I've been kind of busy these past couple of months and I haven't made any time to blog about anything so I think now's a good time to just kind of sum up my summer and the things I was looking forward to.
First and foremost lets talk about some Movies.
THE DARK KNIGHT: The single most anticipated movie of my life-time and it in absolutely no ways dissociated. Right from the opening scene where you see two men in clown masks, kicking open a office building window before rappelling down a impromptu line to a bank across the street. To the very end where Jim Gordon is summing up what Batman means to Gotham City. To every single little moment where Heath Ledger flawlessly portrays The Joker. This movie was a complete home run. Christian Bale's raspy Batman voice aside, and maybe one or two little nitpicky plot points. The movie is a virtual 10/10
HELLBOY 2 THE GOLDEN ARMY: This movie was pretty cool just because I was really expecting it to be saturated with the mood of Pans Labyrinth. Director Guillermo Del Toro's foreign language masterpiece. Its impact isn't unnoticed as Hellboy finds himself going up against a prince of an ancient tribe of elves who have upheld a truce with mankind for generations. Ron Pearlman's spot-on casting as Hellboy shines through again as he delviers to us a very human portrayal of a character that's supposed to be a demon with a hellish destiny. You get the feeling that Hellboy could even be your best friend if he wasn't kicking supernatural ass. Abe Sapien get's a larger role in this movie which makes it even better. Beautiful moments keep this movie going strong. 8/10
WALL-E: Yeah, yeah, this little robot's got everybody talking about what is considered already a Pixar Masterpeice. It's a masterpeice I didn't enjoy as much as everyone else seemed to. The thing that makes Wall-E special first and foremost is that the movie has very little dialog, for the interaction in the most part is between robots who beep and squeak and humm, there isn't a lot of actual talking until Mankind comes into the fold. I think the Kids will get a big kick out of this but I enjoyed Pixar's last effort, Ratattouille a lot more. 7/10
STEP BROTHERS: The newest pic from the Will Ferrel/Adam McKay camp, co-starring Talledegah Night's standout John. C. Reilly. This movie is about a couple of single parents who get married, and they both happen to have sons that still live at home with them. One of these sons, is named Brendan, (Played by Ferrell) a 40 year old who is unemployed. And Dale, (played by Reilly) is a 39 year old, also unemployed. As Brendan and his mother move into the house that Dale and his Father reside in, an immediate rift is formed between the two step-brothers that begins to tear the relationship of their parents apart. If you're not a Ferrel fan you probably won't enjoy this outing but I think the humor will translate well to anyone that's had a sibling rivalry of any kind. There's too many moments in this movie that I'm sure one of them will have your side splitting! (Or if you hate Ferrell, maybe this movie will just make your head split.) 7/10
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS: Seth Rogen might as well be given a crown because he's, in my opinion, the new king of Comedy in Hollywood. After re-inventing coming-of-age comedies with the super-hit Superbad. This summer he re-invents stoner comedy with Pineapple Express. Rogen plays Dale Denton, a Prosess Server who has an affinity for his job, and for smoking weed. Having a hoot before handing a subpoena over to someone he witnesses the person in question commit a murder with a crooked cop. Startled and sure that he's good as dead, he immediately runs, stopping to make sure his Drug Dealer is with him and together they embark on a journey that well, you pretty much need to be stoned to believe. The movie is hilarious and I only give it a 7/10 because I thought it was as good as Step-Brothers but If it's better for any reason. It's for the scene at the end with the Belt Buckle and The Duct Tape and you'll know what I mean when you see it. 7/10 if you like Will Ferrel 8/10 if you like weed more.
The Summer hasn't been all movies though. Well, It for the most part has. I did get my hands on Madden NFL 09, after waiting in Wal-Mart for over an hour due to employee ineptitude (That's how badly I wanted the game) I have to say that without a doubt, Madden is back baby! The presentation is off the hook and the game actually has announcers this year so you're not stuck listening to that boring nameless radio guy. They've got real NFL commenators Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth.
The graphics are a step up from last years verson, and a complete overhaul of tackling cinematics ensures that your gameplay experience won't be so linear. Gone are the days when the players on the field would just kind of un-realistically bump into each other. Now they'll group tackle, hop over diving tacklers, drag you down by the uniform. The Audio quality is no slouch either, if you got that TV turned up loud enough you might just believe that those bone crunching hits are happening to you.
The Superstar mode, yet again, misses the mark. I hope they get rid of it in next years version for something a bit more interesting. The Superstar Mode is a good idea, except that every year they seem to get further and further away from anything about it that's good. While dragging along the nagging problems I have with it. There needs to be a better system for getting a decent stat set for your player off the bat. The drills are faulty and you shouldn't be surprised if your Superstar is a little below average coming into the NFL draft.
Franchise Mode is relatively unchanged from last years game which is a good thing. The improvments they have made tot his years madden game. Which includes Touchdown Celebrations (although, if you decide to jump into the end zone fans don't be surprised if your player jumps through them) and a new "Back Track" mode, where Chris Collinsworth will show you in an instant replay where you wen't wrong, and what you could've done to make that play a bit better. It's kind of cool but it gets annoying seeing your horrible mistakes over and over again. And the Commentators, although cool, aren't given a whole lot to say and even after playing a few games its really difficult not to notice how little those guys are given to say as you hear things over and over and over again. Overall, if you passed on Madden now is the perfect chance to jump back on board. If you're a sports gamer, they've made it worth your while this year.
I've got nothing else to really talk about. I hope that September is a much more opinionated month for me and judging how August is ending, I think it might go that way, especially if smarmy Stephen Harper calls an election.
Stephen Harper, you're smarmy and I don't like you! Why don't you move to America since you love them so much! (and they obviously, love you or you probably wouldn't be Prime Minister) Okay I'm getting distracted again, it's time to go
- PEACE!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Stephen Harper, you're smarmy and I don't like you.
I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...
Here in Canada, we keep a watchful eye on the United States Presidential Race, Barack Obama and John McCaine are spearheading a wind of change into America (well, at least one of the candidates promises to do so...) and up here in Canada we are ever patient, waiting to see how events unfold for our neighbors to the south. The glow that Barack has enraptured the majority of the citizens of the united states in shines so vibrant that I am noticing it even so far up north where I live.
And I've got to say... I feel a little left out.
There is an impending election on the horaison for Canadians as well, and it may happen a lot sooner than you think (or even expect). Stephen Harper promised Canadians, after the passing of a bill, that the next election would take place on October 19, 2009. Since then, there has been political tug-of-war between the Liberals and the Conservatives, Liberals announcing the very flawed carbon tax plan and then the Conservatives launching a smear campaign so assanine it makes anything Hillary Clinton attempted to do to Barack Obama look like elementary school name calling.
