Review: Dawn of War 2 Chaos Rising

Dawn of War as always been one of my top 10 games, I love the gameplay and really enjoy the story that is Warhammer 40,000.

So for the last few months I've been really looking forward to this next expansion and to be honest I would had liked it, just shame it was so bugged it put me off it.

I can understand bugs in games and its hard to find them all before launch and how hard it is to patch but come on this was just not funny.

The game crashed twice on the first level when ever I attacked, in the end I had to rush my squad past the first several units then attempt to attack which worked. Through out the entire game the audio for the characters was broken, the character profile pictures that popped up too kept blacking out. On the last mission I turned my speakers off since the audio was that bad.

I'm sorry but how can you launch game this broken? how did the testers not pick up on this? someone needs to relearn what testing means.

Oh and the last boss scene, forgot about him. Who came up with that idea? you need to be locked up for creating that horrible fight. Wasnt a bug but bad ideas, 15 painful minutes after the fourth try to kill him, I like hard boss fights but this was just a joke. Had to keep doing pull runs and have a squad on the otherside of the map so I could revive everyone. Oh and thanks for giving him that attack that restores most of health, really enjoyed that.

Other then that the game was ok, not great just ok. Found it a lot shorter then I thought. Really could had done with some more optional missions and the story extended. The whole cliff hangar was a waste time, since I'm not looking forward to waiting another year for the next expansion to see the end (that's if the next one will end this current story plot). Especially with how badly this expansion was done, I have no hopes for the next one.

Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising (PC)
Score: 5 out of 10
Gameplay: Poor
Graphics: Good
Story: Average
Length: Too Short
Controls: Good

Review: Battlefield Bad Company 2

This game had the patentable to be game of the year.

Its the only game I will actutally sit down and play random multiplayer with strangers. When I play multiplayer in other games its with friends only, so as you can imagine this game has an outstanding multiplayer part.

Honestly the first week it was all I could talk about, the spark was there. My favourite mode is Rush where one team defends and the second attacks, nothing like it to get you heart racing as you and 11 other strangers work together to take down a base.

On the first night I had a dozen stories of adventures that had happened in the matches, its so much fun you cannot believe it. Of course I did say this had the potentable, single player was a huge let down.

The story is very short, you can easily do it in one evening and there is no reward for doing it on hard mode except the last level which is a joke. Every time a level ended I was shocked how fast it was over with, nice for the achievements but still I was hoping for something decent. The story isnt good either sorry to say, whats with modern warefare games these days. Once again the Russians are invading...this is getting old and very fast.

But least the mutiplayer makes the game worth the money, I still recommend picking it up just to play that. Hopefully the third one in the future will bring back a good singleplayer.


Battlefield Bad Company 2 (Xbox 360)
Score: 8 out of 10
Gameplay: Good
Graphics: Good
Story: Average
Length: Short
Controls: Good

Review: God of War 3

Still cannot believe the wait is over, I loved every game in this series and the third is no exception. After two very long days I finally finished the story, so its time to review it.

I would recommend this too anyone, not got a PS3? then go buy one just to play this game!

The entire game is amazing, the detail that went into the bosses was out of this world. The idea behind each one blew my mind away, Poseidon at the start was breath taking with the horse serpents. Even the levels had a ton of detail added, several times I had to stop to check out the view. Espically at the start while you climbing up, in the background you can see the Titans slowly climbing up and its awesome.

Gameplay is just the same as the past games making it easy for all. Always loved how easy it is to do the different chain attacks, you dont have to button mash which is always a plus in my books.

Story end was good but still think it could had a little bit more to say this is the end of the series, I am hoping for a fourth in the series to explain a bit more :) it cannot end like that. Hopefully the rumors of dlc will be true.


Overall, go buy! its a great game and if you not played the past versions then go get them too!


God of War 3 (Playstation 3)
Score: 10 out of 10
Gameplay: Good
Graphics: Good
Story: Good
Length: Decent
Controls: Good

End of Month Posts

OK February had no post and march will be getting a small post but to be honest I forgot what's really happened this month. So for April I'm going to create a saved draft post and anything I think that needs to be written down will be added there, so by the end of the month I should have a detailed post for the months progress. Well that's the theory anyway and if I stick to it, but knowing me probably won't lol

Another Goal

Well Another Code R was my first Wii game to be completed which means I finished my first goal for this years gaming challenge. Took alot longer then I thought since I was meant to get this game done in January but glad it's finished now. Now standing on two of the eight goals completed, so I feel like I'm doing ok with it.

