounds like a children's story on acid, just wait til you play it.

Overview aside, if you've ever played a previous game, you'll probably recognize a lot of levels that have been repeated in this edition (underwater, classroom, etc). However, there are some new gameplay types (water the desert) and new levels (roll up the Roboking's Core) keep an otherwise repetitive game interesting for hours of (re)playability. Also, after completing the game a first time through, the game opens up a new game style that allows you to replay the whole game over again without feeling bored. I definitely played it multiple times through before even realizing what I had done.

If you're into "arcade-y" style games and have never rolled a Katamari before, check out the demo. If you've liked games in the past, consider picking up the latest and greatest. You will not regret it, as long as you allow some absolutely ridiculous cinematics and overall gameplay.

Addiction

Thy name is Modern Warfare 2 and Assassins Creed 2. I think those games are the largest contributing factor in why I haven't posted in a few weeks....that and homework. In either case both are incredibly addicting.

While I love multiplayer CoD more than any other multiplayer shooter....all it takes is one really good sniper or double shotgunning player to piss me off so much and end my gaming session. Yesterday I had both. First up it was the sniper, then the shotguns 2 hours later. For each I would see them for a second and maybe get one shot off before...bam...dead.

This made this Penny Arcade strip hilarious.

Drew/Tubes

Finals

Score finals:

MSU hockey 3-2
MSU B-ball 97-58
Blackhawks 3-2

This night brought to you by:
Goose Island Honker's Ale
Stella Artois (x2)
Goose Island India Pale Ale
New Belgium Fat Tire
New Belgium Skinny Dip (x2)

Sports update, how odd

So tonight is a good sporting event night for me. MSU hockey playing UoM (heretoforth referred to as "scumbags"), MSU basketball opening night, and Blackhawks hockey game. So naturally, I am flipping through many channels to watch. I have noticed some interesting situations, though.

MSU is currently beating the scumbags 1-0 halfway through the second, and although it is a intrastate game, FSDetroit are CLEARLY biased towards the jerks in blue. While I already dislike FSD because of their announcers being OUTRAGEOUSLY biased during Red Wings games, I can understand that because its FSDetroit, so you will root for the home team (home meaning your state). But who is the home team during a Michigan State/Jerkoffs rivalry? Both are the state of Michigan teams. Another reason why I hate overrated teams. They get favored even when they suck more. (Note: MSU (4-1-1 in CCHA) is #2 in the CCHA and went 1-1 against the #1 team in the nation. UM are 4-4 in the CCHA and are way lower in the standings. And yet nationally, the jerkfaces are ranked 6th and we are ranked 13th or so.) Doesn't make sense, and yet, is true.

Moving on (especially since Patrick Kane just scored in the first 4 minutes of the Bhawks game); have you ever watched a broadcast of a major sporting event and watched them sing the anthems? I ask this because during every home Blackhawks game the television stations give up the chance for commercials and revenue to air the anthems. I guess anyone who as been to the Madhouse on Madison for a game knows how epic the anthems are. Its a riot, and I would hate missing it if I were going to a Bhawks game. If you ever get the Chicago feed for a hockey game, check it out. I'm not kidding, the anthem is awesome. Don't even watch the game, just watch the anthem, ok?

In the meantime, freshman scumbag scored his first goal, but shortly thereafter the college hockey point leader scored again for the good guys, and it sits 2-1 Green and White.

It is a 30 point game with 7 min left in the b-ball game, and 1-0 Blackhawks.

I should split, I am doing stream of conciousness which could go forever. Nobody wants that.

I think I found the worst MW2 Game Tip guide ever

Modern Warfare 2 is not that complex, but what if you need some tips? I would avoid this guide...

Here are some really good tips from it...

"You'll have a few seconds before the start of each match to figure things out. See if you can formulate a group plan with the leader of the team, or someone with a higher rank than you. If they don't provide any ideas (or just want to go out and kill, as numerous players do), keep a close tab on your teammates' actions."

"One death can make all the difference between a win and loss."

"You'll eventually get lost while exploring a map for the first time. That's completely acceptable, no matter what teammates say."

"These maps, expertly designed by Infinity Ward, are meant to be taken advantage of, and not just mere background settings for you to spill blood in." Oh, I thought I was just supposed to die a lot...

"Each class has specific guns, such as the Barrel M107 sniper rifle (perfect for those long-range kills)"

"Soldiers will constantly be on the prowl, looking for targets to put in their sights."

Man, after reading this guide I'll get level 70 in no time. Watch out world...

This is why modding is bad/Worst day of this kid's life

Sucks to be this guy.