Since Stephen Harper would have us believe that the parliament hill is currently in a severe state of 'dysfunction' and the only way to irradiate the problem is to hold an election. This is just another one of his Conservatives tactics akin that to bullying on the playground. All year long they have been playing this game with the Liberals and the other political parties. In the minority government, some bills are so serious that any dispute amoung them could have shot the country into an immediate election. The liberals fold to the threat of impending election and instead of disputing some bills they simply allow them to be passed, one bill after another, thanks to the threat of immediate election. The Conservatives have used aggresive tactics to get what they want out of our country and they are doing it again.
Do you want to know why your parliament is in a dysfunctive state? It's because YOUR COUNTRY DOES NOT SUPPORT YOU! You are in a minority government because you failed to make yourself look good enough in the last impromptu election our country had, barely better than your competition to squease into a minority government. When you speak publicly, you sound like a buisness executive. Making a statement that you just finished rehursing moments before, speaking with the diction and annunciation of a robot, and having the demeanor of one as well. You don't inspire confidence in me. Your too anxious to gain the approval of the United States, and you are turning us into a nation closely resembling them. Hardly the country that we had when you took control, a nation that I was proud to live in. I do not have that pride any longer.
Despite Stephen Harpers various ineptitudes and inabilities to give off the image of a politician that is anything except a faceless suit. Stephane Dion is no white knight. The Conservatives have been attacking him full force since the introduction of his moronic carbon tax idea. Stephane Dion and his Liberals are a party that is abash with cowardice. They are so backed into a corner that they aren't even attempting to play the political game. Whenever I see Stephane Dion on television he's babbling, he's incoherent, he seem's unfocused and he seems desperate. He looks like a child, wrongfull acused, and all he can do is state his case to deaf ears in a tone only a six year old can replicate.
If the Liberals are so desperate, why don't they make a desperate action? If Stephane Dion came out and pointed the finger at harper, told the nation that Stephen Harper's plans are not in the best interest of Canadians (because they arent, and Stephane Dion's aren't either, at least not his tax plans) and that Canadians deserve a Prime Minister who will take into account, the interests of its citizens and the interests of its nation, and not its bordering ones. If Stephane Dion could pull this off with a modicum of confidence and poise, instead of coming across as a child with the blame wrongfully placed upon him. Maybe Canadians would believe in him.
Maybe I would beleive in him.
Barack Obama gives America someone to believe in. He's a strongly spoken politician with a natural charisma and unmistakable poise. I don't know how any american citizen can watch him speak and not be impressed with how he handles himself. I remain pessimistic that he can actually pull off winning the Presidential Election, but my worth-fuck-all vote is for him. I just wish that Canada had a politician with the brass that Obama has. He's fearless on the podium, saying what needs to be said. He hit the nail on the head in his speech about race, and he hit it on the head when he gave his speech accepting the Democratic Nomination. He is a politician that I don't feel bad supporting, if I was american I would be voting for him.
Instead, I just have to shake my head and sigh because I don't want to vote for anybody. Dion or Harper. Not Jack Layton of the NDP. He's too quiet on the front and the NDP has such a negative stigma that alone will probably kill any heat he'll generate for the electon, which means he's pretty much got no shot (short of a miracle that is...) of becoming Prime Minister. Which kind of sucks because I think he is the best qualified person for the job. But between Layton, Harper and Dion. I still wish we could somehow go back in time, and grab Jean Cretine to whip this nation back into shape. Say what you will about him, he was a leader who spoke with unmistakable confidence and he believed in Canada.
I just want a Barack Obama to believe in.
Until next time, think about the world we live in for a bit. Ignorance just perpetrates the problem that got us to this point.
Here in Canada, we keep a watchful eye on the United States Presidential Race, Barack Obama and John McCaine are spearheading a wind of change into America (well, at least one of the candidates promises to do so...) and up here in Canada we are ever patient, waiting to see how events unfold for our neighbors to the south. The glow that Barack has enraptured the majority of the citizens of the united states in shines so vibrant that I am noticing it even so far up north where I live.
And I've got to say... I feel a little left out.
There is an impending election on the horaison for Canadians as well, and it may happen a lot sooner than you think (or even expect). Stephen Harper promised Canadians, after the passing of a bill, that the next election would take place on October 19, 2009. Since then, there has been political tug-of-war between the Liberals and the Conservatives, Liberals announcing the very flawed carbon tax plan and then the Conservatives launching a smear campaign so assanine it makes anything Hillary Clinton attempted to do to Barack Obama look like elementary school name calling.
Since Stephen Harper would have us believe that the parliament hill is currently in a severe state of 'dysfunction' and the only way to irradiate the problem is to hold an election. This is just another one of his Conservatives tactics akin that to bullying on the playground. All year long they have been playing this game with the Liberals and the other political parties. In the minority government, some bills are so serious that any dispute amoung them could have shot the country into an immediate election. The liberals fold to the threat of impending election and instead of disputing some bills they simply allow them to be passed, one bill after another, thanks to the threat of immediate election. The Conservatives have used aggresive tactics to get what they want out of our country and they are doing it again.
Do you want to know why your parliament is in a dysfunctive state? It's because YOUR COUNTRY DOES NOT SUPPORT YOU! You are in a minority government because you failed to make yourself look good enough in the last impromptu election our country had, barely better than your competition to squease into a minority government. When you speak publicly, you sound like a buisness executive. Making a statement that you just finished rehursing moments before, speaking with the diction and annunciation of a robot, and having the demeanor of one as well. You don't inspire confidence in me. Your too anxious to gain the approval of the United States, and you are turning us into a nation closely resembling them. Hardly the country that we had when you took control, a nation that I was proud to live in. I do not have that pride any longer.
Despite Stephen Harpers various ineptitudes and inabilities to give off the image of a politician that is anything except a faceless suit. Stephane Dion is no white knight. The Conservatives have been attacking him full force since the introduction of his moronic carbon tax idea. Stephane Dion and his Liberals are a party that is abash with cowardice. They are so backed into a corner that they aren't even attempting to play the political game. Whenever I see Stephane Dion on television he's babbling, he's incoherent, he seem's unfocused and he seems desperate. He looks like a child, wrongfull acused, and all he can do is state his case to deaf ears in a tone only a six year old can replicate.
If the Liberals are so desperate, why don't they make a desperate action? If Stephane Dion came out and pointed the finger at harper, told the nation that Stephen Harper's plans are not in the best interest of Canadians (because they arent, and Stephane Dion's aren't either, at least not his tax plans) and that Canadians deserve a Prime Minister who will take into account, the interests of its citizens and the interests of its nation, and not its bordering ones. If Stephane Dion could pull this off with a modicum of confidence and poise, instead of coming across as a child with the blame wrongfully placed upon him. Maybe Canadians would believe in him.
Maybe I would beleive in him.