Also clocked Disney UP on the PS3 the other day, now I have one of three platnium trophies for another goal too.

Lets hope I can keep this up


Goal 1: Complete at least one Wii game - SUCCESS!!

Review: Another Code R

I've written out this post about three times so far, finding it really hard to write what I want to say about this game. So let's start with the beginning, Another Code first came out on the DS and was one of the first games I bought for the handheld. I loved the game, the story was ok and I did like solving the mystery but it had nothing special too it.

What made me love the game was the puzzles, you had to think outside the box when it came to solving them. Two come to mind, one was to close the DS to stamp some paper and the other turning the DS on the side like a book to reflect the screens onto each other so you can see the whole picture. I loved it, of course since the story was just ok I never really wanted to go back and play it again.

Of course now there is sequel, this game came right under my radar. I was shocked when it arrived in store, normally I spot stuff like this months in advance before they released. Although the story in the original was lacking, I had my hopes up and could not wait to see what they did with the puzzles this time around.
Well after ... must be 15-20 hours at least, I finally finished just now. Spent 10 hours today working on it (my day off lol and was very determined to finish it today). Again I liked the game but it still doesn't have that spark, in fact it was lacking compared to the DS original. Think the thing that got me down the most about it was the loose ends. Before I go into any details I must give you warning


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!STORY SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three major points that let me down and they where Matt's Dad, Matt's Sister Kelly and the lakes pollution.


Matt's DadI was disappointed with the whole friend mystery, near the start of the game you meet Matt. A young boy who's father went missing five years ago, as you journey through the game solving the mystery about your mother you look for clues on his father. What seems ages you start to piece together a picture of what happened to him when suddenly, its forgotten about. Matt goes to a house to wait for you while you go talk to your dad and this part is the end of the game. You learn the truth about your mom and that's it, Matt is forgotten about. I was really shocked, everything you done seemed a waste of time. At the end all the characters come to say goodbye and you then learn someone as spotted a man that looks like his dad....that's it....wtf!

The game as a very slow start, the first 10 minutes are great. The story is setup but then you seem to waste like 10 hours about half the game getting small clues, chasing the boy around and around and around. This could had been shorted and the time used to answer the dad mystery.

Was really looking forward to seeing what happened to him and find the truth out, the game was really focused on his missing dad which shocks me they ended it like that.

Lake Pollution
And another thing, the lake pollution was caused by JC Valley at the end??!?!? "oh yeah are bad, it was us". Ok that we get hints about the pollution, its talked about a lot and that's it!. Why where they doing it? what was causing it? why did they blame Crusoe Resort?

Come on, would had been nice to have some answers
Matt's Sister
Finally his sister, this had to be the biggest shock in the game and the biggest WTF! Suddenly you find out she drowned at the boathouse, there are no hints that something bad had happened to her. Right out of the blue they drop this on your lap then we talking two minutes later the game forgets about it. The characters back to happy self's....

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SPOILER ENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No doubt if they make a third in the series I would play it, but honestly please please guys tie up the loose ends. I loved the extra mysterys to solve but not ending made this game poor, oh and please shorten the start of the game. Thank you!

Another Code: R (Wii) A journey into lost memories
Score: 6 out of 10
Gameplay: Average
Graphics: Good
Story: Average
Length: Long
Controls: Average

GOTY10 Update

Ok time to update the list

2010 GOTY
Mass Effect 2

Runners Up
Dante's Inferno

Still ME2 taking the lead with DI just added but only taking the silver so far. If the story and length had been better (See my review) then it would had been GOTY easily. Looking forward to seeing the next couple of weeks since we have Bad Company 2, FFXIII and God of War 3 coming out. Three of the biggest AAA games this year

Reviews

I know my reviews are short or pretty much rubbish lol. To be honest I'm not trying to be a review site or anything, just post my random thoughts of the game for friends to see since I pretty much play most games. That being said if you do want something changed like go into more detail about levels/bosses etc then ask and in future reviews I will try to add it. But as I said they here for fun, want proper reviews check out the professional websites :-) there are plenty!

Review: Spongebob's Truth or Square

I wasn't going to review but here goes lol

Graphics are ok for what it is and the game is well ... short but to be honest it's good in a way because if it was longer then I would had chucked it out the window lol.

