Elderly Crossing

I am coming to the realization lately that I am in need of getting myself into better shape. Just my walking around all day at work is starting to hurt a bit more then usual. Maybe it could be my shoes that need changing out or maybe it is just the starting signs that I might actually be getting older.

That is a novel thought in itself.

Me? Getting older?

No...

That age stuff only happens to other people!

It is always a funny and scary thought for me, the idea of actually growing older rather then just being a kid forever. What is slightly more humorous is the idea of how I, like many kids, always wanted to be older so people stop telling me what to do. And now here I am and I wish the clock would slow down a bit and I realize that there is no going back.

I am also realizing that I need to be more appreciative of the life that I live right now. Part of the reason why I have been going through life just one day at a time is because thinking of the future does scare me. What is to come? Good health or bad? Rich or poor? Better or worse? I really don't want that sort of things plaguing my mind.

But it is getting harder to ignore as the days seem to being flying by faster then ever now. I could have sworn it was only just 2009 yesterday...

Hell it is almost a natural disaster the first time I found a white hair on my head. That was the end of the world! But nowadays I'm better about it I think and I don't panic as much as that first time.

Now I just stand in front of a mirror and search like a frantic manic.

Better, yes?

I don't think I'm liking this being old business... and I'm not even that old yet! 

Rest For The Weary

So after spending what felt like a fortune on Halo: Reach, I am absolutely grateful that there is absolute NOTHING that I am interested in for a good short while. My next run into spending hell will be on October 26th, when 3 games are released that I am -hoping- I will be able to afford all of.

Topping this trio? Yes, WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2011.

These past few years I have been telling myself that this one is it! No more after this! But every year I am drawn back in with the updated rosters, updated graphics, updated whatever it is that hooks my attention (and wallet). This year's game is sporting an updated physics engine, which basically allows a player to slam their opponent onto and/or through various objects and such.

But what seals the deal on capturing my interest is the WWE Universe mode, which basically makes exhibition matches and what not, feel and play like their TV show counterparts. Yes these all seem complete with #1 contenders, run ins and all the madness that is pro wrestling.

Second on my trio of interest is Fable III.

What needs to be said about Fable III? If it is anything even remotely like Fable II, then I imagine I will be hooked to the game for quite a long while here after.

But then, as I mentioned in a previous writing, I am liking this idea of being able to rise up and become King (or Queen). I am hoping there is a decent amount of freedom in this aspect, as I would absolutely love to play out being a just King and eventually a tyrant.

Lastly is Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.

I enjoyed the hell out of the original game and I thought it controlled pretty well and the story was interesting to me for the most part. As far this sequel is concerned though, I am a little concerned with this cloning business that seems to have StarKiller (the main character from the first game) either back from the dead or is a copy of the original.

But that aside, I've read that there will be more uses for the Force this time around and maybe even a couple of new powers added to the mix. I like that. I like destruction too.

Until then, I will continue on with my newly aquired Netflix addiction which has me watching so many different TV shows and movies, I think my head is about to explode. But it is kind of nice to have this service now, as that means I now have even less (or practically no) reason left to go to those dreadfully irritating rental stores.

Oh and Borderlands is getting (I think) it's final DLC in ClapTrap's New Robot Revolution next Tuesday which has to be pure awesome in itself. I think Borderlands is probably the only game I think I've ever bought DLC where the content was actually fairly better then decent.

Speaking of Tuesday, I believe Iron Man 2 is hitting DVD on that day and I've got my eyes on Chris Jericho's biography DVD (Breaking The Code: Behind the Walls of Chris Jericho) too.

Well wouldn't you know it! I just might end up broke before October after all!

Changing Things Up

I have been feeling a little strange today and the feeling I'm feeling right now is telling me that I need to mix everything up. I want to change the way my blog looks! Yes! It is time for a revolution! I don't know why, but I just got that feeling like I just need to do this. Today.

The idea here was to babble more about some things, maybe a little personal in nature. But my mind and my mood on the subject in question isn't quite right yet. I don't want things to feel like they've gone adrift and my thoughts aren't quite organized to where I think I could write everything down.

Like now.

I don't think I'm making much sense at this very moment. I think I will go and fire up Netflix and just get buried in a mountain of TV shows I've missed over the years. I swear that service is like a drug...