Barack Obama gives America someone to believe in. He's a strongly spoken politician with a natural charisma and unmistakable poise. I don't know how any american citizen can watch him speak and not be impressed with how he handles himself. I remain pessimistic that he can actually pull off winning the Presidential Election, but my worth-fuck-all vote is for him. I just wish that Canada had a politician with the brass that Obama has. He's fearless on the podium, saying what needs to be said. He hit the nail on the head in his speech about race, and he hit it on the head when he gave his speech accepting the Democratic Nomination. He is a politician that I don't feel bad supporting, if I was american I would be voting for him.
Instead, I just have to shake my head and sigh because I don't want to vote for anybody. Dion or Harper. Not Jack Layton of the NDP. He's too quiet on the front and the NDP has such a negative stigma that alone will probably kill any heat he'll generate for the electon, which means he's pretty much got no shot (short of a miracle that is...) of becoming Prime Minister. Which kind of sucks because I think he is the best qualified person for the job. But between Layton, Harper and Dion. I still wish we could somehow go back in time, and grab Jean Cretine to whip this nation back into shape. Say what you will about him, he was a leader who spoke with unmistakable confidence and he believed in Canada.
I just want a Barack Obama to believe in.
Until next time, think about the world we live in for a bit. Ignorance just perpetrates the problem that got us to this point.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Madden NFL Football and Dark Knights
I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...
I've cashed U.S. checks at my local bank many times. One of my aunts lives in the United States and even though I'm ever-so-close of the very adult age of twenty-one, she still likes to spoil me a bit as she always has throughout my life. She usually sends money as a gift as I usually ask for things that are exuberant and difficult to ship over the border now a days. Sending money is typically the much more convenient option. Today however the option was rather inconvenient. The teller of my bank must've been a newer employee and I undserstand if things happen. I wasn't worried one way or the other but to suddenly have to jump through so many hoops where there were otherwise none before just strikes me as odd. A twenty day hold for forty dollars?
Hardly seems worth the effort doesn't it?
I'm really, really looking forward to Madden NFL 09. As a gamer, I'm in the minority when I say that Sports games are my genre preference. I was never very athletic as a child and got into watching sports as a way to still feel like I'm a part of the action. Sports fandom is a unique paradox to me, people can become so rabid for something bigger than themselves...
It's like organized religion except you don't get shit on for trying to push it on to other people...
As gaming consoles entered the next generation, and hockey games became increasingly monotonous and well, bad. I turned my attention to a sport which its video games were experiencing a sudden leap in quality with this sudden leap in technology: Football games.
Madden NFL 2000 for the N64 was my first exposure to what is now a collosal gaming franchise. Over the years as the games got better and the technology expanded my love for Football games grew. Growing up in Canada with the eight team CFL. Football is kind of like a cheap novelty compared to Hockey which might as well be organized religion up here. The team I chose to back: The Cleveland Browns. Expanded in 2000 the year I bought the game, I have rode them to most certain failiure but that's an entire other days rant I'm sure.
Madden has always had an excellent atmosphere in its games and they're incredibly addicting if thats your thing. I love the bone crunching hits and the utter elation you feel when your offence bends that defence over for a huge gain or a huge touchdown. Madden NFL 09 will be my first foray into "next-gen" sports gaming, as I have reverted back to Hockey in recent years. This years Madden is easily shaping up to be their best offering. You know what they say about the third time being the charm. I think it's taken 3 years for EA to get Madden going on the 360, which is kind of rediculous considering where the game was at on Xbox. Pretty much at the top of its form with a few nit picks here and there.
One more month and it will be mine, and I will savor it!
I eagerly await The Dark Knight! Five more days until I get to watch it. There is an incredible ammount of buzz around Heath Ledgers portrayal of The Joker. I've read critics compare his portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime to that of Anthony Hopkin's Hannible Lector. That's pretty much good enough for me. The Rolling Stone's review of the movie was titled "Prepare to be Wowed" and I have yet to hear anything especially scathing about the movie, aside from some peoples deviance towards the movies running time which is just excess of two and a half hours. The movie is only fifteen minutes longer than Batman Begins and I'm sure it will be a superior film experience. I cant wait!
Hopefully next time I'll have a little more venomous a topic to persue but in the mean time I hope everyone has a good week and is enjoying their July thus far.
Thug life!
I've cashed U.S. checks at my local bank many times. One of my aunts lives in the United States and even though I'm ever-so-close of the very adult age of twenty-one, she still likes to spoil me a bit as she always has throughout my life. She usually sends money as a gift as I usually ask for things that are exuberant and difficult to ship over the border now a days. Sending money is typically the much more convenient option. Today however the option was rather inconvenient. The teller of my bank must've been a newer employee and I undserstand if things happen. I wasn't worried one way or the other but to suddenly have to jump through so many hoops where there were otherwise none before just strikes me as odd. A twenty day hold for forty dollars?
Hardly seems worth the effort doesn't it?
I'm really, really looking forward to Madden NFL 09. As a gamer, I'm in the minority when I say that Sports games are my genre preference. I was never very athletic as a child and got into watching sports as a way to still feel like I'm a part of the action. Sports fandom is a unique paradox to me, people can become so rabid for something bigger than themselves...
It's like organized religion except you don't get shit on for trying to push it on to other people...
As gaming consoles entered the next generation, and hockey games became increasingly monotonous and well, bad. I turned my attention to a sport which its video games were experiencing a sudden leap in quality with this sudden leap in technology: Football games.
Madden NFL 2000 for the N64 was my first exposure to what is now a collosal gaming franchise. Over the years as the games got better and the technology expanded my love for Football games grew. Growing up in Canada with the eight team CFL. Football is kind of like a cheap novelty compared to Hockey which might as well be organized religion up here. The team I chose to back: The Cleveland Browns. Expanded in 2000 the year I bought the game, I have rode them to most certain failiure but that's an entire other days rant I'm sure.
Madden has always had an excellent atmosphere in its games and they're incredibly addicting if thats your thing. I love the bone crunching hits and the utter elation you feel when your offence bends that defence over for a huge gain or a huge touchdown. Madden NFL 09 will be my first foray into "next-gen" sports gaming, as I have reverted back to Hockey in recent years. This years Madden is easily shaping up to be their best offering. You know what they say about the third time being the charm. I think it's taken 3 years for EA to get Madden going on the 360, which is kind of rediculous considering where the game was at on Xbox. Pretty much at the top of its form with a few nit picks here and there.
One more month and it will be mine, and I will savor it!
I eagerly await The Dark Knight! Five more days until I get to watch it. There is an incredible ammount of buzz around Heath Ledgers portrayal of The Joker. I've read critics compare his portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime to that of Anthony Hopkin's Hannible Lector. That's pretty much good enough for me. The Rolling Stone's review of the movie was titled "Prepare to be Wowed" and I have yet to hear anything especially scathing about the movie, aside from some peoples deviance towards the movies running time which is just excess of two and a half hours. The movie is only fifteen minutes longer than Batman Begins and I'm sure it will be a superior film experience. I cant wait!