Cant read my, cant read my, poker face

I write this as I listen to the newest Weezer album "Raditude". Oh how the mighty have fallen. Here is one of my favorite bands, who have created two of my favorite albums with Blue and Pinkerton, have now created this. A cd with such songs as "The Girl Got Hot", "Whose your Daddy", "Run Over by a Truck", and "Get me some". It's not that I dislike pop songs...not at all, its just that I expect so much more from one of my favorite bands. For shame.

Court awards $16.5m in 'Hold Your Wee for a Wii' radio stunt death

I have no words...

DJ Hero: Gametrailers Video Review

I don't know about you, but this video review makes me really want to buy or try this game out.

Video Games | DJ Hero | Review HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Who Needs a Real DJ?

I wonder if this guy will fly out for my party on Friday night...

Edit: Sadly this link is now dead, but it was a guy saying he would "DJ" a real party using DJ Hero. All he wanted was $40 and a chicken dinner for 5 hours of work. He would bring his own gear. Xbox 360, DJ Hero and a TV. Wow...

Where the Minnesota Wild things are

Saw this when I was at the game on Saturday, thought it was funny. Maybe its just because I enjoyed the movie as well as enjoying the Chicago Blackhawks, but the former is for another post soon.
Enjoy,
Blackhawks Commercial on Youtube

I was right....

Just finished Uncharted 2. Best game I have played this year....if only I were better at the multiplayer

Random

I was reading through an old band blog and found this post I had created. I felt it would be good to share this because....wtf

Forrest Gump = Angel of death

I mean think about it, everybody that guy comes in contact with either gets seriously messed up or extremely dead. Lets start out with dear old Lt Dan, yup im pretty sure that he loses his legs, and becomes a crazy shrimp boat captain. Bubba, yup im pretty sure that he ends up dead.....sure some can say that Forrest "saves" him, but you dont see him commandering a shrimp boat of the crazy style now do we. Famous presidents, first there was JFK and think we all know what happened to him. Then there is good ol president Nixon and I think we know that not only did Forrest call the cops on his little scandal at the watergate cause he couldnt sleep but Nixon also ended up dead as a......well something that is dead. Famous musicians? How bout Elvis? the good ol king? He basically went all nuts and ended up dead too. Lets see who else am I forgetting? Jenny, the love of his life?.....yup you guessed it, dead. His dear old mother? Im pretty sure she died as well. The morale of the story is, if you see Forrest a comin, you best be a runnin

Does Swine Flue Turn You Into a Pig? This and all your most pressing questions answered within.

I've met some pretty smart people in my time. I went to a pretty good school, studied some pretty difficult subjects, and been posed some pretty difficult questions. It befuddles me that of the people I've met so many are vehemently opposed to vaccination.

This is topic is heavier than what I generally think about on a day to day basis (sports, TV, boobs, TV, boobs, etc.) but I think it's worth discussing. Wired.com has a great section right now about vaccination and the ignorant, uninformed celebrities posing as experts. For instance, one of the most outspoken voices on the subject is Jenny McCarthy, whose child has autism. McCarthy, and others like her, have blamed a certain chemical in the vaccination perservatives for causing a spike in autism. The claims have been studied by the CDC and apparently refuted, but to no avail against the masses of fear mongers.

I get the flu vaccine every year and while it may be proven at some point down the road that we are creating some sort of super virus that is imprevious to all but a vaccine made of pure Kryptonite, at this point there's no proof and I'd personally like to stay healthy during the winter. That way I can watch more TV and, God help me, more boobs.

What's so "super" about these stores?

So typically I make it a habit to avoid places like Walmart. The same thing as anyone else, they move in, sweep competition, then jack prices, etc. That's not the point of this rant though! These "Super"stores really freaking piss me off. We'll start with Walmart and move to Meijer shortly thereafter:

I have recently bought a couple of watches that obviously come too big than needed. Also have an older one that needed a battery replacement. No hard task for a trained jewelry professional at any megastore, right? Since it was on my way home, I caved to my standard avoidance of such places and pulled in.
Well, apparently the new policy is "we only work on Walmart watches." Are you kidding me? Either way, its a customer, its service, and its profit! It takes all of 2 seconds with the right tool to take out a link in a watch chain and so long as you have the battery its a standard procedure to replace that as well! And look at it this way, if it breaks, and the person acknowledged that this is a possibility upon requesting repair, you can then sell them a new watch! In what possible scenerio is repairing the watch a BAD idea?