Story is ... I think he lost something and basically you playing through memories which are past episodes. So if you are fan, then you will love it. Myself, found it boring but then I wasn't playing it for fun, just the gamerscore :-)

Overall good for gamerpoints or kids but its a rental, would not waste any money on it


Spongebob's Truth or Square (Xbox 360)
Score: 4 out of 10
Gameplay: Average
Graphics: Average
Story: Poor
Length: Short
Controls: Average

Dante's Inferno Review

Ok I'm going to just say it, this game could had been better. I know that's a shocking thing to say but just hear me out. This game is worth getting and playing, no doubt there. It's just it could had been so much more.

First off story is a big thing for me, I love movies/books/games that have a brilliant story that pull me in and make me not want to stop getting into it. Unfortunately I didn't feel connected with this game, the story was really lacking. I know its based on some epic poem but seriously come on, it tried and failed.

*****SPOILER******

The second and final issue I had was the length, Finished the game in two nights. The end felt rushed and not in the good way, I loved the first two circles (lust and greed) where you have this massive journey then face a boss that's linked to the circle. Then the rest ... well one minute you enter the circle next you out and wondering what happened. I know giving every circle bosses and big adventures would make the game super long, but it would had been awesome!

oh well maybe next time.

*****END SPOILER****

Other then those two problems I really did enjoy the game and would recommend it to friends, graphics are awesome. Some of the boss fights where amazing with the details that had gone into them, nicely done. Found game play to be very easy to get use to, there are tons of combos but you can just easily mash the x button lol. Of course its just a carbon copy of God of War, but who cares :-) just don't go around saying God of War 3 copied DI.

So in all, just go buy it!


Dante's Inferno (Xbox 360)
Score: 8 out of 10
Gameplay: Good
Graphics: Good
Story: Average
Length: Short
Controls: Good

80,000 Milestone

Last week I finally hit the 80,000 gamerscore mark, really pleased with myself since this is one of my personal goals. 80K Sounds so much better and I think the next 20k (upto 100k) might fly past better (well I hope).

It was a good week last week since I even hit 81k a day or two after, thanks to the spongebob game that was being rented. Of course, since then not earned much. Think I burnt myself out slightly, that and I'm working on two long/hard games (Star Ocean and Bioshock).

Hopefully I will be on soon saying I've hit 90k, wish me luck!

G.I.Joe Rise of Cobra Review

When I started playing I was enjoying this game, it did have some major flaws but I found the levels to be fun. Well that only last for the first six levels then after that, I could not but curse the game.

I was hoping to fully clock this game for the full 1,000 gamer score but its staying at 800 since I cannot stand to play another level on it. I was able to finish the story on hard mode and that's about it.

So why hate it so much? first off no camera, its stuck to the back of your guy and that's a huge problem. Especially when you go around the corner and the camera doesn't change!! that's right I actually died because the camera did not change and I went around a corner into a turret along with three minions. Worse when the health bar is above the characters head so you cannot see that too when I went around the corner. I had to run further to get the camera change then roll dodge to get out of the way of the gun fire on the second attempt.

Oh and if you die it wipes all the points you gathered so far from the last checkpoint, meaning getting that GIJoe point score can be annoying. This is where I gave up in the end, I've got three missions left needing full score and after the 11th attempt I cannot stand to do it no more. Either I die and lose a chunk of points or I fall short 20-40k.

No real story to the game either, seriously you work on 20 levels at least to a very poor story. Overall in the end I would not recommend this game, other then for a quick few points/trophies that's it. If you want the full 100%, prepare to throw a controller or two.


G.I.Joe Rise of the Cobra (Xbox 360)
Score: 4 out of 10
Gameplay: Average
Graphics: Average
Story: Poor
Length: Long
Controls: Average

Gaming List / Update

I mentioned not so long ago that I was trying to play games one at a time in a order, playing a brand new game then one old game. It's not that I don't want to play the older games just that the newer ones look more appealing, this system as worked well so far. It's like having something to work towards and I've found myself really enjoying playing the games I've missed out on.

So far I've done the following...

Mass Effect 2 (story only)
Ghostbusters (story only)
G.I.Joe (story only)

Now I'm working on Dante's Inferno which is putting me in the gaming mood again, G.I.Joe was a nightmare to work on and nearly killed my gaming spirit. Got over 800 gamerscore for it but I cannot cope with the last few, having to get perfect max score on those last three missions is killing me. Either one of my guys dies losing a ton of points or I will fall short at the end with the points. After 11 tries last night on one mission I realised that my time was being wasted, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

So anyway after DI, I think the following will be the next games. Of course this can change thanks to my rentals and newer games coming out, or change of mind.