Hopefully next time I'll have a little more venomous a topic to persue but in the mean time I hope everyone has a good week and is enjoying their July thus far.
Thug life!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
In the mind of madness
I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...
Lots of random thoughts so let's try to keep this cohesive, start out on a somber note.
Comic Book Artist Michael Turner passed away this past week from his battle with the bone-based cancer chondrosarcoma. He wasn't my favorite artist but his mark was obvious on the comic industry. He drew a six issue story-arc of Superman/Batman, "Supergirl from Krypton" which was easily my favorite arc of the book. He drew a slew of covers for both DC and Marvel before his passing. He was also announced to pencil the upcoming "Ultimate Wolverine" comic which would've been an off the chart hit, easily. Rest in peace Michael.
There's a lot of push on the Anti-Smoking. Alberta's passing a law that will make it illegal to have large cigarette displays, they will need to be removed or covered up. I'm not exactly sure if this is the same as B.C. where all of it has to be covered up but its still a push in the direction that anyone who's smokin' while they got 'em will be out of luck soon. I heard a rumor they're thinking about making single cigarillo's illegal because they don't have anti-smoking propaganda on them. That's alright with me, I'll just end up finally quitting if that happens and thats what they want right?
I don't understand lottery players. They spend so much money on the hope that they'll win the big one and then they're so down on their luck because the odds aren't on their side. I'm sorry this is a bigger rant for a more focused day but shut the fuck up. Maybe spend your money on something more self-fufilling than an effortless search for wealth.
My friend was recently in a traffic accident. Turning off of the main highway a motorcyclist travelling well over the speed limit struck him. Weaving in and out of traffic in his persuit for stardom (maybe he had a hot date, something clearly he was in a rush for that is very insignificant now) struck his truck and was carried away from the scene in an ambulance. His truck will need repair which is a harsh afteraffect of an accident of carelessness. I hope that the situation resolves itself, you will definately hear from me if it doesn't.
I dont see how the priorities of this nation can be so out of the loop, I read a very interesting article in the Edmonton Sun about the status of water consumption in our country. We pay the least ammount of money for water out of all the established nations of the world. And we are only second to the United States in water consumption. I know I'm not a world changer but I do think we should be more mindful of our water consumption. Over half of our water consumption goes to laundry and watering the lawns with '5-minute showers' placing third, (So what about everyone who takes showers that are longer than five minutes. Of which I know I'm certainly guilty)
The hooplah of Bill C-51 hit my doorstep and paranoia crept up my spine like a dirty relative and I'm kind of surprised that something like this has completely missed the media. If it's really such a big deal how come people aren't writing letters to newspapers? I haven't seen anything but I don't read every paper either, I'm only as much of an all-seeing eye as I feel like and I'm pretty damn lazy at times. The website that was provided to me is set up in such a way that it draws you toward the conclusion of absolute terror when that isn't the case at all. Taking the time to read the bill is always the best course of action and something I did not initially do. It's long, it's legal, it's boring. Anyone who took Law class in high school can empathise with this boredom but its not as big a shit storm as you'd think. The bill is aimed at punishing corporations who break the laws, why else would such hefty fines of around five million dollars be levvied out.
I just want to post this blurb they've posted on the website
Bill C-51 is not about Canadian Safety
Bill C-51 is about Big Pharma
Pharma-what? Big Pharmaceutical company's? My point about the website is that it's designed to propagate fear of the bill from the get-go. You are bombared by 'facts' so that anyone who just causally reads the website without taking the time to read the bill would just simply assume that they themselves are havign the latex glove of the man thrust into their anus once again. I'm just kind of unsure what to think of the whole thing but if this bill was as bad as they would like us to think than I think more than a good chunk of tens of thousands people would be worried about it... maybe more in the millions? We all know I'm not the biggest fan of Health Canada at the moment but they wouldn't be smashing their boner through shit like this would they?
Maybe they would... Anyway, Here's Bill C-51. Have a read for yourself and come to your own conclusion.
Let's end this on a bit of a giddy note. I read on Newsarama.com today that there will be a Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Given the scope of the game as early rumor dictates that it will be focused around Marvel's recent "Civil War" storyline. Offering gamers a chance to pick a side and play it out. Civil War was the highest selling marvel comic in quite some time and the idea to base a game around it is a very good one. I hope they take the time to do it right. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance didn't really have too much re-play value, but they are incredibly fun games. Another thought, maybe a name change. Marvel: Civil War? Would that not suffice for a video game?
WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?
MARVE: CIVIL WAR
Xbox360/PS3/Wii 2010(or later)
Take a couple years to make the game and make it right! Ultimate Alliance was a step down from X-Men Legends 2 and thats not how it should be. It should have a huge roster of playable heroes. At least 15 a side I'd say to give the game solid replay value because playing the war on the side of pro-registration or anti-registration one time, then the reverse is obviously worth two plays through the game as it should be completely different experiences.
Who knows how it will work out but I've got high hopes. Also revealed was that in the upcoming Spider-Man: Web of Shadows game that you could help save the city or take it over depending on if you're using the classic Spidey Red/Blues or the Black simbyote costume. They also revealed that Wolverine would be a character you'll have the opportunity to team up with (they announced earlier that Luke Cage would be) the cover of the game can be viewed here. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is due out this fall.
Until next time, Keep on truckin!
PEACE!
Lots of random thoughts so let's try to keep this cohesive, start out on a somber note.
Comic Book Artist Michael Turner passed away this past week from his battle with the bone-based cancer chondrosarcoma. He wasn't my favorite artist but his mark was obvious on the comic industry. He drew a six issue story-arc of Superman/Batman, "Supergirl from Krypton" which was easily my favorite arc of the book. He drew a slew of covers for both DC and Marvel before his passing. He was also announced to pencil the upcoming "Ultimate Wolverine" comic which would've been an off the chart hit, easily. Rest in peace Michael.
There's a lot of push on the Anti-Smoking. Alberta's passing a law that will make it illegal to have large cigarette displays, they will need to be removed or covered up. I'm not exactly sure if this is the same as B.C. where all of it has to be covered up but its still a push in the direction that anyone who's smokin' while they got 'em will be out of luck soon. I heard a rumor they're thinking about making single cigarillo's illegal because they don't have anti-smoking propaganda on them. That's alright with me, I'll just end up finally quitting if that happens and thats what they want right?
I don't understand lottery players. They spend so much money on the hope that they'll win the big one and then they're so down on their luck because the odds aren't on their side. I'm sorry this is a bigger rant for a more focused day but shut the fuck up. Maybe spend your money on something more self-fufilling than an effortless search for wealth.
My friend was recently in a traffic accident. Turning off of the main highway a motorcyclist travelling well over the speed limit struck him. Weaving in and out of traffic in his persuit for stardom (maybe he had a hot date, something clearly he was in a rush for that is very insignificant now) struck his truck and was carried away from the scene in an ambulance. His truck will need repair which is a harsh afteraffect of an accident of carelessness. I hope that the situation resolves itself, you will definately hear from me if it doesn't.
