End of October

Good Morning,
Just updated the blog stats for the progress this year and you be happy to know there is a new game on the completed list. Thanks to my friend Mike I was able to finish off the CO-OP on Portal 2 for the PS3 so the Platinum trophy was mine last night. Brings me up to seven platinum's this year and nineteen in total overall, so not a bad run really and hopefully number twenty soon once I've got a game to play.

So hows things for everyone? are you busy with all the new releases so far or as your game not come out?

Me well I'm swamped with games and I'm trying my best not to sink right now, currently working on Warcraft since the Halloween event is live. Of course they added a new Trick or Treat achievement for the new zone so I'm trying to level up so I can visit all the areas to get it (I have all the achievements for the holiday events except one). Currently hit level 88 the other day and around 70% towards level 89, think I have three zones to work on so fingers crossed I can get it done by end of Wednesday. Well I'm out Wednesday night so I need to get it done by end of tomorrow or I will have to wait another year to finish it off.

Apart from Warcraft I'm really getting into XCOM and I got to say it's one of those games you must play this year. I just had to revert my save since three missions pretty much took out all my squads and it was a disaster. For those who have not played XCOM its a strategy game where you control a squad of troops fighting an alien invasion, it's turned based and I'm not sure how else to describe it other then it's amazing. I will warn you it can be hard since you have to run the finances of the Home base, choose research projects and manage the planets panic levels. You given choices on what missions to take and of course the ones you don't go to cause panic in that country, if the level gets too high they drop out of the project and you loose funding. It can get very overwhelming at certain parts, especially when things hit the fan and you got three problems all at once. Will be jumping back on that game in a minute but check out the trailer below and the website for more information on the game.



Holy feck! that's the first time I've watched the trailer and a lot of the aliens in it I've never seen before, cannot wait to get back into it now.

So where was I? oh yeah talking about the new releases that have come out, well I've shelved a lot of games and I'm struggling with all the releases. I know I know, why in the world do I buy them if I'm not going to play them and I have no answer other then I'm an idiot. I did take back Pokemon White 2 since I've only played one hour of Black 2 on the launch day and that was it. The money went towards deposits for upcoming games and Professor Layton which came out this week. I've started the first chapter and I'm determined to finish it since I love the series but I am worried it will get shelved when Assassins comes out Wednesday. Speaking of which I'm still waiting for a order sent email from Ubisoft, I really hope I do get it on launch day.

This is the quarter four list I've purchased and the status so far:

1. Borderlands 2 - Shelved
2. Angry Birds Trilogy - Shelved
3. Dishonored - Completed
4. Pokemon Black 2 - Shelved
5. XCOM Enemy Unknown - Playing
6. Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask - Playing
7. Pokemon White 2 - Returned

I have plenty to do if I want to clock all these games and I need to stop buying games if they going to just get shelved. Easier said then done since I'm addicted to my gaming but fingers crossed that soon I will be posting that I've completed XCOM and Professor Layton, well I can hope anyway.

On that note take care folks since I'm off to do some gaming, have a good one and don't get swamped like me with the new releases.
~Iznic

Pokemon Event: Genesect

Morning folks,
I really need to get back into "sleep ins" because getting up at 7am with no work for hours is just killing me. Anyway since I'm up I thought I would start with getting all these posts up I've been promising myself for the last month, so first up is the Pokemon White 2 and Black 2 download event for Genesect.

This is the first time anyone has been able to get this Pokemon (legally), the event is through the normal Wi-fi channel so just connect your DS. The event ends on November 12th for America and Europe so don't leave it too late to get it. The Pokemon is level 15 and will activate a special event at the P2 lab in Pokemon White/Black/White 2/Black 2, it will also come with the move set Solar Beam/Signal Beam/Techno Blast/Magnet Bomb.

Well I did think that was it for the Pokemon event but I just checked the official site for the Europe end date and found a few C-Gear skins events are live on the Global Link site. So let's begin with three new Pokemon dolls for your dream house (Black Kyurem, White Kyurem and Meloetta), in game you get a mail from the Pokemon Fan club this month giving you the password. Make sure to check your club mailbox for that password since I cannot find one on the net so I'm guessing it's one time use instead of the normal generic ones.

Next up is a Pikachu doll and the password is somewhere on the Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 website, for the UK the password is RAPDRA (if you live elsewhere just pop to www.pokemon.com/BlackWhite2 then go to news).

Keldeo Ordinary form C-Gear skin is also up for the original Black and White games, password is KELDEOCGEARBW for the UK. Again just pop to your local Pokemon web page and look at the news stories to find a post with the passwords. There is also a Keldeo Resolute form for the new games White 2 and Black 2, again the password should be in the same news post but for the UK it's KELDEOCGEARBW2.

Important: Make sure to register your new games to the global link, I forgot to register my Black 2 so all the events related to that game would not appear until I had done it.