Now for Meijer: I took some photo's there to have them printed so I can hang them on my wall on Monday. 3 8x10's. There were NO problems with this situation at all, everything went well, I bought 1 hour pick-up cause they were cheaper, glossy prints, and when I picked them up, they looked great (and are on my walls, lookin good).
Fast forward not even a full 48 hours. Seriously, 2 days. I went in on Wednesday afternoon to print more pictures: 10 4x6s and 2 8x10s. Something seemed weird this time, like I had less choices, and at the end of submitting my pictures I realized that the 1 hour photo option was gone. Also, my 8x10s were matte prints, and the glossy option was also missing. I asked, and the lady said in the last 2 days, they changed their entire system. Aparently shipped off their "one hour photo" printers. Seriously? You're going to FORCE people to pay more, even when the print options are more limited?!?
I discussed this with the guy that sold me the prints and he agreed with me, not good business. Don't they realize that people who select 1-hour photo then turn around and shop their store for an hour? Don't they realize that people also buy WAY more if they have to wait an hour than their normal shopping list? Certainly the last time I'm utilizing Meijer for any photo needs.

These stores make the most unethical business practices their MO when they move into towns, but they don't make the smart business moves when it has to do with the day to day services and sales? Unbelievable...

Is Halo really that great?

I write this post having just finished playing through the single player of ODST. I followed that up with reading through the plot of the first three games to try and refresh my memory and connect the dots to this newest adventure.

The Halo series has been dealt its fair share of praise for each of the games in the primary trilogy and again with ODST. While I have purchased each title, I frequently have questioned whether they deserve all the awards. The setting and the story itself I have no problems with. The universe is interesting, the aliens unique, and the weapons fun to use.

Yet I have never been fully drawn into any of the games. Maybe it has been the lack of a cast of characters that you care about, or maybe it is the often repetitive map layouts (the library was a dreadful level in the first game). Halo 3 and ODST have done the best but still not anywhere close to their storytelling potential.

Thoughts?

Movie that is far from Expendable

I intended my first post here to be something slightly more serious than this, but upon realizing the trailer has been released, I don't think I can afford to wait until I make a real post to discuss this with you all:

Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Steve Austin, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. If those names don't sound like a match made in heaven, I don't know what will. I think my head explodes when I think about a movie staring the first 5 names, features at least cameos by the latter 2, and written and directed by Rocky himself.

Imagine if you will that The Terminator and Rambo (any, if not all versions) were real people and could reproduce. (Or better yet, if you could put the VHS of one and DVD of the other into a multifunction player and hit REC to make your own movie.) Their offspring would be this movie, and would also qualify for a TLC show called "I didn't know I was pregnant with septupletes who are also action heroes." (Last Action Heroes maybe?) The idea that a movie of this nature could even come out is what is both right and wrong with America today. Get ready for a mind blower people...(have 911 on speed-dial in case you really do have a brain aneurysm)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhHL3lhBn5A

Dead Space & a Glitch to Rant About

So I am playing Dead Space. (I will just skip the part about how awesome this game is and how everyone should play it. Its not that scary. Great game experience.) I'm about to finish the game (I'm on chapter 9 out of 12) before I have to return the game to Blockbuster in a few hours. I kill a boss and I'm running down a hallway till I reach a locked door with a slot to plug in a battery to open it. I begin my search for said battery. Nowhere to be seen. I run back the way I came to a locked door. I pace back and forth between the two doors three or four times and see no battery. Thinking its just a easily fixable glitch I let myself die and reload the area.

I do this and there is still no battery. I then turn off my game and load my last save game. I beat the boss again, get to the hallway and there is still no battery to open the door. What the eff? I pause the game and hop on my computer to search the web. I find that this is normal and that people have fixed it by going back to chapter 8 and playing through chapter 9 all over again. Some people said they had to restart the game completely. I was about six and a half hours in. Awesome. I popped the disc out and returned it to Blockbuster.

Something like this should be found as a bug during development and testing. Or, since this game has been out for a year, should have been patched by now. A simply amazing game broke so I couldn't advance any further and wouldn't let me finish. Sad news bears.

Seriously though, pick up this game, its only $20 now and you probably won't have this happen to you. If I would have paid to rent the game I would have complained for my money back, but meh.

Uncharted 2 + How to fix Indiana Jones 4: Crystal Skull

Uncharted 2 comes out tomorrow which is a game that I am very excited for. The first game had a great story-line, one that was much better than the last Indy adventure. This got me thinking of the eight (or however many I come up with) steps to fix that debacle.

1) No prairie dogs

2) No "I like Ike" quote

3) No surviving a nuclear bomb in a fridge (I would let this pass if it wasn't tossed in the air and crashed into a truck)

4) No Indy's son and more Marion: Marion was badass in Raiders and she was pointless in this film.

5) Part of getting rid of Indy's son: No using of a snake to get Dr Jones out of a sandpit, no swinging from an endless supply of vines with a monkey army, no hair combing

6) No gigantic piranha ants

7) Have the raft go over ONE not three waterfalls

8) No backstab/secret agent/backstab friend of Jones

OR they could just copy either the story from Uncharted or Uncharted 2 and be all set

First Things First

We will write about whatever we want, whenever we want.
Every post will be full of bias.
We have no target audience.