I dont see how the priorities of this nation can be so out of the loop, I read a very interesting article in the Edmonton Sun about the status of water consumption in our country. We pay the least ammount of money for water out of all the established nations of the world. And we are only second to the United States in water consumption. I know I'm not a world changer but I do think we should be more mindful of our water consumption. Over half of our water consumption goes to laundry and watering the lawns with '5-minute showers' placing third, (So what about everyone who takes showers that are longer than five minutes. Of which I know I'm certainly guilty)
The hooplah of Bill C-51 hit my doorstep and paranoia crept up my spine like a dirty relative and I'm kind of surprised that something like this has completely missed the media. If it's really such a big deal how come people aren't writing letters to newspapers? I haven't seen anything but I don't read every paper either, I'm only as much of an all-seeing eye as I feel like and I'm pretty damn lazy at times. The website that was provided to me is set up in such a way that it draws you toward the conclusion of absolute terror when that isn't the case at all. Taking the time to read the bill is always the best course of action and something I did not initially do. It's long, it's legal, it's boring. Anyone who took Law class in high school can empathise with this boredom but its not as big a shit storm as you'd think. The bill is aimed at punishing corporations who break the laws, why else would such hefty fines of around five million dollars be levvied out.
I just want to post this blurb they've posted on the website
Bill C-51 is not about Canadian Safety
Bill C-51 is about Big Pharma
Pharma-what? Big Pharmaceutical company's? My point about the website is that it's designed to propagate fear of the bill from the get-go. You are bombared by 'facts' so that anyone who just causally reads the website without taking the time to read the bill would just simply assume that they themselves are havign the latex glove of the man thrust into their anus once again. I'm just kind of unsure what to think of the whole thing but if this bill was as bad as they would like us to think than I think more than a good chunk of tens of thousands people would be worried about it... maybe more in the millions? We all know I'm not the biggest fan of Health Canada at the moment but they wouldn't be smashing their boner through shit like this would they?
Maybe they would... Anyway, Here's Bill C-51. Have a read for yourself and come to your own conclusion.
Let's end this on a bit of a giddy note. I read on Newsarama.com today that there will be a Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. Given the scope of the game as early rumor dictates that it will be focused around Marvel's recent "Civil War" storyline. Offering gamers a chance to pick a side and play it out. Civil War was the highest selling marvel comic in quite some time and the idea to base a game around it is a very good one. I hope they take the time to do it right. Marvel: Ultimate Alliance didn't really have too much re-play value, but they are incredibly fun games. Another thought, maybe a name change. Marvel: Civil War? Would that not suffice for a video game?
WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?
MARVE: CIVIL WAR
Xbox360/PS3/Wii 2010(or later)
Take a couple years to make the game and make it right! Ultimate Alliance was a step down from X-Men Legends 2 and thats not how it should be. It should have a huge roster of playable heroes. At least 15 a side I'd say to give the game solid replay value because playing the war on the side of pro-registration or anti-registration one time, then the reverse is obviously worth two plays through the game as it should be completely different experiences.
Who knows how it will work out but I've got high hopes. Also revealed was that in the upcoming Spider-Man: Web of Shadows game that you could help save the city or take it over depending on if you're using the classic Spidey Red/Blues or the Black simbyote costume. They also revealed that Wolverine would be a character you'll have the opportunity to team up with (they announced earlier that Luke Cage would be) the cover of the game can be viewed here. Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is due out this fall.
Until next time, Keep on truckin!
PEACE!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Who's this guitar hero?
I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...
There's something that I don't get: People who don't get video games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band.
I can understand easily enough. I myself used to come to a lack of understanding as to why games like Dance Dance Revolution have legions of players. It was a simplistic game that I couldn't grasp for the life of me. You listened to the song and arrows would come down the screen. All you had to do was step on the pad corresponding with the arrow on the screen at the right time and bam, all of a sudden you're dancing?
I've seen dancing. Good, and bad, and DDR doesn't even come close. To each their own I suppose. I also never quite saw the luster in first-person shooter's either.
If you've by some chance been living under a rock for the past five years, a game came onto the scene for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 that would change the foray of the music gaming genre forever. Guitar Hero. Unique for the guitar-like controller that simulated the 'experience' of playing a guitar. Five corresponding buttons to match on the screen, strum bar to hit the notes on time and a whammy bar to funk out those long notes. The game featured song's by Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Cream, Deep Purple. A good blend of rock staples and indy tracks, the game was a commercial and critical success.
Guitar Hero 2 was relased in 06 for the PS2 and early 07 for the Xbox 360 and it was here when my first experience to the game was held. I always had wanted to try it. I find myself frequently air-guitaring when I'm in isolation, or whenever the mood hits me really. I was excited to try this game that now most people had been telling me about.
"Have you tried Guitar Hero yet?"
"No..."
"Oh man it's so awesome...." and they would go on to tell me about how they rock out on this video game. Not an indecent proposal, I'd say thats about all I could ask for from a video game experience.
I selected a track i recognized, Carry On My Wayward Son. The song began and the buttons came down the screen. I immediately paniced as I had no preference as to where my fingers should be and I failed. Feeling embarassed I angrily passed the controller on, agravated. I was not willing to try the game again and didn't for weeks. What was I expecting, I honestly can't say, but I was drawn back to the game. Multi-player modes that were impossible to fail was my gateway into the game, slowly I got the game down.
Over time, medium difficulty was effortless and I found myself to be somewhat god-like. This was when my friends urged me to step it up, try the hard difficulty like they were. Again, the learning curve kicked in and what started ugly eventually bloomed to where I am now, I wouldn't hesitate to call myself a veteran 'hero'. I've logged more than enough hours on that game.
Then something was announced that made me explode of joy. Rock Band: Guitar, Vocals and Drums. Playing awesome songs, rocking out on world tour, creating your own band and rockers. They seemed to have it all figured out.
This was purchaced by my friend immediately and created our band. BUDDY CHRIST(Drummer) and CAPS LOCK(Guitarist/me) had created the ultimate rock band: The True Heroes. We began to rock, hard and it was no time before we disabled the drum kit to the game. We couldn't have been rocking for more than a week before you couldn't hit the blue drum without disconnecting the drums from the console, lovely.
So now we were reduced to two-guitar rock, (as it would be some time before alcohol was introduced to the whole package and I remembered that I didn't mind singing with a little liquid courage) and The Stylish Moustache was born (the game randomly generates band names for you, which you can chose to use or create your own. In this instance we went with the games judgement.) The Menace and Hollywood joined forces to make a guitar force of rock. The Stylish Moustach rocked it's way all the way to a jumbo jet! More time invested into Rock Band than I think we put into Guitar Hero (but I'm sure the scale's pretty balanced overall...) I'm completely, 100% sold on this Guitar Hero and am in fact one of it's biggest supporters.
