Hype: Lost Planet 2

Ooh la la, Now normally I'd have a box art screen to the right. But this game has no box art. so we'll just make due.

Lost Planet as we all should know, is an XBOX/PS3 game that did spectacularly on the XBOX and PC. It had a lot of things going on, graphics, gameplay, sound and online was also pretty sexy. This game was definitely the in cream of the crop in third-person shooters. Year-ish later, it was released on the PS3 as attempt to gain more money, but it didn't do so well.

Now we are graced by a likely exclusive sequel; one of which will include huge mofos out of the ground and brutal combat. Hopefully theyll improve on what the first one lacked: story. As innovative as the first one was. It's story was pretty sub-par. Green-Eye? Really? But sometimes the gameplay makes up for a crap story: like here.

Ok, so in the trailer, we saw huge monsters, like 10 guys riding that monster, sea travel, shield-gun-thing, squad control-ish, and massive combat. All of these appeal to me, so should this game score over 70, it's a total buy for me. The grpahics seem improved and the new models look cleaner and sharper; which brings me to the multiplayer unlockables. We want more, right? Anyway, this game, as little as we know, is looking completely awesome.

First Impressions: Looking good! This game seems to pack lots, we asked and hopefully they deliver. If it's as good as it looks: it'll kick ass and take names.

If you're wondering.

Yeah, yeah. I haven't posted in a while.

Only 'cause I'm playing Starcraft.

But, I'm noob so that's why I need to practice.

Expect me in 5-ish days. Give or take.

Rumor: New Capcom Title.

Awesome news guys. Capcom's gonna do something awesome on the 23rd of February.

Okay, so Capcom released, or is going to, some new footage of an unknown game. On the XBL Games Marketplace you can find an ad for such an announcement. Fans and trolls of all kinds are already speculating what new IP (or Retro-make) is going to be featured, hopefully it's some kind of MMOFPSRPG. Although that might not be the case, it's definately something worth looking into.

PS. I'm still unclear whether or not the PS3 is going to get the game as well.

Bottom Line: Nobody is sure what it is, not even I.

Thought: Linux is Awesome, just Game-less.

Linux? What's a Linux? I'll tell you.

Linux is a free open-source OS based on ancient technologies (no, really) and has evolved a lot the course of 15-ish years. Linux, holds the lowest market share in the whole industry and is backed by small companies and hardcore devotees. Sure, sure, there are a bunch of games playable on the Linux OS, but in terms of wholesome paid-for retail games, they are sparse.

So far in the time I have spent using a Linux OS, I have seen only 2 companies that support Linux: idsoftware and Epic Games, compared to the one million companies that support Windows. So what am I saying exactly? With the dawning of the Windows 7 up ahead and the support of XP dying, Linux is starting to become a choice for those who want a simple business PC. Linux has it's advantages and it's disadvantages. It's obviously not the first choice for a gamer. But it could be for someone working on a budget.

Some of Linux's advantages are:
+ It works on virtually any PC
+ Everything is Opensource, which means it is completely customizable
+ It's very stable
+ Almost no viruses!
+ The community is helpful (Ubuntu for me.)
+ Can emulate a lot of Windows applications (games too!)
+ It's easy to mod
+ and it's free!

But it also:
- Has a poor amount of games.
- Tricky for computer newbies.
- Installation isn't exactly the easiest.

There're way more negatives, but I support Linux. I do my gaming on my XP, but my laptop is all Linux.

But, if companies start developing for Linux, maybe the OS could become more and more widespread. Think about it, with one seed, you can plant one tree which is equal to more seeds. In the right conditions that is. If all the consumer had to pay for were the games and the PC, well of course they'd like a Linux. But until that day comes, it's not so smooth sailing for the Linux.

WTF: Pedophile Luring - The Sport of the Internet.

Okay, so I stumbled onto a "lounging" thread in NeoSeeker (a gaming forum) in which the 'seekers take part in a little sport that a member has made. It's quite disturbing but at the same time amusing.

It is "PEDOPHILE LURING".