Spongebob (Rental)
Bioshock 1
Dark Void
Prince of Persia
Army of Two 40th Day
Tomb Raider Underworld (Hard mode)
Assassin Creed 2
End War
Mass Effect 2 (Insanity Mode)
Darksiders

End of Month Thoughts (Jan 10)

I know this is a bit late but who cares, hopefully each month I will stop being lazy and post my thoughts of how that month went, gaming wise and especially about the Challenge.

If I was to be honest, I think I had a good start to the year. Could had been better but I wont complain, really enjoying myself and that's what counts really in the end.

Hitting one of my goals in the first few weeks was a great accomplishment, especially with it being a PSP game as well. Over the year's, I have found myself regretting buying one since I never play on it, so completing a game made it seem a little worth it. Just hope I can keep this progess up now.

Other then completing a goal, i did finish a few games on my lists. Two 1k achievements games and one story was a good result for the motnh, could had better but can't change that now. Hopefully I can knock a few more off the list soon and maybe make a dent in my gaming collection.

That's it really for my thought's on January, lets hope Feburary is better

Game of the Year (2010)

Like last year i will be keep a upto date list of this years games i play and in what order I think they deserve the title. Of course so far I've only played one game fully so the list is kinda short lol

2010 GOTY
Mass Effect 2

I really did think Mass Effect 2 would be outstanding and hold the title this year. But there are so many amazing games coming out soon, it makes me wonder now. Espically since we only two months into the year, there still another 10 months of releases to go lol. We got games like God of War 3, FFXIII, Star Wars Force Unleashed 2, KOTOR, Splinter Cell to come and we have Dantes Inferno and Bioshock 2 already out. I think Mass Effect going to have tough competition

2010 is a good year for gaming, that's for sure!

Mass Effect 2 Review

-!Winner!-
GAME OF THE YEAR 2010

I been trying to think of a way to review this game and came up with this....



WOW!


Think that sums it up well lol.



Mass Effect 2 is a amazing sequel, I started playing this games with my hopes up but in the back of my mind I was worried since it was a sequel and normally they fail big time. But Mass Effect 2 proved me wrong, it's already 1st place for Game of the Year for me.

Story is brilliant as always and kept me wanting to know more, I won't go into details since I do not want to spoil it for anyone but you will enjoy. The game as had alot of changes since the first one and everything for the good. The first major change would be the customisation on weapons/armours etc. When I heard they took out a lot of the customisation I got a bit worried, I really liked that in Mass Effect 1 where you could change your ammo types to cause different damages. But my fears where for nothing. in ME2 ammo types are now like powers and it worked, it worked really well. Just simply select the ammo you want (radial or by the bumper buttons) and its changed, quick and painless which is great in a intess fight. I was shocked how good the combat system is now, everything fits perfectly.

You know what, I can't keep writing this...my words cannot describe how good this game is. Just go try it for yourself!


Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360)
Score: 10 out of 10
Gameplay: Good
Graphics: Good
Story: Good
Length: Decent
Controls: Good

Too many games!

The new releases over the last few weeks is insane! It's become nearly impossible to keep up and my bank account is having a heart attack as we speak. It would not even shock me if I have over 10 pre-orders across numerous websites for new upcoming games.

*Bangs head on wall*

I think the trueachievement percent goal I set myself, will be going out the window very soon. I have tried to focus on just one game, complete the story/all the achievements before working on the next one. Was also trying to do it a list, new game then a old game so I could get some of my older games that have been sitting on the shelf finished. It worked at first but with more and more exciting games coming out, its making it a challenge to stick to one game.

The list started with Mass Effect 2 (finished the story), then went onto my Ghostbusters rental (finished the story) and now working on GIJoe which is the next rental which was to be followed by Dante's Inferno. As I said though, I'm struggling to stick to this kind of routine. I've always been the type of person to play half dozen games at once. All I can ask is, wish me luck! lol going to need it

1K/Plat Trophy List & Story List Challenge

Earlier this month I finally sat down and posted this year's challenge for myself. At the end I did a list of games that I wanted to either finish the story or 1k/plat trophy.

Last week or the week before (cannot remember lol), I finally finished one of the games on that list. When I checked the list out again I was shocked to realise how short it is compared to my collection.