I find myself in the midst of listening to any song my Megadeth and find my arms doing the guitar without me even realizing. Practically reflex to unleash the air-guitar and here's a game that gives me that same feeling, maybe more so. People come up to me and say
"Bryce, I don't understand this fascination with Guitar Hero".
I ask them, "You ever find yourself randomly air guitaring to music?"
"No"
Well there you go. Guitar Hero and Rock Band give musically retarded people like me the ability to feel like a rock god. There's nothing quite like stepping up to the plate and rocking the hell out of a song. Rock Band has it's flaws, it's ruined my favorite Weezer and Nirvana songs pretty much forever but I'll forgive it. The additional content to the game is modestly priced (Between 100-160 xbox points per song) and there's a lot to choose from, with full albums from Judas Preist, The Cars and The Greatful Dead as well as a large selection of packs that give you choice from a range of bands in all the genre's of rock there's pretty much something for everyone.
Nay sayers can continue to complain, talk about the price of the games or whatever specific thing they chose to dislike 'why do I have to use some fake guitar, why cant I use the controller?' or 'why don't you just go out and play a real instrument'. They're not going to slow down something that will probably just grow to get more and more gamers as they continue to saturate the market.
'why don't you just go out and play a real instrument?'. That's probably the only valid argument to the game there is. I know I don't have the patience to learn guitar.
Until next time, let your inner guitar hero or rock god out and kick some ass!
Peace
There's something that I don't get: People who don't get video games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band.
I can understand easily enough. I myself used to come to a lack of understanding as to why games like Dance Dance Revolution have legions of players. It was a simplistic game that I couldn't grasp for the life of me. You listened to the song and arrows would come down the screen. All you had to do was step on the pad corresponding with the arrow on the screen at the right time and bam, all of a sudden you're dancing?
I've seen dancing. Good, and bad, and DDR doesn't even come close. To each their own I suppose. I also never quite saw the luster in first-person shooter's either.
If you've by some chance been living under a rock for the past five years, a game came onto the scene for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 that would change the foray of the music gaming genre forever. Guitar Hero. Unique for the guitar-like controller that simulated the 'experience' of playing a guitar. Five corresponding buttons to match on the screen, strum bar to hit the notes on time and a whammy bar to funk out those long notes. The game featured song's by Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Cream, Deep Purple. A good blend of rock staples and indy tracks, the game was a commercial and critical success.
Guitar Hero 2 was relased in 06 for the PS2 and early 07 for the Xbox 360 and it was here when my first experience to the game was held. I always had wanted to try it. I find myself frequently air-guitaring when I'm in isolation, or whenever the mood hits me really. I was excited to try this game that now most people had been telling me about.
"Have you tried Guitar Hero yet?"
"No..."
"Oh man it's so awesome...." and they would go on to tell me about how they rock out on this video game. Not an indecent proposal, I'd say thats about all I could ask for from a video game experience.
I selected a track i recognized, Carry On My Wayward Son. The song began and the buttons came down the screen. I immediately paniced as I had no preference as to where my fingers should be and I failed. Feeling embarassed I angrily passed the controller on, agravated. I was not willing to try the game again and didn't for weeks. What was I expecting, I honestly can't say, but I was drawn back to the game. Multi-player modes that were impossible to fail was my gateway into the game, slowly I got the game down.
Over time, medium difficulty was effortless and I found myself to be somewhat god-like. This was when my friends urged me to step it up, try the hard difficulty like they were. Again, the learning curve kicked in and what started ugly eventually bloomed to where I am now, I wouldn't hesitate to call myself a veteran 'hero'. I've logged more than enough hours on that game.
Then something was announced that made me explode of joy. Rock Band: Guitar, Vocals and Drums. Playing awesome songs, rocking out on world tour, creating your own band and rockers. They seemed to have it all figured out.
This was purchaced by my friend immediately and created our band. BUDDY CHRIST(Drummer) and CAPS LOCK(Guitarist/me) had created the ultimate rock band: The True Heroes. We began to rock, hard and it was no time before we disabled the drum kit to the game. We couldn't have been rocking for more than a week before you couldn't hit the blue drum without disconnecting the drums from the console, lovely.
So now we were reduced to two-guitar rock, (as it would be some time before alcohol was introduced to the whole package and I remembered that I didn't mind singing with a little liquid courage) and The Stylish Moustache was born (the game randomly generates band names for you, which you can chose to use or create your own. In this instance we went with the games judgement.) The Menace and Hollywood joined forces to make a guitar force of rock. The Stylish Moustach rocked it's way all the way to a jumbo jet! More time invested into Rock Band than I think we put into Guitar Hero (but I'm sure the scale's pretty balanced overall...) I'm completely, 100% sold on this Guitar Hero and am in fact one of it's biggest supporters.
I find myself in the midst of listening to any song my Megadeth and find my arms doing the guitar without me even realizing. Practically reflex to unleash the air-guitar and here's a game that gives me that same feeling, maybe more so. People come up to me and say
"Bryce, I don't understand this fascination with Guitar Hero".
I ask them, "You ever find yourself randomly air guitaring to music?"
"No"
Well there you go. Guitar Hero and Rock Band give musically retarded people like me the ability to feel like a rock god. There's nothing quite like stepping up to the plate and rocking the hell out of a song. Rock Band has it's flaws, it's ruined my favorite Weezer and Nirvana songs pretty much forever but I'll forgive it. The additional content to the game is modestly priced (Between 100-160 xbox points per song) and there's a lot to choose from, with full albums from Judas Preist, The Cars and The Greatful Dead as well as a large selection of packs that give you choice from a range of bands in all the genre's of rock there's pretty much something for everyone.
Nay sayers can continue to complain, talk about the price of the games or whatever specific thing they chose to dislike 'why do I have to use some fake guitar, why cant I use the controller?' or 'why don't you just go out and play a real instrument'. They're not going to slow down something that will probably just grow to get more and more gamers as they continue to saturate the market.
'why don't you just go out and play a real instrument?'. That's probably the only valid argument to the game there is. I know I don't have the patience to learn guitar.
Until next time, let your inner guitar hero or rock god out and kick some ass!
Peace
Monday, June 23, 2008
He wasn't just funny. He was fucking funny!
George Carlin was a man who loved to curse. The vulgarity of it intrigued him you could hear it in his voice whenever he said fuck, or shit, or anything that would fearlessly come from his lips with conviction, confidence. He was truly a fearless comedian, one of the greatest who will have ever lived. He was even fearless regardless of any topic, nothing was out of touch of George's idealistic vision of reality. I think it was his ability to analyze people, and fearlessly assess the situation with hilarity will be the reason he will be remembered for a long time.