Halo: Reach

So I went and sat in line on Monday night for Halo: Reach and the turn out wasn't all that bad. We were waiting for about 2-2 1/2 hours, which isn't bad considering some people were there much earlier that evening. Actually getting the game itself took about 5 minutes tops, so we were in and gone in no time flat.

If for nothing else, the statute (above) made it all worth it for me. It wasn't quite as heavy as I expected, but it looks AWESOME no less. 

I'm bringing up this matter of time, because it took us (my girlfriend and I) just about a day and a half to finish off the campaign portion of Halo: Reach. And we weren't even really playing all that much (or so it felt). So when the credits began to roll, I was stunned! Shocked even! Was that it? That was everything? I mean maybe the game had gotten shorter? Or maybe we've gotten that much better (doubtful)? I mean we've played our share of FPS games, but we don't hit it up online and just play on endlessly...

So the epic final stand of Noble Team was over rather quickly... though the time spent was fun while it lasted.

What actually made things a bit more interesting in Bungie's final Halo game was the change ups in the game play. There was a space shooter portion, as well as a platforming section as well. Both of these changes were short, but the change of pace was unexpected and equally welcomed considering nearly every other moment was spent shooting and being destroyed by various acts of explosions/gun-laser fire.

Overall, it felt like Bungie took everything they learned from the Halo Trilogy, as well as ODST and this was the result. It was a fitting end to the legacy that they began. Everything just fit together and I was expecting (at the end of Reach) to start playing as the Master Chief. But alas, the tale ends there...

It is too bad that Bungie didn't get the chance (or maybe it just never came up) to maybe re-release the original Halo (with the usual updated graphics, game play tweeks, etc). I'd love to see what they could do with Halo now that they've got all this other experience under their belts.

At the end of the day though, as I mentioned before, this is a fitting end to what Bungie started. What I didn't mention, though I feel it would be a bit of an injustice to omit, is that there is actually a story to the madness. I felt for Noble Team as one by one, each of the members fell. It was touching and sad, even while knowing exactly what happens to Reach in the end.

Before The Fall

So in typical fashion and since I am already set to pick up the Halo: Reach Legendary Edition, plus the "special edition" hardcover guide... I think we're going to go and sit in line on Monday night for the midnight release. At this point, I mean why not? We've gone this far already and spent that much on this thing...

Speaking of which, I recently picked up Plants vs. Zombies from Xbox Live. This marks the third time that I've bought this game now (PC, iTouch and now Xbox 360). Popcap must love people like me...

But to my surprise even after playing the original over and over again, this latest incarnation is still as addictive fun as it's PC brother. Adding in versus and co-op modes adds a nice touch, along with the ability to play co-op in the story mode itself.

Another pick up off of Xbox Live was the final piece of DLC for Dragon Age: Origins, Witch Hunt.

Let me throw this out there now: If at the end of Origins (considering if you are playing as a male character) you did not choose to perform the ritual with Morrigan, this DLC is all but a waste of time and money! It won't add any depth to anything and she will just shut you down for refusing her. So you will not find out why she returned, where she went (the DLC takes place a year after the end of Origins) or where she is going or even what she is planning in the future. She just babbles something about Flemeth and... *sigh*

So again, no loose ends are tied up here folks, not unless you opt to save your Warden at the end of Origins and go through with Morrigan's baby making ritual. Or if, like me, you said to hell with your rituals! I will die! You only receive a cold hard slap of WTF to remind you that you just wasted money for nothing. Yeah, I was pretty floored when that happened...

All in all, the DLC (like most) is a relatively short play and I can't help but think that maybe BioWare could have ended their Dragon Age: Origins DLC support with a bit more of a... bang? And considering if you didn't go a particular route, this DLC will do just about nothing as far expanding the lore any further. I hoped that maybe there could be some choices to the matter, maybe talk Morrigan into sharing a tidbit or three. But alas, nothing.

I have also been reading about those that have spoken out about how BioWare said they would support Dragon Age with DLC for two years and now they've ended just about a year later. The claim from BioWare's end is that Dragon Age II is coming along better then they hoped, so that's why they won't support Dragon Age: Origins with any more DLC.