Finally there is a Halloween C-Gear for Black 2 and White 2, it's a Pumpkin Pikachu and it does not need a password just click the button to get it. So that's it folks so make sure not to miss out on any of these and the list of ends dates are below.


Genesect Event - 12th November 2012
Halloween CGear - 15th November 2012
Pokemon Dolls - 15th November 2012
Pikachu Doll - 15th November 2012
Keldeo CGears - 17th January 2013


~Iznic


Source: Serebii.net / Pokemon.com

Assassin's Creed 3: Eight days to go

It's so close! but to keep everyone going for the time being Ubisoft have released the launch trailer.



Got my Freedom edition on order and praying it will arrive on time for the Wednesday launch. I am gutted though since it's just been confirmed that the PlayStation 3 will be getting extra content in the way of a mission series based on the traitor Benedict Arnold. Check out the preview trailer below and see what you think.



So my readers will you be picking up the game and if so what platform and edition?
~Iznic

The Week After

Morning folks,
You know last Wednesday when I decided to do a marathon attempt to complete Pokemon White? well it worked. I spent around sixteen hours on Wednesday (I did have breaks) in which I took out the last four gyms and got myself to Victory road, then on the Thursday morning I took out the elite four plus the champion. Then the last boss was taken down after work on Thursday evening which finished the story for me and my god was it great. I never finished Ruby/Sapphire or Pearl/Diamond so I'm not sure if they had a improved storyline but I love it in Black and White. I like how they trying to give more of a reason to play other then beat the elite four to become champion, it was nice to see mini cut scenes as well and I really cannot wait to get stuck into Black and White 2 now to see what they have done with this set. Also makes me wonder what they will do with the next games on the 3DS, especially with the improved graphics and better cartridges to hold more memory.

 I did pick up quite a few games last week and in fact I bought all the new releases I wanted, my will power pretty much caved in on Friday and Saturday. I did some trade in's which covered Dishonored then I picked up both Black 2 and White 2 (yeah I always get both except Heart Gold which I'm still missing), which was meant to be it for the week but then I tried the demo for XCOM. Forty minutes later I could be found at my local GAME buying it for the Xbox 360, it really shocked me how great it was for a turn based squad RTS. Not tried it yet since I pretty much spent all of yesterday playing Dishonored which I'm about half way through now since I hear there is only nine missions and I'm on number five. In a way I want to get Dishonored done before I dive into XCOM but everyone keeps talking about, especially how hard it is and how they keep losing their squad members.

I do have a plan to try and get Dishonored done before Assassin's Creed 3, I would really love to get another game done as well but all the new releases I've picked up are time consuming ones. So I really don't see myself finishing a second one, but I am determined to try at least instead of increasing my pile of shame.

So how about you folks? what new releases if any did you pick up last week?
~Iznic

P.S. Just remembered Professor Layton and Medal of Honour Warfighter are releasing the 26th October just before Assassin's Creed 3, DOH!

God of War: Ascension Collector's Editions

Well if this Christmas was not costing you an arm and a leg with the amount of games that are coming out, they go and make the start of next year jam packed with new releases as well. Of course they have to go and throw a spanner into the works by announcing collector editions now. Today Sony announced on the Europe Blog they will be doing two editions for the new God of War game.

Special edition is up first which is basically the steel book case with a few extras. I love the simple look of the case and the use of the glowing logo, it works for me so if I don't get the big edition then this will be a must. Also includes the soundtrack, double XP for the multi player then throw in a avatar pack and theme for the console. Nice special edition on all accounts but I do think it's missing something, maybe a figurine? well they have you covered for that.

Look at this bad boy! the figurine! the box art and all the extras! they designed this with me in mind. Ok down to business and let's talk about what is included, well first off the awesome looking box which I regret throwing away the God of War 3 one now. All the stuff from the special edition is included as well plus an extra armour set based on Mythological Heroes which is a bit annoying since it's also the pre-order bonus.

Now the first extra awesome bonus and that's a pass for all future DLC will be included, now that's a bonus! so a season pass basically but of course it depends what type of DLC it will be. I'm hoping for some extra single player stuff and not just multi player maps/skins.

Finally the best part in the box and it had to be last of course, the Kratos figurine and how cool does it look. In fact just to be nice to you my readers I've cropped the figurine out of the original image of the blog so you can see it up close. Just click the imagine below to the full size version of it then when you done go place an order for it, well actually you cannot yet but still start saving!.

So folks what will you be getting out of this lot? me I'm hoping for the collectors if I can get the money together in time, reason I say that is because Tomb Raider is out the week before and Gears of War Judgement is the week after. March is turning out worse then November and that's saying something.

~Iznic

P.S. I forgot to post up the picture of the pre-order bonus armour set which is also included in the Collector's Edition.