Few comedian's have the presence that Carlin had when he was on the stage. His voice was enchanting and he looked like the crotchety old man, working that to his advantage. Age didn't stint his comedy if anything it became more verbose in it's topic matter, more in your face with language. He never hesitated to speak his mind and it was always funny. Speaking not only the truth but speaking it with such relentlessness that you laughed not just because it was outrageous. It was funny, truly funny but because it was the stone cold truth. He's as perceptive as anybody and he used that to his advantage.
His Comedy was definitely the epicenter of his fame. In the 60's Carlin was most notable on The Ed Sullivan show. Releasing his first comedy album, Take-ff's and Put-On's. During this period his popularity emerged as he was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In the 70's George created the routine that would make him a sensation. The "Seven words you can never say on television" skit was on his third album, Class Clown and it was this where he would propell himself to the next level.
Making his own road, George sported long hair and a full robust beard, an appearance that was uncharacteristic with the clean cut commedians of the era. He was arrested in 1972 for performing the act and violated obscenity laws. Controversy from this would only propel his fame. In 1976 George unexpectedly stopped doing stand-up shows, and for a period of the next five years he rarely did shows despite that he was doing HBO Specials it was around this period he suffered the first of three non-fatal heart attacks during his life.
In the 80's Carlin re-established himself with a plethora of HBO Specials, also garnering some fame. In 1989, he would play the aforementioned roll of Rufus, the mentor of Bill and Ted during their excellent adventure through time. Throughout the 90's he appeared sporadically througout popular culture as the narritive voice for the American version of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. As well as appearing in Prince of Tides in 1991. In 1995 he got his own television show on Fox titled simply, The George Carlin Show, it ran for 27 episodes. 1999 would mark his appearance in Dogma as Cardinal Ignatius Glick, the brains behind his new "Catholoscism Wow!" campaign.
In 2001 George was given a Lifetime Acheivment award at the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards. George performed in Las Vegas for many years before he was fired from headlining at the MGM Grand Hotel after an altercation with his audience in the wake of cracking wise about beheadings and suicide bombings. He furthered on to attack Las Vegas in general, he was immediately fired and entered Rehab for drugs and alcohol. In 2006 he would voice Fillmore in Cars. His last HBO Special, titled "It's Bad For You" aired March 1st 2008.
He was one of my favorite commedians and he will be surely missed. I will be surprised if we see any comedian of his calibre ever again.
RIP George Carlin May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Few comedian's have the presence that Carlin had when he was on the stage. His voice was enchanting and he looked like the crotchety old man, working that to his advantage. Age didn't stint his comedy if anything it became more verbose in it's topic matter, more in your face with language. He never hesitated to speak his mind and it was always funny. Speaking not only the truth but speaking it with such relentlessness that you laughed not just because it was outrageous. It was funny, truly funny but because it was the stone cold truth. He's as perceptive as anybody and he used that to his advantage.
His Comedy was definitely the epicenter of his fame. In the 60's Carlin was most notable on The Ed Sullivan show. Releasing his first comedy album, Take-ff's and Put-On's. During this period his popularity emerged as he was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. In the 70's George created the routine that would make him a sensation. The "Seven words you can never say on television" skit was on his third album, Class Clown and it was this where he would propell himself to the next level.
Making his own road, George sported long hair and a full robust beard, an appearance that was uncharacteristic with the clean cut commedians of the era. He was arrested in 1972 for performing the act and violated obscenity laws. Controversy from this would only propel his fame. In 1976 George unexpectedly stopped doing stand-up shows, and for a period of the next five years he rarely did shows despite that he was doing HBO Specials it was around this period he suffered the first of three non-fatal heart attacks during his life.
In the 80's Carlin re-established himself with a plethora of HBO Specials, also garnering some fame. In 1989, he would play the aforementioned roll of Rufus, the mentor of Bill and Ted during their excellent adventure through time. Throughout the 90's he appeared sporadically througout popular culture as the narritive voice for the American version of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. As well as appearing in Prince of Tides in 1991. In 1995 he got his own television show on Fox titled simply, The George Carlin Show, it ran for 27 episodes. 1999 would mark his appearance in Dogma as Cardinal Ignatius Glick, the brains behind his new "Catholoscism Wow!" campaign.
In 2001 George was given a Lifetime Acheivment award at the 15th Annual American Comedy Awards. George performed in Las Vegas for many years before he was fired from headlining at the MGM Grand Hotel after an altercation with his audience in the wake of cracking wise about beheadings and suicide bombings. He furthered on to attack Las Vegas in general, he was immediately fired and entered Rehab for drugs and alcohol. In 2006 he would voice Fillmore in Cars. His last HBO Special, titled "It's Bad For You" aired March 1st 2008.
He was one of my favorite commedians and he will be surely missed. I will be surprised if we see any comedian of his calibre ever again.
RIP George Carlin May 12, 1937 - June 22, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
May The Gaiden Be With You
I don't think I'm inside my own mind today...
Ninja's may bear different sentimental value to us all, be-it as a deadly assassin, as a silent hunter, as The Batman or a master of deception and trickery, its unanimous that they are one thing: Bad ass. The Ninja is a unique character most of the time shrouded in curious enigma. We often know very little of the ninja, his history or his motives. Be he an evil or good ninja, they're fierce and uncompromising, if anything a true professional.
My personal sentimental value toward Ninja's wasn't very strong until Ninja Gaiden was released for the Xbox back in 2004.
Here's a game that easily stood strong as an example of the Xbox's visual capabilities well after it's release. It was a game that I had not played very much, upon it's release a few of my friends grew captivated by its majesty and I would be lying to say that I too wasn't sucked in as well. The game's atmosphere sucked you in. You were Ryu Hayabusa, a deadly ninja in charge of getting the Dark Dragon Blade from the demonic fiend Doku who has taken it from your village. Gamers may recognise Hayabusa from Team Ninja's Dead or Alive series.
Your ability was robust, you could drop a group of ninja's in a moment if you were skilled enough. If you were tardy, you would die. The game harbored minimal room for failiure and it's difficulty intrigued me. The boss of the game's first chapter plagued me. It must have taken me hour's of trying again and again to defeat him. Now he's nothing but that's not the point, the game rewards effort, you feel powerful as soon as you advance it's like you've unlocked something in yourself. The game was addicting.
Before long, my friend had to return Ninja Gaiden and I was left with this longing inside myself. I've played many 3rd person action/adventure games. Anyone could argue their similarities but few could argue their enjoyment factor and I thought Ninja Gaiden had succeeded where games like Devil May Cry or Soul Reaver had lost me. God of War wasn't exactly my cup of tea either, The Gaiden was where it was at. With the sword (or a slew of other interesting weaponry) in hand you felt like you were more than just a man, and as you would slay demonic creatures and virtual demi-gods you wonder how you got so far.