For those that don't know, I'm a gaming addict, big time. Got hundreds of games sitting around my room waiting to be started/opened/finished etc. So this list I did earlier on, didn't even scratch what wanted to do. I've now decided to finally rewrite the list.

So here it is!

Completion Collection List v2.0
Finish the Story List
Ace Attorney Trails and Tribulations
Ace Attorney Apollo Justice
Afro Samurai
Another Code R
Battlestations Midway
Battlestations Pacific
Borderlands
Command & Conquer - Red Alert 3
Damnation
Dragonball Z Burst Limit
End War
Eternal Sonata
Farcry 2
Ghost Recon AW
Ghost Recon AW 2
Hawx
Infamous
Infinite Undiscovery
Killzone 2
LastRemnant
Lost In Blue 2
Lost Odyssey
Lost Planet
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Metal Gear Solid 4
N3
Naruto Rise of a Ninja
Naruto The Broken Bond
Ninja Blade
Operation Flashpoint Dragon Rising
Orange Box (Half-Life's)
Rainbow Six Vegas
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Resistance Fall of Man
Resistance Fall of Man 2
Resistance Fall of Man Retribution
Rise of the Argonauts
Spiderman Web of Shadows
Star Ocean - The Last Hope
Star Wars Lethal Alliance
Stormrise
Stranglehold
Timeshift
Trauma Centre Second Opinion
Trauma Center New Blood
Tomb Raider - Anniversary
Too Human
Two Worlds
Warhammer 40,000 Squad Command
X-men Legends 2
Zelda - Twilight Princess

1,000 Gamerscore / Platinum Trophy List
Assassin Creed 2
Battlestorm
Bioshock
Brothers In Arms HH
Command & Conquer 3 TW
Command & Conquer 3 KW
Crackdown
Darksiders
Dawn of War 2
Dynasty Warriors 6
Dynasty Warriors Gundam
Dynasty Warriors Gundam 2
Dragon Age Origins
Elderscrolls 4 - Oblivion
Enchanted Arms
Fable 2
Fallout 3
Lego Indiana Jones 2
Lego Star Wars TCS
Lost Odyssey
Marvel Ultimate Alliance
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Mass Effect
Overlord
Overlord 2
Prince of Persia
Star Wars The Force Unleashed
Supreme Commander
The Simpsons Game
Uncharted
Viva Pinata
Warhammer Battlemarch

Well thats the entire collection, well sort of...there is a few games I've not included. But if I can just dent this list I will be happy, think every gamer suffers this problem of having too many games to play and not enough time.

75,000 Gamerscore

I hit the 75k milestone this weekend, very pleased with myself since I was stuck on 74k for like a month which was annoying me to hell.

Have to admit this last bit upto 100k is going really slow, painful slow to be honest. I think it's because instead of playing every easy game I got for quick achievements, I'm working on a few of my better games. Trying to complete the stories or to get 1k in them (C&C3, Mass Effect etc).

Hopefully my spirit will pick up soon, would had hate to take a break from the challenge so early into it

Game of the Year 2009

Sorry it's took so long to sort this post out, it was mean't to be up yesterday but with my PC dieing it couldn't be helped.

So anyway lets get on with it! Going to start with the runner ups list..

8th Halo Wars
7th Borderlands
6th Dawn of War 2
5th Dragon Age Origins
4th Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2


In 3rd Place is Assassin Creed 2

I really thought this would be my game of the year, but I don't know...something more was needed but I just cannot put my finger on it. It's still amazing and worth every penny, just...it was missing that spark to make it beyond words.

In 2nd Place is Time Hollow for DS

This game held first place for most of the year thanks to the gripping storyline that kept me addicted to the end. Even throughout christmas I wanted to sit down and replay but stopped myself since I got other games need completing lol.

Review Score: 10/10




Finally game of the year for me is....

Batman Arkham Asylum
It sucked me in, I really did not think I would enjoy this game but yet I could not stop for several days until I had finished it. I found it amazing how the combat and stealth blended in so perfectly without it mattering if you where seen or not.
It was amazing! It really does deserve the game of the year award

Well that's it, I know the post was anything amazing (no fance trophy pictures or anything) but who cares. It's not like I'm famous, just my personel opinion :-)

For reference here is some of my past "game of the year"

2006 - Shadow of the Colossus
2007 - Mass Effect
2008 - Gears of War 2