The seeker goes to a chat site and engages chat with another member. Usually masquerading as a girl under 19, they will try to get them to catch the bait. If they hook, they play a little longer. After such a time, they say they've a "wang" or they say they're FBI or some organization like LOLZBOOBZ.

Honestly, pedophilia is wrong. But, if the both members are over 16, they can choose to have sex (atleast in Canada), so then is it illegal if they both consent?

Think about it.

Rumour: Mass Effect on PS3

I don't think it's likely, in fact it'd be for the better if it didn't.

So EA, which recently acquired BioWare; the makers of Mass Effect, have hinted at the sequel going multiplatform. Now this would generate the most profit but also the most hate, with the original being an MS exclusive, it would cause a huge uproar of rants from the trolls and fanboys (me). But they are a company, company's make money. Anyway, hopefully what they meant by multiplatform, they meant PC and 360. They are 2 different consoles after all. And if they do make a PS3 version, it'd be ported by EA and hopefully they get the short end of the stick. We (360) could also have the extra-edge: as owners of the original ME can port their character and continue their legacy.

But unless Microsoft Studios still has the series publishing contract, which may have been given to EA, then PS3 could see an RPG epic fall into their hands. Although I dislike PS3 a lot, it would hopefully be better for the series.

Bottom Line: I hope not, but it isn't impossible.

If They Did: More reason for me to get angry at EA, a consequence of this could be a tidal wave of angry men and women. It's good for SONY and MS in terms of money, but we'll be pretty pissed.

Review: Mass Effect

Yes, it is. It is awesome, in fact so very awesome I will try to not spoil it.

Long ago, this game was the epitome of choices-in-a-game with it's innovative dialogue and character influence system, every playthrough was completely different from the last. Brought to us by RPG legend factory Bioware, set here in Canada. Bioware has a long lineage of awesome RPG titles like 'NeverWinter Nights', 'Baldur's Gate' and 'KotOR'. These guys are masters of story manipulation and balance in character maintenance and awesome gameplay. So, without further ado, I shall review MASS EFFECT!

Story:
This game is just awesome, not perfect, but really damn close. The story is set in the future with known space inhabited by either the humans or the 'council races'. Your character is forced to undergo serious choices and situations which could adversely affect the rest of the game. So here you are, Shepard, poised to save the world in such a short period of time.

From the opening sequence to the final battle, each little piece of story is so intriguing and awesome you can't help but keep playing. From the battle-hardened gunnery chief, to the asari consort, each character is awesome with an interesting backstory to boot. The story does have some plot holes, but most of which adress what happened before the game, most of them are answered at the end of the game. The twists and turns take you on an emotional rollercoaster coupled with action packed scenes that just pump you with adrenaline. This game is so big and so large you'll have to play at least twice to understand it all. It's just awesome.

Gameplay:
Holy crap, this game is phenomenal, even choosing your character is an enriching experience with tons of depth. Every aspect of this game is really good, gameplay-wise that is. The skill trees are balanced and specialized and the classes are just as well-crafted as the game itself; with half-mage-half-warriors or full mages and full warriors it really depends on how you play. You can run-and-gun or play like a sniper, either way each and every kill is satisfying no matter who you choose to be.

Your character and his/her skills all affect the game, if you choose to be charming, then you'll have more dialogue options, if you choose to be intimidating, others will see you as such. From shooting to looting to customizing your character, there are hundreds of ways to mix and match every piece of equipment. Another thing I love about this game is it's open-endedness, you don't have to go to Point A from Point B, you could choose to go from A to C to B and back. Hell, you can go somewhere else first! There's a lot to do and a lot to see, with over 50 missions it'll take at least 28 hours to beat the game, and that's just the story.

Everything Else:
This game has wonderful controls and wonderful graphics, all adding to the already diverse atmosphere. Or should I say, 'Atmospheres'. This game has great music to match each scene and each planet holds it's own history. Ultimately, this game is ultimate and a real twist in it's fantasy-dominated genre. It isn't perfect, but it's damn close.

SCORE: 97/100