Few games would last long in a gamer's console for the trial-and-error relapse that Ninja Gaiden puts one through, what makes it different? Is it simply the presentation or is their really no substitute for good gameplay? I was confident that they couldn't improve upon the combat system in Ninja Gaiden 2 and when I read in different magazines that they were focused on improving the experience, knowing full well the combat played a large part of that. I was curious to see what Ninja Gaiden 2 was going to cook up.
Needless to say I got what I expected. The game is a bit more linear as you don't have minimal open-area zone's to roam so much as you are guided through a path. This game brings me back to the old school Shinobi games on Genesis. You run down a corridore and a new mob of Ninja is there waiting to take you down at any means neccesery, even so much as to throwing themselves on you to blow themselves up to hurt you. They mean business. Thanks to the first Gaiden's riggorous training process I felt more than adequately prepared for the challenge that Gaiden 2 posed for me. With ease I cut through the different mobs of ninja.
The game's upped action makes dismemberment much easier. It's not an uncommon occurrence to casually cut off a limb as you're weaving through you're foes. Once you've wounded a foe you can do devistating attacks that will instantly kill a wounded foe. In the new game your power is up but thanfully they've upped the anti.
Enemies are relentlessly hellbent on destroying you. I casually called out to my housemate as I was playing "Hey, watch this." He stumbles over. I'm running along a metal bridge, there's a gap in the bridge but there's a wall nearby that I can run along to get across. As I come towards this, two ninja begin to approach me from the other side. A leap and a dash attack, I land on the ground and the body of my fallen lands behind me, headless. His friend lands beside me and quickly meets a similar pace. He's quick to ask me "Whoa man, what just happened?" Unsure exactly of what just unfolded.
The game is that awesome.
Boss fights are insane, I'm stuck midway through the game and every boss seems to get more and more difficult. It's awesome but I'm only one man and apparently the japanese are far more adept ninja than canadians. Its something I've come to accept but it's not going to stop me from trying, the desire to get to the next stage and take on whatever the game wants to throw at me. It's that constant carnage, the devistation factor. You're so violently potent it's amazing and this is all at a fingertip.
This game has quite a bit more gore and blood than the first ninja gaiden, unruly parents might want to take note of that before they poop a brick because their child is playing this game. The fallen bodies of your foes also remain afterwards so if you're backtracking you'll find that many fell before you... It's kind of creepy in a way.
Overall though, I think any gamer with a 360 who is looking for an uncompromising action experience, this is a must own. Its pretty much exactly what we should have expected.
Until next time, keep your shuriken at the ready.
Peace!
Ninja's may bear different sentimental value to us all, be-it as a deadly assassin, as a silent hunter, as The Batman or a master of deception and trickery, its unanimous that they are one thing: Bad ass. The Ninja is a unique character most of the time shrouded in curious enigma. We often know very little of the ninja, his history or his motives. Be he an evil or good ninja, they're fierce and uncompromising, if anything a true professional.
My personal sentimental value toward Ninja's wasn't very strong until Ninja Gaiden was released for the Xbox back in 2004.
Here's a game that easily stood strong as an example of the Xbox's visual capabilities well after it's release. It was a game that I had not played very much, upon it's release a few of my friends grew captivated by its majesty and I would be lying to say that I too wasn't sucked in as well. The game's atmosphere sucked you in. You were Ryu Hayabusa, a deadly ninja in charge of getting the Dark Dragon Blade from the demonic fiend Doku who has taken it from your village. Gamers may recognise Hayabusa from Team Ninja's Dead or Alive series.
Your ability was robust, you could drop a group of ninja's in a moment if you were skilled enough. If you were tardy, you would die. The game harbored minimal room for failiure and it's difficulty intrigued me. The boss of the game's first chapter plagued me. It must have taken me hour's of trying again and again to defeat him. Now he's nothing but that's not the point, the game rewards effort, you feel powerful as soon as you advance it's like you've unlocked something in yourself. The game was addicting.
Before long, my friend had to return Ninja Gaiden and I was left with this longing inside myself. I've played many 3rd person action/adventure games. Anyone could argue their similarities but few could argue their enjoyment factor and I thought Ninja Gaiden had succeeded where games like Devil May Cry or Soul Reaver had lost me. God of War wasn't exactly my cup of tea either, The Gaiden was where it was at. With the sword (or a slew of other interesting weaponry) in hand you felt like you were more than just a man, and as you would slay demonic creatures and virtual demi-gods you wonder how you got so far.
Few games would last long in a gamer's console for the trial-and-error relapse that Ninja Gaiden puts one through, what makes it different? Is it simply the presentation or is their really no substitute for good gameplay? I was confident that they couldn't improve upon the combat system in Ninja Gaiden 2 and when I read in different magazines that they were focused on improving the experience, knowing full well the combat played a large part of that. I was curious to see what Ninja Gaiden 2 was going to cook up.
Needless to say I got what I expected. The game is a bit more linear as you don't have minimal open-area zone's to roam so much as you are guided through a path. This game brings me back to the old school Shinobi games on Genesis. You run down a corridore and a new mob of Ninja is there waiting to take you down at any means neccesery, even so much as to throwing themselves on you to blow themselves up to hurt you. They mean business. Thanks to the first Gaiden's riggorous training process I felt more than adequately prepared for the challenge that Gaiden 2 posed for me. With ease I cut through the different mobs of ninja.
The game's upped action makes dismemberment much easier. It's not an uncommon occurrence to casually cut off a limb as you're weaving through you're foes. Once you've wounded a foe you can do devistating attacks that will instantly kill a wounded foe. In the new game your power is up but thanfully they've upped the anti.
Enemies are relentlessly hellbent on destroying you. I casually called out to my housemate as I was playing "Hey, watch this." He stumbles over. I'm running along a metal bridge, there's a gap in the bridge but there's a wall nearby that I can run along to get across. As I come towards this, two ninja begin to approach me from the other side. A leap and a dash attack, I land on the ground and the body of my fallen lands behind me, headless. His friend lands beside me and quickly meets a similar pace. He's quick to ask me "Whoa man, what just happened?" Unsure exactly of what just unfolded.
The game is that awesome.
Boss fights are insane, I'm stuck midway through the game and every boss seems to get more and more difficult. It's awesome but I'm only one man and apparently the japanese are far more adept ninja than canadians. Its something I've come to accept but it's not going to stop me from trying, the desire to get to the next stage and take on whatever the game wants to throw at me. It's that constant carnage, the devistation factor. You're so violently potent it's amazing and this is all at a fingertip.
This game has quite a bit more gore and blood than the first ninja gaiden, unruly parents might want to take note of that before they poop a brick because their child is playing this game. The fallen bodies of your foes also remain afterwards so if you're backtracking you'll find that many fell before you... It's kind of creepy in a way.
Overall though, I think any gamer with a 360 who is looking for an uncompromising action experience, this is a must own. Its pretty much exactly what we should have expected.
Until next time, keep your shuriken at the ready.
Peace!
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