For starters, I can never understand why people or companies decide to throw numbers out there such as this. It only works against them! But if I remember correctly, that was a piece of the hype that went into promoting Dragon Age: Origins back in the day. I hope they don't throw these kinds of statements out when the sequel arrives next year. 

And you know what? Considering how poor a lot of these DLC packs/expansions/whatever end up being, I am a little grateful that they've stopped. After playing through Awakening and feeling like I lost out on something (apparently your character is a lousy, rotten monster of a person, because no one from the original team save Oghren, follows you to your new post), I opted not to get any more of their add-ons and/or expansions. That alone just left way too much to be desired in my book. I should have stuck to my guns and stayed away from this final DLC, because it just proved what I thought I already knew.


As for Dragon Age II? I am already debating if that will ultimately be worth purchasing. Or pre-ordering for that matter. I may just skip this and await Gears of War 3 or who knows? Maybe I will still be playing Halo: Reach or Fable 3 or who knows what else?

Oops... this one got a little Dragon Age dominated! I just hope BioWare will work to improve their DLCs in the future, because at the end of the day I enjoyed the hell out of both Mass Effect and Dragon Age. Would I like to expand both universes with more content? I would love to! But as it goes right now, I can't say that I'd throw anymore points/money at this thing.

Halo: Reach - Making Of Noble Team Statue

I had some doubts as to whether or not my reserving of Halo: Reach's Legendary Edition was a smart idea. I mean, its just a statue that comes with it right?

Needless to say, yet I'll say it anyway... I thought these folks did some pretty awesome work here. The life sized version looks so real (at least it does through this video), I'd almost swear they designed real sets of Spartan armor.

Doubts about my reservation? Gone.

Hook, line and sinker?

Yup, took 'em all over again.

I'm such a sucker...

Chance At Freedom

There are a lot of things I could say, but I will say just this: Crazy times, these days have become. It just couldn't be helped these past few weeks, not since we've gotten a hold of a car. Well, more like it is borrowed from a friend and we've been adventuring all over the place! It is kind of nice to be able to do that for a change, rather then having to use the bus and take a full day to get to places outside of the city.

But anyway, games! More games! I've been busy on that front, playing a couple of new PC games (though they are technically old games now) in Spore and Civilization IV.

Civilization IV is a tough monster to just pick up and play and though playing through Civilization Revolution does help some, it just isn't the same type of beast as it's big brother. But I have not given up hope yet and it is a work in progress for sure.

Surprisingly, I've resigned up for World of Warcraft. I was actually gearing towards getting into Final Fantasy XIV, but my PC apparently cannot handle that game. And trying to sign up for that beta has been more of a headache then I believe it is worth. So much, much sooner then later, I will be stomping through the dust as my virtual Orc once again.

Now onto Spore, which has been absolute fun for me as I do love creating wacky, random things. And this game certainly allows for some weird creatures! Unlike a lot of other PC games I've picked up into lately, Spore has been the easiest one to jump into.

September is the start of crazy time to be a gamer, as the flood of games is about to be unleashed. Starting things off (at least for me) is Kingdom Heart: Birth By Sleep. Prequels aside, seriously... when and where will there ever be a Kingdom Hearts 3? I want to see how this whole mad quest ends already!

Then again, it could end up being like Final Fantasy XIII and be absolutely beautiful in its visuals and damn near brutal in everything else. I surely hope that never happens again...

Then comes Halo: Reach, which I have obviously fallen for their most recent advertising campaign. Yes I reserved that crazy special edition with the Noble Team Statue and I think we may even get the hardcover guide with the added on 80 pages of concept art. Hook, line and sinker? Understatement of the year.

Remember Reach?! I didn't even really know anything about it until now! But I'll be damned! Videos make everything so emotional....

And I was debating (then reserved) and am now back to debating if I'll be able to even get Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. I am thinking about holding off on those two, with the simple fact that I may very well be hooked solidly into...

Fable 3.

The man that would be King? Sign me up for the revolution and I will give the people blood, guts and glory they seek! I will end their suffering and lead them to a golden age unlike they have ever seen before. And in the end, I will rule absolutely and they will kneel before their King or they will die where they stand.

What? Tyrant? Where?