Got to Defeat Them All

Afternoon folks,
Currently having a giant marathon of Pokemon White today in the hope that I can get the story completed in time for the sequel. The other day for some reason I had it in my head there was only six gyms so that was why I posted it was possible to get the game done, then I remembered you needed eight gym badges. Anyway I'm currently on five thanks to this morning and now fighting Team Plasma but I needed a break since my 3DS needs charging, plus I could do with a cup of tea.

I'm currently using the one Pokemon strategy that I talked about several months ago, my starting Pokemon Tepig is now a Emboar and it's level 44. It's great since most of the NPC's right now are average 24 so a lot of the time I'm just breezing through the fights, really got my fingers crossed that I can do the story by tonight. It would be so awesome since I've not done the Elite Four since Pokemon Gold (first time around) back in the day, I always pick up the games when they come out but usually stop around the 4th gym. No shock there really since most of the games I get shelved, anyway so yeah it's all about Pokemon right now.

Thought I would give you guys a small update before I get back to it, really enjoying it to the point I've actually had the TV show in the background playing.

Geek is what I am and proud of it!
~Iznic

P.S. Will be sorting my trade in pile later ready for Dishonored and Pokemon White 2, going to be a costly week but at least nothing else now until the 30th with Assassin's Creed 3. Although I do have a bad thought that I might had missed something.

Another Starcraft 2 Battle Report

Been meaning to post this up since August but the video turned up when I just went on holiday and well I forgot to post it when I got back. Blizzard have put up a third battle report video showing off Heart of the Swarm, the first expansion for Starcraft 2 which everyone is banking on coming out early next year. The videos are great since you get to see most of the new units in action and it's amazing how what should be a win/lose in certain parts can just be overturned in the matter of moments thanks to the new units. Anyway check out Protoss vs Terran in the video below...



If you missed the other two battle reports they can be found on the same youtube channel or check out my past post "Starcraft 2 Heart of the Swarm".

~Iznic

Batarang Controller

Say hello to my new Xbox controller that I picked up several weeks ago, yes I have been meaning to post this up for a while now but you know what I'm like. What made me get a wired controller? well its the Limited Edition Batman Arkham City controller plus it was Pre-owned but still sealed.

So for a whooping £12.99 I could not say no when I first saw it, I then read the box and realised that yes it lights up! such simple things keep me amused. The middle button between the start and select turns the light on and off, plus pressing it also cycles through the colours as well. It as seven different shades of colouring for the light (Blue, Green, Yellow, White, Lilac, Red and Turquoise).

At first when I bought it I was worried that it would not be comfortable since most third party controllers I find lacking compared to the official stuff, but the Batman one really is good. It's now currently the main controller that I use for my Xbox and saves having to keep finding out the play charge wire. I've not tried it with my Turtle Beach headset yet so that will be the next test, it will not matter though if it doesn't because it will do when I'm having a long single player session.

Just an heads up though folks before you rush off to buy, yes it is comfortable there is a small lip under the controller on the handles where the light section meets the controller that can be annoying at first. That's the only down side to the controller but after using it for a week I don't notice it anymore and on that note I will end this post. My final thought on this controller? well I'm not doing review scores anymore but I will say it's a great controller and a steal for that price.

~Iznic

Hello October

Seems there was a glitch with my Lovefilm app on my iPad so Lego Batman 2 for the PlayStation 3 did not arrive after all. Instead Portal 2 was sent and it's took over my life this week, every other game as pretty much been shelved thanks to it. Yes I know I said I would work had this week on all my new games that I picked up but it's Portal 2, have you played it? then you would know why I'm addicted to it again. If you not played then you need to stop reading this post and go get it! go on shoo! go buy/rent and play it.

I was hoping to finish the story for Pokemon White this week so I was ready for the sequels on Friday, it could still be possible since I just arrived in Nimbasa City yesterday which is the fourth gym. Funny thing is I think this is where I got to in Pokemon Black then I stopped, think I got stuck with a Team Plasma battle since my party was not high enough level to take them on. Anyway so yeah it could be possible to finish if I put the hours in this week, but you all know what I'm like that probably will not happen.

I've also not played Warcraft or Borderlands 2 this week either, not since last Sunday session so I really could do with making some time for them both. I promised myself that I would get the news games completed when I buy them and not just shelve them. I've got pretty far with Borderlands 2 so I really do not want to forget the story and controls, which would mean having to start over again which I hate doing. Plus in Warcraft I just did my first couple of Dungeons and hit level 87, I was well on my way with the progress plus I just found out you can run your own farm so I was working on that.

Really could do with some more time and I've got Pokemon White 2 and Black 2 this week coming out as well, plus Dishonored which I'm still not one hundred percent sure on just yet. Think I will just have a small scream and bang my head against the wall, anyone got any spare time to sell to me? could do with Lot's.

Ok enough with the moaning and complaining, my goal this week is to try and clock Pokemon White, put some hours into Warcraft and Borderlands 2. On that note I'm going to go play some games, don't forget to drop a comment with what you guys are playing.

Until then have a good one folks
~Iznic